HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2173

                       As Passed House

                      February 10, 1994

Title:  An act relating to registration of engineers‑in‑training.

Brief Description:  Providing for the registration of engineers‑in‑training.

Sponsors:  Representatives Heavey, G. Cole and King; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, January 19, 1994, DP;

Passed House, February 10, 1994, 93-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Horn; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Staff:  Jim Kelley (786-7166).

Background:  Engineers are required to be registered with the Department of Licensing as a prerequisite to engaging in the "practice of engineering."  Engineer registration is divided into two categories: "professional engineer" and "engineer-in-training."

A "professional engineer" must have eight years or more of specific work experience and must have passed an examination prescribed by the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.  Graduation from an approved engineering curriculum of four years or more is considered the equivalent of four years of work experience.  Each year in an approved program is considered the equivalent of one year of experience.

A person must have graduated from an approved engineering curriculum or have at least four years of experience as required for a professional engineer to qualify to sit for the first part of a two-part examination.  Upon passing the first part of the examination a person is qualified to be an "engineer-in-training."  The engineer registration requirements do not prevent or affect the work of an employee or subordinate of a registered engineer as long as the employee's work does not include final design or decisions and is done directly under the direct responsibility, checking and supervision of the registered person.

Summary of Bill:  The examination for "engineer-in-training" registration may be taken after the applicant has achieved senior standing at an approved school.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Giving schools the option of administering the first phase of the exam to become a registered professional engineer would be beneficial for engineering students.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (In favor) Alan Rathbun, Department of Licensing.