FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2633

                         C 172 L 00

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Registering structural engineers.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Chandler, O'Brien, McMorris, Wood, Conway, Clements and Hurst).

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions

Background:

Structural engineering is the branch of engineering involved with the design, analysis, and construction of buildings and structures.  Structural engineers are licensed by the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Prior to 1997, applicants for a structural engineering license were first required to meet the requirements for a general engineering license, which was eight years of engineering experience and successful completion of two exams.  Up to five years of education in engineering could be substituted for years of experience.  In addition, applicants had to have two years of structural engineering experience and pass an additional exam on structural engineering.

In 1997 after a rules review process by the board, these rules were determined to be beyond the authority given by statute, and the rules for structural engineers were changed.  The new rules require applicants to have eight years of progressive responsibility in structural engineering experience or equivalent education.  Applicants may substitute one year of engineering education for each year of experience, up to four years.  A fifth year may be substituted with structural engineering postgraduate work.  Applicants must also pass two exams given at least six months apart.  One exam is specific to structural engineering.

Summary of Bill:

The requirements for registering as a structural engineer are changed.  The pre-1997 standards are adopted.  Structural engineering is recognized as a specialized branch of professional engineering.  To become licensed as a structural engineer, an applicant must have eight years of general engineering experience plus two years of structural engineering experience and hold a license as a professional engineer.  Course work can substitute for up to five years of experience, but not for the two years of structural engineering experience.

Applicants must also pass a specific structural engineering exam in addition to the two exams given for the general engineering license.

An applicant for a structural engineering license who receives approval of his or her application prior to July 1, 2001, need not meet the requirement of the additional two years of structural engineering experience if they complete the structural engineering exam prior to January 30, 2002.

Votes on Final Passage:

House970

Senate410

Effective:June 8, 2000