SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2633

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions, February 22, 2000

Title:  An act relating to registration of structural engineers.

Brief Description:  Registering structural engineers.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions:  2/22/2000 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, TRADE, HOUSING & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Benton, Gardner, Hale, Heavey, Rasmussen, T. Sheldon and Winsley.

Staff:  Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background:  Structural engineers are registered by the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.  Prior to 1997, applicants for a structural engineering registration were first required to meet the requirements for a general engineering registration, which is eight years engineering experience and successful completion of two exams.  In addition, applicants had to have two years 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 must also pass two exams given at least six months apart.  One exam is specific to structural engineering.

Summary of Bill:  The pre-1997 standards are adopted in statute, and structural engineering is recognized as a specialized branch of professional engineering.

An applicant for a structural engineering registration 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Current rules damage the standard of reciprocity with other states, diminish the standard of practice, and affect the public safety since engineers are not required to have as much experience.  This bill would restore the designation of structural engineering as a specialty requiring two years of experience beyond the eight years required for a professional engineering license

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:   Nancee Wildermuth, Architects and Engineers Legislative Council; Robert Bouradges, Donald A. Northey, Edwin Huston, Structural Engineers Association of Washington.