Brief Description: Allowing only structural engineers to provide engineering services for significant structures.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Murray and Clements).

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development
House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background: A professional engineer is a person who, through professional education and practical experience, possesses special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design. A professional engineer must register with the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board) by meeting work experience or education requirements established in statute and by the Board.    
Structural engineering is a specialized branch of professional engineering. To receive a certificate of registration in structural engineering, an applicant must meet registration requirements of professional engineers, have two years of structural engineering experience, and pass an examination prescribed by the Board.

Summary: An engineer must be registered as a structural engineer to provide structural engineering services for significant structures.

Significant structures are defined as:

• hazardous facilities that contain explosive substances that will endanger the public if released;
• essential facilities such as hospitals, fire and police stations, structures that hold water or fire suppression materials, emergency vehicle shelters and garages, standby power-generating equipment, government communications centers, aviation control towers, and buildings having critical national defense functions;
• structures exceeding 100 feet in height;
• buildings of five stories or more;
• bridges with a span of more than 200 feet;
• piers with a surface area of more than 10,000 square feet; and
• buildings where more than 300 people congregate in one area.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      36   11
House      98   0

Effective:   July 1, 2008