WSR 14-03-114 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING [Filed January 21, 2014, 1:54 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 13-10-085.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 196-12 WAC, Registered professional engineers; chapter 196-20 WAC, Engineers-in-training; and chapter 196-21 WAC, Land surveyors-in-training.
Hearing Location(s): Radisson Hotel, Board Room 1, 18118 International Boulevard, SeaTac, WA 98188, on February 25, 2014, at 6:00 p.m.; and at the Wingate by Wyndham, Spokane Airport, Executive Board Room, 2726 South Flint Road, Spokane, WA 99224, on March 3, 2014, at 6:00 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: March 10, 2014.
Submit Written Comments to: George A. Twiss, PLS, Executive Director, Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, P.O. Box 9025, Olympia, WA 98507-9025, e-mail engineers@dol.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-2551, by February 23, 2014.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Cassandra Fewell, executive assistant, by February 23, 2014, TTY (360) 664-0116 or (360) 664-1564.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rule changes are needed in response to the national examination vendor modifying how they administer examinations. The national examination vendor has moved to computer-based testing only for the engineer-in-training and land surveyor-in-training exams. Amendments are also necessary to provide guidance to applicants with regard to the experience, education, and application requirements to qualify for the engineer-in-training and land surveyor-in-training exams.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Amendments to these rules are necessary to reorganize the rules to make them easier to follow and comply with. It also eliminates old language that no longer applies due to procedural changes.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 18.43 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 18.43 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: George Twiss, 405 Black Lake Boulevard, Olympia, WA 98502, (360) 664-1565.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No economic impact to applicants or licensees.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. No economic impact to applicants or licensees.
January 21, 2014
Damon Monroe
Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 08-11-100, filed 5/20/08, effective 7/1/08)
WAC 196-12-010 Registration requirements.
The requirements to become licensed as a professional engineer are:
(1) Eight years of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board((;)).
(a) These eight years must be of broad based, progressive experience to include gaining knowledge and comprehension of engineering subjects and applying engineering principles.
(b) The eight years of experience may be a combination of education and practical work experience. Under selected circumstances a maximum of five years of education (baccalaureate and masters degrees) can be granted toward the eight-year requirement.
(2) Obtaining a passing score on the fundamentals-of-engineering (FE) examination or be granted a waiver of the examination;
((The FE examination can be taken only after gaining an equivalent of four years of qualifying experience of a character satisfactory to the board or be certified by the university that the applicant has achieved senior standing in an approved engineering program;))
(3) Obtaining a passing score on the principles and practice of engineering examination;
(4) Obtaining a passing score on the board's law and ethics examination;
(5) Be of good character and reputation; and
(6) Payment of applicable fees.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 08-11-100, filed 5/20/08, effective 7/1/08)
WAC 196-12-021 Education experience records.
Official transcripts must be sent to the board's office for full education experience credit.
(1) A baccalaureate degree in engineering in a program ((approved)) accredited by the engineering accreditation commission (EAC) of the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET((, Inc.))) is equivalent to four years of required experience. Satisfactory completion of each year of such an approved program is equivalent to one year of experience.
(2) A baccalaureate degree in an engineering technology program ((approved)) accredited by the technology accreditation commission (TAC) of ((the)) ABET, ((Inc.,)) is equivalent to three years of required experience. Satisfactory completion of each year of such an approved program is equivalent to three-fourths of one year of experience.
(3) An approved four years in ((an ABET, Inc.,)) a non-ABET accredited engineering program will be given a maximum of three years of experience.
(4) No more than one year may be granted for postgraduate engineering courses for those applicants having earned degrees in accordance with subsections (1), (2), or (3) of this section.
(5) A baccalaureate degree in a nonengineering program will be given a maximum of two years of experience.
If the degree is followed by a graduate degree in engineering from a school that has an ABET((, Inc.,)) accredited undergraduate program in the same discipline as the graduate degree, a maximum of four years of experience may be granted for this combination of education.
(6) An associate degree in engineering from an approved program may be equivalent for up to two years of experience.
(7) Education gained over time where no degree is conferred will be granted no more than two years of experience. For the purpose of this subsection, education over time means: One or two classes taken at a time, often at different schools; seminars; workshops; and classes taken through industry and the military. In order to determine the appropriate amount of experience, this type of education will be compared to college coursework in a baccalaureate of engineering technology degree program.
(8) The board may approve engineering degree programs from other countries.
(a) A number of foreign degree programs are included in mutual recognition agreements entered into by ABET((, Inc.,)) with other accrediting authorities. Applicants with a degree from one of these programs will be evaluated in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) of this section. ((A list of those approved mutual recognition degree programs is maintained in the board office.))
(b) Applicants having engineering degrees from programs in countries that are not ((on the mutual recognition list)) ABET accredited will be required to have their transcripts evaluated by a transcript evaluation service approved by the board. This evaluation will be performed at the applicant's expense, and the applicant will be responsible for submitting all necessary information to the evaluation service. The board will use the evaluation to determine if the foreign degree is equivalent to an ABET((, Inc.,)) accredited degree. If the board determines that the degree is equivalent, experience will be granted in accordance with subsection (1) or (2) of this section. If the board determines that the foreign degree is not equivalent to an ABET((, Inc.,)) accredited degree, then a maximum of three years of experience will be granted in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.
(c) An applicant with an undergraduate degree from a foreign program that is not ((on the mutual recognition list)) ABET accredited, can waive the requirement for a degree evaluation if they have a graduate degree in engineering from a school that has an ABET((, Inc.,)) accredited undergraduate engineering degree program in the same discipline as the graduate degree. No more than four years of experience will be granted for this combination of education.
(9) Any other education will be taken into account and evaluated on its merits.
(10) Work experience gained between semesters or quarters or during summers while enrolled in an approved curriculum will be considered part of the educational process. No more than one year of experience will be granted for one calendar year.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 08-11-100, filed 5/20/08, effective 7/1/08)
WAC 196-12-030 Principles and practice of engineering examination((s)).
((Examinations administered by the board, or on their behalf, will be written or oral or both to enable the board to evaluate an applicant's knowledge in the fundamentals of engineering; principles and practice of engineering; and law and ethics.
If)) The principles and practice of engineering examination is given at times and places as approved by the board. A professional engineer ((holding)) with a current registration in the state of Washington ((wants)) that is seeking to become licensed in an additional branch of engineering((, they)) must pass the principles and practice examination for ((each)) that additional branch.
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 04-10-067, filed 5/3/04, effective 6/3/04)
WAC 196-20-010 ((Eligibility and applications.)) How do I become eligible and register to take the fundamentals-of-engineering exam?
((The law requires the completion of four years of experience or having achieved senior standing in a school or college approved by the board prior to taking the fundamentals-of-engineering examination. If the applicant has achieved senior standing, that standing must be certified by said school or college. The four years may be gained as: Four years of approved education; four years of experience approved by the board; four years of combined education and experience. The experience to qualify for the fundamentals-of-engineering examination must be completed sixty days prior to the date of the examination. All applications must be completed on forms provided by the board and filed with the executive director at the board's address. The deadline for properly completed applications accompanied by the appropriate fee as listed in WAC 196-26A-025 is four months prior to the date of the examination. Late applications will be considered for a later examination.
All applicants should submit transcripts of degrees attained or college courses taken in order to obtain maximum experience credit except, applicants enrolled in a school or college having achieved senior standing in a baccalaureate curriculum in engineering approved by the board will be eligible to take the fundamentals-of-engineering examination without submitting college transcripts.
Once an application has been approved, no further application is required. An applicant who has taken an examination and failed or who qualified for an examination but did not take it shall submit a request in writing, accompanied by the applicable fee as listed in WAC 196-26A-025, to take or retake the examination, at least three months prior to the examination date.)) (1) In order to be eligible to take the fundamentals-of-engineering exam, you must complete four years of education and/or experience as delineated in WAC 196-20-020.
(2) If you have completed a baccalaureate degree program which is accredited by the engineering accreditation commission (EAC) of the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET) or have achieved senior standing within that program, you may use the expedited process for FE exam registration as approved by the board.
(3) Applicants that do not meet the EAC educational credit described above must submit the full application to the board describing the education and/or experience that would meet the requirements in WAC 196-20-020 and then obtain written approval from the board prior to registering for the FE exam.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 04-10-067, filed 5/3/04, effective 6/3/04)
WAC 196-20-020 ((Experience.)) How is experience and education applied toward FE exam eligibility?
((The board shall evaluate all experience on a case-by-case basis and approve such experience as appropriate. Partial credit may be granted for experience and/or education that does not fully meet the requirements. The board will use the following criteria in evaluating an applicant's education and experience:
(1) Graduation in an approved engineering curriculum of four years or more from a school or college recognized by the board, is equivalent to the four-year experience requirement.
(2) Four years or more of broad based progressive experience in the fundamental knowledge of engineering theory and practice, of a character acceptable to the board, under the direct supervision of a person authorized by chapter 18.43 RCW or other applicable statute to practice engineering is equivalent to the four-year experience requirement.
The)) Approval to sit for the fundamentals-of-engineering examination (FE) is based upon satisfactory evidence that the applicant has completed a minimum of four years of practical engineering experience or four years of engineering education or a combination of both, as approved by the board.
(1) Experience:
Qualifying practical experience shall not be limited to, but ((must)) should include, the following:
(a) Preparation of technical reports and specifications, including graphics;
(b) Application of mathematical techniques to problem solving;
(c) Application of the basic physical sciences (chemistry, dynamics, statics, physics, etc.) in tasks;
(d) Performing assignments, experiments and tests to general specifications;
(e) Compilation and interpretation of data (statistical analysis, etc.);
(f) Executing complex engineering tasks according to instructions;
(g) Effective communication with associates and presenting recommendations and conclusions to supervisor;
(h) Knowledge of the impacts of the products of technology on society (i.e., energy/environmental considerations).
(((3) In evaluating the four years of combined education and experience, the board will be looking at transcripts and work experience to determine knowledge in subsection (2)(a) through (h) of this section.
(4) In the judgment of the board, the applicant must have demonstrated increased levels of responsibility and a continuous gain in experience and knowledge such that at the time of being approved for the fundamentals-of-engineering examination, the applicant is capable of making independent judgments and decisions under the general guidance and direct supervision of an authorized professional.))
(2) Education:
Any qualifying practical engineering experience may be supplemented or substituted by education as:
(a) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in engineering accredited by the engineering accreditation commission (EAC) of the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET); or
(b) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in a nonengineering program if the degree is followed by a graduate degree in engineering from a school that has an ABET accredited undergraduate program in the same engineering discipline as the graduate degree; or
(c) THREE YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in engineering technology accredited by the engineering technology commission (ETAC) of the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET); or
(d) THREE YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in engineering in a non-ABET accredited program; or
(e) TWO YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in a nonengineering program.
(3) Foreign education:
Unless exempted by the board all applicants with foreign degrees must have a transcript evaluation by a transcript evaluation service as approved by the board. The cost of the evaluation and the information needed to be evaluated is the responsibility of the applicant.
(a) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree from a foreign engineering program which is not EAC ABET accredited but is equivalent to an EAC ABET degree.
(b) THREE YEARS: A baccalaureate degree from a foreign engineering program, which is not EAC ABET accredited and is not equivalent to an EAC ABET degree.
(c) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree from a foreign engineering program that is not EAC ABET accredited, can waive the requirement for a transcript evaluation if they have a graduate degree in engineering from a program that has an ABET accredited baccalaureate engineering program in the same engineering discipline as the graduate degree.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 04-10-067, filed 5/3/04, effective 6/3/04)
WAC 196-20-030 Fundamentals of engineering examination((s)).
(((1))) The content of the fundamentals-of-engineering examination ((is given at)) and the times and places ((designated)) where the examination is available, is as approved by the board. ((The schedule of future examinations and an examination syllabus may be obtained at the internet web site of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
(2) An applicant passing the fundamentals-of-engineering examination will be enrolled as an engineer-in-training pursuant to RCW 18.43.020(3).))
NEW SECTION
WAC 196-20-045 How do I obtain certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington?
Certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington is only available to those applicants who designate Washington as their practice state when registering to take the FE exam and who also pass the FE exam. Those that meet the above conditions must submit an application for certification as an engineer-in-training to the board.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 04-04-001, filed 1/21/04, effective 2/21/04)
WAC 196-21-010 Eligibility and applications.
((The law requires completing four years of experience or having achieved senior standing in a school or college approved by the board prior to taking the fundamentals-of-land surveying examination. If the applicant has achieved senior standing, that status must be certified by said school or college. The four years may be gained as: Four years of approved education; four years of experience approved by the board; four years of combined education and experience. The experience to qualify for the fundamentals-of-land surveying examination must be completed sixty days prior to the date of the examination.
All applications must be completed on forms provided by the board and filed with the executive director at the board's address. The deadline for properly completed applications accompanied by the appropriate fee as listed in WAC 196-26A-025 is four months prior to the date of examination. Late applications will be considered for a later examination.
All applicants should submit transcripts of degrees attained or college courses taken in order to obtain maximum experience credit except, applicants enrolled in a school or college that have achieved senior standing in a baccalaureate curriculum in land surveying approved by the board will be eligible to take the fundamentals-of-land surveying examination without submitting college transcripts.
Once an application has been approved, no further application is required. An applicant who has taken an examination and failed or who qualified for an examination but did not take it shall submit a request in writing, accompanied by the applicable fee as listed in WAC 196-26A-025, to take or retake the examination, at least three months prior to the examination date.)) Eligibility for taking the fundamentals of land surveying exam requires completion and verification of four years of experience. These four years can be achieved through board approved education; board approved practical experience or a combination of both. All applications must be completed in accordance with instructions provided by the board. Once an applicant is notified of board approval to sit for the fundamentals of surveying examination he or she will be instructed to register directly with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for admittance to the examination.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 04-04-001, filed 1/21/04, effective 2/21/04)
WAC 196-21-020 Practical experience.
((The board shall evaluate all experience, which includes education, on a case-by-case basis and approve such experience as appropriate. The board will use the following criteria in evaluating an applicant's experience record.
(1) Education may be approved as experience based on the following:
(a) Graduation with a baccalaureate degree in land surveying from an approved curriculum shall be equivalent to four years of required experience.
(b) Graduation with an associate degree in land surveying from an approved curriculum shall be equivalent to two years of required experience.
(c) Each year completed of an approved curriculum without graduation shall be granted up to a year of required experience.
(d) A maximum of one year may be granted for postgraduate college courses approved by the board.
(e) Any other education will be taken into account and evaluated on its merits.
(f) Experience gained between semesters or quarters or during summers while enrolled in an approved curriculum will be considered as part of the educational process. The board grants one year of experience for a year of approved education including any associated work experience within that year.
(2) In evaluating four years of work experience, the board will be looking for broad based, progressive experience in the fundamental knowledge of surveying theory and practice under the direct supervision of a person authorized by chapter 18.43 RCW or other applicable statute to practice land surveying. This experience shall not be limited to, but must include the following:
(a))) Qualifying practical experience must be in the form of broad based, progressive learning in the fundamental knowledge of land surveying theory and practice. Practical experience must be under the direct supervision of a person authorized to practice land surveying by a board recognized authority. The breadth of experience, while not limited to, shall include:
(1) Performing complex survey calculations;
(((b))) (2) Conducting boundary and corner research;
(((c))) (3) Preparing and using property descriptions;
(((d))) (4) Understanding and applying fundamental boundary and topographic principles;
(((e))) (5) Making and/or analyzing horizontal and vertical control measurements; and
(((f))) (6) Being skilled in survey equipment care and usage.
((The board may grant partial credit for experience that does not fully meet the requirements in (a) through (f) of this subsection.
(3) In evaluating the four years of combined education and experience the board will be looking at transcripts and work experience to determine knowledge in subsection (2)(a) through (f) of this section.
(4) In the judgment of the board, the applicant must have demonstrated increased levels of responsibility and a continuous gain in experience and knowledge such that at the time of being approved for the fundamentals-of-land surveying examination, the applicant is capable of making independent judgments and decisions under the general guidance and direct supervision of an authorized professional.)) Practical experience gained while enrolled in a board approved curriculum will be considered as part of the educational process and not be recognized as separate experience. No more than one year of experience will be granted for one calendar year.
NEW SECTION
WAC 196-21-025 Educational experience.
All applicants are required to have original transcripts submitted to the board by the school registrar in order to obtain maximum educational experience credit. Applicants enrolled in a school or college that have achieved senior standing in a baccalaureate curriculum in land surveying approved by the board are eligible to take the fundamentals-of-land surveying examination without having college transcripts submitted.
Qualifying educational experience may be:
(1) A baccalaureate degree in land surveying from a board approved curriculum for up to four years; or
(2) An associate degree in land surveying from a board approved curriculum for up to two years; or
(3) Each year of qualifying board approved coursework in land surveying, without a degree, that will be evaluated for relevancy and equivalency to a structured curriculum for up to one year;
(4) A postgraduate degree approved by the board for up to one year.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 04-04-001, filed 1/21/04, effective 2/21/04)
WAC 196-21-030 Fundamentals-of-land surveying examination((s)).
(((1))) The content of the fundamentals-of-land surveying examination ((is given at)) and the times and places ((designated)) where the examination is available, is as approved by the board. ((The schedule of future examinations and an examination syllabus may be obtained at the internet web site of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
(2) An applicant passing the fundamentals-of-land surveying examination will be enrolled as a land surveyor-in-training pursuant to RCW 18.43.020(8).))
NEW SECTION
WAC 196-21-040 How do I obtain certification as a land surveyor-in-training in Washington?
Certification as a land surveyor-in-training in Washington is only available to those applicants who designate Washington as their practice state when registering to take the fundamentals of surveying exam and who also pass the fundamentals of surveying exam. Those that meet the above conditions must submit an application for certification as a land surveyor-in-training to the board.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
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