WSR 21-16-029
PROPOSED RULES
BOARD OF REGISTRATION
FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
AND LAND SURVEYORS
[Filed July 26, 2021, 8:14 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 20-06-023.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 196-20 WAC, Engineers-in-training.
Hearing Location(s): On September 15, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., join via WebEx, meeting number (access code) 1774 35 5700, meeting password r2pJmPVMV49; join by phone +1-415-655-0001 US Toll, +1-206-207-1700 United States Toll (Seattle). In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors will not provide a physical location for this hearing to promote social distancing and the safety of the citizens of Washington state. A virtual public hearing, without a physical space, will be held instead. The public may participate in the hearing by accessing the hearing link on the board's rule-making page https://brpels.wa.gov/about-us/laws-and-rules/rulemaking-activity or calling the phone number provided.
Date of Intended Adoption: October 21, 2021.
Submit Written Comments to: Shanan Gillespie, P.O. Box 9025, Olympia, WA 98507-9025, email Shanan.Gillespie@brpels.wa.gov, by September 15, 2021.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Shanan Gillespie, phone 360-664-1570, TTY 711 or 1-800-833-6388, email Shanan.Gillespie@brpels.wa.gov, by September 14, 2021.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The title of this chapter is being changed to better reflect the subject matter it covers. The proposed title is fundamentals of engineering exam and engineers-in-training. Changes were made to existing rules to clarify eligibility requirements to take the fundamentals of engineering examination and applying for certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Changes to the current language will allow more flexibility to the board to consider different types of education and experience for individuals that do not have an accredited engineering degree, and it allows individuals that have passed the fundamentals of engineering exam in another state to apply to become certified as an engineer-in-training in Washington.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW
18.43.035.
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: Shanan Gillespie, 605 11th Avenue S.E., Suite 201, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-664-1570; Implementation and Enforcement: Ken Fuller, 605 11th Avenue S.E., Suite 201, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-968-4805.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW
34.05.328. The board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors is not one of the agencies to which RCW
34.05.328 applies pursuant to RCW
34.05.328 (5)(a).
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW
19.85.025(3) as the rules adopt, amend, or repeal a procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or a filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.
July 26, 2021
Ken Fuller
Director
OTS-3208.1
Chapter 196-20 WAC
FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAM AND ENGINEERS-IN-TRAINING
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-10-067, filed 5/3/04, effective 6/3/04)
WAC 196-20-005Declaration and purpose.
This chapter contains rules and procedures for applications((,))and eligibility ((and))to take the fundamentals of engineering examination((s to be enrolled as engineers-in-training))and to apply for an engineer-in-training certificate.
NEW SECTION
WAC 196-20-007Fundamentals of engineering exam.
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 should include some or all of 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, physics, statics, and dynamics, etc.) in tasks;
(d) Performing assignments, experiments and tests to general specifications;
(e) Compilation and interpretation of data (statistical analysis, etc.);
(f) Executing 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).
(2) Education: A baccalaureate in engineering from an ABET accredited program meets the four-year requirement. Other education will be evaluated by the board.
(3) Any qualifying practical engineering experience may be combined with education to meet the four-year requirement as approved by the board.
(4) Approval to take the FE exam cannot be relied upon for approval to take the professional engineer (PE) examination.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 14-07-106, filed 3/19/14, effective 4/19/14)
WAC 196-20-010((How do I become eligible and register to take the))Fundamentals-of-engineering exam((?))registration process.
(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))should apply directly to NCEES to take the FE examination.
(((3)))(2) Applicants ((that do not meet the EAC educational credit described above must))with education and/or experience other than an ABET accredited degree should submit ((the full))their application to the board describing the education and/or experience that would meet the requirements in WAC ((196-20-020))196-20-007 and then obtain written approval from the board prior to registering for the FE exam.
(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.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 14-07-106, filed 3/19/14, effective 4/19/14)
WAC 196-20-045((How do I obtain))Obtaining certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington((?)).
In order to obtain a 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)), you must pass the FE exam((. Those that meet the above conditions must)), and submit an application ((for certification as an engineer-in-training)) to the board that shows you meet the requirements listed in WAC 196-20-007.
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 196-20-020 | How is experience and education applied toward FE exam eligibility? |
WAC 196-20-030 | Fundamentals of engineering examination. |