WSR 26-11-033
PROPOSED RULES
BOARD OF REGISTRATION
FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
AND LAND SURVEYORS
[Filed May 18, 2026, 7:02 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-08-093.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 196-21 WAC, Land surveyors-in-training.
Hearing Location(s): On June 24, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., at the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS), 605 11th Avenue S.E., Suite 207, Olympia, WA 98501; or via WebEx meeting. BRPELS is holding this hearing in person at its offices in Olympia. The public may also virtually participate in the hearing by accessing the hearing link on BRPELS' rule-making page at https://brpels.wa.gov/current-laws-and-rules/rulemaking-activity.
Date of Intended Adoption: June 25, 2026.
Submit Written Comments to: Shanan Gillespie, P.O. Box 9025, Olympia, WA 98507-9025, email Shanan.Gillespie@brpels.wa.gov, beginning May 20, 2026, 6:00 a.m., by June 24, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Mackenzie Wherrett, phone 360-664-1568, TTY 711, email Mackenzie.Wherrett@brpels.wa.gov, by June 15, 2026.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amendments to chapter 196-21 WAC allow individuals to take the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Fundamentals of Land Surveying (FLS) exam at any time. Requirements to be approved for the exam were repealed. Amendments to RCW allow BRPELS to decouple the experience requirement to take the FLS exam before meeting the required years of engineering experience for certification. This separates the timing of the exam from the experience requirement. However, experience requirements must be met before applicants can get certified.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To implement amendments to chapter
18.43 RCW made by the legislature in 2026.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW
18.43.035.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: BRPELS, 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, 360-664-1575.
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. BRPELS 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 only correct typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect; and 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.
Explanation of exemptions: The following rule is exempt per RCW
34.05.310 (4)(d) because amendments clarify language without changing its effect: WAC 196-21-010. The following rules are exempt per RCW
34.05.310 (4)(g)(ii), process requirements for applying to an agency for a license or permit: WAC 196-21-005, 196-21-010, 196-21-020, 196-21-025, and 196-21-040.
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
May 18, 2026
Ken Fuller
Director
RDS-7141.1
Chapter 196-21 WAC
LAND SURVEYOR((S))-IN-TRAINING
CERTIFICATIONAMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-06-020, filed 2/27/24, effective 3/29/24)
WAC 196-21-005Declaration and purpose.
This chapter contains rules and procedures for applications((,))and eligibility to ((take the fundamentals of land surveying examination, and to apply for))obtain a land surveyor-in-training certificate.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-06-020, filed 2/27/24, effective 3/29/24)
WAC 196-21-010Eligibility and applications.
Eligibility for ((taking the fundamentals of land surveying exam))applying for a land surveyor-in-training certificate 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 they will be instructed to schedule their examination with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).))
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 14-07-106, filed 3/19/14, effective 4/19/14)
WAC 196-21-020Practical experience.
((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)))The following criteria will be used in evaluating an applicant's experience:
(1) Practical work experience must be verified by a land surveyor(s) licensed in a board-approved jurisdiction.
(2) The verifier must have directly supervised the applicant's technical and have personal knowledge of the applicant's land surveying experience.
(3) Practical work should include a demonstration of the knowledge of land surveying theory in some or all of the following experience areas:
(a) Performing complex survey calculations;
(((2)))(b) Conducting boundary and corner research;
(((3)))(c) Preparing and using property descriptions;
(((4)))(d) Understanding and applying fundamental boundary and topographic principles;
(((5)))(e) Making and/or analyzing horizontal and vertical control measurements; and
(((6)))(f) Being skilled in survey equipment care and usage.
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.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-06-020, filed 2/27/24, effective 3/29/24)
WAC 196-21-025((Educational))Education as experience.
All ((applicants are required to have official transcripts submitted to the board 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))transcripts from any school in any location must be official and uploaded to the applicant's NCEES profile for verification by NCEES.
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.))an ABET accredited program meets the four year requirement.
(2) Other education will be evaluated by the board pursuant to WAC 196-16-010(2). Transcripts from non-ABET accredited schools may require degree evaluation as determined by the board.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-06-020, filed 2/27/24, effective 3/29/24)
WAC 196-21-040Obtaining certification as a land surveyor-in-training in Washington.
To obtain certification as a land surveyor-in-training in Washington you must pass the fundamentals of surveying exam and submit an application and applicable fees to the board showing you meet the requirements listed in WAC 196-21-020 and 196-21-025.