WSR 26-11-034

PROPOSED RULES

BOARD OF REGISTRATION

FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

AND LAND SURVEYORS

[Filed May 18, 2026, 6:56 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 25-18-104.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 196-12 WAC, Registered professional engineers.

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: Changes are needed to implement amendments to chapter 18.43 RCW. The amendments include language necessary to implement a fundamental exam waiver for any professional engineer (PE) applicant that meets the requirements, clarifies education as experience, clarifies who may verify practical engineering work experience, and repeals language regarding temporary licenses. Amendments to RCW also allow BRPELS to decouple the experience requirement to take the PE exam before meeting the required years of engineering experience for licensure. This separates the timing of the exam from the experience requirement. However, experience requirements must be met before applicants can get licensed.

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.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.43.040, 18.43.050, 18.43.100, and 18.43.130.

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; rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute; 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 rules are exempt per RCW 34.05.310 (4)(d) because amendments clarify language without changing its effect: WAC 196-12-014, 196-12-020, 196-12-047, and 196-12-065. 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 196-12-010, 196-12-014, 196-12-020, 196-12-021, 196-12-030, 196-12-047, and 196-12-065.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

Is fully exempt.

May 18, 2026

Ken Fuller

Director

RDS-7143.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-22-037, filed 10/23/23, effective 11/23/23)

WAC 196-12-010Licensure requirements for all applicants—Initial licensure and licensed in another jurisdiction.

To become licensed as a professional engineer in the state of Washington, whether you are applying for an initial license or ((you)) possess a license in another jurisdiction, you must meet the requirements for experience and examinations described below, which need not be completed within the state of Washington:

(1) Experience: Have eight years of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the board((:

(a) The eight years))which may be a combination of education and practical work experience.

(((b) The eight years of experience must be broad based and progressive to include gaining knowledge and comprehension of engineering subjects and applying engineering principles.))

(2) Examination requirements: An applicant must have received passing scores on two stages of examination(s). One must test the fundamentals of engineering and the other must test the principles and practice of engineering. Exam results must be independently verified by a NCEES member board, or a board approved foreign jurisdiction.

(a)(((i)))Fundamentals of engineering (FE) examination must ((meet the following requirements:

(ii) The examination must)) be either:

(((A)))(i) The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) fundamentals-of-engineering (FE) examination; or

(((B)))(ii) An equivalent examination as determined by the board which tests the applicant's knowledge of appropriate fundamentals of engineering subjects including mathematics and the basic sciences ((as defined in RCW 18.43.040 (1)(b)(i))) and was administered by a board approved foreign jurisdiction.

(((b)))(iii)Fundamentals of engineering (FE) examination waiver.

(A) Existing licensure: An FE waiver shall be granted to an applicant licensed in another board-recognized jurisdiction provided that:

(((i)))(I) The professional engineering license is currently active and is in good standing.

(((ii)))(II) The license is in a branch of engineering currently recognized by the board.

(((iii)))(III) The applicant has been actively licensed in a board recognized licensing jurisdiction for a minimum of 10 years since receiving their initial professional engineering license.

(((c)))(B) Initial licensure: An FE waiver shall be granted to an applicant applying for initial license provided that the applicant has a minimum of 18 years of board-approved engineering experience.

(b)Principles and practice of engineering examination: The principles and practice of engineering (PE) examination must be ((the))an examination administered by NCEES.

(3) Additional licensure requirements: An applicant must meet the following additional requirements for licensure:

(a) Receive a passing score on the Washington engineer law review exam;

(b) Fully complete the application form to the satisfaction of the board; and

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-22-037, filed 10/23/23, effective 11/23/23)

WAC 196-12-014PE licensure application form.

The board has a single application form for PE licensure in the state of Washington. ((This application form must be used by all applicants including those applying for the PE exam and licensure concurrently, those who have already taken the PE examination in another jurisdiction but have not obtained their initial license, and those who are already licensed in another jurisdiction and are seeking a license in Washington state.

(1) Current PE examination and licensure applications: Applicants who have not taken the PE examination will apply for both the PE examination and licensure on the application form. In order to be approved by the board to take the PE examination, the applicant must complete all sections of the form, except the date and location of taking the PE exam and must otherwise meet all of the qualifications for licensure. Upon passing the PE examination, the applicant is also qualified for licensure.

Applications for PE examination and licensure must be received at the board's address with the applicable fee by the date posted on the board's website.

(2) All other applicants for PE licensure in Washington state. All other applicants applying for licensure in the state of Washington, including those who are licensed in another jurisdiction or have passed the Principles & Practices of engineering examination but have not obtained their initial license, must complete all sections of the application form provided by the board.

(3))) All applicants must provide information on the application form and provide supporting documentation that demonstrates they meet all requirements for licensure((. This includes work experience requirements, education requirements, and examination requirements as detailed in WAC 196-12-010, 196-12-020, and 196-12-021; and RCW 18.43.040.

(4) All applicants must provide the following documents to verify the work experience, education, and examination requirements:

(a) A completed NCEES record transmitted to the Washington board; or

(b) Provide all the following documents:

(i) Education experience records - Official transcripts or the equivalent, showing all grades and degrees.

(ii) Work experience records - Completed form titled "Professional Engineering Experience Verification" which includes not only work experience information and details but also verifications of work experience by supervisors or other verifiers, per RCW 18.43.050.

(iii) Verification of licensing in any other jurisdiction(s), if any.

(iv) Verification of passing the FE examination or its equivalent (if any) or verification of FE waiver and verification of passing the PE examination))as detailed in this chapter and RCW 18.43.040.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-22-037, filed 10/23/23, effective 11/23/23)

WAC 196-12-020Practical work experience ((records)).

The following criteria will be used in evaluating an applicant's practical work experience ((record)):

(1) General requirements:

(a) Work experience ((will be approved))must be verified by an engineer(s) licensed in a board-approved jurisdiction, or as approved by the board subject to subsection (6) of this section.

(b) The verifier must have directly supervised the applicant's technical work and have personal knowledge of the applicant's engineering experience.

(c) Practical work must be based on a demonstration of competency and progressive responsibility in the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of engineering concepts and data((, under the direct supervision of a person authorized by chapter 18.43 RCW or other applicable statute to practice engineering. Under the general guidance and direct supervision of an authorized professional, the applicant must be in a position of making independent judgments and decisions)) in the following experience areas:

(((a)))(i) Formulating conclusions and recommendations;

(((b)))(ii) Identifying design and/or project objectives;

(((c)))(iii) Identifying possible alternative methods and concepts;

(((d)))(iv) Defining performance specifications and functional requirements;

(((e)))(v) Solving engineering problems;

(((f)))(vi) Interacting with allied professionals;

(((g)))(vii) Effectively communicating recommendations and conclusions;

(((h)))(viii) Demonstrating an understanding and concern for energy/environmental considerations, socioeconomic impact, and sustainability of resources.

(2) Engineering teachingat the college level may be considered satisfactory experience up to a maximum of two years at the discretion of the board.

(3) Applied research is considered satisfactory experience when it meets the following conditions:

(a) The research must be conducted under the guidance or supervision of a professional engineer. For the purposes of this subsection, guidance or supervision means being cognizant of all applicable aspects of the work and a reviewer of all applicable reporting documentation.

(b) The principal result(s) of the research are in a published report or a recognized engineering journal article in which the applicant is the primary author or the work is adequately documented and available to the board upon request.

(4) ((For military engineering experience to be considered acceptable, it should be similar to engineering experience that would be gained in a nonmilitary environment as defined in subsection (1) of this section, and such experience must be verified.

(5)))Practical experience during education: Experience credit for an undergraduate degree cannot be earned concurrently with work experience credit. ((No more than one year of experience will be granted for one calendar year.

(6)))(5) At the discretion of the board, practical work experience gained while enrolled in a postgraduate engineering program may be considered satisfactory experience ((at the discretion of the board))if it otherwise meets the requirements for practical work experience listed herein. No more than one year of experience will be granted for one calendar year.

(((7) All work experience gained must be under the direct supervision of a professional engineer authorized to practice under chapter 18.43 RCW or an individual authorized by another statute to practice engineering.))

(6) Military training or experience. An applicant with military training, or experience which includes engineering work, satisfies the experience requirements of this chapter unless the board determines that the military training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state.

(7) Exceptions. An applicant who submits verification of engineering work obtained while employed in a manufacturing or industrial setting, the federal government, or serving as an active member of the military may be granted an exception to the requirement to work under the direct supervision of a professional engineer. Any exceptions to the license requirement will be at the discretion of the board.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-22-037, filed 10/23/23, effective 11/23/23)

WAC 196-12-021Education as experience.

Education may be counted towards the eight years of experience requirement ((specified in WAC 196-12-010. Official transcripts must be sent to the board's office for review and approval)). All transcripts from any school in any location must be official and uploaded to the applicant's NCEES profile for verification by NCEES.

(1) A baccalaureate degree in engineering in a program accredited by the engineering accreditation commission (EAC) of the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET) is equivalent to four years of the eight years of required work 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 accredited by the engineering technology accreditation commission (ETAC) of ABET, is equivalent to three years of required work experience. Satisfactory completion of each year of such an approved program is equivalent to three-fourths of one year of experience.

(3) A degree in engineering or engineering technology from a non-ABET accredited engineering program may be ((given four years))equivalent to the years of experience noted in subsections (1) and (2) of this section at the discretion of the board. The board will determine if the degree is satisfactory in awarding years of experience.

(((3) No more than one year))(4) Experience may be granted for postgraduate engineering courses at the discretion of the board.

(((4)))(5) A baccalaureate degree in a nonengineering program ((will be given))may be equivalent to a maximum of two years of experience.

(((5)))(6) An associate degree in engineering from an approved program may be equivalent for up to two years of experience.

(((6)))(7) Sporadic engineering related education may be considered as experience by the board at its discretion. For example, one or two engineering classes taken at a time, often at different schools; and/or classes taken through industry or the military may count as experience. In evaluating this type of education, the board will compare the courses taken to college coursework in a baccalaureate of engineering degree program.

(((a)))(8) A number of foreign degree programs are included in mutual recognition agreements entered into by ABET with other accrediting authorities. Applicants with a degree from one of these programs will be evaluated by the board.

(((b)))(9) Applicants having foreign non-ABET accredited engineering degrees ((from programs in countries that are not ABET accredited)) will be required to have their transcripts evaluated by a ((transcript))foreign degree evaluation service approved by the board. This evaluation service 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 satisfactory to the board to award years of experience.

(((c)))(10) Exception: An applicant with ((an undergraduate degree from a foreign program that is not ABET accredited,))a foreign non-ABET accredited undergraduate is not required to have their undergraduate degree evaluated if they have a ((graduate))postgraduate degree in engineering from a school that has an ABET accredited undergraduate engineering degree program in the same discipline as the ((graduate))postgraduate degree. Years of experience will be determined at the discretion of the board.

For maximum experience credit the applicant must have their non-ABET accredited undergraduate degree from a foreign program evaluated by a transcript evaluation service approved by the board.

(((7)))(11) Any other education may be taken into account and evaluated on its merits by the board.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 22-17-121, filed 8/23/22, effective 9/23/22)

WAC 196-12-030Additional branches of engineering.

A professional engineer ((with a current registration))licensed in the state of Washington that is seeking to become licensed in an additional branch of engineering must:

(1) Have at least four years of practical work experience in the additional branch of engineering verified by a licensed professional engineer in that branch, or as otherwise approved by the board pursuant to WAC 196-12-020. These four years are in addition to the eight years of experience required to be registered as a professional engineer.

(2) Pass the principles and practice examination for that additional branch.

(3) Submit the application form and pay the application fee.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 22-17-121, filed 8/23/22, effective 9/23/22)

WAC 196-12-047Structural licensing requirements.

The branch of structural engineering requires specialized work experience to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. To be licensed as a structural engineer, an applicant must:

(1) Be currently licensed as a professional engineer in Washington state;

(2) Have at least two years of progressive responsibility in structural engineering experience in addition to the eight years of engineering experience required to be registered as a professional engineer. The structural experience should:

(a) Demonstrate the applicant's ability to design building structures or nonbuilding structures integrated within "significant structures" as defined in RCW 18.43.020(((12)))(10);

(b) Be progressive in difficulty and magnitude;

(c) Demonstrate breadth and depth of seismic design and detailing experience for projects in seismic regions similar to those located in Washington state;

(d) Incorporate two of the four common construction materials (steel, concrete, wood, and masonry);

(e) Reflect ability to design and apply structural engineering principles that show sound judgment on projects involving public health, safety, and welfare;

(f) Be supervised by a licensed professional engineer in the branch of structural engineering or a licensed professional engineer with substantial structural engineering work experience for projects in seismic regions similar to those located in Washington state, and the verifier must have directly supervised the applicant's technical work and have personal knowledge of the applicant's structural engineering; and

(3) Pass a board approved structural exam.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 22-17-121, filed 8/23/22, effective 9/23/22)

WAC 196-12-065Retired status.

A professional engineer having reached the age of 65 and having discontinued active practice as a professional engineer may be eligible for retired status. (("Active practice" is defined as exercising direct supervision and control over any professional engineering activity as defined in RCW 18.43.020(5).))

(1) Request for retired status. Upon approval((, a request for retired status will be granted effective the next scheduled renewal date))of a request, the retired status becomes effective on the date provided by the licensee on the application or when the licensee reaches the age of 65. The board will not provide a refund of renewal fees if the application for retired status is made and granted before the date of expiration of the certificate of registration.

(2) A licensee on retired status may:

(a) Retain the board issued wall certificate of registration;

(b) Use the title "retired professional engineer" or "PE-retired" or "SE-retired" as appropriate;

(c) Work as an engineer in a volunteer capacity, provided that the retired licensee does not create an engineering document or use their seal;

(d) Provide experience verifications and references for persons seeking registration;

(e) Serve as an instructor for engineering related courses;

(f) Provide services as a technical expert before a court, or in preparation for pending litigation, on matters directly related to engineering work performed by the licensee;

(g) Serve in a function that supports the principles of registration and/or promotes the profession of engineering, such as members of commissions, boards or committees;

(h) Serve in an engineering capacity as a "good samaritan." The state laws governing such activity are RCW 38.52.195 and 38.52.1951 and chapter 18.43 RCW.

(3) A licensee on retired status must not:

(a) Perform any engineering activity, as provided for in RCW 18.43.020(((5)))(6), unless the activity is under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer with an active registration in Washington;

(b) Act as the designated engineer for a corporation or limited liability company;

(4) Certificate of registration reinstatement. A retired licensee may resume active engineering practice with payment of the current renewal fee.

(5) Exemptions. A licensee is not eligible for retired status if their license to practice is under board ordered sanction. This exemption exists until the sanctions have been lifted or satisfied by the board.

REPEALER

The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

WAC 196-12-013	FE examination application.
WAC 196-12-055	Permit for temporary practice.