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CS/CS/HB 713 — Engineers
by Regulatory Affairs Committee; Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee; and Rep. Ray and others (CS/SB 692 by Regulated Industries Committee and Senator Stargel)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Regulated Industries Committee (RI)
The bill revises the qualifications and procedures for the appointment and reappointment of members on the Board of Professional Engineers. The bill removes the requirement that a specified number of engineers in each category make up the board, and allows appointments of qualified candidates in a range of provided engineering fields. The bill provides for staggered terms of board members. A professional or technical engineering society may submit a list of qualified candidates to be considered by the Governor for appointment.
The bill revises the procedure for an applicant who fails an examination for licensure more than three times and wishes to retake the examination. The board now has the option of requiring the applicant to complete either additional college-level courses or a board approved relevant examination review course prior to further examination eligibility. The bill allows two additional attempts to take the examination for an applicant delayed in taking the examination due to his or her service in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard.
The bill removes options for an applicant for licensure by endorsement. The applicant will not be deemed by the board as having passed an examination substantially equivalent to the fundamentals examination if the applicant obtained an engineering doctoral degree and has an undergraduate degree from an accredited program or has an engineering doctorate degree and has taught engineering for three years at the college level.
The bill revises the requirements for licensure renewal for engineers by increasing professional development hours needed during a two-year renewal period from eight to eighteen. The bill lists acceptable continuing education modes. The board’s rules must be consistent with the National Council’s Continuing Professional Competency Guidelines.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2014.
Vote: Senate 35-0; House 112-2