This bill merges the board of professional engineers and the board of land surveyors into one regulatory body called the board of professional engineers and land surveyors. The board will consist of 5 members appointed by the governor and council, including 2 professional engineers, 2 land surveyors, and one public member. The board will be responsible for administering the licensure requirements and regulations for professional engineers and land surveyors in the state. The bill also grants the board rulemaking authority to establish eligibility requirements for licensure, examination requirements, renewal requirements, ethical and professional standards, and technical standards for surveys. It clarifies that a license is required to practice professional engineering or land surveying in the state, with exemptions for certain individuals such as employees of licensed professionals and government employees. The bill also outlines the routes to licensure for professional engineers, including completion of an accredited engineering curriculum and passing a fundamentals of engineering examination. HB 1286 establishes the qualifications for obtaining a professional engineering license in the state. The bill outlines the requirements for individuals with different levels of education and experience, including those with a bachelor's degree in engineering, a master's degree in engineering, a bachelor's degree in engineering technology, and various years of engineering experience. The bill also includes provisions for an alternate route to licensure for individuals who can demonstrate a substantially equivalent level of preparation for engineering practice. Additionally, the bill addresses the qualifications for obtaining a license as a land surveyor, including the completion of a degree program, internship, portfolio, and examinations. The bill also establishes regulations for business organizations providing engineering and land surveying services, the use of seals, and misconduct that may result in disciplinary proceedings. HB 1286 makes several amendments to existing laws related to professional engineers and land surveyors. The bill adds new grounds for disciplinary action against professional engineers and land surveyors, including mental or physical incompetency, willful or repeated violations of professional conduct rules, and providing false testimony before the board. The bill also requires the state building code review board to include members nominated by the board of professional engineers and land surveyors. Additionally, the bill makes changes to the board of professional engineers and land surveyors, including adding the term "land surveyors" to the board's name and repealing certain sections of law related to land surveyors. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 146-A:2, 155-A:10, 205-D:2, 310:2