87(R) HB 2842 - Introduced version - Bill Text

	87R4466 JES-F
	By:  Hefner	H.B.  No.  2842

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the use of certain titles by a structural engineer.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION  1.    Subchapter G, Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, is
	amended by adding Section 1001.3085 to read as follows:
	Sec.  1001.3085.    REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER; USE OF
	TITLE. (a)  In this section, "NCEES" means the National Council of
	Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
	(b)    The board shall authorize an engineer to use the title
	"registered structural engineer"  if the engineer submits evidence
	satisfactory to the board showing that the engineer has passed:
	(1)    16 hours of NCEES structural engineering
	examinations, eight hours of which are the Structural II
	examination taken before January 1, 2011;
	(2)    16 hours of state structural engineering
	examinations taken before 2004;
	(3)    the NCEES Structural II examination and an
	eight-hour state structural engineering examination, each taken
	before January 1, 2011;
	(4)    the 16-hour NCEES structural engineering
	examination taken after January 1, 2011; or
	(5)    another 16-hour structural engineering
	examination or a combination of structural engineering
	examinations totaling 16 hours that is substantially equivalent to
	the 16-hour NCEES structural engineering examination, as
	determined by the board.
	(c)    A person may not use the title "registered structural
	engineer" unless the person obtains authorization from the board in
	accordance with this section.
	(d)    Notwithstanding Section 1001.401(a), an engineer who is
	authorized under this section may:
	(1)    obtain a seal in a design authorized by the board,
	showing the engineer's name and the legend "Registered Structural
	Engineer"; and
	(2)    use the seal for the purposes required by Section
	1001.401.
	(e)    Notwithstanding Section 1001.405(e), a business entity
	that is registered with the board and actively engaged in the
	practice of engineering may use the term "registered structural
	engineer" in the manner provided by that subsection if each
	service, work, or act performed by the business entity that is part
	of the practice of engineering is:
	(1)    personally performed by an engineer authorized
	under this section; or
	(2)    directly supervised by an engineer authorized
	under this section who is a regular full-time employee of the
	business entity.
	(f)    The board shall adopt rules to implement this section.
	SECTION  2.    Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas Board
	of Professional Engineers shall adopt rules necessary to implement
	Section 1001.3085, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION  3.    This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.