The bill amends the Washington State Professional Engineers' Registration Act to modernize definitions and requirements for the registration of professional engineers and professional land surveyors. Key changes include the insertion of the term "professional" before "land surveyors" and the replacement of gender-specific pronouns with gender-neutral terms. The qualifications for board members are clarified, requiring five to be registered professional engineers and two to be registered professional land surveyors, each with a minimum of ten years of active practice. Additionally, new requirements for applicants seeking registration as professional engineers and structural engineers are introduced, emphasizing the need for broad-based experience and specific examination criteria.

Further amendments address the registration and examination processes, including new examination requirements for applicants and clarified experience requirements for land surveyors. The application process is modified to state that registration fees are nonrefundable and must accompany applications. The bill also updates the exemptions related to the practice of engineering and land surveying, removing previous provisions for non-residents and establishing responsibilities for corporations and LLCs in employing licensed professionals. Lastly, it creates a dedicated account for fees and fines collected, allowing for the transfer of excess funds to the state general fund, and modifies the requirements for the department of licensing to provide technical services to the board, enhancing operational efficiency.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 18.43.030, 18.43.033, 18.43.035, 18.43.040, 18.43.050, 18.43.060, 18.43.070, 18.43.080, 18.43.100, 18.43.130, 18.43.150, 18.43.170, 18.43.200