SHB 1104
In CommitteeHouse
Professional engineers' reg.
Updating the professional engineers' registration act.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill updates Washington’s Professional Engineers’ Registration Act to modernize governance, clarify licensing rules, and improve administrative efficiency. It revises board composition, updates definitions of engineering practice, and clarifies how corporations and LLCs may legally offer engineering and land surveying services. It also removes outdated provisions, such as fixed expiration dates and temporary practice limits.
- Updates definitions in the Professional Engineers’ Registration Act, including clarifying what constitutes the 'practice of engineering' and 'significant structures' (e.g., hospitals, bridges over 200 feet, buildings with 300+ people).
- Revises board membership rules: maintains 7 total members (5 engineers, 2 land surveyors), extends terms to 5 years, and limits members to two consecutive terms.
- Expands the use of 'pro tem' (temporary) board members: allows up to 3, with same powers as regular members, appointed by the board chair after director approval, and limited to 180 days unless extended.
- Streamlines registration and renewal processes: allows the board to set fees and determine certificate validity periods; requires 15 hours of continuing education annually for land surveyors to renew; removes outdated references to expiration dates.
- Clarifies rules for corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) seeking authorization to offer engineering or land surveying services, including requirements for designated licensed professionals and annual renewals.
- Removes obsolete language, such as outdated sunset dates, temporary practice limits (e.g., 30-day cap), and references to partnerships being exempt from authorization after 1998.
Who is affected
- Professional engineers and land surveyors (including those working for corporations or limited liability companies) — Must meet updated experience, education, and continuing education requirements to become or remain licensed; must follow new rules for temporary practice and corporate authorization.
- Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors — May appoint temporary (pro tem) board members to help with meetings, hearings, or committee work, improving board capacity and continuity.
- General public and consumers of engineering/land surveying services — Relies on licensed professionals to review and approve engineering and land surveying work; benefits from clearer definitions of who can legally perform such work and under what conditions.
- Corporations and limited liability companies offering engineering or land surveying services — May need to update internal policies, notify the board of leadership changes, and ensure their designated licensed professionals remain in good standing.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Extends board member terms from 4 to 5 years and limits members to two consecutive terms, promoting stability and institutional knowledge while preventing long-term entrenchment.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2 (board member terms and limits)Explicitly authorizes limited liability companies to obtain authorization to offer engineering/land surveying services, aligning state law with modern business structures and removing outdated partnership restrictions (post-1998).
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 10 (LLC authorization) and Sec. 10(8)(g) (fee-setting authority)Expands and clarifies the definition of ‘practice of engineering’ to include representation, advertising, and implied licensure, reducing opportunities for unlicensed individuals to misrepresent qualifications — especially important for high-risk projects.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1 (practice of engineering definition) and Sec. 5 (structural engineering registration)Prohibits designated licensed professionals from serving in responsible charge for more than one corporation or LLC at a time, ensuring undivided professional responsibility and reducing conflict-of-interest risks in high-stakes infrastructure projects.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 10(8)(ii)(B) and Sec. 10(10)(ii)(B)Requires corporations/LLCs to maintain active state licenses and UBIDs, aligning regulatory compliance with standard business registration practices and improving transparency.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 10(8)(ii)(C) and Sec. 10(10)(ii)(C)
Potential Concerns (5)
Allows up to three pro tem board members to assist with meetings, hearings, and committee work, improving board capacity and continuity. This enhances the board’s ability to fulfill its regulatory functions efficiently.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 3 (pro tem board members)Clarifies definitions of ‘significant structures’ (e.g., hospitals, bridges >200 ft, buildings with >300 occupants) and requires structural engineering registration for work on such structures. This improves public safety by ensuring only qualified professionals design or approve high-risk infrastructure.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1 (significant structures definition) and Sec. 5 (structural engineering registration requirement)Requires 15 hours of continuing professional development annually for land surveyors to renew licenses, improving competency and accountability. Also allows the board to set fees to cover administrative costs, supporting consistent regulatory oversight.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 9 (continuing education for land surveyors) and Sec. 5 (board-determined fees)Removes fixed expiration dates and allows the board to set certificate validity periods and renewal terms, streamlining administrative efficiency and reducing bureaucratic rigidity.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 8 (board-determined validity periods and renewal processes)Clarifies rules for corporations and LLCs seeking authorization to offer engineering/land surveying services, including requirements for designated licensed professionals and annual renewals. This reduces regulatory ambiguity and supports business formation and compliance.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 10 (LLC and corporation authorization rules)
Who Is Most Affected
Engineers and land surveyors gain clearer pathways to licensure and renewal, with updated continuing education requirements. While the 15-hour CE requirement for land surveyors adds a modest burden, the removal of rigid expiration dates and ability to set fees improves administrative flexibility.
The board gains flexibility to appoint temporary members and set fees, improving operational capacity. However, it must now manage more complex authorization rules for corporations/LLCs and ensure designated professionals meet strict eligibility criteria.
Consumers benefit from clearer definitions of ‘significant structures’ and mandatory structural engineering registration for high-risk projects, improving safety and accountability. However, if fees rise to cover administrative costs, some users may face higher service costs.
Corporations and LLCs gain explicit authorization to offer services, reducing legal uncertainty. However, they must now ensure designated professionals meet strict eligibility (e.g., not serving multiple entities), and must notify the board of leadership changes within 30 days.