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WashingtonHB 22292025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the professional engineers' registration act.

Sponsored By: Janice Zahn (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

License suspension for unpaid child support

If the Department of Social and Health Services certifies you are not in compliance with a support order, the board immediately suspends your registration. If you keep meeting other registration rules, the board automatically reissues your certificate after DSHS sends a release showing you are in compliance. Your professional registration stays suspended until DSHS issues that release.

Structural license required for big projects

To do structural engineering on significant structures, you must hold a structural engineer registration. You must already have a current Washington professional engineer license. You also need at least two more years of structural experience beyond the eight years for PE licensure. You must pass additional exams the board requires.

Licensing fees, seals, and renewal rules

Applicants must use board forms and pay nonrefundable fees; if you are ineligible, the fee is kept as an application fee. Registrants must get a board‑authorized seal and sign, date, and stamp work they prepare or directly supervise. You may not use your seal after your certificate expires or is revoked. Your license becomes invalid if the board does not receive your renewal by the expiration date; land surveyors must also verify required continuing education to renew. The board sets fees to run the program, and fees and fines go into the board’s account; in the 2013–2015, 2015–2017, and 2025–2027 budget periods, the legislature may move excess funds to the state general fund.

Clearer steps to engineer or surveyor license

The law sets an eight‑year experience record to become a professional engineer. You can count up to four years for a board‑approved engineering degree, and the board may credit graduate study or teaching. You may take the fundamentals exam before you finish the work experience. After you pass and the board records your name, you receive the engineer‑in‑training or land‑surveyor‑in‑training title. The law also clarifies that engineering covers professional services and excludes routine operation or maintenance of machines.

Firms need authorization to offer engineering

A corporation or LLC may offer engineering or land surveying only after getting a certificate of authorization from the board. The firm must name a Washington‑licensed professional in responsible charge who can make final decisions and is not already responsible for another entity. The company must be licensed with the Secretary of State and registered with the Department of Revenue. The board charges an initial and an annual renewal fee. Professional service corporations and professional LLCs under chapter 18.100 RCW do not need to apply for this authorization.

Faster licensing for out-of-state engineers

If you hold a qualifying certificate from another U.S. state, territory, district, or a foreign country, you can apply for a Washington certificate. You must be in good standing and meet this chapter’s and the board’s rules. The board may waive the fundamentals exam if you meet its waiver rules. You still pay a board‑set application fee.

New board makeup and leadership rules

The board has seven governor‑appointed members: five engineers and two land surveyors. Members serve five‑year terms with a two‑term limit and must be Washington residents who practiced in state for the five years before appointment, with at least 10 years of active practice after registration, five just before appointment. The chair may appoint up to three pro tem members for up to 180 days, with full powers and pay, after the director selects and the board approves them. The board appoints a director who must hold a Washington PE or PLS license, and it may publish a roster of registrants’ names and mailing addresses on request. The law also defines “Director” to mean the board’s director.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Debra Lekanoff

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Kevin Waters

    Republican • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • My-Linh Thai

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 105 • No: 37

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 37 • No: 11 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 68 • No: 26 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 134, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/10/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/9/2026legislature

  6. Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  8. Speaker signed.

    3/6/2026legislature

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/24/2026House

  11. Minority; do not pass.

    2/23/2026House

  12. LC - Majority; do pass.

    2/23/2026House

  13. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    2/12/2026House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 68; nays, 26; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/10/2026House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026House

  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/10/2026House

  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/10/2026House

  18. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/6/2026House

  19. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/27/2026House

  20. CPB - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/21/2026House

  21. CPB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/21/2026House

  22. Minority; do not pass.

    1/21/2026House

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/21/2026House

  24. First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.

    1/12/2026House

  25. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/31/2025House

Bill Text

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