Washington Administrative Code

This chapter contains rules and procedures for applications and eligibility to take the fundamentals of engineering examination and to apply for an engineer-in-training certificate.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035. WSR 21-22-093, § 196-20-005, filed 11/2/21, effective 12/3/21.…

Approval to sit for the fundamentals-of-engineering examination (FE) is based upon satisfactory evidence that the applicant has completed a minimum of four years of practical engineering experience or four years of engineering education or a combination of both, as approved by th…

(1) If you have completed a baccalaureate degree program which is accredited by the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET) or have achieved senior standing within that program, you should apply directly to NCEES to take the FE examination.(2) Applicants with ed…

In order to obtain a certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington, you must pass the FE exam, and submit an application to the board that shows you meet the requirements listed in WAC 196-20-007.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035. WSR 21-22-093, § 196-20-045, filed 11/…

This chapter contains rules and procedures for applications, eligibility to take the fundamentals of land surveying examination, and to apply for a land surveyor-in-training certificate.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035. WSR 24-06-020, § 196-21-005, filed 2/27/24, effective 3/2…

Eligibility for taking the fundamentals of land surveying exam requires completion and verification of four years of experience. These four years can be achieved through board approved education; board approved practical experience or a combination of both. All applications must …

Qualifying practical experience must be in the form of broad based, progressive learning in the fundamental knowledge of land surveying theory and practice. Practical experience must be under the direct supervision of a person authorized to practice land surveying by a board reco…

All applicants are required to have official transcripts submitted to the board to obtain maximum educational experience credit. Applicants enrolled in a school or college that have achieved senior standing in a baccalaureate curriculum in land surveying approved by the board are…

To obtain certification as a land surveyor-in-training in Washington you must pass the fundamentals of surveying exam and submit an application to the board showing you meet the requirements listed in WAC 196-21-020 and 196-21-025.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035. WSR 24-06-02…

All individuals licensed in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW must utilize a seal/stamp that conforms to the design as authorized by the board. It is the responsibility of each licensee to maintain control over the use of their stamp/seal. The impression or image of the seal/stam…

The use of the seal/stamp must be in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW or as otherwise described herein:(1) Final documents are those documents that are prepared and distributed for filing with public officials, use for construction, final agency approvals or use by clients. Any …

Only professional engineers who have completed the state of Washington's requirements for licensure in structural engineering are permitted to use the title of S.E. when representing licensing credentials, as in, James Smith, P.E., S.E. Use of the title S.E. by any individual who…

The terms "signature or signed," as used in chapter 18.43 RCW and/or Title 196 WAC, means the following:(1) A handwritten identification or a digital representation of your handwritten identification that represents the act of putting your name on a document to attest to its vali…

The purpose of this chapter is to provide clarification on how businesses are authorized to provide engineering or land surveying services in Washington and to implement that part of chapter 18.43 RCW related to corporations and limited liability companies offering engineering an…

Board. The Washington state board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors.Business. A corporation, professional service corporation (PSC), limited liability company (LLC), professional limited liability company (PLLC), partnership or sole proprietorship that…

Businesses must obtain a business license from the department of revenue prior to offering services to the public pursuant to chapter 82.32 RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035. WSR 23-01-052, § 196-25-003, filed 12/14/22, effective 1/14/23.]

Corporations and limited liability companies that offer engineering or land surveying services must obtain from the board a certificate of authorization to practice engineering or land surveying or both in the state of Washington.Corporations and LLCs must be registered with the …

All applications by corporations and LLCs for certificates of authorization must be completed on forms provided by the board and submitted to the offices of the board. A complete application requires the following: Payment of the appropriate fee as listed in chapter 196-26A WAC; …

(1) Each corporation or LLC must designate a registered engineer or land surveyor respectively to be in responsible charge.(2) If the business offers both engineering and land surveying services, there must be a designee for each profession. If a person is licensed in both engine…

(1) If the business changes its name with the secretary of state, the business must notify the board within 30 days of the name change.(2) At the time of renewal, the corporation or limited liability company must have a current license with the secretary of state and the departme…

(1) Professional service corporations lawfully organized under chapter 18.100 RCW are not required to obtain certificates of authorization under this chapter.(2) All engineering services provided by a professional service corporation, must be provided by a duly licensed professio…

(1) A group of licensed professional engineers or land surveyors legally authorized to render the same professional services within this state may form and become members of a professional limited liability company for the purposes of rendering professional engineering or land su…

The offer to practice or provide engineering or land surveying services to the public must be made by or under the direct supervision of a licensee qualified to offer said services under the provisions of chapter 18.43 RCW.The practice of engineering or land surveying by a partne…

Direct supervision by a licensee is described as follows:(1) Maintaining control over those decisions that are the basis for the findings, conclusions, analyses, rationale, details, and judgments required for the preparation of engineering or land surveying plans, specifications,…

When a business, organization or public agency offers or performs engineering or land surveying services as defined in RCW 18.43.020, the business, organization or public agency shall perform its duties and responsibilities in the same manner as an individual, in accordance with …

The board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors (board) reviews and approves registration applications under the provisions of chapters 18.43 and 18.210 RCW. The state fees listed in this chapter are adopted by the board in accordance with RCW 18.43.050, 1…

The board shall determine the vendor, if any, who will administer examinations on their behalf. In addition to applicable state fees, the vendor may collect from the applicants the charges of examination development, examination administration and grading. Terms and conditions fo…

FUNDAMENTALS CERTIFICATIONS: Fundamentals of Engineering (FE): Application fee (including wall certificate):$30 Fundamentals of Land Surveying (FLS): Application fee (including wall certificate):$30PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS: Exam and initial license application fee (i…

(1) Licenses for professional engineers, professional land surveyors, on-site wastewater treatment system designers, or certificate of competency holders (inspectors) shall be renewed every two years. The date of expiration shall be the licensee's birthday. The initial license is…

Professional engineer:$128Professional land surveyor:$128On-site wastewater system designer:$128Certificate of competency:$128Late renewal penalty:$64[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035, 18.210.050, 18.210.060, 18.43.150, and 18.210.200. WSR 24-23-075, s 196-26A-045, filed 11/18/…

Application fee (incl. wall certificate and initial license):$150Renewal fee (one-year):$121[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035, 18.210.050, 18.210.060, 18.43.150, and 18.210.200. WSR 24-23-075, s 196-26A-060, filed 11/18/24, effective 1/1/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.24.086 a…

(1) RCW 18.43.110 provides the board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors (board) with the exclusive power to fine and reprimand registrants and suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of any registrant for violation of any provisions of chapter…

Registrants are to safeguard life, health, and property and promote the welfare of the public. To that end, registrants have obligations to the public, their employers and clients, other registrants and the board.(1) Registrant's obligation to the public.(a) Registrants are oblig…

In addition to any failure to conform with the requirements of chapter 18.43 or 18.235 RCW, or this chapter, the following acts and any act or condition listed in RCW 18.235.130, are explicitly defined as misconduct in the practice of engineering and/or land surveying.(1) Aiding …

Failure by any registrant to comply with the provisions of the Survey Recording Act, chapter 58.09 RCW and the survey standards, chapter 332-130 WAC shall be considered misconduct or malpractice as defined by RCW 18.43.105(10).The following standards shall also apply:(1) The monu…

(1) Under RCW 18.43.130(6) the provisions of the act shall not be construed to prevent or affect the practice of officers or employees of the government of the United States while engaged within the state in the practice of the profession of engineering or land surveying for the …

This chapter contains rules and procedures for applications, experience, education, and eligibility to become licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer or to obtain a certificate of competency.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035, 18.210.050, and 18.210.060. WSR …

On-site wastewater treatment system designer. "Designer" or "licensee" means an individual authorized under chapter 18.210 RCW to perform design services for on-site wastewater systems.On-site wastewater treatment system inspector/certificate of competency holder. "Certificate of…

To become licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer in Washington, you must meet the requirements described below:(1) Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.(2) Have four years of progressive experience in the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems…

The four years of experience in the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems of a character satisfactory to the board should include site and soil assessment, hydraulics, topographic delineations, use of specialized treatment processes and devices, microbiology, and constru…

To receive an inspector certificate of competency you must meet the requirements below:(1) Be an employee of a local health jurisdiction that reviews, inspects, or approves the design and construction of on-site wastewater treatment systems.(2) Have one year of practical work exp…

The board has one application form for licensure as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer and another application for inspector certificate of competency. All applications must be completed on forms provided on the board's website, and include required documentation to …

(1) To become licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer or to become an inspector certificate of competency holder the applicant must pass the on-site designer licensing examination as established by the board. The schedule of examinations and an examination blu…

The board has the discretion to issue a license to an out-of-state licensee without examination who meets the following requirements:(1) Completes the on-site wastewater treatment system designer registration application including supporting documentation as listed in WAC 196-32-…

(1) The purpose of chapter 196-33 WAC is to provide further guidance to licensees with respect to the accepted professional conduct and standard of practice, as indicated in chapter 18.210 RCW, and generally expected of those practicing professional on-site wastewater treatment s…

The specialized and complex knowledge required for on-site wastewater treatment system design makes it imperative that licensees exercise a standard of care that holds paramount the protection of the health, safety, environment, property, and welfare of the public.(1) Licensees a…

Direct supervision by a licensee is described as follows:(1) Maintaining control over those decisions that are the basis for the findings, conclusions, analyses, rationale, details, and judgments that are embodied in the development and preparation of on-site plans, specification…

All individuals licensed in accordance with chapter 18.210 RCW shall procure a seal/stamp that conforms to the design as authorized by the board. It is the responsibility of each licensee to maintain control over the use of their stamp/seal. The impression or image of the seal/st…

The use of the seal/stamp shall be in accordance with chapters 18.43 and 18.210 RCW, or as otherwise described herein:(1) Final documents are those documents that are prepared and distributed for use for construction, final agency approvals, use by clients, and record drawings or…

The term "signature or signed," as used in chapters 18.43 and 18.210 RCW and/or Title 196 WAC, shall mean the following:(1) A handwritten identification or a digital representation of your handwritten identification that represents the act of putting your name on a document to at…