ARC 1254C

ARC 1254C

ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING

EXAMINING BOARD[193C]

Notice of Intended Action

Twenty-five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b."

Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.

Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code section 542B.6, the Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board proposes to amend Chapter 3, "Application and Renewal Process," and Chapter 4, "Engineering Licensure," Iowa Administrative Code.

The proposed amendments to Chapters 3 and 4 are necessitated by the transition to computer-based testing beginning in January 2014. Stakeholder feedback was solicited via registered lobbyist David Scott, whose clients include the Iowa Engineering Society and the Society of Land Surveyors of Iowa. No negative feedback was received.

Any interested person may make written or oral suggestions or comments on the proposed amendments on or before January 15, 2014. Comments should be directed to Robert Lampe, Executive Officer, Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board, 200 E. Grand, Suite 350, Des Moines, Iowa 50309; by telephone at (515)725-9024; or by e-mail to robert.lampe@iowa.gov.

A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, from 9 to 11 a.m.at the offices of the Professional Licensing Bureau, 200 E. Grand, Suite 350, Des Moines, Iowa. At the hearing, persons who wish to speak will be asked to give their names and addresses for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of the proposed amendments.

Any person who plans to attend the public hearing and has special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board to discuss specific needs.

These proposed amendments are subject to waiver or variance pursuant to 193—Chapter 5.

These proposed amendments were approved by the Board on September 12, 2013.

There is no fiscal impact to the state of Iowa. The transition from paper-and-pencil to computer-based testing is being led by the national administrator of the examinations and will result in the following increases in registration fees incurred by examination applicants: a $100 increase for Fundamentals of Engineering applicants and a $55 increase for Fundamentals of Surveying applicants. The registration fees are paid to the administrator of the examinations. While the cost of the examinations will increase, it will be offset to some degree by a decrease in travel costs due to a larger number of testing sites across the state. Testing will also be available year-round, as opposed to twice a year, increasing the convenience for examinees.

After analysis and review of this rule making, no adverse impact on jobs has been found. Although there should be no impact on jobs, the Board will continue to work with stakeholders to minimize any negative impact and maximize any positive impact toward jobs.

These amendments are intended to implement Iowa Code section 542B.13.

The following amendments are proposed.

Item 1. Amend subrule 3.2(1) as follows:

3.2(1) Fundamentals of Engineering examination application components and due dates. Applications for the Fundamentals of Engineering examination are submitted directly to the examination service selected by the board to administer the examinations. and must be received on or before September 1 of each year for the examination given in the fall and on or before March 1 of each year for the examination given in the spring. Applications from the following applicants are submitted on forms provided by the examination service: any applicant who has an ABET/EAC or Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) accredited engineering degree; any applicant who is enrolled as a senior student in an ABET/EAC or CEAB accredited engineering curriculum; or any applicant who has a master's degree in engineering from an institution in the United States with an accredited bachelor's degree in the same curriculum. Applicants who do not meet the criteria above must submit an application for approval to the board on forms provided by the board. The components of this application include: the completed, notarized application form; references; and transcripts.

Item 2. Amend subrule 3.2(2) as follows:

3.2(2) Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination application components and due dates. The components of this application include: the completed, notarized application form; references pursuant to 193C—paragraph 5.1(5)"b"; and transcripts. Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination applications require a detailed review and must, therefore, be submitted to the board office, postmarked on or before July 15 of each year for the examination given in the fall and on or before January 15 of each year for the examination given in the spring. Examinations are offered during four two-month testing periods throughout the year. Applications must be postmarked on or before October 15 for the January/February window, February 15 for the April/May window, April 15 for the July/August window, and August 15 for the October/November window.

Item 3. Amend subparagraph 4.1(1)"a"(1) as follows:

(1)If an applicant did not graduate from an Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology/Engineering Accreditation Commission (ABET/EAC)- or Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) approved -accredited curriculum, the applicant must also complete, in addition to the engineering degree, a one extra year of practical experience satisfactory to the board after receiving the engineering degree and prior to taking the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.

Item 4. Amend subrule 4.1(2) as follows:

4.1(2) Second, the applicant must successfully complete the Fundamentals of Engineering examination (FE exam).

a. An applicant may take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination FE exam any time after the educational requirements as specified above are completed, but the applicant must successfully complete the Fundamental of Engineering examination FE exam prior to taking the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination.

b. College seniors studying an ABET/EAC- or CEAB approved -accredited curriculum may take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination FE exam during the final academic year. Applicants will be permitted to take the examination during the testing period which most closely precedes anticipated graduation. However, an official transcript from the applicant's college or university verifying that the applicant graduated must be sent by the registrar to the board office before an applicant's examination results will be released.

c. An applicant who graduated from a satisfactory engineering program and has 25 years or more of work experience satisfactory to the board shall not be required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination FE exam.

d. An applicant who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from an institution in the United States of America with an accredited Bachelor of Science engineering degree program in the same discipline, or a similar doctoral degree in a discipline approved by the board, shall not be required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination FE exam.

e. Commencing with the computer-based FE exams in 2014, all FE exam candidates will apply directly to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and will self-attest as to the candidate's eligibility to sit for the FE exam. At that time, NCEES will cease its prior practice of receiving and verifying college transcripts for candidates with ABET/EAC- or CEAB-accredited engineering degrees and for candidates in their senior years of such programs. The board will also cease its practice of processing FE exam applications for those candidates who hold engineering degrees from nonaccredited programs who must have one year of experience in order for the degrees to be accepted by the board. The board will instead verify acceptable education and experience at the time an applicant applies to sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination or applies for an Engineer Intern (EI) number. The board shall apply the education and experience standards set forth in this rule, but will allow reasonable flexibility in timing in the event an applicant sat for and passed the FE exam at a point earlier than provided in this rule. The board will not, however, issue an EI number unless all required experience has been satisfied at the time of the EI application.