SB 996 - Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Licensing

• Eliminates alternative non-degree paths to licensure for professional engineers and requires graduation from an approved four-year engineering curriculum plus four years of progressive experience and examination (effective January 1, 2016).

• Modifies land surveyor licensure requirements to require a four-year degree in land surveying plus three years of progressive experience, or alternative pathways including a two-year degree plus six years of experience, or nine years of surveying experience.

• Eliminates the ten-year validity period for engineer-in-training and surveyor-in-training licenses, making them valid indefinitely unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked by the board.

• Establishes continuing professional education requirements: 12 hours annually for professional engineers and 8 hours annually for land surveyors, with up to 12 and 8 hours respectively allowed to carry over to the next renewal period.

• Increases criminal penalties for violations from a maximum fine of $500 and three months imprisonment to a maximum fine of $5,000 and one year imprisonment; authorizes board to assess civil penalties up to $1,000 per occurrence for licensure violations.