BOARD OF REGISTRATION

FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

[Filed November 2, 2021, 8:54 a.m., effective December 3, 2021]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: The title of this chapter was changed to better reflect the subject matter it covers. The proposed title is fundamentals of engineering exam and engineers-in-training. Changes were made to existing rules to clarify eligibility requirements to take the fundamentals of engineering examination and applying for certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 196-20-007; repealing WAC 196-20-020 and 196-20-030; and amending WAC 196-20-005, 196-20-010, and 196-20-045.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.43.035.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 21-16-029 on July 26, 2021.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 3, Repealed 2.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 3, Repealed 2.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 3, Repealed 2.

Date Adopted: October 21, 2021.

Chapter 196-20 WAC

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAM AND ENGINEERS-IN-TRAINING

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-10-067, filed 5/3/04, effective 6/3/04)

WAC 196-20-005Declaration and purpose.

This chapter contains rules and procedures for applications((,))and eligibility ((and))to take the fundamentals of engineering examination((s to be enrolled as engineers-in-training))and to apply for an engineer-in-training certificate.

WAC 196-20-007Fundamentals of engineering exam.

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 the board.

(1) Experience: Qualifying practical experience should include some or all of the following:

(a) Preparation of technical reports and specifications, including graphics;

(b) Application of mathematical techniques to problem solving;

(d) Performing assignments, experiments and tests to general specifications;

(e) Compilation and interpretation of data (statistical analysis, etc.);

(f) Executing engineering tasks according to instructions;

(g) Effective communication with associates and presenting recommendations and conclusions to supervisor;

(h) Knowledge of the impacts of the products of technology on society (i.e., energy/environmental considerations).

(2) Education: A baccalaureate in engineering from an ABET accredited program meets the four-year requirement. Other education will be evaluated by the board.

(3) Any qualifying practical engineering experience may be combined with education to meet the four-year requirement as approved by the board.

(4) Approval to take the FE exam cannot be relied upon for approval to take the professional engineer (PE) examination.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 14-07-106, filed 3/19/14, effective 4/19/14)

WAC 196-20-010((How do I become eligible and register to take the))Fundamentals-of-engineering exam((?))registration process.

(1) ((In order to be eligible to take the fundamentals-of-engineering exam, you must complete four years of education and/or experience as delineated in WAC 196-20-020.

(2))) If you have completed a baccalaureate degree program which is accredited by the ((engineering accreditation commission (EAC) of the)) accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET) or have achieved senior standing within that program, you ((may use the expedited process for FE exam registration as approved by the board))should apply directly to NCEES to take the FE examination.

(((3)))(2) Applicants ((that do not meet the EAC educational credit described above must))with education and/or experience other than an ABET accredited degree should submit ((the full))their application to the board describing the education and/or experience that would meet the requirements in WAC ((196-20-020))196-20-007 and then obtain written approval from the board prior to registering for the FE exam.

(3) Foreign education: Unless exempted by the board, all applicants with foreign degrees must have a transcript evaluation by a transcript evaluation service as approved by the board. The cost of the evaluation and the information needed to be evaluated is the responsibility of the applicant.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 14-07-106, filed 3/19/14, effective 4/19/14)

WAC 196-20-045((How do I obtain))Obtaining certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington((?)).

In order to obtain a certification as an engineer-in-training in Washington ((is only available to those applicants who designate Washington as their practice state when registering to take the FE exam and who also)), you must pass the FE exam((. Those that meet the above conditions must)), and submit an application ((for certification as an engineer-in-training)) to the board that shows you meet the requirements listed in WAC 196-20-007.

The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

How is experience and education applied toward FE exam eligibility?

Fundamentals of engineering examination.

WAC 196-20-020	How is experience and education applied toward FE exam eligibility?
WAC 196-20-030	Fundamentals of engineering examination.