83R5750 NC-F
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1081
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the certification of structural engineers; providing
for a fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H-1. CERTIFICATION OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Sec. 1001.371. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Significant structure" means a building or
structure assigned to Occupancy Category III or IV under Table
1604.5 of the 2009 edition of the International Building Code.
(2) "Structural engineer" means a person licensed to
engage in the practice of engineering and certified to practice
structural engineering in this state.
(3) "Structural engineering" means a specialized
branch of professional engineering involving the practice of
structural engineering of significant structures.
Sec. 1001.372. CERTIFICATE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not
engage in the practice of structural engineering unless the person
holds a structural engineer certificate issued under this
subchapter.
(b) A person may not, unless the person holds a structural
engineer certificate issued under this subchapter, directly or
indirectly use or cause to be used as a professional, business, or
commercial identification, title, name, representation, claim,
asset, or means of advantage or benefit any of, or a variation or
abbreviation of, the following terms:
(1) "structural engineer";
(2) "professional structural engineer";
(3) "licensed structural engineer"; or
(4) "certified structural engineer."
Sec. 1001.373. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for
a structural engineer certificate, an applicant must:
(1) be licensed under this chapter as an engineer; and
(2) pass the structural engineering examination
prescribed by the board.
Sec. 1001.374. APPLICATION. The board by rule shall:
(1) prescribe an application form for the issuance or
renewal of a structural engineer certificate; and
(2) determine the information to be included in the
application.
Sec. 1001.375. EXAMINATION. The board shall administer a
16-hour examination to determine the qualifications of an applicant
for a structural engineer certificate.
Sec. 1001.376. CERTIFICATE. The board shall issue a
structural engineer certificate to an applicant who meets the
qualifications prescribed by the board by rule and pays the
required fees.
Sec. 1001.377. SEAL. (a) On receiving a structural
engineer certificate, a certificate holder shall obtain a seal in a
design authorized by the board, showing the certificate holder's
name and the legend "Structural Engineer."
(b) The seal may be used in lieu of a seal obtained under
Section 1001.401.
Sec. 1001.378. RENEWAL. (a) A certificate issued under
this subchapter is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
(b) The holder of a certificate may renew the certificate by
paying a renewal fee and complying with other renewal requirements
prescribed by board rule before the expiration date.
Sec. 1001.379. FEES. The board shall establish and collect
reasonable and necessary fees in amounts sufficient to cover the
costs of administering this subchapter.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than May 1, 2014, the Texas Board
of Professional Engineers shall:
(1) establish the qualifications for issuance and
renewal of a structural engineer certificate; and
(2) adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes
in law made by this Act.
(b) A person is not required to obtain a structural engineer
certificate under Subchapter H-1, Chapter 1001, Occupations Code,
as added by this Act, before September 1, 2014.
SECTION 3. A person practicing as a licensed engineer in
structural engineering on the effective date of this Act is
entitled to issuance of a structural engineer certificate and to
continue to practice structural engineering without fulfilling any
additional education, training, or examination requirements
established by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers under
Subchapter H-1, Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, as added by this
Act, if the person has the other qualifications required by the
board and Chapter 1001 and if, before August 31, 2014, the person
submits an application on a form prescribed by the board and an
affidavit attesting to the person's experience as a structural
engineer.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.