Legislation Report –
The legislature is out of session. The next legislative session will start in January. Legislation introduced in the upcoming session related to the design professions will be shared with Board members for their review and subsequent recommendation to the Department.
General Discussion
NCEES is seeking volunteers for the PE architectural engineering exam professional activities and knowledge study to assist the organization in updating the PE AE exam.
In 2005, a non-licensed Colorado architect, while running for political office called himself an “architect”. The Colorado Board issued a cease and desist order requiring him to refrain from calling himself an architect. The matter was litigated and the court ruled that he is permitted to continue to call himself an architect as long as he was not offering professional services. In New York, the protected titles are “architect” and ‘professional engineer’.
The committee met on October 5th to develop the April NYS Specific Land Surveying exam and to finalize the reorganization of the exam. The recommended revised blueprint for the exam would combine the current 9 categories of exam items into 3 major categories to simplify the exam structure. The committee continues its work in providing technical assistance and recommendations related to updating the education requirements for licensure and possible clarifications to existing definition of land surveying based upon NCEES Model law. Any changes to the law would require legislative action. The LS committee is scheduled to meet with NYSAPLS on November 18th to discuss these issues.
Professional Engineering.
The committee continues to work on updating the practice guidelines and best practices related to document retention and as built engineering drawings. In regard to as-built engineering drawings, the committee has gathered data from other jurisdictions and professional associations and will provide a recommendation to the full board at a future meeting on best practices related to the signing and sealing of these types of documents.
Geology – the regulations for this new profession will include updating the Rules of the Board of Regents part 29.3 that pertains to the design professions to include geologists.
The three design profession Boards have agreed to form a combined adhoc committee to consider best practices as they related to the emerging solar and energy programs and forensic evaluations related to natural disasters. .
Education
ABET is proposing revisions to their EAC accreditation criteria 3 – student outcomes and 5 – curriculum. Details on these proposed changes are available at the ABET website www.abet.org along with a feedback survey.
Examinations –
The October PE, PL, and NYS Specific LS exams were held on October 30 & 31. The next exam administration is April 15 and 16.
Environmental
The committee continues to work with DEC on corporate practice issues as they relate to a number of their environmental programs.
Design Build
The Infrastructure investment act of 2011 was extended for another 2 years through Chapter 60 of Laws of 2015. Legislation is expected in the next two years as this extension nears expiration.
Geology
The committee met with the NYSCPG sponsored geology advisory group comprised of geologists around the state on November 6th to discuss the draft regulations regarding licensure as a geologists. The meeting resulted in no major changes to the draft concepts and a reformulated education/experience chart was finalized. This draft frame includes: four education/experience pathways to qualify for the recommended licensure exams and licensure through endorsement, standards for licensure qualifying education programs, and experience requirements. The recommended draft frame work will be submitted to the Department for review with a plan to submit to the Board of Regents for their consideration in the spring.
Technology Update
E-licensing is still on hold, but the TRIM program that scans and stores documents electronically is proceeding. The Department is currently upgrading the system which may permit online application review by Board members in the future. In addition the Department is working on an online payment system for licensure applications similar to the existing online registration system.
NCEES
NCEES continues to recommend the decoupling of the PE licensure exam from the experience requirement. Presently there are only approximately 7 states that have adopted this concept. The last NCEES PS paper and pencil exam will be held April for the Land Surveyors. The computer based version of this exam will be available this fall. The transition of the paper and pencil PE exams to the computer based format is scheduled for 2018 to 2023.
The date for the next meeting is tentatively set for February 19th in NYC.
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