Bill Text: TX HB2429 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the certification of structural engineers; providing for a fee.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-11 - Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures [HB2429 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB2429-Introduced.html
  83R5750 NC-F
 
  By: Martinez H.B. No. 2429
 
 
 
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.
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