STATE OF WISCONSIN
EXAMINING BOARD OF ARCHITECTS, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, DESIGNERS, AND PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS
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IN THE MATTER OF RULEMAKING : ORDER OF THE
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE : EXAMINING BOARD OF
EXAMINING BOARD OF ARCHITECTS, : ARCHITECTS, LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, : ARCHITECTS, PROFESSIONAL
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, : ENGINEERS, DESIGNERS, AND
DESIGNERS, AND PROFESSIONAL : PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS
LAND SURVEYORS : ADOPTING RULES
: (CLEARINGHOUSE RULE 19-075)
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ORDER
An order of the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Professional Land Surveyors to repeal s. A-E 4.04, s. A-E 4.06, s. A-E 4.07 (1), s. A-E 4.07 (4), s. A-E 4.07 (7), and s. A-E 4.08 (1); to renumber s. A-E 4.03 (1), s. A-E 4.05 (1) (d), s. A-E 4.05 (3); to renumber and amend s. A-E 4.02, s. A-E 4.03 (intro.), s. A-E 4.05 (title), s. A-E 4.05 (1) (intro.), (a), (b), (c), and s. A-E 4.05 (2); to amend s. A-E 4.02 (title), s. A-E 4.03 (title), s. A-E 4.07 (6), s. A-E 4.08 (title), s. A-E 4.08 (2) (intro.), and s. A-E 4.08 (2) (a); and to create s. A-E 4.015, s. A-E 4.02 (2), s. A-E 4.025, s. A-E 4.026 (1) (e), s. A-E 4.026 (1) (f), s. A-E 4.026 (2) (d), s. A-E 4.026 (2) (e), s. A-E 4.026 (2m), s. A-E 4.03 (1) (b), s. A-E 4.03 (1) (d), s. A-E 4.07 (1m), s. A-E 4.08 (3), and s. A-E 4.08 (4), relating to professional engineer registration. Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
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ANALYSIS
Explanation of agency authority:
Section 15.08 (5) (b), Stats., provides an examining board, “shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the trade or profession to which it pertains…” Section 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., sets forth the parameters of an agency’s rule-making authority, stating an agency, “may promulgate rules interpreting provisions of any statute enforced or administered by the agency. . .” Related statute or rule:
s. A-E 13
Plain language analysis:
The Professional Engineer Section has reviewed the chapter and made revisions to:
Ensure applicants may use the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) uniform reporting standards as evidence for application requirements;
Clarify that candidates who pass the NCEES Structural Engineering examination are not required to take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam (PE Exam);
Remove the requirement that applicants for initial licensure have a reference who is registered in Wisconsin; and
Reorganize the chapter for clarity, consistency, and to meet drafting standards. Section 1 creates definitions for the chapter for “ABET” and “NCEES.”
Sections 2, 3, and 4 amend s. A-E 4.02. Sections 2 and 3 clarify that a new application and fee may be required, to be more consistent with current department policies. Section 4 also creates a new subsection to cross-reference other chapters relating to professional engineers and continuing education. Section 5 creates s. A-E 4.025 to separately treat information about how to apply for an engineer-in-training certificate. Previously, this information was included in statutes and s. A-E 4.06. By consolidating the requirements into one section, the chapter will be easier for applicants to use. Additionally, the new s. A-E 4.025 clarifies that applicants may use a record properly executed and issued with verification by NCEES as evidence of qualifications. Sections 6 and 12 move the listing of application requirements to the beginning of the chapter into s. A-E 4.026 to consolidate application requirements making the chapter easier to use. The created subsections (1) (e), (1) (f), (2) (d), and (2) (e) are moved from s. A-E 4.08. Section 12 renumbers s. A-E 4.05 and amends it to conform to drafting standards. Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and 13 consolidate the experience requirements into s. A-E 4.03 by including s. A-E 4.04 and s. A-E 4.05 (3). Section A-E 4.03 is also amended to clarify that qualifying experience must be gained under the supervision of a registered professional engineer, consistent with NCEES model administrative rules. Section 13 renumbers s. A-E 4.05 (3) into s. A-E 4.03, to further consolidate provisions relating to experience requirements. Sections 15, 17, and 19 repeal s. A-E 4.07 (1), (4), and (7), respectively, because the examinations are provided by NCEES.
