The Board proposes to update the rule language and incorporate material to expand the types of “course credit equivalencies” that may be used to resolve educational deficiencies.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

61G15-20.007Educational Requirements for Applicants without EAC/ABET Accredited Engineering Degrees

61G15-20.008Educational Requirements for Applicants without ETAC/ABET Accredited Engineering Technology Degrees

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes to update the rule language and incorporate material to expand the types of “course credit equivalencies” that may be used to resolve educational deficiencies.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment clarifies the rule language and incorporate material for “course credit equivalencies” that may be used to resolve educational deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 471.008, 471.013 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 471.013, 471.015 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Zana Raybon, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2400 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308; [phone] or by electronic mail [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

61G15-20.007 Educational Requirements for Applicants without EAC/ABET Accredited Engineering Degrees

(1)    No Change.

(2)  Credit By Examination and College Courses.

(a)(2) Deficiencies in Mathematics and Basic Sciences and/or General Education required by paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b), above, may be satisfied by passage of an examination identified on the “Articulation Coordinating Committee Credit-By-Examination Equivalencies” (Rev 09/2022) list incorporated by reference in State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.024(8)(a), F.A.C. Articulation Between And Among Universities, Florida Colleges, and School Districts (09/22), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and which may be obtained at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-     College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) examinations that are outlined at http://clep.collegeboard.org/exams may be recognized as satisfying education deficiencies, provided the

1.  Credit will only be given for exams are in courses that meet the requirements of paragraphs (1)(a) or (1)(b), above. CLEP exams in biology, chemistry, natural sciences, and/or calculus may be used to meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(a), above. For credit to be given, the applicant shall achieve a passing score as identified on the list. determined by CLEP; Three (3) credit hours shall be granted for each exam, unless the applicant provides evidence that a college or university with an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program will grant more credit.

(b) College- or university-level courses can also be taken to satisfy deficiencies. Credit shall not be given for a college or, university, or CLEP course or credit-by-examination exam if credit in a similar course or exam has already been earned.

(3) through (5) No Change.  

(6) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective dateNo later than December 31, 2024, the Board shall review and consider amendment, modification, or repeal of this rule if review determines this rule creates barriers to entry for private business competition, is duplicative, outdated, obsolete, overly burdensome, or imposes excessive costs.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.013 FS. Law Implemented 471.013, 471.015 FS. History–New 7-20-95, Amended 6-5-96, 4-16-98, 1-17-99, 7-28-99, 1-6-02, 6-13-02, 6-30-02, 10-2-03, 6-16-04, 3-13-05, 5-1-05, 6-11-06, 1-29-07, 4-9-07, 1-31-08, 10-15-09, 11-27-11, 2-4-13, 3-17-16, 4-19-18, 12-29-19, 5-27-20,                         .

 

61G15-20.008 Educational Requirements for Applicants without ETAC/ABET Accredited Engineering Technology Degrees

(1) No Change.

(2)  Credit By Examination and College Courses.

(a)(2) Deficiencies in Mathematics and Basic Sciences and/or General Education required by paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b), above, may be satisfied by passage of an examination identified on the “Articulation Coordinating Committee Credit-By-Examination Equivalencies” (Rev 09/2022) list incorporated by reference in State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.024(8)(a), F.A.C. Articulation Between And Among Universities, Florida Colleges, and School Districts (09/22), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and which may be obtained at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-     College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) examinations that are outlined at http://clep.collegeboard.org/exams may be recognized as satisfying education deficiencies, provided the

1.  Credit will only be given for exams are in courses that meet the requirements of paragraphs (1)(a) or (1)(b), above. CLEP exams in biology, chemistry, natural sciences, and/or calculus may be used to meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(a), above. For credit to be given, the applicant shall achieve a passing score as identified on the list. determined by CLEP; Three (3) credit hours shall be granted for each exam, unless the applicant provides evidence that a college or university with an EAC/ABET or ETAC/ABET accredited engineering program will grant more credit.

(b) College- or university-level courses can also be taken to satisfy deficiencies. Credit shall not be given for a college or, university, or CLEP course or credit-by-examination exam if credit in a similar course or exam has already been earned.

(3) through (5) No Change.  

(6) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective dateNo later than December 31, 2024, the Board shall review and consider amendment, modification, or repeal of this rule if review determines this rule creates barriers to entry for private business competition, is duplicative, outdated, obsolete, overly burdensome, or imposes excessive costs. 

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.013(1) FS. Law Implemented 471.013(1) FS. History–New 12-29-19, Amended 5-27-20,                                          .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 10, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 9, 2022