To clearly define and clarify educational requirements regarding application for licensure by endorsement; engineering experience; and education for applicants without EAC/ABET accredited engineering degrees.

Notice of Proposed Rule

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

61G15-20.001Definitions

61G15-20.0015Application for Licensure by Endorsement

61G15-20.002Experience

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

PURPOSE AND EFFECT:  To clearly define and clarify educational requirements regarding application for licensure by endorsement; engineering experience; and education for applicants without EAC/ABET accredited engineering degrees.

SUMMARY:  Clearly define and clarify educational requirements.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST 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:  The overall effect of the proposed amendments is to make it easier for applicants to satisfy the educational and experience requirements for licensure.  Accordingly, the Board determined the overall effect of the amendments will be to reduce costs to small businesses, regulated entities, and the public.

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(1)(a)3., 471.015(7) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 471.005(6),  471.013(1)(a), 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, 2639 North Monroe Street, Suite B-112, Tallahassee, FL 32303, [phone]

 

THE TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

61G15-20.001 Definitions.

Introductory paragraph through (2) No change.

(a) Engineering programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (EAC/ABET or EAC/M-ABET), or

(b) Engineering programs accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) in 1980 or later (which, for the purpose of Chapter 61G15, F.A.C., is considered equivalent to EAC/ABET), or

(c)(b) In the case of an applicant who did not graduate from an approved program as set forth in paragraph (2)(a) or (2)(b) above, and who holds a baccalaureate degree from an engineering program that is not accredited by EAC/ABET, provided the applicant meets the educational requirements set forth in subsection 61G15-20.007(1), F.A.C., or

(d)(c) In the case of an applicant who holds a non-engineering baccalaureate degree coupled with a master’s and/or doctoral post-baccaulaureate degree in engineering from a school or college in the United States which has an EAC/ABET accredited engineering program in a related discipline at the baccalaureate level, provided the applicant meets the educational requirements set forth in subsection 61G15-20.007(1), F.A.C., or

(e)(d) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.013(1)(a)3., 471.015(7) FS. Law Implemented 471.013, 471.015 FS. History–New 1-8-80, Amended 4-15-80, 7-7-83, 9-13-83, Formerly 21H-20.01, Amended 4-20-86, 8-3-86, 5-20-92, 2-2-93, Formerly 21H-20.001, Amended 11-19-03, 3-13-05, 4-9-07, 1-31-08, Amended 10-15-09,            .

 

61G15-20.0015 Application for Licensure by Endorsement.

(1) through (1)(b) No change.

(2) If an applicant for licensure by endorsement satisfies any one of the conditions found in Section 471.015(5)(a)1., 2., or 3., F.S., then the Board shall deem that the applicant has passed an examination substantially equivalent to part I, fundamentals, of the engineering examination. If an applicant for licensure by endorsement satisfies the conditions found in Section 471.015(5)(b), F.S., then the Board shall deem that the applicant has passed an examination substantially equivalent to part I, fundamentals, and part II, principles and practice, of the engineering examination.

(3) No change.

(4)  An applicant for licensure by endorsement whose only educational deficiency under subsection 61G15-20.007(2), F.A.C., involves humanities and social sciences and who has held a valid license and practiced in another state or territory of the United States for two (2) years or more shall be deemed to have satisfied that requirement. 

(4)(5) No change.

(5)(6) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.013, 471.015 FS. Law Implemented 471.013, 471.015 FS. History–New 9-27-01, Amended 4-9-07, 10-15-09, 11-16-10, 9-14-14, 7-7-15,            .

 

61G15-20.002 Experience.

(1)(a) through (1)(b)1. No change.

2. Engineering experience obtained prior to the completion of the engineering degree is usually of a subprofessional nature. Such experience, if deemed acceptable and properly verified, may be awarded experience credit at 25% of the actual time. If the full-time experience is obtained within 2 years of completing the engineering degree after the completion of a substantial number of engineering design courses, and involves tasks and responsibilities consistent with the disciplines of engineering matters of average or above average complexity, experience credit may be awarded at up to 50% of actual time. In any event, the total engineering experience credit allowable for pregraduation experience shall not exceed 12 months.

3. Experience credit is based on a 40 hour per week full-time basis. No additional credit is allowable for overtime work, or for part-time work experience obtained while pursuing engineering education on a full-time basis, or for the part-time pursuit of a master’s masters or doctoral doctorate degree while obtaining full-time work experience.

4. through 14. No change.

(2) No change to first paragraph.

The Board will accept as equivalent to one year’s experience a master’s degree in engineering from an EAC/M-ABET-accredited program or from a college or university in the U.S. that has an EAC/ABET-accredited from a Board approved engineering program in a related discipline at the baccalaureate level as defined in subsection 61G15-20.001(2), F.A.C. The Board will also accept as equivalent to one year’s experience a doctorate in engineering from a college or university in the U.S. that has an EAC/ABET-accredited from a Board approved engineering program in a related discipline at the baccalaureate level as defined in subsection 61G15-20.001(2), F.A.C. Experience equivalents will be given for the master’s or doctoral degree only if the applicant has earned a prior engineering degree from a college or university that solely meets the requirements of a Board-approved engineering program as defined in subsection 61G15-20.001(2), F.A.C.  Experience equivalents shall not be given for a master’s or doctoral degree if credits earned for the degree are used to satisfy educational requirements of Rule 61G15-20.007, F.A.C. The combination of experience equivalents and work experience shall not exceed the number of actual months during which the experience is claimed.

Rulemaking Authority 471.013(1)(a) FS. Law Implemented 471.005(6), 471.013(1)(a) FS. History–New 1-8-80, Amended 3-11-80, 6-23-80, 7-7-83, 9-13-84, Formerly 21H-20.01, Amended 8-18-87, 12-4-91, Formerly 21H-20.002, Amended 12-26-94, 5-20-02, 4-5-04,            .

61G15-20.007 Educational Requirements for Applicants Wwithout EAC/ABET Accredited Engineering Degrees.

(1) No change.

(a) 32 college semester credit hours of higher mathematics and basic sciences. Credit hours may be substituted with engineering science courses that are in excess of the requirements of paragraph (1)(c).

1. The hours of mathematics must be beyond algebra and trigonometry and must emphasize mathematical concepts and principles rather than computation. Courses in probability and statistics, differential calculus, and integral calculus, and differential equations are required. Additional courses may include differential equations, linear algebra, numerical analysis, probability and statistics, and advanced calculus. Mathematics courses must be intended for math, science or engineering majors; introductory mathematics courses are not acceptable. Computer skills and/or programming courses cannot be used to satisfy mathematics requirements.

2. The hours in basic sciences, must include at least two courses. These courses must be in general chemistry, and calculus-based general physics, or biological sciences, but both courses may not be in the same with at least a two semester (or equivalent) sequence of study in either area. Additional basic sciences courses may include life sciences (biology), earth sciences (geology, ecology, or oceanography), advanced biology, and advanced chemistry, or advanced physics. Basic science courses must be intended for science or engineering majors; introductory science courses are not acceptable. Astronomy, cComputer skills and/or programming courses cannot be used to satisfy mathematics or basic science requirements.

(b) 16 college semester credit hours in general education humanities and social sciences. Examples of traditional acceptable courses include in this area are philosophy, religion, history, literature, fine arts, sociology, psychology, political science, anthropology, economics (micro and macro), professional ethics, and social responsibility. and no more than Examples of other general education courses deemed acceptable include management (such as organizational behavior), accounting, written and oral communications, business, and law.

No more than 6 credit hours can come from courses in management, accounting, business, or law. Courses in engineering economics, engineering management, systems engineering/analysis, production, or industrial engineering/management will not be counted. Up to 6 credit hours of languages other than English or other than the applicant’s native language are acceptable for credit. English and foreign language courses in literature and civilization may be considered in this area. Courses such as accounting, industrial management, finance, personnel administration, engineering economics and military training are not acceptable. Courses that which instill cultural values are acceptable, while routine exercises of personal craft are not.

Other means towards satisfying the general education requirement are as follows: Each year of progressive U.S. engineering experience as approved by the Board is equivalent to 2 credit hours, for a maximum of 8 credit hours; obtaining U.S. citizenship is equivalent to 10 credit hours; and earning a doctoral degree is equivalent to 10 credit hours if the degree is from a college or university in the U.S. that has an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program in a related discipline at the baccalaureate level.

(c) 48 college semester credit hours of engineering science and engineering design taught within the college or by the faculty of engineering. Courses in this area shall have their roots in mathematics and basic sciences but carry knowledge further toward creative application of engineering principles. Examples of approved engineering science courses are mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, electrical and electronic circuits, materials science, transport phenomena, engineering economics, and computer science (other than computer programming skills). Courses in engineering design stress the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing, and evaluation. Graduate-level engineering courses can be included to fulfill curricular requirements in this area. Thesis or dissertation hours shall not be granted credit.  A maximum of six credit hours will be granted for special topics and independent study at any level.  Graphics, surveying, or engineering technology courses will not be considered to meet engineering science and design requirements. In order to promote breadth, at least one engineering course outside the major disciplinary area is required.

(d) In addition, evidence of attainment of appropriate laboratory experience, competency in English, and understanding of the ethical, social, economic and safety considerations of engineering practice must be presented. Satisfactory evidence includes the following: As for competency in English, transcripts of course work completed,; course content syllabi,; testimonials from employers,; college level advanced placement tests,; Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of at least 550 on in the paper-based version, 80 on the internet-based version, or 213 on in the computer-based version, will be accepted as satisfactory evidence.

(2)(4) Any applicant whose only educational deficiency is under paragraph subsection (1)(b) above involves humanities and social sciences shall be entitled to receive conditional approval to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination. Such an applicant shall not become eligible for the Principles and Practice examination until satisfactory completion and documentation of the necessary hours in humanities and social sciences as provided required in paragraph subsection (1)(b) above.

(3)(5) College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) examinations that are outlined at http://clep.collegeboard.org/exam http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html, may be recognized as satisfying education deficiencies, provided the exams are in courses that meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(b) above. and Tthe applicant shall achieve a passing score as determined either by CLEP or by showing is able to show that the results are recognized by a college or university with an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program. College- or university-level courses can also be taken to satisfy deficiencies. Credit shall not be given for a college, university, or CLEP course if credit in a similar course has already been earned.

(4)(2) The FBPE eEducational Advisory cCommittee shall make the final decision regarding equivalency of programs and shall make recommendations to the Board as to whether an applicant shall be approved for admittance to the examination or for licensure by endorsement.

(5)(3) An The applicant with an engineering degree from a non-EAC/ABET-accredited degree program foreign institution must request an evaluation of substantial equivalency of his or her credentials to EAC/ABET standards through either; of the following: National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, 280 Seneca Creek Road, Clemson, South Carolina 29678; or Joseph Silny & Associates, Inc., P. O. Box 248233, Coral Gables, Florida 33124. The applicant with an engineering degree from a domestic engineering program not accredited by EAC/ABET must request such an evaluation from Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008 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,            .

 

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: June 17, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 14, 2015