January/February 2014

PE REPORT
California Background Checks

The first of the year ushered in a new regulation in California that clarifies the criminal history background check requirements for applicants seeking a professional license to improve public protection.

Applicants now must submit fingerprints to be verified by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists before licensure can be approved. Prior language in the regulation waived the requirement if an applicant submitted fingerprints to the Department of Justice as part of a previous application.

California joins Texas, which amended the state’s PE law to expand criminal background checks for licensees. New licensees and professional engineers renewing their licenses in Texas must submit fingerprints for a background check using a national database overseen by the FBI.

The California board believes the changes will enhance its efforts to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and will provide consumers with increased confidence and access to competent and ethical professionals.

In addition, a minor change to registration rules now requires all professional licensees to notify the board in writing within 30 days of any address change.