January/February 2014

PE REPORT
Kansas Design Professionals Push to Protect Licensure

The Kansas Society of Professional Engineers is backing legislation that would modernize licensure for technical professionals, including better identifying violations and carrying out enforcement.

The bill (S.B. 54) will allow the Kansas Board of Technical Professions to update the rules and regulations for architecture, engineering, geology, landscape architecture, and surveying licensees.

KSPE recently rallied its members to support the bill and oppose efforts to expand licensing exemptions that could allow unlicensed individuals to design facilities and jeopardize public safety. Current state law excludes the design of residential property (single family homes and duplexes) and agricultural buildings from licensing rules.

The bill includes the following provisions:

Changes the membership requirements for members of the Board of Technical Professions by requiring the applicable members to be licensed in Kansas and specifies membership eligibility by requiring “responsible charge” experience in those professions;

Makes technical amendments regarding professional document seals for licensees and clarifies the penalty for allowing documents not prepared by the licensee to include the licensee’s seal or name;

Prohibits a licensee from practicing any technical profession after the expiration of a license and makes other changes to the law regarding the voluntary decision to no longer practice a technical profession;

Clarifies that a certificate of authorization is required by any business practicing any of the regulated professions prior to doing any business in Kansas; and

Provides immunity from liability to those individuals whose participation in disciplinary proceedings is in good faith and without malicious intent, regarding licensure, reissuance of a license, or criminal prosecution.

The legislation is also supported by state chapters of the American Council of Engineering Companies, the American Institute of Architects, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, and the Geological Society of America.