Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 62, Chapter 2, Part 4.

Under present law, the following is considered as minimum evidence satisfactory to the state board of examiners for architects and engineers that the applicant is qualified for registration as an engineer:<br /> <br /> (1) A graduate of an engineering curriculum of four years or more, approved by the board as being of satisfactory standing, after passing an examination prepared by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) involving the fundamentals of engineering, must be admitted to an examination prepared by the NCEES in the principles and practice of engineering. Upon passing the examination, and with a specific record of four years or more of progressive experience on engineering projects of a grade and character that indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering, the applicant must be granted a certificate of registration to practice engineering in this state; provided, that the applicant is otherwise qualified;<br /> <br /> (2) A graduate of an approved engineering curriculum of four years or more, with a specific record of 12 years or more of progressive experience on engineering projects of a grade and character that indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering, must be admitted to an examination prepared by the NCEES, in the principles and practice of engineering. Upon passing the examination, the applicant must be granted a certificate of registration to practice engineering in this state; provided, that the applicant is otherwise qualified;<br /> <br /> (3) A graduate of a curriculum of four years leading to a baccalaureate degree, approved by the board as being of satisfactory standing, accompanied with the completion of post-graduate coursework in engineering curriculum leading to a master's degree or higher in engineering approved by the board as being of satisfactory standing, after passing an examination prepared by the NCEES involving the fundamentals of engineering, must be admitted to an examination prepared by the NCEES in the principles and practice of engineering. Upon passing the examination, and with a specific record of eight years or more of progressive experience on engineering projects of a grade and character that indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering, the applicant must be granted a certificate of registration to practice engineering in this state; provided, that the applicant is otherwise qualified. However, the board may approve an applicant having less than eight years of experience if the applicant's education and experience are that of a grade and character that indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering; or<br /> <br /> (4) A graduate of an ABET ETAC accredited engineering technology curriculum of four years or more, approved by the board as being of satisfactory standing; and who holds a post-graduate degree in engineering from an institution with an ABET EAC accredited undergraduate engineering program approved by the board as being of satisfactory standing; and with a specific record of eight years or more of experience on engineering projects of a grade and character that indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering and acquired under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer; and who has passed an examination prepared by the NCEES involving the fundamentals of engineering, must be admitted to an examination prepared by the NCEES in the principles and practice of engineering. Upon passing the examination, the applicant must be granted a certificate of registration to practice engineering in this state; provided, that the applicant is otherwise qualified. <br /> <br /> This bill adds that the following is also considered as minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is qualified for registration as an engineer: <br /> <br /> (5) A graduate of an unaccredited engineering technology curriculum of four years or more, approved by the board as being of satisfactory standing; and with a specific record of 12 years or more of experience on engineering projects of a grade and character that indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering and acquired under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer; and who submits written employment references from three engineers currently registered in this state who are in good standing with the board; and who has passed a Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination prepared by the NCEES involving the fundamentals of engineering; and who has passed a Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination prepared by the NCEES, must be admitted to an examination prepared by the NCEES in the principles and practice of engineering. Upon passing the examinations, the applicant must be granted a certificate of registration to practice engineering in this state; provided, that the applicant is otherwise qualified.<br />