AB670: Bill Text

LRB-0494/1

MPG:jld

2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE

2017 Assembly BILL 670

November 22, 2017 - Introduced by Representatives Kooyenga, E. Brooks, Kulp, Spiros and Thiesfeldt. Referred to Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform.

AB670,1,6 An Act to amend 443.02 (3) and 443.02 (4); and to create 443.015 (1m) of the statutes; relating to: exemption from continuing education requirements for certain retired professionals holding credentials granted by the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Professional Land Surveyors and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under this bill, any rule promulgated by the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Professional Land Surveyors establishing continuing education requirements must provide that an applicant for credential renewal who is at least 65 years of age or who has actively maintained that credential for a minimum of 30 consecutive years is exempt from continuing education requirements upon certification to the examining board that the applicant has retired from professional practice and no longer engages in that practice. An exempt person may maintain his or her professional title but may not engage in the relevant practice. Also, under the bill, an exempt person must pay only one-half of the applicable renewal fee to maintain his or her professional credential.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB670,1 Section 1. 443.015 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB670,2,8 443.015 (1m) (a) Any rules a section of the examining board promulgates under sub. (1) shall provide that an applicant for renewal of his or her credential under this chapter who is at least 65 years of age or who has actively maintained his or her credential under this chapter for at least 30 consecutive years shall be exempt from continuing education requirements upon the applicant's certification to the appropriate section that the applicant has retired from and no longer engages in the practice for which the applicant holds the credential.

AB670,2,12 (b) 1. A person who is exempt under par. (a) may not engage in the practice for which the person holds the credential subject to exemption, unless he or she satisfies reinstatement requirements established by the appropriate section of the examining board by rule.

AB670,2,16 2. A person who is exempt under par. (a) may continue to use a title in connection with his or her credential subject to exemption if the person clearly indicates to the public that the person is retired, including by placing the abbreviation “Ret." or similar appellation after his or her title.

AB670,2,21 (c) The renewal fee for a person who is exempt under par. (a) shall be one-half of the usual renewal fee that otherwise applies, unless the person resumes his or her practice under the credential after satisfying any reinstatement requirements established by the appropriate section by rule, in which case the usual renewal fee applies.

AB670,2 Section 2. 443.02 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB670,3,9 443.02 (3) No person may offer to practice architecture, landscape architecture, or professional engineering or, except as provided in rules promulgated by the appropriate section under s. 443.015 (1m), use in connection with the person's name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he or she is an architect, landscape architect, or professional engineer or advertise to furnish architectural, landscape architectural, or professional engineering services unless the person has been duly registered or has in effect a permit under s. 443.10 (1) (d).

AB670,3 Section 3. 443.02 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB670,3,16 443.02 (4) No person may engage in or offer to engage in the practice of professional land surveying in this state or, except as provided in rules promulgated by the professional land surveyor section under s. 443.015 (1m), use or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that the person is a professional land surveyor unless the person has been granted a license under this chapter to engage in the practice of professional land surveying.

AB670,3,17 (End)