Texas PE Training

Texas Board of Professional Engineers Professional Practice Update / Ethics

WebinarJune 2015

http://engineers.texas.gov/outreachsurvey

Engineering for a better Texas

Welcome LanceKinney,P.E.

ExecutiveDirector

[email protected]


Welcome LanceKinney,P.E.,ExecutiveDirector

[email protected]

DavidHowell,P.E.,DeputyExecutiveDirector [email protected]

CWClark,P.E.,DirectorofCompliance&Enforcement [email protected]

RobertOpiela,P.E.,DirectorofLicensing [email protected]


Webinar Info Webinaraudiocanbethroughyourcomputerspeakersor

throughthephone. AllattendeeswillbeinListenonlymode. Duringthepresentation,usetheQuestionfeatureinthe

webinarsoftware,notthechatfeatureorthehandraisingfeature.

Iftherearequestions,notaddressed,pleaseemailthepresenter.

WewillbeusingPollsduringthepresentation. ApdfoftheslidesisavailableontheTBPEwebsite.


Webinar Documentation DocumentationofattendanceforContinuingEducation

purposeswillbethefollowupemailfromtheWebinarsystem.

Ifregisteredasagroup,pleasekeepasigninsheetforallattendees


Website and Social Mediahttp://engineers.texas.gov

Facebook:TexasBoardofProfessionalEngineers Twitter:TBPE_Exec LinkedIn:TexasBoardofProfessionalEngineers RSSFeedonourwebsite:http://engineers.texas.gov YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/

channel/UCm0YTnjR3StveBxWhCT4MiA


PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERBOARD PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

LicensingQualifiedEngineers EnforcementofEngineeringPracticeAct

RequiringContinuingEducation Educate PEs,Officials,PotentialPEs,Public


PROFESSIONAL ENGINEEREXPECTATIONS

ProtectionofthePublic Ethical Competent

InitialQualifications StayingCurrent

ProfessionalismEngineering for a better Texas

Publicly Recognized Honesty(GallupPollNov.2012)

Nurses Pharmacists Doctors Engineers Dentists PoliceOfficers CollegeProfessors Clergy


Publicly RecognizedHarrisPoll(2014) MostPrestigiousProfessions

Doctor MilitaryOfficer Firefighter Scientist Nurse Engineer


Professionalism

MorethanjustCodesandRulesMeticulousadherencetoundeviatingcourtesy,honesty,andresponsibility inone'sdealingswithcustomersandassociates,plusalevelofexcellence thatgoesoverandabove thecommercialconsiderationsandlegalrequirements.

http://www.businessdictionary.com



ProfessionalismChapter137SubchapterC ProfessionalConductandEthics 137.53 EngineerStandardsofCompliancewithProfessional

ServicesProcurementAct 137.55 EngineersShallProtectthePublic 137.57 EngineersShallbeObjectiveandTruthful

137.59 EngineersActionsShallBeCompetent 137.61 EngineersShallMaintainConfidentialityofClients 137.63 EngineersResponsibilitytotheProfession

Professionalism

ItisoneoftheprimaryobligationsoftheTexasBoardofProfessionalEngineerstoassurethatTexasengineersareheldtothehigheststandardsofcompetency,integrity,andhonesty. Publicsafetydependsuponthatstandardandconsistentlyachievinginourprofessionrequiresfaithfulandunwaveringpracticeofhonestyandintegrityinallaspectsofourlivesnotonlywhenwesitatourdesk.

ReceivedfromaTexasPEinareferencestatementletter


Professionalism EthicalBehavior

59,000licensedPEs ~750Casesopened 70%resolvedwithVoluntaryCompliance 12%Dismissed Boardactionincludesrangeofactionuptorevocation

ResponsibilitytoProtectthePublicEngineering for a better Texas

DavidHowell,P.E.

DeputyExecutiveDirector

[email protected]


Professionalismscenario

YouarealicensedPEworkingforaRegisteredFirm.

YouhavebeenaskedbyaclienttoreviewthecompletedworkofanotherEngineer.

TheworkyouarereviewingwascompletedbyacompetingFirm.



TrueorFalse?

Youarerequiredtonotifythedesignengineerandfirmofyourreview.

False.Youwereaskedbyaclienttoreviewthedocuments.Thereisnonotificationobligationofthereviewtotheotherengineerforreview.

Engineering for a better TexasEngineering for a better Texas


Inyourreview,youfindtechnicalerrorsthatarearesultofthedesignengineerapplyingthewrongsetofcodes.

Youprepareareportfortheclientandsendittothemdirectly.


Professional Obligationwhich of these in NOT correct or appropriate?

A. Writeyourreportaddressingtechnicaldesignissueswiththebasisforfindings.

B. Includeinformationaboutwhythedesignengineerwasincompetentandshouldhaveknownbetter.

C. Provideacopyofyourreporttothedesignengineerssupervisorsothatheorshecanbecorrected.

D. FileacomplaintagainstthedesignengineerwiththePEBoardforincompetence.

E. Alloftheabove.


Answers B andCarenotgoodchoicesNotB:Theofficialreporttotheclientisnottheappropriateplacetoaddressthedesignengineer.NotC:Thedesignengineerssupervisorwouldnotbeconsideredtobeaninvolvedpartywiththeresponsibilitytoresolvetheissue.Iftherewerenoapparentthreatstopublicsafety,thereisnoobligationtosendacopytotheoriginalfirm.


ProfessionalismRelatedtoAnswerD:TrueorFalse?

YouarerequiredtofileacomplaintwiththePEBoardinallcases.

False.TheBoardwillpursueanycomplaintfiled.PEsareobligatedtonotifyinvolvedpartiesofengineeringissuesthatcouldharmthepublicandtofileacomplaintiftheissueisnotresolvedorwhenthethreattothepublicisimminent.


ProfessionalismDiscretionTheTBPEdoesnotexpectyoutofileacomplaintinallcases.Thingstoconsider: Threattothepublic

Protectionofthepublicisaprimaryresponsibility

Inabilitytoreachresolution Younotifythedesignerandheorsheisunableorunwillingtoresolve

BeingaFaithfulAgent Youmayhavecontractualobligationsregardingdisclosure


Filing A Complaint Mail,email,phone,facsimile allareacceptableforinitialcontact Anonymouscomplaintsareaccepted

Acomplaintformordetailedletter/emailisneededtocoverallthebases FormscanbefoundOnline

Providespecificinstancesofviolation Provideevidencetoshowprobablecause


Enforcement Sanctions Reprimands(FormalandInformal) Suspension(possibleprobation) RefusetoRenew Revocation $5,000perviolationperday CeaseandDesistOrders EmergencySuspension


Violations are Published Bylaw,allviolations,exceptinformalreprimands,mustbepublished OnTBPEwebsitebyBoardMeetingDate AddedtoNCEESEnforcementExchange(nationaldatabase)

PublishedinthenewsletterwhichismailedatleastannuallyandquarterlyEnewsletteremails


Outreach

TheValueofLicensureandRegistration WhatisaP.E.?/Whatdotheydo? HowdoestheTBPEfitin? PublicPerception


Outreach Publication

General

EngineeringforaBetterTexas

Agencyoverviewandhistory


History of TBPE CreatedbyTexasLegislature(45R)in1937 NewLondonSchoolExplosion

300studentsandteacherskilled Resultofimproperlydesignedmechanicalandelectricaldevices

EstablishedaBoardtoregulatethepracticeofengineeringthroughlicensingandrulesofpractice


C.W.Clark,P.E.

DirectorofCompliance&Enforcement

[email protected]


Working with Government GovernmentAdvisoryGroup

Stateagencies,Cities,Counties,SchoolDistricts

TBPEOutreach BuildingOfficials TexasMunicipalLeague,etc.

Whatwecandoforthem WhenPEisrequiredonprojects/publicworks BetterunderstandingofStateLaws TheroleofaProfessionalEngineer



Government

WhenisaProfessionalEngineerrequiredonaproject?

FlowcharttoassistbuildingandCodecomplianceofficials.


Plan Revisionscenario

Originalplansforabuildingdesign,signed,sealedanddated.

Errorsnotedduringconstructionrequirerevisiontoplan.

Onlyasectionoftheplanrequiresrevision. Returnedtoyouastheoriginaldesignengineer.


What is Required?A. Maketherevisionsontheoriginallydatedsheetsusing

clouding.Redatingandothernotationsarenotrequired.B. Createacompletelynewdocument.C. Leavetheoriginaldocumentasitwas,butcreateaseparate

appendixdocumentwithanewdate.D. Maketherevisionsontheexistingdocumentwithclear

revisionnotationsandarevisiondate.E. Noneoftheabove.


And the best answer is? BorD(dependingontheextentoftherevisions)

Finaldocumentsneedtobecorrect,dated,sealed.Rule137.33(a)Thepurposeoftheengineerssealistoassuretheuseroftheengineeringproductthattheworkhasbeenperformedordirectlysupervisedbytheprofessionalengineernamedandtodelineatethescopeoftheengineerswork.


A Twist You,thedesignPE,lefttheFirmandwenttoworkforanother

Firm.TheoriginalFirmwantsyoutoreviseyourplansusingtheirFirmnameandnumberontheplans.

Canyoudothat???

Yes.IftheoriginalFirmandyourcurrentFirmareinagreementandallpartiesarenotifiedinwritingsothereisnopotentialconflictofinterest.


Another TwistIfthePEisnotavailabletorevisehiswork,whatdoyoudo?133.33(i)Alicenseholder,asathirdparty,mayalter,complete,correct,revise,oraddtotheworkofanotherlicenseholderwhenengagedtodosobyaclient,provided:

(1) theclientfurnishesthedocumentationofsuchworksubmittedtotheclientbythefirstlicenseholder;

(2) thefirstlicenseholderisnotifiedinwritingbythesecondlicenseholderoftheengagementimmediatelyuponacceptanceoftheengagement;and

(3) anyworkaltered,completed,corrected,revised,oraddedtoshallhaveasealaffixedbythesecondlicenseholder.Thesecondlicenseholderthenbecomesresponsibleforanyalterations,additionsordeletionstotheoriginaldesignincludinganyeffectorimpactofthosechangesontheoriginallicenseholdersdesign.


Professional Services Procurement Act (PSPA)

QualificationsBasedSelection(QBS)forengineeringonpublicprojects

ResponsibilitiesofProfessionalEngineers ResponsibilitiesofPublicOfficialsinRFQ/RFPprocess



Government

WhatistheProfessionalServicesProcurementAct?

Flowcharttoassistbuildingandcodecomplianceofficials.


PSPAscenario

ThelocalIndependentSchoolDistricthasproperlypostedanRFQandselectedanengineeringfirmtobetheprimeprofessionalforanewAuditorium/Gym.Afternegotiations,theISDandthefirmagreeonacontractprice.

Astheprojectprogresses,theengineeringfirmcontractswithaMEPengineeringfirmtoaddresstheHVAC,electricalandplumbingdesign.


PSPA TheMEPfirmcallsyouforassistance,becausehehasworkedwithyoupreviously.YouarealicensedP.E.withHVACexpertiseandheasksyoutogivehimacostestimatetocompletetheHVACforthenewauditorium/gym.


What should a Texas PE do?A. Givehimyourbestestimateofthecost.

B. WaitforaproperauthorizationtoproceedfromtheprimeprofessionalfirmwhohasthecontractwiththeISD.

C. CalltheBoardforauthorizationtoprovidetheestimate.

D. AsktheMEPfirmifyouhavebeenselectedastheHVACengineeringfirmpriortoprovidinganycostinformation.

E. Respectfullydeclinetoofferanycostorpriceinformation.


Best Answer

D YoumustfollowtheQualificationBasedSelectionprocessbybeingselectedpriortoofferinganycostorpriceinformationasoutlinedintheProfessionalServicesProcurementAct(Chapter2254oftheTexasGovernmentCode)andasidentifiedintheBoardRules,Section137.53.


RobertOpiela,P.E.

DirectorofLicensing

[email protected]


Outreach PublicationsApplicants

HowtoBecomeaLicensedP.E.

BenefitsofBeingaProfessionalEngineer.


Exemptions from LicensureDidyouknow???

Onlyabout20%ofUSengineersarelicensed.

BureauofLaborStatistics(2013) 178,000engineersinTexas(20%w/Activelicenses)

Civil 23,500inTexas(70%w/Activelicenses) Petroleum 20,000inTexas(11%w/Activelicenses) Industrial 15,000inTexas(2%w/Activelicenses)


Exemptions from Licensure PrivateEntities PrivatelyownedPublicUtilitiesLicensenotrequiredforengineeringworkoncompany(orutility)propertyorproductswithnoSealrequired.

AProfessionalFeeexemptionappliestoaPEdoingengineeringworkforoneoftheseexemptentities


Industry Exemptionscenario

YouarealicensedTexasPE.

YoujustmovedfromaconsultingpositiontoworkingforalargeChemicalmanufacturer.

Processengineersonstaffarenotlicensed.

Yourworkisrelatedtobuildingdesignexclusivelyoncompanyproperty.


Industrial ExemptionTrueorFalse?

UsingyourTexasPEsealisnotrequiredfortheworkasdescribed.

True.TheexemptionintheTEPApertainstothemanufacturing,oilandgas,etc.companies,theiremployeesorothersundertheirdirectcontrol.Alicenseisnotrequired.

Theexceptionwouldbeiftheplansarerequiredtobesealedforanotherentitysuchasalocalgovernment.



Anengineeronstaffforthecompanythatisrequiredtosealadocumentforanyreasonisnotcoveredbytheindustrialexemption.

True ATexasPEmaynotclaimanindustrialexemptioniftheuseofthesealisrequired.Ifnotcoveredbytheexemption,theProfessionalFeewouldbeapplicable.



AnengineeronstaffforthecompanymaynotusethetitleofP.E.onbusinesscardsorcorrespondenceifheorsheclaimstheexemption.

False ATexasPEmayusethetitleeveniftheexemptionisclaimed.


Law and Rules BoardisauthorizedbytheTexasEngineeringPracticeAct

BoardinterpretsandimplementsthestatutetocreateRules

Otherstatutesandrulesalsoapplytoengineering(PSPA,Windstorm,ArchitecturalBarriers/ADA,etc.)

TexasProfessionalEngineersareexpectedtoknowtheAct,BoardRules,applicablestatelawsandlocalcodes. Engineering for a better TexasEngineering for a better Texas

Preventing Complaints

CLEAR: Communication(betweenallparties) Contract(expectationsandresponsibilities) Calculationsanddesigns(bepreparedtosupport)

KeepyourDocumentationMostimportantly knowthelaw,andcontactusifyouhaveaquestion!


Policy Advisory Opinions ProvisionAddedtoTEPAin2003 AllowsBoardtodevelopformalwritteninterpretationsoflawandrules Specificorhypotheticalsituations Interpretations GrayAreas

Over30interpretationsforavarietyofsubjects WaterQualityPlanning,PowerPoles,UseofPETitle,FireAlarm/Sprinklers,PSPA Contractors,BuildingCommissioning,etc.


Policy Advisory Opinions Information

All Policy Advisories at: http://engineers.texas.gov/policy.htm

How to submit PAO Request / Forms at: http://engineers.texas.gov/Policy_Advisory.htm


Policy Advisory OpinionsIndustrialExemption /Licensure(May2014)

LicensurerequirementsforInternalEngineersvsExternalEngineers

Consultantsprovidingengineerstoexemptindustries

ConstructionManagement(May2014) CertifiedConstructionManagersarenotallengineers. Whocanlegallyperformwhichtasks?


Legislative News


Legislation 84th Session (2015) BillfilingNovember,2014 March13,2015 4247HouseBillsand2058SenateBills

Ofthose,928werefiledonthelastday

RegularSessionendedJune1 TBPETrackedBillprogress

Trackedapprox.230bills Funding,Agency,Employees,Reporting,LicensingandEnforcement,etc.


Legislation 84th Session (2015) BillsaffectingengineeringortheEngineeringPracticeActaretrackedontheTBPEwebsite:

http://engineers.texas.gov/legislature84.html ProfessionalFeerepeal Windstorm PEIndemnificationrelatedtostatecontracts StructuralEngineering SDSIchanges


2013 Legislation ChangesSB204 AgencySunsetBill Enforcement CriminalHistoryRecordChecks

50,000LicenseesandApplicantssubmittedprints 4,300HadsomesortofincidentofTexasorFBIrecordandwerereviewedbystaff

6Enforcementcasesopenedforlicensees 50ApplicationsrequiredadditionalrevieworBoardAction


2013 Legislation Changes CriminalHistoryRecordChecks

RequiredfingerprintingforAllActive license1strenewal

Stillrequiredforreactivations,newapplicantsandfirstrenewals

FAQanddetailedInstructionsonwebsite:http://engineers.texas.gov/recordcheck.html


Update on NCEES August2014ModelLawchanges

BS+30/MastersOrEquivalentmovedfromNCEESmodellawtoapositionstatement

DecouplingofPEexamfromexperienceallowsearlyPEexaminsomestates.Texasisconsideringit.

CBT ComputerBasedTesting FE2014 ExamsbeganJanuary1,2014 8Months/year 6HourExam ContinuousRegistration


TBPE Initiatives


Journey Towards Excellence QualityTexascontinuousimprovementprogram

ImplementingMalcolmBaldrige QualityPrinciples

TBPEhasreceivedrecognitionin3ofthelast5 years.


Agency Visibility

Webinars PEEthics

March,June,September,December Signuponline

FEExam/WhybecomeaPE?(Students) HowtoApply(EITs)


Outreach continuing excellence

QuarterlyWebinars IncludesK12/EWeek

Fiscal Year Attendees Presentations

2012 7,332 166

2013 11,559 177

2014 14,866 155

2015 (mid-year) 9,418 82


Webinar AdditionalquestionscanbeemailedtoTBPEstaffatthe

addressesprovided.

ApdfcopyofthispresentationwillbeavailableforaweekontheTBPEwebsite.

AttendeeswillreceiveafollowupemailfromtheGoToWebinar system.


1917SInterstate35,Austin,TX78741(512)4407723

http://engineers.texas.gov/outreachsurveyEngineering for a better Texas

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Texas PE Training

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