California Professional Engineer Licensing Law

California Code · 42 sections

The following is the full text of California's engineers licensing statutes as published in the California Code. For the official version, see the California Legislature.

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6701

“Professional engineer,” within the meaning and intent of this act, refers to a person engaged in the professional practice of rendering service or creative work requiring education, training and experience in engineering sciences and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences in such professional or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning or design of public or private utilities, structures, machines, processes, circuits, buildings, equipment or projects, and supervision of construction for the purpose of securing compliance with specifications and design for any such work. (Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1161.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6703

The phrase “responsible charge of work” means the independent control and direction, by the use of initiative, skill, and independent judgment, of the investigation or design of professional engineering work or the direct engineering control of such projects. The phrase does not refer to the concept of financial liability. (Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 229, Sec. 1.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6704

(a) In order to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, no person shall practice civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering unless appropriately licensed or specifically exempted from licensure under this chapter, and only persons licensed under this chapter shall be entitled to take and use the titles “consulting engineer,” “professional engineer,” or “registered engineer,” or any combination of those titles or abbreviations thereof, and according to licensure with the board the engineering branch titles specified in Section 6732, or the authority titles specified in Sections 6736 and 6736.1, or the title “engineer-in-training.” (b) The provisions of this section shall not prevent the use of the title “consulting engineer” by a person who has qualified for and maintained exemption for using that title under the provisions of Section 6732.1, or by a person licensed as a photogrammetric surveyor. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 89. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6706

(a) An engineer who voluntarily, without compensation or expectation of compensation, provides structural inspection services at the scene of a declared national, state, or local emergency at the request of a public official, public safety officer, or city or county building inspector acting in an official capacity shall not be liable in negligence for any personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage caused by the engineer’s good faith but negligent inspection of a structure used for human habitation or owned by a public entity for structural integrity or nonstructural elements affecting life and safety. The immunity provided by this section shall apply only for an inspection that occurs within 30 days of the declared emergency. Nothing in this section shall provide immunity for gross negligence or willful misconduct. (b) As used in this section: (1) “Engineer” means a person registered under this chapter as a professional engineer, including any of the branches thereof. (2) “Public safety officer” has the meaning given in Section 3301 of the Government Code. (3) “Public official” means a state or local elected officer. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1013, Sec. 52.5. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6710

(a) There is in the Department of Consumer Affairs a Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, which consists of 15 members. (b) Any reference in any law or regulation to the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, or the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, is deemed to refer to the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed. Notwithstanding any other law, the repeal of this section renders the board subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 588, Sec. 2. (AB 3253) Effective January 1, 2025. Repealed as of January 1, 2029, by its own provisions.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6710.1

Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 432, Sec. 2. (SB 944) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6721

The board shall establish relations with bodies that regulate the practice of professional engineering, or closely related professions, or that register or license professional engineers in other states, and may establish relations with those bodies in other countries, for the purposes of working toward uniformly high professional standards and mutual recognition of registration and licensure. (Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 432, Sec. 5. (SB 944) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6730.2

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the licensure requirements that are imposed upon private sector professional engineers and engineering partnerships, firms, or corporations shall be imposed upon the state and any city, county, or city and county that shall adhere to those requirements. Therefore, for the purposes of Section 6730 and this chapter, at least one licensed engineer shall be designated the person in responsible charge of professional engineering work for each branch of professional engineering practiced in any department or agency of the state, city, county, or city and county. (b) Any department or agency of the state or any city, county, or city and county that has an unlicensed person in responsible charge of engineering work on January 1, 1985, shall be exempt from this requirement until that time as the person currently in responsible charge is replaced. (c) The designated person in responsible charge of professional civil engineering work of any department or agency of the state, city, county, city and county, district, or special district pursuant to this section is responsible for compliance with subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 8771. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 400, Sec. 9. (SB 1467) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6731.2

Any registered civil engineer may offer to practice, procure, and offer to procure, land surveying work incidental to his or her civil engineering practice, even though he or she is not authorized to perform that work, provided all the land surveying work is performed by, or under the direction of, a licensed land surveyor or registered civil engineer authorized to practice land surveying. Further, any registered civil engineer may manage or conduct as manager, proprietor, or agent, a civil engineering practice which offers to practice, procure, and offers to procure, such incidental land surveying work. (Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 760, Sec. 3.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6731.5

(a) Electrical engineering is that branch of professional engineering described in Section 6734.1 that embraces studies or activities relating to the generation, transmission, and utilization of electrical energy, including the design of electrical, electronic, and magnetic circuits, and the technical control of their operation and of the design of electrical gear. It is concerned with the research, organizational, and economic aspects of the above. (b) The design of electronic and magnetic circuits is not exclusive to the practice of electrical engineering, as defined in subdivision (a). (Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1006, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6731.6

Mechanical engineering is that branch of professional engineering described in Section 6734.2 that deals with engineering problems relating to generation, transmission, and utilization of energy in the thermal or mechanical form and also with engineering problems relating to the production of tools, machinery, and their products, and to heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and plumbing. It is concerned with the research, design, production, operational, organizational, and economic aspects of the above. (Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1006, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6732

It is unlawful for anyone other than a professional engineer licensed under this chapter to stamp or seal any plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents with the seal or stamp of a professional engineer, or in any manner, use the title “professional engineer,” “licensed engineer,” “registered engineer,” or “consulting engineer,” or any of the following branch titles: “agricultural engineer,” “chemical engineer,” “civil engineer,” “control system engineer,” “electrical engineer,” “fire protection engineer,” “industrial engineer,” “mechanical engineer,” “metallurgical engineer,” “nuclear engineer,” “petroleum engineer,” or “traffic engineer,” or any combination of these words and phrases or abbreviations thereof unless licensed under this chapter. (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 789, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6732.3

(a) Any person who has received from the board a license in corrosion, manufacturing, quality, or safety engineering, and who holds a valid license under this chapter, may continue to use the branch title of the branch in which the professional engineer is legally licensed. A person holding a license in corrosion, manufacturing, quality, or safety engineering is subject to the license renewal provisions of this chapter. (b) The professional engineer also may continue to use the title of “professional engineer,” “licensed engineer,” “registered engineer,” or “consulting engineer.” (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 96. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6732.5

(a) Upon the discontinuance of a national examination for a branch specified in this chapter, the board shall not be required to administer an examination for a license in that branch or be required to issue licenses in that branch. (b) Any person who has received from the board a license in a branch for which the national examination is discontinued, and who holds a valid license under this chapter, may continue to use the branch title of the branch in which the professional engineer is legally licensed. A person holding a license in the affected branch of engineering is subject to the license renewal provisions of this chapter. The professional engineer may also continue to use the title of “professional engineer,” “licensed engineer,” or “consulting engineer.” (Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 97. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6735.5

The use of the word “certify” or “certification” by a registered professional engineer in the practice of professional engineering or land surveying constitutes an expression of professional opinion regarding those facts or findings which are the subject of the certification, and does not constitute a warranty or guarantee, either expressed or implied. (Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 229, Sec. 3.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6738

(a) This chapter does not prohibit one or more civil, electrical, or mechanical engineers from practicing or offering to practice, within the scope of their license, civil (including geotechnical and structural), electrical, or mechanical engineering as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, firm, or corporation (hereinafter called business), if all of the following requirements are met: (1) A civil, electrical, or mechanical engineer currently licensed in this state is an owner, partner, or officer in charge of the engineering practice of the business. (2) All civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering services are performed by, or under the responsible charge of, a professional engineer licensed in the appropriate branch of professional engineering. (3) If the business name of a California engineering business contains the name of any person, then that person shall be licensed as a professional engineer, a licensed land surveyor, a licensed architect, or a geologist registered under the Geologist and Geophysicist Act (Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 7800)). Any offer, promotion, or advertisement by the business that contains the name of any individual in the business, other than by use of the name of an individual in the business name, shall clearly and specifically designate the license or registration discipline of each individual named. (b) An out-of-state business with a branch office in this state shall meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (h) and shall have an owner, partner, or officer who is in charge of the engineering work in the branch in this state, who is licensed in this state, and who is physically present at the branch office in this state on a regular basis. However, the name of the business may contain the name of any person not licensed in this state if that person is appropriately registered or licensed in another state. Any offer, promotion, or advertisement that contains the name of any individual in the business, other than by use of the names of the individuals in the business name, shall clearly and specifically designate the license or registration discipline of each individual named. (c) The business name of a California engineering business may be a fictitious name. However, if the fictitious name includes the name of any person, the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall be met. (d) A person not licensed under this chapter may also be a partner or an officer of a civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering business if the requirements of subdivision (a) are met. This section does not permit a person who is not licensed under this chapter to be the sole owner of a civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering business, unless otherwise exempt under this chapter. (e) This section shall not prevent the use of the name of any business engaged in rendering civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering services, including the use by any lawful successor or surviv

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6740

A subordinate to a civil, electrical or mechanical engineer licensed under this chapter, or a subordinate to a civil, electrical or mechanical engineer exempted from licensure under this chapter, insofar as he or she acts solely in that capacity, is exempt from licensure under the provisions of this chapter. This exemption, however, does not permit any such subordinate to practice civil, electrical or mechanical engineering in his or her own right or to use the titles listed in Sections 6732, 6736, and

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6746.1

The provisions of this chapter pertaining to licensure of professional engineers, other than civil engineers, do not apply to employees in the communications industry, nor to the employees of contractors while engaged in work on communications equipment. However, those employees may not use any of the titles listed in Sections 6732, 6736, and 6736.1, unless licensed. (Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 100. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6748

(a) Notwithstanding Section 6747, this chapter applies to engineering work approved by a person employed by a privately or publicly owned utility in the planning, designing, construction, operation, or maintenance of a nuclear powerplant which is owned or operated by the utility. (b) Any engineering work subject to subdivision (a) shall be approved by a professional engineer registered in the applicable discipline of engineering specified in Section

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6749

(a) A professional engineer shall use a written contract when contracting to provide professional engineering services to a client pursuant to this chapter. The written contract shall be executed by the professional engineer and the client or the client’s representative prior to the professional engineer commencing work, unless the client knowingly states in writing that work may be commenced before the contract is executed. The written contract shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) A description of the services to be provided to the client by the professional engineer. (2) A description of any basis of compensation applicable to the contract, and the method of payment agreed upon by the parties. (3) The name, address, and license or certificate number of the professional engineer, and the name and address of the client. (4) A description of the procedure that the professional engineer and the client will use to accommodate additional services. (5) A description of the procedure to be used by both parties to terminate the contract. (6) Disclosure of any existence of a current professional liability insurance policy covering the professional engineer in responsible charge of the services. (b) This section shall not apply to any of the following: (1) Professional engineering services rendered by a professional engineer for which the client will not pay compensation. (2) A professional engineer who has a current or prior contractual relationship with the client to provide engineering services, and that client has paid the professional engineer all of the fees that are due under the contract. (3) If the client knowingly states in writing after full disclosure of this section that a contract which complies with the requirements of this section is not required. (4) Professional engineering services rendered by a professional engineer to any of the following: (A) A professional engineer licensed or registered under this chapter. (B) A land surveyor licensed under Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8700). (C) An architect licensed under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5500). (D) A contractor licensed under Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000). (E) A geologist or a geophysicist licensed under Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 7800). (F) A manufacturing, mining, public utility, research and development, or other industrial corporation, if the services are provided in connection with or incidental to the products, systems, or services of that corporation or its affiliates. (G) A public agency. (c) “Written contract” as used in this section includes a contract that is in electronic form. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 588, Sec. 8. (AB 3253) Effective January 1, 2025.) BPC Business and Professions Code - BPC 3.

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6750

(a) An application for licensure as a professional engineer or certification as an engineer-in-training shall be made to the board on the prescribed form, with all statements made therein under oath, and shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed by this chapter. An application for licensure as a professional engineer shall specify, additionally, the branch of engineering in which the applicant desires licensure. (b) The board may authorize an organization specified by the board pursuant to Section 6754 to receive directly from applicants payment of the examination fees charged by that organization as payment for examination materials and services. (Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 415, Sec. 10. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2011.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6751

(a) The applicant for certification as an engineer-in-training shall comply with all of the following: (1) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. (2) Successfully pass the first division of the examination. (3) Satisfactorily complete three years or more of postsecondary engineering education, three years or more of engineering experience, or a combination of postsecondary education and experience in engineering totaling three years. (b) The board need not verify the applicant’s eligibility for certification as an engineer-in-training other than to require the applicant to sign a statement of eligibility on the application form. (c) The applicant for licensure as a professional engineer shall comply with all of the following: (1) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. (2) Furnish evidence of six years or more of qualifying experience in engineering work satisfactory to the board evidencing that the applicant is competent to practice the character of engineering in the branch for which he or she is applying for licensure. (3) Be certified as an engineer-in-training in this state, be certified as an engineer-in-training or engineer intern in another state or territory of the United States, or be exempt therefrom. (4) Successfully pass the second division of the examination. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 236, Sec. 1. (SB 1165) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6753

With respect to applicants for licensure as professional engineers, the board: (a) Shall give credit as qualifying experience of four years, for graduation with an engineering degree from a college or university the curriculum of which has been approved by the board. (b) May at its discretion give credit as qualifying experience up to a maximum of two years, for graduation with an engineering degree from a nonapproved engineering curriculum or graduation with an engineering technology degree in an approved engineering technology curriculum. (c) May at its discretion give credit as qualifying experience of up to one-half year, for each year of successfully completed postsecondary study in an engineering curriculum up to a maximum of four years credit. A year of study shall be at least 32 semester units or 48 quarter units. (d) May at its discretion give credit as qualifying experience not in excess of five years, for a postgraduate degree in a school of engineering with a board approved undergraduate or postgraduate curriculum. (e) May at its discretion give credit as qualifying experience for engineering teaching, not in excess of one year, if of a character satisfactory to the board. The sum of qualifying experience credit for subdivision (a) to (e), inclusive, shall not exceed five years. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 102. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6755.1

(a) The second division of the examination for registration as a professional engineer shall include questions to test the applicant’s knowledge of state laws and the board’s rules and regulations regulating the practice of professional engineering. The board shall administer the test on state laws and board rules regulating the practice of engineering in this state as a separate part of the second division of the examination for registration as a professional engineer. (b) On and after April 1, 1988, the second division of the examination for registration as a civil engineer shall also include questions to test the applicant’s knowledge of seismic principles and engineering surveying principles as defined in Section

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6756

(a) An applicant for certification as an engineer-in-training shall, upon meeting all of the requirements prescribed in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 6751, be issued a certificate as an engineer-in-training. A renewal or other fee, other than the application and examination fees, shall not be charged for this certification. The certificate shall become invalid when the holder has qualified as a professional engineer as provided in Section

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6759

The board, upon application therefor, on its prescribed form, and the payment of the fee fixed by this chapter, may issue a certificate of registration as a professional engineer, without written examination, to any person holding a certificate of registration issued to him or her by any state or country when the applicant’s qualifications meet the requirements of this chapter and rules established by the board. The board shall not require a comity applicant to meet any requirement not required of California applicants. For purposes of this section, equivalent second division examinations shall be written examinations prepared by or administered by a state or territory either by single or combined branch at the level generally administered by the board to persons who passed or were exempted from the first division examination. Applicants who have passed an equivalent second division combined branch or a single branch examination in a branch not recognized for registration in California shall be registered in the branch in which their experience and education indicate the closest relationship. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 400, Sec. 11. (SB 1467) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6762.5

(a) The board shall issue, upon application and payment of the fee established by Section 6799, a retired license (registration), to an engineer who has been licensed by the board for a minimum of 5 years within California and a minimum of 20 years within the United States or territory of the United States, and who holds a license that is not suspended, revoked, or otherwise disciplined, or subject to pending discipline under this chapter. (b) The holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section shall not engage in any activity for which an active engineer’s license is required. An engineer holding a retired license shall be permitted to use the titles “retired professional engineer,” “professional engineer, retired,” or either of those titles with the licensee’s branch designation inserted for the word “professional” for example, “retired civil engineer” or “civil engineer, retired.” (c) The holder of a retired license shall not be required to renew that license. (d) In order for the holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section to restore his or her license to active status, he or she shall pass the second division examination that is required for initial licensure with the board. (Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 983, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6763.5

If an applicant for licensure as a professional engineer, for certification as an engineer-in-training, or for authorization to use the title “structural engineer” or “soil engineer” is found by the board to lack the qualifications required for admission to the examination for such licensure, certification, or authorization, the board may, in accordance with the provisions of Section 158 of this code, refund to them their examination fee. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 588, Sec. 11. (AB 3253) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6764

Each professional engineer licensed under this chapter shall, upon licensure, obtain a seal or stamp of a design authorized by the board bearing the licensee’s name, number of his or her certificate or authority, the legend “professional engineer” and the designation of the particular branch or authority in which he or she is licensed. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 368, Sec. 4. (AB 645) Effective January 1, 2010.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6775

The board may, upon its own initiative or upon the receipt of a complaint, investigate the actions of any professional engineer licensed under this chapter and make findings thereon. By a majority vote, the board may publicly reprove, suspend for a period not to exceed two years, or revoke the certificate of any professional engineer licensed under this chapter on any of the following grounds: (a) Any conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a licensed professional engineer, in which case the certified record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence thereof. (b) Any deceit, misrepresentation, or fraud in their practice. (c) Any negligence or incompetence in their practice. (d) A breach or violation of a contract to provide professional engineering services. (e) Any fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in obtaining their certificate as a professional engineer. (f) Aiding or abetting any person in the violation of any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter. (g) For a licensee who serves as a qualified professional certifier, as defined in Section 66345.1 of the Government Code, making any false statement in a certification submission pursuant to Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 66345) of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code. (h) A violation in the course of the practice of professional engineering of a rule or regulation of unprofessional conduct adopted by the board. (i) A violation of any provision of this chapter or any other law relating to or involving the practice of professional engineering. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 470, Sec. 2. (AB 671) Effective January 1, 2026.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6775.1

The board may, upon its own initiative or upon the receipt of a complaint, investigate the actions of any engineer-in-training and make findings thereon. By a majority vote, the board may revoke the certificate of any engineer-in-training: (a) Who has been convicted of a crime as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 480. (b) Who has committed any act that would be grounds for denial of licensure pursuant to Section 480 or 496. (c) Who has committed any act of fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in obtaining his or her engineer-in-training certificate or certificate of registration, certification, or authority as a professional engineer. (d) Who aids or abets any person in the violation of any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter. (e) Who violates Section 119 with respect to an engineer-in-training certificate. (f) Who commits any act described in Section

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6779

A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge substantially related to the qualifications, functions and duties of a registered professional engineer is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this article. The board may order the certificate suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a certificate, when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing such person to withdraw his plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information or indictment. (Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1161.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6789

(a) If a licensee who is retained as an expert witness enters into a nondisclosure agreement, that agreement shall not be construed to prevent the licensee from reporting a potential violation of the Professional Engineers Act to the board. (b) This section shall not be construed to be, or act as, a waiver of any applicable attorney-client or attorney work product privileges. (Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 145, Sec. 1. (SB 339) Effective January 1, 2020.) BPC Business and Professions Code - BPC 6.

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6795

Certificates of registration as a professional engineer, and certificates of authority, shall be valid for a period of two years from the assigned date of renewal. Biennial renewals shall be staggered on a quarterly basis. To renew an unexpired certificate, the certificate holder shall, on or before the date of expiration indicated on the renewal receipt, apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board, and pay the renewal fee prescribed by this chapter. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 661, Sec. 9. (SB 1576) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6795.2

(a) At the time of renewal specified in Section 6795 or 6796, the board shall administer an assessment of the certificate holder to reinforce the certificate holder’s knowledge of state laws and the board’s rules and regulations. Failure to complete this assessment within 60 days after the date of expiration of the certificate may result in disciplinary action under Section 6775, but shall not affect the renewal of the certificate. (b) The crime in subdivision (j) of Section 6787 shall not apply to this section. (c) The board shall not charge the certificate holder a fee for the administration or development of the assessment. (d) For the purposes of this section, “assessment” means an online program that contains educational reading material and questions. The material shall be based on state law and the board’s rules and regulations relating to the practice of professional engineers. The scope of the assessment shall be limited to the board’s top five types of violations related to the administrative and procedural aspects of the practice of professional engineers and any changes or additions to existing law related to such administrative and procedural aspects. (Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 629, Sec. 1. (SB 1085) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6796

Except as otherwise provided in this article, certificates of registration as a professional engineer and certificates of authority may be renewed at any time within five years after expiration on filing of application for renewal on a form prescribed by the board and payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees. If the certificate is renewed more than 60 days after its expiration, the certificate holder, as a condition precedent to renewal, shall also pay the delinquency fee prescribed by this chapter. Renewal under this section shall be effective on the date on which the application is filed, on the date on which the renewal fee is paid, or on the date on which the delinquency fee, if any, is paid, whichever last occurs. The expiration date of a certificate renewed pursuant to this section shall be determined pursuant to Section

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6796.3

(a) Certificates of registration as a professional engineer, and certificates of authority to use the title “structural engineer,” “soil engineer,” or “consulting engineer” that are not renewed within five years after expiration shall not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued. After five years after expiration, the holder of a certificate may apply for and obtain a new certificate subject to the following: (1) He or she has not committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. (2) He or she takes and passes the examination, if any, that would be required of him or her if he or she were then applying for the certificate for the first time. (b) The board may, by regulation, provide for the waiver or refund of all or any part of the application fee in those cases in which a certificate is issued without an examination pursuant to this section. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 236, Sec. 7. (SB 1165) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6797

(a) The department shall receive and account for all money derived from the operation of this chapter and, at the end of each month, shall report such money to the Controller and shall pay it to the Treasurer, who shall keep the money in a separate fund known as the Professional Engineer’s, Land Surveyor’s, and Geologist’s Fund. (b) For accounting and recordkeeping purposes, the Professional Engineer’s, Land Surveyor’s, and Geologist’s Fund shall be deemed to be a single special fund, and shall be available for expenditure only for the purposes as are now or may hereafter be provided by law. (c) The fees and civil penalties received under this chapter shall be deposited in the Professional Engineer’s, Land Surveyor’s, and Geologist’s Fund. All moneys in the fund are hereby appropriated for the purposes of this chapter. (d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2016. (Repealed (in Sec. 14) and added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 428, Sec. 15. (AB 177) Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative July 1, 2016, by its own provisions.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6799

(a) The amount of the fees prescribed by this chapter shall be fixed by the board in accordance with the following schedule: (1) The fee for filing each application for licensure as a professional engineer and each application for authority level designation at not more than four hundred dollars ($400) and for each application for certification as an engineer-in-training at not more than one hundred dollars ($100). (2) The fee to take an examination administered by a public or private organization pursuant to Section 6754 shall be no greater than the actual cost of the development and administration of the examination and may be paid directly to the organization by the applicant. (3) The renewal fee for each branch of professional engineering in which licensure is held, and the renewal fee for each authority level designation held, at no more than four hundred dollars ($400). (4) The fee for a retired license at not more than 50 percent of the professional engineer application fee in effect on the date of application. (5) The delinquency fee at not more than 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the date of reinstatement. (6) The board shall establish by regulation an appeal fee for examination. The regulation shall include provisions for an applicant to be reimbursed the appeal fee if the appeal results in passage of examination. The fee charged shall be no more than the costs incurred by the board. (7) All other document fees are to be set by the board by rule. (b) Applicants wishing to be examined in more than one branch of engineering shall be required to pay the additional fee for each examination after the first. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 236, Sec. 9. (SB 1165) Effective January 1, 2017.) BPC Business and Professions Code - BPC 7.

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7029.1

However, at the time of making a bid as a joint venture, each person submitting the bid shall be subject to this section with respect to his or her individual licensure. (d) This section shall not affect the right or ability of a licensed architect, land surveyor, or registered professional engineer to form joint ventures with licensed contractors to render services within the scope of their respective practices. (e) Unless one of the foregoing exceptions applies, a bid submitted to a public agency by a contractor who is not licensed in accordance with this chapter shall be considered nonresponsive and shall be rejected by the public agency. Unless one of the foregoing exceptions applies, a local public agency shall, before awarding a contract or issuing a purchase order, verify that the contractor was properly licensed when the contractor submitted the bid. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, unless one of the foregoing exceptions applies, the registrar may issue a citation to any public officer or employee of a public entity who knowingly awards a contract or issues a purchase order to a contractor who is not licensed pursuant to this chapter. The amount of civil penalties, appeal, and finality of such citations shall be subject to Sections 7028.7 to 7028.13, inclusive. Any contract awarded to, or any purchase order issued to, a contractor who is not licensed pursuant to this chapter is void. (f) Any compliance or noncompliance with subdivision (e) of this section, as added by Chapter 863 of the Statutes of 1989, shall not invalidate any contract or bid awarded by a public agency during which time that subdivision was in effect. (g) A public employee or officer shall not be subject to a citation pursuant to this section if the public employee, officer, or employing agency made an inquiry to the board for the purposes of verifying the license status of any person or contractor and the board failed to respond to the inquiry within three business days. For purposes of this section, a telephone response by the board shall be deemed sufficient. (Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 294, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7051

This chapter does not apply to a licensed architect or a registered civil or professional engineer acting solely in his or her professional capacity or to a licensed structural pest control operator acting within the scope of his or her license or a licensee operating within the scope of the Geologist and Geophysicist Act. (Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 26, Sec. 206. Effective March 30, 1994.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7057

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a landscape contractor performing work under the Landscape Contractor (C-27) classification, as set forth in Section 832.27 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, may design and install all exterior components of a rainwater capture system, as defined in Section 10573 of the Water Code, that are not a part of, or attached to, a structure. (d) A violation of this section shall be cause for disciplinary action. (e) Nothing in this section authorizes a landscape contractor to engage in or perform activities that require a license pursuant to the Professional Engineers Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700)). (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 537, Sec. 1. (AB 1750) Effective January 1, 2013.)

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)