Here's some more info on this via a SEAOC email I have just recieved:
California eliminates its use of the state-specific SE exam
Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, as part of their licensing requirements, prospective structural engineers will be tested using only the national 16-hour Structural exam, as California will no longer offer its own state-specific, eight-hour SE exam.
Governor Jerry Brown on Monday, Oct. 3 approved the change by signing Senate Bill 543 (Steinberg), which reauthorizes and sets requirements for many state boards and commissions, including the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
Carl Josephson of SEAOSD, and Chair of SEAOC’s Professional Licensing and Certification Committee, explained that California will join the rest of the states in using the 16-hour exam recently deployed by National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
“This should make reciprocity easier for California SEs,” Josephson said. “This also means that California SEs should take a more active role in writing and grading the NCEES SE exam to assure that the exam is relevant and applicable to our practice.”’
Several California SEs currently work with NCEES in writing this new exam, with an additional few involved in grading. However, Josephson said, more are needed. NCEES is sponsoring an introductory item-writing session in Los Angeles at the end of January.
“This is a great opportunity for California SEs to help the profession in a direct and meaningful way,” he added. “The people who have talked to me about their experience with the exam grading and writing tell me that it is very rewarding personally and professionally.
Those interested in more information can contact Josephson at
[email protected]
SB 543 adds another significant requirement for licensure under the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists: a full set of fingerprints, to facilitate criminal background checks. The requirement will apply only to new applicants, not returning licensees. The bill also reauthorized the Board itself until Jan. 1, 2016.
For More information on SB 543 go to:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_543_bill_20111003_chaptered.html
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SEAOCC Contact: Don Schinske - (916) 447-1198,
[email protected]