TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 2. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF BARBER EXAMINERS

Chapter 51. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Subchapter D. BARBER SHOPS

22 TAC §51.93

The Texas State Board of Barber Examiners adopts amendments to §51.93. Sanitation Rules for Barber Shops, Schools and Colleges with changes to the proposed text as published in the November 29, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 11033). As adopted, the amendment to §51.93(f) paragraphs (7) and (8) are being removed because they are duplicate paragraphs of §51.93(f)(5) and (6).

The amendments clarify that barber shops shall have not less than one sink per three (rather than two) chairs whereas barber schools/colleges shall have not less than one sink per two chairs.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1601.152, which directs the board to adopt reasonable rules on sanitation for the operation of barber shops, specialty shops, and barber schools, and Chapter 1601.151, which vests the board with the authority to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties, to establish standards of conduct and ethics for all persons licensed or practicing under the provision of the Texas Barber Law, and to regulate the practice and teaching of barbering in keeping with the intent of the Texas Barber Law and to ensure strict compliance with the Texas Barber Law.

No other article or statute is affected by these amendments.

§51.93.Sanitation Rules for Barber Shops and Barber Schools and Colleges.

(a) Shop Conditions

(1) Establishments to be lighted and ventilated. Every public barber shop and barber school and college as defined in Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1601 shall be properly and adequately lighted and ventilated. An adequate volume of air must be exhausted to remove contaminants from aerosol products. Fresh air must be provided to replace air exhausted.

(2) Walls, ceilings, et cetera, to be kept clean. The walls, ceilings, furniture and other fixtures, and all other exposed surfaces in every such establishment shall be kept clean, free from dust, and maintained in a state of good repair.

(3) Floors to be kept clean. Floors of every such establishment shall be thoroughly cleaned each day. All hair dropping upon the floor shall be removed therefrom as soon as practicable and in such a manner as not to cause a nuisance. Floors shall be maintained in a state of good repair.

(4) Suitable equipment. Establishments shall be suitably equipped to give adequate service to patrons and shall never be used as a living, dining, or sleeping apartment.

(5) A barber shop or barber school or college must be in a separate room from sleeping quarters and the owner or operator shall permit no person to sleep in any room used wholly or in part as such facility. There shall be no entrances from the facility opening directly into sleeping quarters.

(6) A barber shop or barber school or college must be separated from a place where food is prepared or served by a solid wall from floor to ceiling of lath or plaster or glass or other solid material.

(b) Water Supply, Sewerage, and Toilet Facilities

(1) All barber shops, barber schools, or colleges shall be supplied with an adequate supply of hot and cold water under pressure. When water is not obtained from an acceptable public supply, water must meet the bacteriological, chemical, and physical requirements for drinking water systems of the Texas Department of Health. Whenever possible, the source of water supply shall be from an existing public drinking water system. Cross connections between potable water systems and other systems or equipment containing water or other substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited. Protection against backflow and back siphonage shall be provided by proper airgaps or approved backflow preventers where necessary.

(2) Adequate and safe sewage facilities shall be provided. Whenever possible, the facility shall be connected to a public sewerage facility. Where public sewerage is not available, adequate treatment facilities meeting the standards of the Texas Department of Health and approved by the local health authority shall be installed to dispose of sewage.

(3) Toilet facilities with flush toilets shall be suitably located in adequately and properly ventilated compartments with closing doors that lock from the inside. Toilet facilities in toilet rooms, separate for each sex, shall be provided in all places of employment in accordance with the table in this part.

(4) The number of facilities to be provided for each sex shall be based on the number of employees of that sex for whom the facilities are furnished. Where only one toilet room is reasonably available and can be locked from the inside, the rule requiring separate toilet rooms for each sex can be waived. Where such single-occupancy rooms have more than one toilet facility, only one such facility in each toilet room shall be counted for the purposes of the table: Number employees--Number water closets: 1 to 15--1; 16 to 35--2; 36 to 55--3. When persons other than employees are permitted use of toilet facilities on the premise, the number of such facilities shall be appropriately increased in accordance with the table. For each three required toilet facilities, at least one lavatory shall be located either in the toilet room or adjacent thereto. Where only one or two toilet facilities are provided, at least one lavatory so located shall be provided.

(5) Washing facilities to be provided. Every such establishment shall be provided with suitable and adequate washing facilities for barbering services. Sinks or wash basins must be of nonabsorbent material and properly trapped, with not less than one sink per three chairs for barber shops and one sink per two chairs for barber schools/colleges.

(6) Drinking water facilities. Where fountain facilities designed for drinking from the stream are provided for dispensing drinking water, such facilities shall be equipped with approved type angle jet fountain heads. No common drinking cups are permitted.

(c) Use of Equipment

(1) No barber or other person affected by these rules shall use on any person a comb, hairbrush, hair duster, mug, shaving brush, razor, shears, scissors, clippers, or tweezers or any similar articles that are not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected since last used.

(2) The use of vacuum type devices for removal of loose hair is satisfactory provided that the portion of the device coming in contact with the patron is easily removed and constructed for easy cleaning and disinfection and shall be disinfected prior to use on each patron.

(d) Attendants to Wash Hands. Attendants shall wash their hands thoroughly with soap and hot water before attending any person.

(e) Cleaning and Disinfecting. A disinfectant, germicide, or bactericide used shall be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and used according to label instructions. When not in use, instruments may be placed in dry disinfectant equipment or under germicidal ultraviolet light. Metallic instruments with a cutting edge may be disinfected after proper washing by wiping carefully with a clean cotton pad saturated with a 70% alcohol solution, or clipper blades may be disinfected with spray-type disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

(f) Towels

(1) Individual towels required. No towels or washcloths shall be used in any such establishment for more than one person without being properly laundered and sanitized by regular commercial laundering or noncommercial laundering process. The process shall include washing with a laundry detergent and rinsing at a minimum temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit for not less than 20 minutes. A bleach or sanitizing cycle using a rinse containing 100 ppm of available chlorine for three minutes may be used in addition to the above wash and rinse cycle. A predrying procedure for towels and washcloths will facilitate the removal of hair. Pre or post drying temperatures should not exceed 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

(2) Wet towels and washcloths must be removed from work-stands upon completion of service to each patron.

(3) Individual headrest coverage required. Before any patron attended at any such establishment is permitted to recline in a chair, the headrest of the chair shall be covered with a clean towel or clean sheet or paper not previously used for any other purposes.

(4) Dipping towels, shaving mugs, brushes, et cetera, in water containers is prohibited.

(5) Clean linens, such as face towels, steam towels, and other linens used in any such establishment shall be kept in a closed cabinet at all times.

(6) Single use towels may be used on only one person.

(g) Use of Stick Astringent Prohibited. No alums or other astringent in stick or lump form shall be used in any such establishment. (Powdered or liquid caustics are suggested.)

(h) Creams, Lotions, and Cosmetics. All creams, lotions, and other cosmetics used for patrons must be kept in clean and closed containers.

(i) Powder Boxes. Open powder boxes must not be used in a reception room and booths for patrons. Powder must be in shakers or similar receptacles.

(j) Sanitary Removal of Creams and Semisolid Substances. Creams and other semisolid substances must be dipped from the container with disinfected articles or spatula; removing such substances with the fingers is prohibited.

(k) Communicable Diseases and Infections

(1) Employees. No person who is knowingly affected with a disease in communicable form shall work or be employed in such establishment as required in Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1601.

(2) Patrons. No person who to his/her own knowledge is affected with a known disease in communicable form shall be attended in any such establishment.

(l) Regulations To Be Posted. Sufficient copies of these regulations shall be kept posted in conspicuous places in every such establishment.

(m) Penalties. Whoever violates any provision of these rules and regulations as provided in the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1601 or refuses to comply with any provision thereof shall be fined not to exceed $1,000.

(n) Americans with Disabilities Act. To the extent that these rules are in conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Act supercedes these rules.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300167

Dr. Douglas A. Beran, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Barber Examiners

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: November 29, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 458-1091


Part 3. TEXAS BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS

Chapter 80. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

22 TAC §80.7

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners adopts new §80.7, relating to out-of-facility services, without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 29, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 11035). The text of the rule as amended will not be republished.

As adopted, new §80.7 provides minimum requirements for providing chiropractic services in a location other than the registered facility of the licensee (out-of-facility services). The board recently received an inquiry from a licensee who wishes to provide chiropractic services to employees of certain businesses at their places of work. She wanted to know whether the board had any requirements or restrictions on such practice. Prior to the adoption of §80.7, the board did not have rules specifically applicable to this type of practice. Recognizing that other licensees may develop their practice in this direction, the board believes that some regulation should be instituted to provide the board with basic information about these services and to ensure that the public is provided with license and consumer information.

Accordingly, the board adopts §80.7 to provide minimal oversight of out-of-facility services. Section 80.7 requires such licensees (1) to submit specified information concerning each location at which they provide chiropractic services, at the first visit and annually thereafter, and, (2) to provide patients with their license numbers and dates of expiration, consumer information, and basic information about their chiropractic facilities. Only licensees who are practicing at a licensed facility may provide out-of-facility services. Section 80.7 does not restrict a licensee from treating a patient, in the patient's home, if the patient is physically unable to visit the chiropractor's facility for treatment.

No comments were received concerning the proposed new section.

Section 80.7 is adopted under the Occupations Code §201.152, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of chiropractic, and the enforcement of the Chiropractic Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300166

Sandra Smith

Executive Director

Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: November 29, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6709


Part 6. TEXAS BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

Chapter 131. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Subchapter E. EDUCATION

22 TAC §131.91

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts amendments to §131.91, relating to Educational Requirements for Applicants. The amended section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7335) and will not be republished.

Section 131.91 describes the educational requirements that an applicant must meet for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas. The amended section provides that the educational requirements may be met in one of several ways, by earning (1) an engineering or engineering technology degree from a program that has been accredited or otherwise approved by one of two enumerated organizations; (2) a bachelor degree in engineering or one of the mathematical, physical, or engineering sciences, plus a graduate degree in engineering that has been approved by one of the two enumerated organizations; (3) a degree that has been evaluated in accordance with §131.92 and determined to meet the program criteria requirements for a program accredited or otherwise approved by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, United States (EAC/ABET); or (4) a non-accredited or -approved bachelor or graduate degree in engineering, mathematical, physical, or engineering science approved by the executive director that includes, at a minimum, certain courses enumerated in the rule or contains, in addition, the courses enumerated in the rule. This amendment represents omission of a reference to six foreign accrediting organizations since they have already been approved and included in the Washington Accord. The Washington Accord is an agreement between EAC/ABET and foreign accreditation organizations. By this agreement, the signatories acknowledge mutual recognition of the substantial equivalency of their respective accrediting systems and the engineering programs accredited under them.

The amended section also provides that, for an applicant to fulfill the educational requirements of the Act, the board does not accept degree programs that give credit for life experience or consist primarily of engineering, mathematical, physical, or engineering sciences courses that are correspondence courses or are self-taught outside a formal classroom setting.

The amended section allows the board to better ensure that only qualified applicants will be approved for licensure by requiring applicants to meet the minimum educational requirements of the Texas Engineering Practice Act and certain additional educational requirements determined by the board. For instance, the board has determined that certain degree programs, such as those that have not been accredited or approved by a recognized accrediting organization, or that give credit for life experience or that contain correspondence courses or similar courses in lieu of formal classroom training, are not sufficiently reliable to demonstrate to the board that an applicant has attained the minimal competency in the use of engineering algorithms and procedures.

The board received one comment during the public comment period regarding the board's adoption of the amended section. The commenter disagreed with §131.91(b) as proposed, which limits the extent to which the board will accept non-ABET accredited or approved degree programs consisting primarily of correspondence courses in engineering, mathematical, physical, or engineering science that are self-taught or that does not require classroom attendance. The commenter believes that self-taught correspondence courses should be acceptable to the board for purposes of satisfying an applicant's educational requirements of the Texas Engineering Practice Act because not all people are auditory learners who can derive much benefit from classroom attendance. The board acknowledges this commenter's concerns but responds that the new section does not restrict self-taught correspondence courses entirely, it just restricts degree programs that are based primarily on this type of learning. The board believes that courses that are self-taught without the personal interaction and guidance of knowledgeable faculty do not adequately contribute toward an applicant's engineering education. Recognizing an applicant's need for flexibility in obtaining an engineering education, the board does accept distance learning programs that involve the interactive participation of faculty because the board views these programs as meeting the educational requirements of the Act.

The amendment is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; and pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §12, which sets forth the general requirements for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas and delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications for licensure to determine whether applicants meet the minimum educational requirements of the Texas Engineering Practice Act and the responsibility to determine what engineering and other programs and curricula it deems acceptable for meeting the statutory requirements.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300199

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.92

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers repeals §131.92, relating to Degrees from Non-Accredited Programs. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7337) and will not be republished.

The repeal is adopted concurrently with the adoption of new §131.92, relating to Proof of Educational Requirements - Non-Accredited/ Non-Approved Programs, which re-states the more general requirements of the current section with some modifications for clarity and more explicitly makes the commercial evaluation service requirement applicable to individuals who have graduated from a program other than one that has been accredited or approved by any of the organizations identified in §131.91, which is being amended concurrently with the adoption of this repeal.

As a result of the repeal and the new and amended sections proposed concurrently with it, the board's rules concerning educational qualifications are better organized and allow persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and better understand the board's proof of educational requirements applicable to the licensure process.

No comments were received regarding the board's proposed adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which sets forth the general requirements for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas and authorizes the board to evaluate applications for licensure as well as the responsibility to determine whether applicants have the educational qualifications required by the Texas Engineering Practice Act and board rules; and §12.1 of the Act, which authorizes the board to evaluate and approve applications from individuals who wish to be certified as an engineer-in-training.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300200

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.92

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.92, relating to Proof of Educational Requirements - Non-Accredited/Non-Approved Programs. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7337) and will not be republished.

The new section combines portions of existing §131.92 (relating to Degrees from Non-Accredited Programs), and §131.93, (relating to Transcripts); both of those rules are being repealed and replaced concurrently with the adoption of this new section. The new section delineates detailed requirements for individual applicants using commercial degree evaluation services to meet the education requirements.

The new section requires an applicant to furnish both an official transcript and an evaluation for each degree to be relied upon to meet the educational requirements of certification as an engineer-in-training or licensure. It also provides that, in addition to providing a transcript reflecting the degree(s) earned, an applicant is required to provide an official transcript from each school from which more than 15 semester hours were earned towards the degree. It also requires the applicant to ensure that the transcript is forwarded from the institution's registrar or other records authority directly to a commercial degree evaluation service approved by the board. This will provide greater assurance that fraudulent or falsified documentation of educational credentials will not be used in the review process.

The new section sets forth the requirements of any commercial degree evaluation provided to it. Because some commercial degree evaluation services will not be able to comply with all of these requirements, the board will maintain a current list of the commercial degree evaluation services that it has approved for purposes of evaluating non-accredited degree programs; the board will maintain this list on the board's web site, at www.tbpe.state.tx.us.

The new section also changes the criteria and procedures to allow an applicant to request that the executive director waive the commercial degree evaluation. An applicant's waiver request must be provided in writing at the time of his or her application for licensure. In addition, the new section removes several redundant criteria for requesting waiver of a commercial evaluation, because there is no requirement that a waiver be requested for the affected degree programs. The substantially equivalent degree programs referred to in existing §131.92(b) are now included as qualifying degrees in §131.91, relating to Educational Requirements for Applicants, which is being amended concurrently with this new rule.

The new section also provides that, if a transcript cannot be transmitted directly to the evaluation service from the issuing institution, the applicant may request approval from the executive director of an alternative method of evaluating the applicant's educational qualifications. Finally, the new section states that a commercial evaluation of a degree will not be accepted in lieu of an official transcript.

As a result of the new rule, applicants, commercial degree evaluation services, and the general public will be better informed of the procedures and information necessary for the board to evaluate whether an applicant for licensure as a professional engineer or certification as an engineer-in-training has met the educational qualifications for licensure or certification. In addition, the board will have greater information to evaluate whether a particular degree program is satisfactory for purposes of licensure or certification.

On a fairly routine basis, the board receives applications from individuals who have graduated from programs that are not EAC/ABET- or TAC/ABET-accredited or approved, many of whom have graduated from degree programs at institutions in countries outside the United States. The proposed section requires the evaluation to determine whether a degree is equivalent to a United States bachelor of science degree and further determine if the degree coursework meets the EAC/ABET program criteria. If the degree does meet this criteria, the propose section requires the board to accept the educational credentials as meeting those of an approved program and the applicant would be eligible for licensure under Section 12(a)(1) of the Act requiring four years of creditable engineering experience. Those degrees evaluated by a commercial evaluation service and found to not meet the EAC/ABET program criteria, but which meet the minimum required course content as required under §131.91, would continue to be eligible for licensure under Section 12(a)(2) of the Act requiring eight years of creditable engineering experience.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which sets forth the general requirements for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas and authorizes the board to evaluate applications for licensure and determine whether applicants have the educational qualifications required by the Act and board rules; and §12.1 of the Act, which authorizes the board to evaluate and approve applications from individuals who wish to be certified as an engineer-in-training.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300201

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.93

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers repeals §131.93, relating to Transcripts. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7339) and will not be republished.

The repeal is adopted concurrently with the adoption of new §131.92, relating to Proof of Educational Requirements - Non-Accredited/Non-Approved Programs, and new §131.93, relating to Proof of Qualifications - Accredited/Approved Programs, which re-state the more general requirements of the current section with some modifications for clarity.

As a result of the proposed repeal and the new sections adopted concurrently with it, the board's rules concerning educational qualifications are better organized and allow persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and better understand the board's proof of educational requirements applicable to the licensure process.

No comments were received regarding the board's proposed adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which sets forth the general requirements for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas and authorizes the board to evaluate applications for licensure as well as the responsibility to determine whether applicants have the educational qualifications required by the Texas Engineering Practice Act and board rules; and §12.1 of the Act, which authorizes the board to evaluate and approve applications from individuals who wish to be certified as an engineer-in-training.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300202

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.93

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.93, relating to Proof of Qualifications - Accredited/Approved Programs. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7340) and will not be republished.

The new section describes the board's requirements concerning transcripts to be furnished by applicants for licensure as a professional engineer or certification as an engineer-in-training in Texas who have graduated from a degree program that is accredited or approved by either the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, United States (EAC/ABET); the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC/ABET); or the Consejo de Acreditacion de la Ensenanza de la Ingenieria, Mexico (Council of Accreditation for Engineering Education, C.A.). The new section re-states, with some modifications, the requirements of existing §131.93, which is being repealed concurrently with the adoption of this new rule. The new section requires applicants to provide an official transcript to the board and to ensure that it is forwarded directly to the board by the registrar of the institution from which the applicant graduated. The new section provides that applicants may submit copies of transcripts of all other degree programs directly to the board. Finally, the new section provides that the applicant is responsible for ordering and paying for all transcripts and that the executive director may request additional academic information of an applicant.

The new section clarifies the board's requirements that an applicant demonstrate, by furnishing the board with an acceptable transcript or a copy thereof, that he or she has, in fact, graduated from an approved degree program and, therefore, meets the minimum educational requirements of the Texas Engineering Practice Act.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which sets forth the general requirements for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas and authorizes the board to evaluate applications for licensure and determine whether applicants have the educational qualifications required by the Act and board rules; and §12.1 of the Act, which authorizes the board to evaluate and approve applications from individuals who wish to be certified as an engineer-in-training.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300203

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


Subchapter F. EXAMINATIONS

22 TAC §131.101

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers repeals §131.101, relating to Engineering Examinations Required for a License to Practice as a Professional Engineer. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7341) and will not be republished.

The board is repealing this section concurrently with the adoption of a new §131.101, which re-states the more general requirements of the current section, with some modifications for clarity, reserving the more specific portions of the existing section for other new sections being adopted concurrently with this new section. The repeal and the new sections adopted concurrently with it result in a better organization of the board's rules concerning examinations, allowing persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and understand the board's examination requirements applicable to the licensure process.

No comments were received regarding the board's proposed adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300204

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.101

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.101, relating to Engineering Examinations Required for a License to Practice as a Professional Engineer. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7341) and will not be republished.

The new section replaces existing §131.101, which sets forth numerous requirements concerning the written examinations required by the board of an applicant for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas. The new section re-states the more general of these requirements, with some modifications for clarity, reserving the more specific portions of the existing section for other new sections being adopted concurrently with this new section.

The new section and other sections adopted concurrently with it result in a better organization of the board's rules concerning examinations, allowing persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and understand the board's examination requirements applicable to the licensure process.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300205

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.102

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers repeals §131.102, relating to Examination for Record Purposes. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7342) and will not be republished.

The repeal is adopted concurrently with the adoption of new §131.106, which re-states the language of the current section, with some modifications for clarity. Therefore, the board's current policy of allowing an individual to take an examination for record purposes will continue to be in effect, but will be better organized within the board's rules concerning examinations. The repeal is also adopted concurrently with the adoption of a new §131.102, regarding the Texas Engineering Professional Conduct and Ethics Examination. The board's intent is to reorganize its rules concerning examinations in a more logical and readable fashion.

No comments were received regarding the board's proposed adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300206

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.102

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.102, relating to Texas Engineering Professional Conduct and Ethics Examination. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7343) and will not be republished.

The new section describes the board's requirements and procedures related to the administration of the Texas Engineering Professional Conduct and Ethics Examination. The new section re-states certain requirements that are contained in existing §131.101, which is being repealed concurrently with the adoption of this new section; it also clarifies that there are no fees or scheduling forms associated with the examination.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300207

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.103

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers repeals §131.103, relating to Examination Analysis. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7343) and will not be republished.

The repeal is adopted concurrently with the adoption of new §131.107, which re-states the language of the current section with some modifications for clarity. Through the repeal and the new section adopted concurrently with it, the board continues to provide a procedure for an examinee who fails an examination to receive a written analysis of the examination, but the board's rules concerning examinations are reorganized in a more logical and readable fashion.

No comments were received regarding the board's proposed adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300208

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.103

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers proposes new §131.103, relating to Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. The new section is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7344). The text of the rule will be republished.

The new section describes the board's requirements and procedures related to its administration of the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. The new section re-states with some modifications for clarity certain requirements that are contained in existing §131.101, which is being repealed concurrently with the adoption of this new section; it also provides that certain undergraduate students who do not meet the criteria of subsection (a) but must complete the Fundamentals of Engineering examination to fulfill certain graduation requirements may apply to the board to take the examination.

Through the adoption of the new section and others being adopted concurrently with it, the board's rules concerning examinations are better organized and will allow persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and better understand the board's examination requirements applicable to the licensure process.

A comment was received from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the board's adoption of the new section. TxDOT questions why the board would need to specify the office at which a participating school should schedule the Fundamentals of Engineering examination. In response to this comment, the board acknowledges that the proposed language specifying the dean's office may not be appropriate for all programs participating in the examination. Therefore, the language of §131.103(c) is changed to read as follows: "Engineering students may schedule the Fundamentals of Engineering examination at their participating school through the engineering dean, department head, or other program administrator."

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

§131.103.Fundamentals of Engineering Examination.

(a) An undergraduate student who is within two full-time regular semesters (not including summer sessions) of graduating and who is enrolled in an engineering program accredited or approved by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, United States (EAC/ABET), a four year baccalaureate technical program accredited or approved by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, United States (TAC/ABET), or an engineering-related science program of four years or more that has been approved by the board, may take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination at the student's school provided the school administers the examination as prescribed by the board.

(b) A graduate student may take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination at the student's school provided that the school administers the examination as prescribed by the board and the student is enrolled in an EAC/ABET-accredited graduate degree program or in a graduate program at an institution which has an EAC/ABET-accredited undergraduate degree program in that discipline, and the student has:

(1) a baccalaureate degree that is EAC/ABET-accredited;

(2) an engineering or engineering-related science program degree that has been approved by the board; or

(3) a non-engineering related curriculum or other degree in which the student has provided evidence acceptable to the executive director as meeting the minimum requirements of §12(a)(1) or (2) of the Act.

(c) Engineering students may schedule the Fundamentals of Engineering examination at their participating school through the engineering dean, department head, or other program administrator.

(d) Persons who demonstrate that they meet the educational requirements for a license and who have not passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination while in college may apply to the board to take the examination in accordance with the applicable examination schedule adopted by the board.

(e) Persons who do not meet the criteria of subsection (a) of this section, but who need only to complete the Fundamentals of Engineering examination to fulfill the graduation requirements of a degree program that would meet the educational requirements for a license, may apply to the board to take the examinations in accordance with the applicable examination schedule adopted by the board.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300209

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.104

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers repeals §131.104, relating to Examination Irregularities. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7345) and will not be republished.

The repeal is adopted concurrently with the adoption of new §131.108, which re-states the language of the current §131.104, with some modifications for clarity, in order to reorganize its rules concerning examinations in a more logical and readable fashion.

No comments were received regarding the board's proposed adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300210

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.104

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.104, relating to the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination. The new section is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7346). The text of the rule will be republished.

The new section describes the board's requirements and procedures related to the administration of the Principles and Practice Examination. The new section re-states, with some modification and reorganization for clarity, certain requirements that are contained in existing §131.101, which is being repealed concurrently with this proposed new section; it also provides that applicants must register to test in an area of competency as demonstrated by their experience and education. The new section also clarifies certain scheduling requirements for the examination, depending on whether it is an examination that is offered once per year or an examination that is offered twice per year.

Through the adoption of the new section and others adopted concurrently with it, the board's rules concerning examinations are better organized and will allow persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and better understand the board's examination requirements applicable to the licensure process.

A comment was received from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the board's adoption of the new section. TxDOT states that subsections (b)(4)(A) and (b)(4)(B) of the new section are confusing and suggests that the language could be simplified by counting every offering of an exam up to four. To eliminate confusion that may exist in the rule as proposed, the board has changed the language of subsection (b)(4)(B) to read as follows: "Once an applicant has scheduled for an examination that is offered twice per year, either or the first time or after scheduling for an examination that is offered once per year, the remaining consecutive opportunities shall be counted as two annually from that examination forward until the four consecutive opportunities expire."

The board declines to change the language of the rule in the manner suggested by TxDOT because the counting of examination opportunities depends entirely on which examination is chosen by an applicant and when, during the examination cycle, a particular examination is chosen. There are 18 different disciplines for which an applicant can sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination; some of these are offered once per year while others are offered twice per year. Because an applicant can choose a particular examination that he or she believes appropriately tests the applicant's experience, tracking the available opportunities to take an examination would be difficult without the language adopted by the board. An applicant may choose to take an examination that is offered only once per year, and then, upon failing that examination, may later choose to take a different examination that is offered twice per year. The new section defines the board's system for tracking an applicant's consecutive opportunities, clearly detailing when those opportunities will expire based on the type of examination chosen and when during the examination cycle it is chosen.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

§131.104.Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination.

(a) The Principles and Practice of Engineering examination is open only to licensed engineers who wish to take the examination for record purposes and to applicants who have received board approval to take it.

(b) Applicants approved to take the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination shall:

(1) be advised of the first examination date for which they are eligible;

(2) schedule to test in an area of competency as demonstrated by their experience and education;

(3) be solely responsible for timely scheduling for the examination and any payment of examination fees; and

(4) have no more than four consecutive examination opportunities, including the examination given on the date of the first available examination, to pass the examination. No extensions shall be granted under any circumstances.

(A) Once an applicant has scheduled for an examination that is offered once per year, the consecutive opportunities shall be counted as one annually as long as the applicant does not schedule to sit for an examination that is offered twice per year.

(B) Once an applicant has scheduled for an examination that is offered twice per year, either for the first time or after scheduling for an examination that is offered once per year, the remaining consecutive opportunities shall be counted as two annually from that examination forward until the four consecutive opportunities expire.

(c) Applications for applicants who do not pass the examination within the allotted time shall be denied.

(d) After an application has been denied due to an applicant's not passing the examination, an applicant may immediately apply for a license under the law and rules in place when submitting the new application, and shall submit all applicable documentation and fees associated with the application.

(e) The Principles and Practice of Engineering examinations shall be offered according to the schedule determined by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300211

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.105

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.105, relating to Waiver of Examinations. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7346) and will not be republished.

The new section sets forth certain requirements of an applicant for licensure who wishes to seek a waiver of one or more of the board's examination requirements. The new section re-states, with some modification and reorganization for clarity, certain requirements that are contained in existing §131.101, which is being repealed concurrently with the adoption of this new section. The new section also sets forth certain additional requirements that were not in existing §131.101, concerning applicants who hold a Ph.D., in engineering and whose engineering experience includes the teaching of engineering in an institution of higher education.

Through the adoption of the new section and others adopted concurrently with it, the board's requirements concerning waiver of the examination requirements are more accurately reflected in its rules; in addition, the new section includes a more thorough set of requirements applicable to those whose engineering experience includes teaching. In addition, the board's rules concerning examinations will be better organized and will allow persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and better understand the board's examination requirements applicable to the licensure process.

A comment was received from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the board's adoption of the new section. TxDOT requested clarification of §131.105(a)(3)(C) and (D) to specify a certain number of courses that an applicant with a Ph.D., in engineering and who teaches engineering in an institution of higher education must have taught during the time periods provided in those paragraphs. TxDOT indicated that teaching one course for six years, for example, should not be considered equivalent to passing both the Fundamentals and Principles and Practice of Engineering examinations.

The board agrees with TxDOT that the teaching of only one course, may not be sufficient experience for licensure. The new section, however, does not automatically grant a waiver of the examination requirement. Instead, it identifies the minimum engineering work experience necessary for eligibility to request a waiver. Each application is evaluated individually to determine an applicant's qualifications for waiver. Therefore, the board declines to specify a number of courses that must have been taught. The Board recognizes that engineering competency can be demonstrated by the level of education and in-depth work involved in completing a dissertation associated with obtaining an advanced degree such as a Ph.D., in engineering. The new section also recognizes that an engineering educator is likely to have a combination of teaching and other engineering work experience, such as publishing papers in technical and professional journals, making technical and professional presentations, publishing books and monographs, performing sponsored research, and reporting on research conducted for sponsors.

Another comment was received from an individual who objects to a waiver of the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination requirement for Ph.D., faculty members. The commenter believes that teaching in a university does not automatically qualify a person to practice "real world" engineering. The commenter asserts that engineering experience satisfactory to the board should be acquired under the watchful eye of a professional mentor. For the reasons stated above, the board disagrees with this observation. The board further points out that the commenter's concern is addressed by §131.153(b) of this title (regarding Engineers' Actions Shall Be Competent), which requires all licensed professional engineers to only accept and perform engineering assignments for which they are qualified by education or experience to perform adequately and competently. To facilitate awareness of this requirement, the board requires all applicants to review the Act and board rules, including those rules pertaining to professional conduct and ethics, and satisfactorily complete an examination over these rules.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300212

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.106

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.106, relating to Examination for Record Purposes. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7347) and will not be republished.

The new section provides that an applicant for licensure may, upon written request to the board, take an examination for record purposes only; it also provides that an applicant may only take the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination if the applicant is licensed as a professional engineer in Texas or has been given permission by the board to do so. These provisions are not new; they are a restatement, with some modification for clarity, of the same provisions that were in §131.102, which is being repealed concurrently with the adoption of this new section.

Through the adoption of the new section and others adopted concurrently with it, the board's rules concerning examinations are better organized and will allow persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and better understand the board's examination requirements applicable to the licensure process.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300213

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


22 TAC §131.108

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers adopts new §131.108, relating to Examination Irregularities. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 16, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 7349) and will not be republished.

The new section describes the manner in which the board addresses irregularities that arise during an examination, such as cheating or other violations of applicable policies and procedures. These provisions are not new; they are a restatement, with some modification for clarity, of provisions that were found in §131.104, which is being repealed concurrently with the adoption of this new section.

Through the adoption of the new section and the others proposed concurrently with it, the board's rules concerning examinations are better organized and will allow persons who are interested in becoming licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and the general public to more easily access and better understand the board's examination requirements applicable to the licensure process.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted pursuant to the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Act), Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 3271a, §8, which authorizes the board to make and enforce all rules and regulations and bylaws consistent with the Act as necessary for the performance of its duties, the governance of its own proceedings, and the regulation of the practice of engineering in this state; §12 of the Act, which delegates to the board the authority to evaluate applications and sets forth general licensure requirements; and §14 of the Act, which sets forth requirements concerning examinations to be administered by the board to applicants for licensure as a professional engineer in Texas.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300214

Victoria J.L. Hsu, P.E.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: August 16, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 440-7723


Part 25. STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL BOARD

Chapter 599. TREATMENT STANDARDS

22 TAC §599.3

The Structural Pest Control Board adopts amendments of 22 TAC 599.3 with changes to the proposed text published in the October 25, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 9925).

Justification for the rule is requiring more detail in the maintenance of commercial pre-construction treatment records that are kept by Structural Pest Control Board licensees doing commercial pre-construction termite treatments.

The rule will function in that all pest control businesses doing commercial pretreatments will be required to include in their records the square footage and a diagram describing the installation if a physical device is used. This requirement will make for easier enforcement and monitoring of commercial pretreatments.

There were no comments received.

There were no groups or associations making comments for or against the rule.

The amendment is adopted under Article 135b-6, Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann., which provides the Structural Pest Control Board with the authority to license and regulate the structural pest control industry.

§599.3.Subterranean Termite Pre-Construction Treatments.

(a) This section does not apply to baits or baiting systems.

(b) All pesticide liquid applications must be made by using the application rate and methods and by following the precautionary statements on the labeling of the pesticide being used. Treatments using less than label recommended concentrations at higher volume or higher concentrations at reduced volume applications are prohibited for pre-construction treatments.

(c) For a full treatment, the entire structure shall be treated to provide a continuous horizontal and vertical barrier as described on the pesticide label including the posting of a treatment sticker and the final treatment to be performed within thirty (30) days of notification of completion of landscaping or one year from the date of completion of construction, whichever comes first. Except, when construction has proceeded to the point that all areas cannot be treated before the company providing the treatment is called to perform the application, a partial treatment will be permitted if the owner of the structure or the person in charge of the construction and the certified applicator for the pest control company sign a statement attesting to the construction conditions, and attach it to the contract with an amended diagram or blueprint or building plat showing the exact areas to be treated and send copies to the owner of the property and the Structural Pest Control Board within seven (7) days of the application.

(d) In order to comply with subsection (c) of this section, it will be necessary to return to the pretreatment site after the slab has been poured and/or piers and support beams have been placed to complete the treatment for the vertical barrier.

(e) Notice of all pre-construction treatments with contracts requiring treatment of a structure other than a single family dwelling must be called or faxed in to the Structural Pest Control Board between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. using the specified telephone or fax number at least four (4), and no more than twenty four (24) hours prior to termiticide application. The licensee must provide address and site location, type of treatment (partial or full), date and time of treatment, approximate square footage under contract and the name and physical address of the business licensee. If the treatment is cancelled, notice of cancellation must be sent using the specified telephone or fax number within one hour of the time the licensee learns of the cancellation.

(f) For all commercial pre-construction treatments, the licensee must maintain records of square footage treated per application site, amount of termiticide used per application site, rate at which termiticide is mixed for each application site, number of application tanks which were in use for the treatment and the capacity, in gallons, of each application tank, and the start and stop time for the treatment. A baiting system may be used in lieu of a pre- construction treatment if applied within thirty (30) days of notification of completion of landscaping. If a physical device is used, the square footage of the physical device will be recorded and a diagram describing the installation will be provided.

(g) Any violation of this section will result in an administrative penalty of not less than $3000 per violation and is considered a base penalty 3.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 2003.

TRD-200300197

Dale Burnett

Executive Director

Structural Pest Control Board

Effective date: February 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: October 25, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8270