HB355 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Engineers and Land Surveyors, board approved examination, combined license and application fee, independent testing agency, disciplinary penalties increased, amount board may retain in fund each fiscal year increased, Secs. 34-11-1, 34-11-2, 34-11-3, 34-11-4, 34-11-5, 34-11-6, 34-11-8, 34-11-9, 34-11-11, 34-11-12, 34-11-16, 34-11-30, 34-11-31, 34-11-34, 34-11-36, 34-11-37 am'd.
Summary: HB355 updates licensure, testing, penalties, and governance for Alabama's engineers and land surveyors board.
What This Bill Does
Requires certain licensure applicants to pass a board-approved exam instead of an eight-hour written exam. Allows the board to contract with an independent testing agency to administer and grade exams, and creates a combined application and licensure fee not to exceed $200 for engineers and land surveyors. Increases disciplinary penalties from $2,500 to $10,000 per violation and updates the board's appointment, membership qualifications, and quorum rules, while increasing the portion of the board's fund that may remain in the fund from 25% to 33%. Also removes expired provisions, joint practice authorization, and the requirement to file names and addresses of officers and board members of corporations.

Who It Affects
Applicants for professional engineer or professional land surveyor licensure in Alabama, who would take a board-approved examination in lieu of the eight-hour exam and pay a combined application/licensure fee up to $200.
Licensed engineers, licensed professional land surveyors, and firms offering engineering or land surveying services, who would be subject to higher disciplinary penalties and new governance rules.
Corporations, partnerships, or firms practicing engineering or land surveying, which would no longer need to file the names and addresses of officers with the board and must have a resident licensed professional in charge of each office.
Independent testing agencies, which could be contracted to administer and grade licensure examinations.

Key Provisions
Certain licensure applicants must pass a board-approved examination instead of the existing eight-hour written examination.
Expired provisions are removed; the act updates definitions and related language.
Combines licensure and application fees for professional engineers and professional land surveyors, not to exceed $200.
The board may contract with an independent testing agency to administer and grade examinations.
Deletes the explicit authorization for joint practice and removes the requirement to file officers' and board members' names and addresses for corporations.
Disciplinary penalties increase from $2,500 to $10,000 per violation.
Appointment process, board membership qualifications, and governance are revised; a simple majority constitutes a quorum.
The percentage of the Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Fund that may remain in the fund (instead of transferring to the General Fund) increases from 25% to 33%.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Engineers and Land Surveyors, State Board of Licensure for Professional