SF 197 (LSB 1775SV (1) 90)

SENATE FILE 197

BY  COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1079)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to licensure requirements for professional land surveyors, and including effective date and applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 542B.14, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  As a professional land surveyor:
   (1)  (a)  Graduation from a college course of two years or more in, which shall include mathematics, physical sciences, mapping and surveying, or engineering in a school or college basic science courses, and six years of practical experience, all of which, in the opinion of the board, will properly prepare the applicant for the examination in fundamental land surveying subjects.
   (b)  However, prior to July 1, 1988, in lieu of compliance with subparagraph division (a), the board may accept eight years’ practical experience which, in the opinion of the board, is of satisfactory character to properly prepare the applicant for the examination in fundamental land surveying subjects.
   (2)  Successfully passing an examination in fundamental land surveying subjects which is designed to show the knowledge of general land surveying principles.
   (3)  In addition to any other requirement, a specific record of four years or more of practical experience in land surveying work which is of a character satisfactory to the board.
   (4)  Successfully passing an examination examinations designed to determine the proficiency and qualifications to engage in the practice of land surveying. No applicant shall be entitled to take this examination until the applicant shows the necessary practical experience in land surveying work.
    Sec. 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect on July 1, 2023.
    Sec. 3.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to applications for a license as a professional land surveyor submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. 
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to licensure requirements for professional land surveyors.
   The bill provides that a professional land surveyor shall have graduated from a college program of two years or more, consisting of mathematics and science courses, as well as practical experience. Current law provides that a professional land surveyor shall have graduated from a two-year program from a school or college with classes in mathematics, physical sciences, mapping and surveying, or engineering, plus six years of practical experience.
   The bill strikes a provision in Code section 542B.14, for a land surveyor seeking licensure prior to July 1, 1988, to substitute eight years of practical experience in lieu of graduation from the required program. The bill provides that one of the licensure requirements relating to successful passage of an examination designed to determine proficiency and qualifications for licensure is expanded to refer to examinations. The bill strikes language requiring an applicant to demonstrate necessary practical experience in land surveying work prior to taking a land surveying examination.
   The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023. The bill applies to applications for a license as a professional land surveyor submitted on or after July 1, 2023.