By the Division of Professional Licensure

3.01:  Making Application

(1) Applicants shall use a current application form and should have a current copy of the Law, M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 81D through 81T and Rules and Regulations of the Board. An application on an obsolete form will be returned to the sender. An application filled out incompletely or incorrectly will be returned to the sender. If you have pending application, you should request permission to withdraw it before filing a new application. An application received from an applicant for whom there is an application pending will be returned to the applicant.

(2) Applicants for registration as a Professional Engineer require five references, three of which must be from registered Professional Engineers familiar with the work of the applicant, including the person listed as present supervisor. References should cover the entire period of qualifying experience.

(3)Applicants for registration as a Land Surveyor require five references, three of which must be from registered Land Surveyors familiar with the work of the applicant, including the person listed as present supervisor. References should cover the entire period of qualifying experience.

(4) Applicants for Engineer-in-Training certification require three references, one of which must be from a Registered Professional Engineer familiar with the education and engineering experience of the applicant.

(5) Applicants for Surveyor-in-Training certification require three references, one of which must be from a registered Land Surveyor familiar with the education and surveying experience of the applicant.

(6) Applicants holding the National Council Certificate issued by the National Council of Engineering Examiners (NCEE), updated within five years, may apply for Professional Engineer status without supplying references or supplemental information. An embossed copy of the National Council Certificate must be attached to the application.

National Council of Engineering Examiners record holders, however, must meet current reference and supplemental information requirements.

(7)An applicant for registration as a Professional Engineer or as a Land Surveyor must be registered as a Professional Engineer or as a Land Surveyor in the state or jurisdiction of residence before being registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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3.02:  Education and Experience

Acceptable education for registration under the Provisions of M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 81D through 81T, is defined as a degree from an institution authorized to grant this degree by the Massachusetts Legislature, a degree in an engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), formal education without a degree in curricula as defined above and a degree from a foreign institution with a curriculum found to be equivalent by the Board or that has been approved by an agency qualified to evaluate foreign curricula. The Board may approve other education following submittal and review of detailed information submitted by the applicant.

(1) Acceptable education for registration as a Professional Engineer with four years of experience is a degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an institution authorized to grant this degree by the Massachusetts Legislature or a degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

(2) Acceptable education for registration as a Professional Engineer with eight years of experience is a degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology or a degree of Bachelor of Science in related engineering sciences, e.g., physics, chemistry, etc. Education obtained outside of Massachusetts may qualify if accredited by ABET or if a complete description of the curriculum is furnished and the Board finds it to be equivalent.

If an applicant having a degree in any of these categories has attained a graduate degree in engineering from an accredited program, the experience requirement shall then be four years.

(3) An applicant for registration as a Professional Engineer who has received a Baccalaureate Degree in Engineering at an engineering school not located in the United States may write the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (Engineering-in-Training) anytime after receipt of the Bachelor of Science degree. The applicant will not be permitted to write the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination until completion of eight years of acceptable engineering experience. The degree may, however, be considered equivalent to an accredited degree if it has been approved by an agency qualified to evaluate foreign curricula. In such event the experience requirement shall be four years.

(4) An applicant who has also received a Master's Degree in Engineering from an engineering school in the United States whose basic engineering program is accredited by ABET will be permitted to write the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination after having completed three years of acceptable engineering experience after receipt of the Master's Degree. A Master's Degree in Engineering Management, or a degree of a similar nature, which has been obtained from any engineering school, shall not be interpreted as a Master's Degree in Engineering.

(5) Acceptable education for registration as a Land Surveyor with four years of experience is a degree of Bachelor of Science in Surveying or Engineering, including approved courses in land surveying, from an institution authorized to grant this degree by the Massachusetts Legislature or a degree of Bachelor of Science in Surveying or Engineering accredited by ABET and including approved courses in land surveying. Education obtained outside of the United States may qualify if a complete description of the curriculum is furnished and the Board finds it to be equivalent or it has been approved by an agency qualified to evaluate foreign curricula.

(6) Acceptable education for registration as a Land Surveyor with six years of experience is a degree of Bachelor of Science or Associate degree in Surveying or Civil Engineering Technology including at least 12 credit hours in approved courses in land surveying, or two years of formal education above high school level with at least 60 semester credit hours passed including at least 12 credit hours in approved courses in land surveying or equivalent quarter hours or the equivalent approved by the Board.

(7) Acceptable education for certification as an Engineer-in-Training or Surveyor- in-Training upon passing the Fundamentals Examination is an approved Bachelor of Science Degree.

An applicant having other than a degree in engineering or surveying shall have attained the required experience before receiving certification. An applicant for Surveyor-in-Training certification having an Associates Degree or a minimum of 60 semester hours of acceptable education including courses in surveying approved by the Board may be certified after passing the Fundamentals Examination and attaining the required experience.

An unregistered person practicing or interested in the practice of engineering or land surveying who does not otherwise qualify for admittance to the Fundamentals Examination, upon filing an application and payment of the appropriate fees, may, after review and evaluation, be admitted by the Board to take the appropriate Fundamentals Examination. The results of such examination shall be kept as part of the official record of the Board. Certification will be made only as provided by the provisions of the statutes.

(8) Whether or not engineering teaching is acceptable engineering experience depends upon the nature of the work performed as revealed by close examination of the details, professional level and the degree of responsibility carried by the applicant.

(9) Whether or not construction related experience is acceptable engineering experience depends upon the nature of the work performed as revealed by close examination of the details, professional level and the degree of responsibility carried by the applicant.

(10) An applicant for Land Surveyor status under Classification C (12 years of practice) is required to have at least six years of experience in responsible charge of survey projects. Responsible charge shall mean to perform and to be able to direct others in the performance of those field and office tasks required for survey projects including the application of standards and legal principles and the exercise of judgment in the successful completion of those projects.

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3.03:  Experience Evaluation

(1) Acceptable qualifying experience must be in work of a professional grade and character which indicates to the Board that the applicant is competent to practice engineering or land surveying.

(2) Qualifying experience is evaluated on the basis of satisfying the following criteria:

(a) Statutory Length;

(b) Professional Level;

(c) Degree of Responsibility;

(d) Application of Technical Knowledge;

(e) Exercise of Judgment.

(3) Acceptable professional engineering experience is a full-time activity. Acceptable professional land surveying experience is a full-time activity. Part-time engineering work or land surveying work performed during a period of full-time study at an educational institution is considered part of the educational program and is not acceptable professional experience. Engineering work periods or land surveying work periods of up to six months during, or incidental to, undergraduate education are considered part of the educational program and are not acceptable as professional experience.

(4) A graduate of an approved engineering curriculum of four years taken on a "day-time" program, or five years for a co-operative program must obtain the necessary experience in engineering work acceptable to the Board after receipt of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

(5) A graduate of an approved engineering curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering, taken in an evening program may obtain the necessary experience in engineering work acceptable to the Board either prior to the evening program of study, or concurrent with the evening program of study, or after receipt of the degree, or a combination of all three.

(6) A graduate of an approved curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, taken in a "day-time" program must obtain the necessary experience in engineering work acceptable to the Board after receipt of the degree.

(7) A graduate of an approved curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, taken in an evening program may obtain the necessary experience in engineering work acceptable to the Board either prior to the evening program of study, or concurrent with the evening program of study, or after receipt of the degree, or a combination of all three.

(8) Land surveying work is not acceptable professional engineering experience except for partial credit towards civil engineering experience. Engineering work is not acceptable land surveying experience. One calendar period cannot be considered to be all professional land surveying experience and at the same time also considered to be all professional civil engineering experience. If both types of work were performed during one period of time, a suitable fraction of the period, acceptable to the Board, may be counted toward acceptable professional experience. Sufficient documentation to substantiate the applicant's claim to the fraction of the period to be counted toward professional land surveying experience, and to the fraction of the period to be counted toward professional civil engineering experience, shall accompany the application. Additional documentation, if deemed necessary and requested by the Board, shall be furnished to the Board by the applicant.

(9) Credit toward required years of acceptable engineering or land surveying experience may be allowed, up to three years, for approved undergraduate education. Credit toward acceptable land surveying experience for applicants requiring six years may be allowed, up to two years, for approved undergraduate education.

(10) A one year credit toward the professional engineering or land surveying experience requirement may be allowed for postgraduate study terminated successfully with a Master's Degree in Engineering or Land Surveying. A Master's Degree in Management, or a degree of a similar nature, shall not be interpreted as a Master's Degree in Engineering.

(11) One additional year toward the experience requirement may be allowed for postgraduate study terminated successfully with a Doctor of Science Degree or a PhD in Engineering or Land Surveying. However, the minimum qualifying non-education experience for registration shall be three years.

(12) Acceptable qualifying experience for registration for an applicant under the 20 year classification shall, in addition to meeting the criteria in 250 CMR 3.03(2) have been:

(a) In lawful practice of engineering or surveying work.

(b) In the performance of such work at a professional level for the most recent ten years.

(c) In work of a grade or character to demonstrate competence to practice engineering or surveying.

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3.04:  Examinations and Interviews

(1)   Examination Requirements for Professional Engineer Applicants.  To be eligible for registration as a professional engineer, an applicant shall meet the minimum qualifications set forth in M.G.L. c. 112, § 81(J)(1).  Unless waived by statute, an applicant is required to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, a personal interview if required by the Board, and the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination prior to registration.

(a)   Fundamentals of Engineering Examination.

1.   The Fundamentals of Engineering Examination shall be the uniform eight hour written examination prepared by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

2.   The Fundamentals of Engineering Examination is normally held in April and October of each year on a date set by NCEES.

3.   The Fundamentals of Engineering Examination is graded by NCEES and the passing grades are established by the Board.

4.   An applicant for Engineer-in-training status based upon a Bachelor of Science degree in a Board approved engineering curriculum may be admitted to the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination if the applicant has reasonable expectation of obtaining the Bachelor of Science Degree within seven calendar months of the date of the examination, but those having an engineering degree other than the ones approved by the Board will not receive certification as an Engineer-in-training until the required experience is acquired.

(b)   Personal Interview.  An applicant may be required to sit for a personal interview prior to registration.  Each applicant for registration under M.G.L. c. 112, § 81(J)(1)(e) will be required to attend a personal interview with the Board for the purpose of evaluating the applicant’s engineering experience.  There is no fee for the interview.

1.   If an applicant scheduled for an interview fails to accept the appointment after two offered appointments, the application automatically lapses.

2.   If an applicant scheduled for interview fails twice to appear for an interview after accepting an appointment, the application automatically lapses.

3.   250 CMR 3.04(1)(b)1. and 2. do not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces.

(c)   Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination.

1.   The Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination shall be the uniform written examination of at least eight hours prepared by NCEES.  The format of the examination is determined by NCEES and applicants must select questions in accordance with the method in effect and as required by the Board for each particular examination. Specific instructions regarding selection of questions required for an examination will be forwarded to applicants prior to the examination when the information is received from NCEES.

2. The Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination is normally held in April and October of each year on a date set by NCEES.

3. The Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination is graded by NCEES and the passing grades are established by the Board.

4. The Admission Form for the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination is not sent to the applicant until after all other requirements for Professional Engineer status are satisfied. If the applicant fails the examination once, the examination may be repeated upon payment of the required fee. If the applicant fails the examination twice, the application is rejected.

5. An applicant seeking approval to sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination for a third time must submit documentation demonstrating that he or she has successfully completed an educational program aimed at helping the applicant succeed on the examination and, if the Board determines it is necessary, appear before the Board for a personal interview.

6. An applicant who fails the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination three or more times, must meet the above requirements and wait at least one year before retaking the examination.

7. If NCEES does not offer a Principles and Practice Examination in a discipline of engineering recognized by the Board as a fundamental branch of engineering, the applicant seeking registration in that discipline must pass a NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination in a related discipline, as approved by the Board.

(d) Applicants with 20 Years of Experience. An applicant for registration under M.G.L. c. 112, § 81(J)(1)(e), may be registered as a professional engineer without passing the written Fundamentals in Engineering examination if the following requirements are met:

1. the applicant demonstrates through documentation and personal interview, to the Board's satisfaction, that he or she has 20 years or more of acceptable qualifying experience in engineering work, as outlined in M.G.L. c. 112, § 81(J)(1)(e), 250 CMR 3.02:Education and Experience and 250 CMR 3.03:Experience Evaluation, and

2. the applicant passes the written Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination.

(2) Examination Requirements for Professional Land Surveying Applicants. To be eligible for registration as a professional land surveyor, an applicant shall meet the minimum qualifications set forth in M.G.L. c. 112, § 81(J)(2). Unless waived by statute, an applicant shall be required to pass the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination, an oral examination with a subcommittee of the Board, and the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination prior to registration.

(a) Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination.

1. The Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination shall be the uniform written eight hour examination prepared by NCEES.

2. The Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination is normally held once a year in October on a date set by NCEES. The examination is normally held on a Saturday and applicants will be notified of the examination site where space is available.

3. The Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination is graded by NCEES and the passing grades are established by the Board.

4. An applicant for Surveyor-in-training status based upon an approved Bachelor of Science in Surveying or Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree may be admitted to the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination if the applicant has reasonable expectation of obtaining the Bachelor of Science degree within seven calendar months of the date of the examination. An applicant for Surveyor-in-training based upon an approved associates degree of 60 semester credit hours or more of which at least 12 credit hours are core land surveying courses may also be admitted to the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination. Certification as a Surveyor-in-training shall not be received, however, until experience requirements are completed.

5. The admission form for the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination is not sent to the applicant until after all other requirements for Land Surveyor status are satisfied.

6. If the applicant fails the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination once, the examination may be repeated upon payment of the required fee. If the applicant fails the examination twice, the application is rejected.

(b) Oral Examination. All applicants for registration as a professional Land Surveyor must pass an oral examination by a subcommittee of the Board prior to receiving approval to take the written Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination. There is no fee for the oral examination.

1. In determining whether an applicant for registration shall be permitted to take the written Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination, the subcommittee shall consider the applicant’s experience, education and qualifications, including but not limited to the following:

a. the applicant’s experience performing retracement type surveys,

b. the applicant’s understanding of the Law of Evidence as it pertains to retracement type surveys,

c. the applicant’s ability to perform retracement type surveys that would conform to the requirements of 250 CMR 6.00:Procedural and Technical Standards for the Practice of Land Surveying.

2. An applicant who fails the oral examination must wait six months before sitting for another oral examination.

3. If an applicant scheduled for an oral examination fails to accept an appointment after two offered appointments, the application automatically lapses. This does not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces. If an applicant required to take an oral examination fails twice to appear for the examination after accepting an appointment, the application automatically lapses.

(c) Principles and Practice of Land Surveying Examination.

1. The Principles and Practice of Land Surveying Examination shall consist of two parts. The first part shall be the six hour written Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination prepared by NCEES. The second part shall be a two hour written Legal Principles and Massachusetts Law Examination prepared by the Board. Applicants required to take the examination must pass both parts to become registered to practice Land Surveying.

2. The first part of the Principles and Practices examination is graded by NCEES and the passing grades are established by the Board. The second part of the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying Examination, the two hour Legal Principles and Massachusetts Law Examination, is prepared and graded by the Board and passing grades are established by the Board.

3. Both parts of the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying Examination are open book examinations.

4. The admission form for the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying Examination is not sent to the applicant until after all other requirements for Land Surveyor status are satisfied. If the applicant fails the examination once, the examination may be repeated upon payment of the required fee. If the applicant fails the examination twice, the application is rejected.

5. An applicant seeking approval to sit for the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination for a third time must submit documentation demonstrating that he or she has successfully completed an educational program aimed at helping the applicant succeed on the examination and, if the Board determines it is necessary, appear before the Board for a personal interview.

6. An applicant who fails the Principles and Practices of Land Surveying examination three or more times, must meet the above requirements and wait at least one year before retaking the examination.

(d) Applicants with 20 Years Experience. An applicant for registration under M.G.L. c. 112, § 81(J)(2)(f), may be registered as a professional land surveyor without passing the written Fundamentals in Land Surveying examination if the following requirements are met:

1. The applicant demonstrates through documentation and personal interview, to the Board's satisfaction, that he or she has 20 years or more of acceptable qualifying experience in land surveying, as outlined in M.G.L. c. 112, § 81(J)(2)(f), 250 CMR. 3.02:Education and Experience and 250 CMR 3.03:Experience Evaluation;

2. The applicant passes the oral examination required in 250 CMR 3.04(2)(b); and

3. The applicant passes the two-part written Principles and Practice of Land Surveying Examination.

(3) General Application and Examination Rules.

(a) An application closed as a result of the applicant failing any one examination twice may be opened at the request of the applicant if a repeat of the examination is desired. The required fee will be paid for each such repetition. An application closed for any other reason may not be reopened unless it is found that it was closed by error.

(b) The Board may waive requirement for any written examination if the applicant has previously passed an equivalent written examination offered by this Board or offered by any other Board belonging to NCEES.

(c) If an applicant fails to take an examination within 20 months after notification of eligibility is received, the application automatically lapses. This does not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces.

(d) If an applicant takes an examination, fails to pass and does not take the examination again within 20 months, the application automatically lapses. This does not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces.

(e) If an applicant takes an examination twice and fails both times, the application is automatically rejected.

(f) The applicant will be advised whether the examination is passed or failed. The information will be given to anyone who inquires.

(g) A person presently registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor, without examination, if record of practice is satisfactory to the Board, can request waiver of the examination in the Fundamentals of Engineering or Land Surveying and take only the eight hour written Principles and Practice of Engineering or Land Surveying without prejudice. If the examination is successfully passed, the registrant will then have it entered into record as "registered by examination".

 

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3.05:  Professional Practice

(1) Sample imprints of approved seals are available at the Board office. The outside diameter of the professional engineer and land surveyor imprint should be approximately one and five-sixteenths inches or thirty-three millimeters. Either a rubber stamp or an embossing press is approved.

(2) The engineering discipline in which the registrant is registered shall be either included as part of the seal or it may be handwritten above the registrant's signature.

(3) The seal is to be used only by the registrant personally, and only on drawings and/or documents produced by the registrant personally or under the registrant's direct personal supervision. Each time the seal is used, the registrant shall (if not included on the seal) indicate the discipline in which registered, the date and affix the registrant's signature in a legible manner. The registrant shall add any suitable comments if not taking entire responsibility for all of the work on the drawing and/or documents. A new stamping is required to indicate there has been a change or a series of changes made on the drawing. Such comment might limit responsibility to electrical design, structural design, property boundaries, a specified portion of the document, or a specified change.

(4) The registrant must not permit the seal to pass out of said registrant's personal possession and total control. The seal shall not be used by a registrant whose registration has lapsed. The use of printed copies of the seal on stickers, decals, cards, stationery, advertising, or any other material is forbidden.

(5) The Board file shows the branch of engineering in which the registrant was found to be competent by the Board on the basis of education, experience, and specific examination passed by said registrant.

(6) The Board initially registers an applicant for Professional Engineer in one branch of engineering only. A registrant who wishes to change registration to a different branch or to be registered in an additional branch of engineering shall file a new application form including the proper experience record and educational basis for said application. There will be the standard fee for each registration application and for any examinations required. A registrant who wishes to practice engineering in an area of competence other than that in which registered may request a determination of competence by submitting such evidence as may be required by the Board.

(7) A registrant must limit professional practice to areas of personal competence as demonstrated to and approved by the Board. (The registrant may, however, work in other areas provided it is under the guidance of a Registered Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor qualified in said other areas, or under the guidance of a competent Engineer or Land Surveyor practicing under one of the exceptions listed in M.G.L. c. 112, § 81R as noted in 250 CMR 3.05(8).) A registrant shall not take responsibility for work in areas in which said registrant is not competent even though the area comes within a branch in which said registrant is registered. The burden of proof of competence rests upon the registrant should a question be raised as to that competence. The Board shall make the determination of competence when requested by the registrant or any person or entity.

(8) Engineering work may be performed only by registered Professional Engineers and land surveying work may be performed only by registered Land Surveyors with certain exceptions listed under M.G.L. c. 112, § 81R. These rights granted by specific exception do not include the right to use the title "engineer" or "land surveyor".

(9) Engineering work may be performed only by or under the direct supervision of a registered Professional Engineer qualified by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to so practice.

(10) Land surveying work may be performed only by or under the direct supervision of a registered Land Surveyor qualified by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to so practice except that a Professional Engineer registered as a Civil Engineer may perform land surveying incidental to engineering work excluding property line determination. Any plan which requires the location of a structure in relation to a real property boundary involves property line determination and must be performed by a Land Surveyor.

(11) Direct charge of the practice of engineering or land surveying work is construed to be direct supervision of the activities performed by others. Direct supervision includes, but is not limited to coordination, review and approval of the technical and professional level tasks performed on a project for which the registrant is responsible. Registered persons in direct charge of the practice of engineering or surveying work, as defined in the laws and regulations, shall be able to provide acceptable written documentation that supervision was performed by the registrant with hands-on access to project data and documents throughout the duration of the project.

(12) Land surveying is considered to be work of a professional nature and shall be performed in conformance with minimum standards as embodied in 250 CMR 6.00.

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3.06:  Renewal of Registration

(1)Registration is for a period ending June 30th of the next even-numbered year and requires renewal at that time.

(2) If the renewal fee is not received from a registrant by August 1st of an even-numbered year, the registration lapses until the renewal fee together with the penalty fee for late renewal is received. If not renewed for more than two years, the registration automatically lapses. When a registrant permits the registration to lapse the registrant's name is removed from the Board file and will be omitted from any roster published subsequently. After registration has expired, use of the seal is prohibited and the registrant is no longer permitted to practice engineering or land surveying in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts except as noted in 250 CMR 3.05(8) Professional Practice.

(3) To apply for reinstatement of a lapsed registration, an application form shall be obtained from the Board office. In addition to the information furnished thereon as a sworn statement, an oral interview, documentation and such examinations as the Board chooses is required.

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3.07:  Temporary Permits

(1)A non-resident of Massachusetts registered in the state or country of residence desiring to practice in Massachusetts should file an application for a Temporary Permit at the Board office. If the Board finds the applicant qualified under Massachusetts law, a Temporary Permit will be issued. Residents of the Commonwealth may not receive a Temporary Permit.

(2)Such Temporary Permits are valid for 30 days from the specified date covering one project, and only one Temporary Permit may be issued to the same applicant in one calendar year. If the applicant has applied for registration in Massachusetts, the Temporary Permit is valid until the Board has acted on the application and it is so specified on the permit, provided that the applicant fulfills all requirements for registration within 12 calendar months.

(3) The holder of a Temporary Permit must use the state of residence seal to certify plans or other documents of work performed in Massachusetts. In such a case, the number of the Temporary Permit must be referenced on the document.

 

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3.08:  Board Procedure

Approval or denial of registration of an applicant is by vote of a majority of the Board members. Two members may request postponement of a vote on an application to the next regular meeting pending further review of the applicant's qualifications. Each approved application must be initialed by at least two members of the Board.

(1)The preferred procedure is to apply for, and obtain, Engineer-in-Training certification before applying for Professional Engineer registration. However, it is permissible to apply for Professional Engineer status without first becoming an Engineer-in-Training or passing the Fundamentals of Engineering, and in this case the applicant will be required first to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. If the applicant fails the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination once, the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination may be taken a second time. If the applicant fails the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination twice, the Professional Engineer application will be rejected.

(2) The preferred procedure is to apply for, and obtain, Surveyor-in-Training certification before applying for Land Surveyor registration. However, it is permissible to apply for Land Surveyor status without first becoming a Surveyor-in-Training or passing the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination, and in this case the applicant will be required first to pass the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination except that for an applicant on the basis of more than 20 years of experience, the Board may waive the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination. If the applicant fails the Fundamentals of Land Surveying twice, the Land Surveyor application will be rejected.

(3) If the required reference questionnaires are not received by the Board within three months after the forms were mailed to the applicant, the applicant will be so advised. If not received within six months, the application will be rejected.

(4) If any deficiency in an application, including supplemental information requested by the Board, is not remedied within three months after notice of such deficiency is mailed to the applicant, the Board will act on the basis of the available information.

(5) Final Board action is based on the qualifications and the documented professional experience of the applicant as described in and submitted with the application as of the date the application was received at the Board office.

(6) An application found to involve fraud or false statements will be rejected and action taken as prescribed in M.G.L. c. 112, § 81T. Reapplication shall be permitted only as approved by an affirmative vote of the Board after a hearing requested by the would be applicant. An application indicating that the applicant has been practicing engineering or surveying in violation of the law will be vigorously investigated and prosecution recommended if warranted.

(7) Evaluation of applications and of applicants, formal or informal interviews, and written or oral examinations, involve the reputation of the applicant and are handled on a confidential basis. The information is for the sole use of the Board. When the application has been approved or denied, the file contents may become public information.

(8) An application remains open until terminated by Board action. The action may be approval or closure. Closure may be by leave to withdraw, lapsing or rejection.

(9) Examination papers are destroyed after two years. Supplemental information included with application is destroyed after action by the Board. Applications are recorded on microfilm and the originals are destroyed after seven years.

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3.09:  Availability of Information

(1) Information in the Public Record Book, the Roster Card File or the Published Roster will be given in response to written inquiry from anyone. Telephone inquiries will be answered by the office staff when the work load permits. Additional information available to an applicant or to an engineering board of another state includes only the status of the application or reasons for rejection. Direct access to files will be granted only to persons authorized by the Board.

(2) A roster of all registered Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is prepared annually by the Secretary of the Board and is available for inspection at the Board office.

 

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REGULATORY AUTHORITY
250 CMR 3.00:   M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 81D through 81T.