News

Over 50 Scouts spent a full day recently, learning about land surveying at Clark College in Vancouver, WA. Troop leaders and parents helped the Scouts learn about the survey profession as a career and earn their Scout Merit Badge in Surveying. About six Professional Land Surveyors (PLS’s) from Oregon and Washington, along with Clark College faculty and students helped in the instruction and field exercises.

The all-day event included was aimed at encouraging future careers in surveying. Scouts got hands on experience in total stations, commercial GPS units and automatic levels.…

BRPELS Board member, Mike Harney, PE, P.Eng., ENV SP, spoke with engineering students at the University of Washington, Seattle, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Mike spoke with the group, who were mostly master’s level chemical engineering students. He explained the importance of getting licensed, the requirements and process. Attendees say they appreciated hearing about engineering ethics, and a real-world example, not often found in an academic environment. 

If you would like BRPELS to present at one of your upcoming engineering, survey or on-site wastewater meetings,…

BRPELS recently presented to over a dozen members of the LSAW Snohomish County Chapter in Everett. The group learned about agency updates and reminders about changes in state law and rule. BRPELS Deputy Director, Kristina Horton, PLS and Communication Manager, Greg Schieferstein, also answered questions at the meeting, on Thursday, May 14, 2026. If you would like BRPELS to present at one of your upcoming survey, engineering or on-site wastewater meetings, please let us know…

Notice of Future Changes to NCEES Exams and Supporting Materials
Spring 2027 Exam Changes

• PE Civil—The PE Civil exams will be administered with new design standards in April 2027. Exam specifications are not changing and are posted on the NCEES website.

• PE Control Systems—The PE Control Systems exam will be administered with new specifications and design standards in April 2027. Exam specifications are posted on the NCEES website.

• PE Fire Protection—The PE Fire Protection exam will be administered with new specifications and design standards in April 2027…

Marjorie Lund, PE, SE, has been recognized with an NCEES Zone Distinguished Service Award. She has served as an outstanding leader in professional and structural engineering, both in the Western Zone and NCEES nationally.

Marjorie has served on many NCEES committees improving professional and structural exams. She was appointed by the Governor nearly ten years ago, for the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors. She has served twice as a respected Chair and on several committees. Marjorie is a groundbreaking and glass ceiling breaking, Principal…

Former BRPELS Executive Director, George Twiss, PLS, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026. George served in that position from 1997 until his retirement in the Spring of 2015, although his employment with the Board began in 1986 as a staff investigator. He was the first executive director to be a professional land surveyor.

George was first licensed in Washington in 1978. He attended the Oregon Institute of Technology and had a land surveyor license in Oregon and Washington. In 1996, he received the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Meritorious…

BRPELS Director Ken Fuller, PE, took part in a panel discussion yesterday for engineering students at the University of Washington, Tacoma. The panel included 3 other local professional engineers, Robb Gries, PE, Meaghan Owens, PE and Tom Szymoniak, PE.

The group spoke with about a dozen of UW Tacoma’s Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam review class. Topics included professional development, exam preparation for the FE and what makes earning a professional engineering license so important.

BRPELS Board Member, Dave Peden, PE, SE, presented to two student engineering groups yesterday at Washington State University, Pullman. He spoke to a total of about 60 students, on the importance of getting licensed, becoming a professional engineer, professional development and engineering ethics. The first group was a senior “Integrated Capstone” class and the second was the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter. 

At a ceremony yesterday at the Washington State Capitol, Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 2229 into law, regarding the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors.

House Bill 2229 in the 2025-26 Washington Legislative Session, concerns the Professional Engineers' Registration Act, aimed at updating regulations, modifying board account names and removing certain mandatory registration suspensions.

National Surveyors Week, March 15-21, 2026, is a time to both celebrate and recognize the important role that surveyors play in our society. It's a chance to honor their hard work and dedication in accurately measuring and mapping the land around us. By highlighting their contributions, we can raise awareness about the crucial role that surveyors play in various industries, from construction to urban planning to environmental conservation. The week serves as an opportunity to show appreciation for the specialized skills and expertise that surveyors bring to their work.

For those…