News

In preparation of decoupling the exams from the experience, starting July 20, 2026, do not apply to the board office for approval to take the NCEES exam(s).  Effective August 1, 2026, you will go directly to NCEES to register for the exam(s). See below for more info.

Important Notice Regarding Exam Registration and Licensure

What is decoupling?

Decoupling is separating experience from the exam. This means that the examinee can take any NCEES exam before completing the required experience.

What doesn't change

Decoupling does not eliminate the…

Our agency newsmagazine…

June 23rd is International Women in Engineering Day!

- Support women to achieve their potential as engineers, applied scientists and leaders and to reward excellence.
- Encourage and promote the education, study and application of engineering.
- Work with organizations and influencers to promote gender diversity and equality in the workplace.

Learn more here.
 

BRPELS Director Ken Fuller, PE, spoke to the annual conference of Washington State Association of County Engineers meeting in Longview Wednesday, June 10, 2026. He presented on engineering ID theft and fraud, an issue growing across the US and Washington state. 
The problem starts when a fraudster steals a WA state professional engineer’s license number, stamp and even signature. Next, the fraudster uses these credentials to create a fake profile on a website hosting freelance services. They promise professional, licensed engineering plans. The public gets fooled by the offer of…

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…