Licensing Boards Implement Major Initiative for Veterans
The Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013
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First Lady Michelle Obama looks on as Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Governor Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael E. Busch enact The Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013
Credit: Executive Office of the Governor
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The Professional Design Boards, along with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation's (DLLR) other occupational and professional licensing boards, have finished designing a new, streamlined licensing process for Maryland's military personnel, veterans and their spouses. In the 2013 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland joined a number of other states in supporting the initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to help military families transition from military service to the civilian workforce. The Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013 was signed by Governor Martin O'Malley on April 17, 2013, with the First Lady present. Others present for the signing were Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., House Speaker Michael E. Busch, and Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown. The Act, which went into effect on July 1, 2013, is part of the Governor's effort to achieve full employment for Maryland veterans by the end of 2015. It removes a lot of the paperwork, costs, and waiting that veterans and their spouses often endure when they are seeking employment due to frequent out-of-state moves or discharge after deployment. The First Lady lauded Maryland's law before the General Assembly. She said, "...your bill here in Maryland is one of the best bills that we have seen in this entire country. You are tackling three big issues at once. You're helping our veterans obtain professional credentials. You're helping them earn college credit. And you're making it easier for military spouses to continue their careers as they transfer to your state."
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Credit: Executive Office of the Governor
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The new law affects many of the State's industries that require licensing, as well as public educational systems that are part of the path to licensure. Veterans will be assured credit for their relevant military training, education and experience when accumulating academic credit and fulfilling licensure requirements. Service members, veterans and their spouses who are licensed in another state will see expedited licensing procedures, including the issuance of temporary licenses, if they relocate to Maryland and meet our requirements for reciprocity. The full text of the Act can be found here. On the DLLR website, the occupational and professional boards have published the process for obtaining licensure under the guidelines of the Act, as well as the materials needed for expedited applications. As of July 1, active duty and recently-discharged members of the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve components of the Armed Forces, or a state national guard can now expect a faster, easier process to obtain licensure in Maryland. To read more about the process, please click here.
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Design Boards Determine Fee Increase Is Necessary
by Howard C. (Skip) Harclerode, II, P.E., Chairman, Joint Design Board Chairs
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When the cluster fund known as the State Occupational and Professional Licensing Design Boards' Fund was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2003, the Joint Chairs Group of the Design Boards was appointed the task of monitoring the fund to ensure its financial integrity. The chairs of the Design Boards and I meet together quarterly to review the budget, and to assess the adequacy of fees to sustain it.
Historically, the Design Boards' Fund has required fee adjustments in order to stabilize the fund and to better serve Maryland licensees and the public. In 2006, the fund had a surplus of $600,000, so the Design Boards took the fiscally-responsible step to lower license and certificate fees from $78 to $68. In 2010, the Boards eliminated examination application fees. When the Maryland Legislature took away $300,000 from the fund for other purposes in 2010, it leveled the surplus to about $200,000.
During extensive discussions over the past several months, it became evident to the Design Board chairs that projected revenue from license and other fees will not provide the revenue stream needed for the Boards to operate in the future. Therefore, a fee increase is necessary in order for the Boards to continue to meet their statutory and regulatory obligations, and to pay increased expenses associated with the operations of the Boards.
By law, the Boards are limited to a 12.5% annual increase on license/certificate fees. After bringing the matter to each of the Design Boards, the Joint Chairs unanimously voted for an increase from $68 to $76.50 for each two-year license/certificate. The decision was then reconfirmed by each Board. As with all proposed regulations, the process will involve publication in the Maryland Register and be open for public comment before each Board takes final action on the matter.
The Design Boards will continue to monitor the fund closely to determine if the fee increase favorably meets its objective ---- to maintain financial integrity of the fund without compromising the Boards' responsibilities to successfully serve licensees, certificate holders and the general public.
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Maryland Makes Way for Computer-Based Testing for Surveyors
and Engineers
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In order to keep pace with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying's (NCEES) transitioning of exams to computer-based testing (CBT), DLLR introduced legislation in the 2013 Session of the Maryland General Assembly to allow for changes in the examination processes for both professional engineers and professional land surveyors. House Bill 353 was signed by Governor Martin O'Malley on April 10, 2013. Changes to State law include the allowance for the computer-based delivery of uniform national licensing exams to applicants for land surveyors licensure; changes to the delivery of exam results; changes to re-exam procedures for both Boards; and codification of existing practice for the Board for Professional Land Surveyors to offer separate state-specific exams and to require additional years of relevant experience in one of the pathways to licensure. Please click here to read the new law. |
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NCEES Releases Fees for Upcoming CBT Exams
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Because of the shift to computer-based testing, exam candidates in engineering and surveying can expect to see increased costs associated with taking all four categories of exams offered by NCEES. NCEES has set the fee for both the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exams at $225, directly payable to NCEES beginning November 4, 2013. The total cost of taking the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) will increase to $370, which is comprised of the $260 exam fee along with a $110 Professional Credential Services, Inc. (PCS) administration fee. The Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) will be increased to $320, made up of a $260 exam fee and a $60 administration fee.
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The 2014 FE and FS Transition:
Candidate Information for the Switch to CBT
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Background
Exam candidates planning to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam in 2014 will see significant changes in both format and administration. NCEES and its exam vendor, Pearson VUE, are slated to complete the transition of both exams to CBT by January 2014. New FE specifications and FS specifications have been developed and posted on the NCEES website.
The last administration of both exams in pencil-and-paper format will be in October 2013. After that, candidates can begin to register for the January CBT administration on November 4, 2013. Four two-month testing windows will be available in 2014 and each year thereafter. Candidates will be able to take the exams one time during each testing window, but are limited to three times total in a 12-month period.
Timeline
- June 17--- September 5, 2013 ---- Registration open for the October 2013 pencil-and-paper exams
- July 2013 ---- Sample FE and FS exams and supplied references released
- October 2013 ---- Last administration of the FE and FS exams in paper-and-pencil format
- November 2013 ---- Registration for the FE and FS exams in CBT format
- January 2014 ---- First offering of the FE and FS in CBT format
Procedure
- Registration for both exams will open Monday, November 4, 2013. Candidates who attest to EAC-ABET degrees will be automatically authorized by NCEES to sit for their chosen exams, and will not have to apply to the Maryland Board first. All other degree options and experience-only candidates will require prior authorization from the Maryland Board. The first available seating at a Pearson VUE testing center for the FE and FS exams will be Tuesday, January 2, 2014.
- There will be four testing windows for the FE and FS exams annually. Each of these windows will last two months, with a month between each testing window.
- Candidates for a CBT exam may take the exam only one time per testing window and no more than three times in a 12-month period.
- Beginning November 4, 2013, candidates registering to take the FE or FS exam will be required to pay NCEES directly for all exam-related fees. This will be included as a part of the NCEES online registration process and will require payment with MasterCard or Visa.
- The FE and FS exams will be six hours in length, and will continue to be closed-book. Supplied reference material will be available on the NCEES website. Examinees will be allowed to bring NCEES-approved calculators.
- Sample exams for the computer-based FE and FS will be available for purchase after the October 2013 exam administration.
Maryland Testing Locations
Pearson VUE Centers
Baltimore, Bethesda, Columbia and Salisbury
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Northeast Zone Meeting Convened |
Cape May, New Jersey was the host city for the 2013 Northeast Zone interim meeting of NCEES. Maryland delegates in attendance were Howard C. (Skip) Harclerode, II, P.E., John Mettee, III, Prof. LS, Steven Arndt, Ph.D., P.E., David Mongan, P.E., Pastor Farinas, P.E., Sallye Perrin, P.E., Tom Orisich, Prof. LS, Assistant Attorney General Milena Trust, Esq., and Executive Director Pamela Edwards.
At the meeting, two Maryland delegates were recognized. Pastor Farinas, P.E. was awarded NCEES's Distinguished Service Award, and Steven Arndt, P.E., Ph.D. was elected to the position of Northeast Zone Assistant Vice President.
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State Board for Professional Engineers Member Pastor Farinas, P.E. receives NCEES' Distinguished Service Award from NCEES Northeast Zone Vice President and Engineers' Board Chair Howard C. (Skip) Harclerode, II, P.E.
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Northeast Zone meeting participants begin Saturday morning business session
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You Call Yourself an Architect/Engineer? |
The terms "architect" and "engineer" are often used synonymously with "facilitator," "designer," or "fabricator" to make job titles and job descriptions sound intriguing or important. The Information Technology field has "software architects," "systems architects," and "web architects." Other fields employ "sound engineers," "ship's engineers," and "construction engineers." Even at Quiznos®, your sub is prepared by a "sandwich engineer."
Every so often, the State Board of Architects and the State Board for Professional Engineers are approached by licensed architects or engineers who ask for a definitive ruling on whether certain job titles or credentials can be lawfully used by people or entities that are either not licensed by the State or are in some unrelated profession. The short answer is yes, most of the time. Since both words have been in our vernacular a long time before professional licensing statutes were written, the State does not attempt to prohibit their use as long as it is clear to the public that architectural services or engineering services are not being offered. In cases where position titles are listed with Federal, State, or local governments, those individuals are exempt from State licensing requirements, so the Boards have no jurisdiction over what they call themselves. Finally, there are certain professions that have been in existence for so long that it would be impossible to change professional designations. A person who operates heavy machinery that provides heat, light and climate control will always be known as a "stationary engineer."
State Boards only get involved when a title is used by someone who holds himself or herself out to the public as providing architectural or engineering services, but is unlicensed to practice in the State. Job titles and descriptions used internally for HR purposes do not fall under that set of circumstances. Similarly, individuals who began the process of earning their licenses in other states, but who plan to gain experience in Maryland, should not hold themselves out to the public as being in training without qualifying their designation with the name of the state in which the credentials were earned.
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Faster Verification Available |
NCEES has developed a new online verification system for sharing candidates' and licensees' exam and license information between states and other jurisdictions. The site can be accessed through https://verify.ncees.org/, and using it speeds up the application process for reciprocity considerably. Maryland charges a $20 fee for verifications that can be paid right on the websites for both surveyors and engineers.
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Boards Advise Planning Commission on Subdivision Regulations |
In January 2013, the Board for Professional Land Surveyors received correspondence submitted by a member of the surveying community regarding a plat prepared only by a professional engineer for a major project in Prince George's County, even though at least a portion of the plat clearly fell within the scope of practice of surveying. Both the Board for Professional Land Surveyors and the Board for Professional Engineers examined the issue, and were in full agreement that the preparation of subdivision plats and right-of-way plats fall within the exclusive scope of practice of property line and professional land surveyors.
After meeting with representatives of Prince George's County's Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Boards prepared a letter to memorialize their discussion and to forward suggested changes to Prince George's County subdivision regulations. John V. Mettee III, Prof. LS, Chair, State Board for Professional Land Surveyors and Howard C. (Skip) Harclerode II, P.E., Chair, State Board for Professional Engineers wrote,
"'platting layout, and preparation of... right-of-way plats and subdivision plats' is specifically referred to in Section 15-101(h) of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as being within the express scope of the surveyors' (both professional land surveyors' and property line surveyors') license. In addition, Section 3-108 (e) of the Real Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, states that 'each plat shall be signed and sealed by a professional land surveyor or property line surveyor licensed in the State.'"
They offered suggested changes to Section 24-119 (f) of the Prince George's County Subdivision Regulations in order to specify that final plats should be signed and sealed by professional land surveyors or property line surveyors licensed by the State of Maryland.
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BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS
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Board Addresses Use of Traverse Points |
In February 2013, the State Board for Professional Land Surveyors received an inquiry asking the Board to define the meaning of "traverse point" within the scope of surveyors' Minimum Standards of Practice. It was alleged that the Real Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, had been violated numerous times in recent years due to county-recorded plats lacking physical markers, coordinates, traverse points, or certification required by law. It was suggested that since the requirements contained in Maryland's Real Property Article are open to interpretation, there are no means for quality control among county officials.
The Board agreed that the language contained in the Real Property Article is open to interpretation, but the definition of "traverse point" is contained therein, and not in the licensing statute it oversees. Because the Board does not have jurisdiction over the Real Property Article, it does not have the authority to suggest a specific interpretation by an individual county or municipality. Further, the Board agreed that since the term is defined in the Real Property Article, that should be the proper venue for legislative change, and not the Minimum Standards of Practice.
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BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
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Engineers Establish Firm Permits |
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Assistant Attorney General Milena Trust, Esq. and State Board for Professional Engineers Chair Howard C. (Skip) Harclerode, II, P.E. attend the bill signing by Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Governor Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael E. Busch
Credit: Executive Office of the Governor
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On May 16, 2013, Governor Martin O'Malley signed House Bill 347 into law, enabling the State Board for Professional Engineers to establish a firm permit requirement for Maryland corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies offering engineering services. Beginning on October 1, 2015, business entities that offer engineering services must hold a permit issued by the Board. Firms that fail to comply may face substantial penalties if the permit is obtained or used fraudulently. To read the new law, please click here.
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New Exam Application Offered |
A new application has been prepared for licensed professional engineers who want to take the Professional Engineer (PE) exam in a discipline other than the one in which they initially tested. Although Maryland does not license by engineering discipline, the Board was asked to develop an application for licensees who need proof of credentials in another engineering field.
The Application to Take Professional Engineer Exam by Licensed P.E. is a brief paper application consisting of questions regarding personal data, conduct questions, education and experience. A separate Report of Professional Experience (RPE) is appended to the application. To see the list of 25 PE Exams offered by NCEES, click here. To receive an application, call the Board at 410-230-6260.
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 BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
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Continuing Professional Competency to Begin for Landscape Architects |
In the Maryland General Assembly's 2013 Session, the Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects joined the State's four other Design Boards in enacting legislation requiring continuing professional competency for licensees. The law requires the Board to establish regulations to phase in the new license renewal requirement of 24 hours of professional development activities. The phase-in period will be from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016, wherein licensees will have to report 12 hours of Continuing Professional Competency, or half of the full requirement. Beginning October 1, 2016, licensees will be required to report the full 24 hours. Licensees will be exempt from the requirement for their first renewal.
A committee is now forming to write the regulations. The committee will consist of two Board members, counsel, representatives from industry groups and a representative from an educational institution. Once a draft of the regulations has been completed, it will be published in the Maryland Register and on the DLLR website. The public will be then be invited to participate in a hearing before the Board prior to the regulations becoming final. To read the law in its entirety, please click here.
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 BOARD OF CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNERS
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NCIDQ Changes Corporate Name |
In March 2013, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, Inc. announced a change of corporate name to Council for Interior Design Qualification, Inc. (CIDQ). On the organization's website, CIDQ said the change was necessary to become more inclusive of member regulatory boards outside the United States. CIDQ also stated that the change was in corporate name only, and that all of its functions regarding the NCIDQ Exam and Certificate will remain the same. |
Continuing Education Registry Announced |
The Interior Design Continuing Education Council, Inc. (IDCEC) has finished automating and centralizing its continuing education registry for interior design professionals and education providers. The site can be used to search all approved IDCEC continuing education units, report units taken, and submit new courses and other continuing education activities for approval.
Both CIDQ and the Maryland Board of Certified Interior Designers support the registry, and encourage designers to make use of the system. Members of ASID, IIDA and IDC have free access as part of their membership. Non-members can create an account for free, and pay $5 per Continuing Education Unit (CEU) recorded. More information on using the site can be found here. |
Prepare for the New NCIDQ Examination |
Certified interior design candidates can now find updated information about the computer-based NCIDQ Examination on the organization's website. A set of Frequently Asked Questions is available to download, containing information about making reservations, payment and Prometric test center conditions. Additionally, exam candidates will find updated study materials.
Both Sections 1 and 2 of the paper-and-pencil multiple-choice exam must be completed before the end of 2013, or all scores will be automatically voided and candidates will have to retake both multiple-choice sections in the computer-based format. |
 BOARD OF ARCHITECTS
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CPC Regulations to be Adopted |
The Maryland Board of Architects conducted a public hearing on May 22, 2013 to address all comments and concerns regarding pending State continuing professional competency (CPC) regulations. The new regulations, COMAR 09.21.05.01---.12, were drafted by a committee of Board members, educators and industry representatives in order to create consistency with recent national changes related to the licensure of architects.
Notable provisions include a switch to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) model of requiring 12 Learning Units (LUs) in health, safety, and welfare subjects per calendar year as a condition of license renewal. The LUs must incorporate clear outcome measures (e.g., quizzes, projects, narratives) and cannot be carried forward to the next calendar year if more than 12 LUs have been earned. By aligning State requirements with NCARB-recommended national standards, the Board expects to streamline the reciprocal license process for architects licensed in states other than Maryland.
Input from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Maryland illustrated the need for Maryland architects planning to apply for emeritus status to carefully consider their decision beforehand. Although COMAR 09.21.05.11 exempts architects emeriti from all CPC requirements, if they choose to reinstate, it requires them to make up missed LUs from the period they were exempt, up to a total of 24 LUs. The Board will have the discretion to order the number of LUs needed for reinstatement, based on factors like the length of time licensees were exempt.
The Board will take final action on the regulations at the July 2013 meeting. To read the proposed regulations, please click here.
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NCARB Launches My Examination |
In late August 2013, NCARB will launch a new service within My NCARB called My Examination. In addition to being able to schedule appointments, ARE candidates will have easy access to score reports, exam history, rolling clock dates, authorization to test information, and more. To prepare for My Examination, there will be an estimated eight-week blackout beginning July 1, 2013. NCARB will grant an automatic 12-week extension to the rolling clock and is working with jurisdictions with their own rolling clock rules to ensure all candidates receive the same extension. Exams may be scheduled immediately following the blackout period, which is expected to end in late August. Exam content and cost will not change, and candidates will continue to take exams at Prometric test centers. Visit NCARB.org to learn about My Examination's benefits, the rolling clock extension, and the blackout.
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Disciplinary Actions Taken by the Design Boards
Board of Architects
13-AR-01 David L. Diesselhorst agreed to a Consent Order for violating §§ 3-302 and 3-311 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. Diesselhorst was assessed a Fine of $500 for engaging in the practice of architecture and signing and sealing drawings while his license was expired.
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 Licensees: Update Your Email and Mailing Addresses
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Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Division of Occupational
and Professional Licensing
500 North Calvert Street,
3rd Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Email the Division
Michael Vorgetts, Acting Commissioner
Pamela Edwards,
Executive Director
410-230-6262
Fax 410-333-0021
Janet Morgan, Outreach Coordinator
Roberta Watson, Office Secretary
State Board for Professional Land Surveyors
410-230-6256
Email the Board for Professional Land Surveyors
John V. Mettee III, Chair, Land Surveyor, Harford County
John Jensen, Consumer Member, Harford County
Daniel P. Lavelle, Land Surveyor, Frederick County
Donald J. Ocker, Property Line Surveyor, St. Mary's County
Thomas M. Orisich, Land Surveyor, Baltimore County
Brian Dunne, Consumer Member, Baltimore County
Deborah Heil, Administrative Secretary
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State Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects
410-230-6256
Email the Board of Landscape Architects
Christopher Schein, Chair, Landscape Architect,
Anne Arundel County
Charles Adams, Landscape Architect, Baltimore County
Lisa Keir, Consumer Member, Baltimore County
Beatrice Odom Scott, Consumer Member, Baltimore City
Jeanette Stern-Tansey, Landscape Architect,
Baltimore County
Deborah Heil, Administrative Secretary
State Board for Professional Engineers
410-230-6260
Email the Board for Professional Engineers
Howard (Skip) Harclerode II, P.E., Chair, Chemical Engineer, Baltimore County
Steven A. Arndt, Ph.D., P.E.,
Vice Chair, Mechanical Engineer, Montgomery County
Pastor Farinas, P.E.,
Electrical Engineer,
Montgomery County
David G. Mongan, P.E.,
Civil Engineer, Carroll County
Sandra J. Murphy, Consumer Member, Baltimore City
Sallye E. Perrin, P.E.,
Civil Engineer, Baltimore City
Karl J. Rickert, P.E.,
Structural Engineer, Baltimore County
Rosalind L. Yee, Consumer Member, Anne Arundel County
Ruby Courtney, Administrative Secretary
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State Board of Architects
410-230-6261
Email the Board of Architects
Diane Cho, Chair, Architect, Baltimore County
Gary A. Bowden, Architect, Baltimore City
Paul R. Edmeades, Architect, Harford County
Gary Ey, Consumer Member
William N. Parham Jr., Consumer Member,
Anne Arundel County
Stephen L. Parker, Architect, Montgomery County
Magda Westerhout, Architect, Baltimore City
Terry White, Administrative Secretary
State Board of Certified Interior Designers
410-230-6259
Email the Board of Certified Interior Designers
Vacant, Chair, Certified Interior Designer
Carla K. Viar, Vice Chair, Certified Interior Designer, Washington County
Danielle Bush, Certified Interior Designer, Baltimore County
Robyn Dubick, Certified Interior Designer, Howard County
H. Christine Pirrung, Consumer Member, Anne Arundel County
Barbara Portnoy, Certified Interior Designer,
Baltimore County
Karen Zopf, Certified Interior Designer, Baltimore County
Vacant, Architect
Janis Daniels, Administrative Secretary
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Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / Maryland Professional Design Boards
500 North Calvert Street / Baltimore, Maryland 21202
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