Professional EngineersApplication of Chapter
Section § 6730
Section § 6730.2
This law means that just like private engineering firms, public entities like the state, cities, and counties must have at least one licensed engineer in charge of any engineering work for each engineering specialty. If someone not licensed is in charge as of January 1, 1985, they can stay until they're replaced. The civil engineer in charge must make sure their department follows certain rules.
Section § 6731
This law outlines what is covered under civil engineering, which includes work related to various structures and systems like water supply, flood control, roads, and buildings. Specifically, it involves designing, using materials, overseeing construction, evaluating laws of nature, conducting appraisals, preparing plans, coordinating consultants, and managing data. It also includes certain aspects of city and regional planning. Additionally, civil engineers registered before 1982 can practice all forms of land surveying.
Section § 6731.1
This law explains the various activities included in civil engineering practice. It's not just designing structures, but also involves determining the layout or elevation of the land. It includes using trigonometry or photogrammetry to map the earth’s surface or locate fixed items. Engineers can work with electronic data about these tasks and certify the precision of maps or surveys they produce or modify.
Section § 6731.2
In California, a civil engineer can offer services related to land surveying as part of their engineering work, even if they aren't personally licensed to do the surveying. However, any actual land surveying needs to be done by a licensed land surveyor or a civil engineer who is authorized for surveying. Civil engineers can also run or manage engineering practices that include surveying work.
Section § 6731.3
This law allows registered civil engineers to provide a range of construction project management services. These services can include tasks like reviewing and evaluating project designs, supervising construction, assessing bids, managing project timelines, performing cost-benefit analyses, handling claims, and overseeing the overall administration of construction projects, whether working for public entities or private companies.
Section § 6731.4
This law says that when a civil engineer who's registered provides construction management services, they remain fully responsible for those services, regardless of any other rule that might suggest otherwise.
Section § 6731.5
This law section defines electrical engineering as a branch of professional engineering that deals with generating, transmitting, and using electrical energy. It includes designing electrical, electronic, and magnetic circuits, plus managing their operation and design. However, it notes that designing electronic and magnetic circuits isn't limited only to electrical engineers.
Section § 6731.6
This law defines mechanical engineering as a branch of professional engineering focused on solving problems related to energy in thermal or mechanical forms. It involves designing and producing tools and machinery, as well as addressing heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and plumbing issues. The field covers research, design, production, operations, and economic aspects of these areas.
Section § 6732
This law makes it illegal for anyone who isn't a licensed professional engineer to use the title or stamp of an engineer. This includes various specific engineering titles like civil engineer or electrical engineer. Only those with proper licensing can present themselves with these titles or use engineering stamps on documents.
Section § 6732.1
If someone was allowed to use the title 'consulting engineer' due to laws from 1963, 1965, or 1968, they don't have to follow the usual restrictions on using that title. This holds as long as they stay actively working and inform the relevant board of any address changes within 30 days. The board can make rules to enforce this. Certain other rules, starting from Sections 6775, 6785, and 6795, also apply to these engineers.
Section § 6732.2
If you have a valid certificate to practice photogrammetry, you can apply for a certificate to use the title "consulting engineer" if you meet certain criteria. You must apply using a specific form, pay a fee, and have five years of experience providing certain surveying services independently. Having this title doesn't change other authorizations you may have. Your right to use the title depends on maintaining your main license, and if it expires, it can be renewed under specific conditions. Other rules about engineering licenses and certifications also apply to this title.
Section § 6732.3
If you have a license from the board in certain engineering branches like corrosion, manufacturing, quality, or safety, you can keep using the specific branch title. You also have to renew your license as required. Additionally, you can still use general titles like 'professional engineer', 'licensed engineer', 'registered engineer', or 'consulting engineer'.
Section § 6732.4
This law states that if you applied to become a registered corrosion, quality, or safety engineer and passed the relevant exam before January 1, 1999, you can get your registration if you meet all other requirements. Also, if you applied to become a registered manufacturing engineer and passed that exam before January 1, 2004, you're eligible for registration under the same conditions. No new exams for these titles will be held after those dates.
Section § 6732.5
If a national exam for a specific engineering branch stops being offered, the board doesn't have to give that exam or issue licenses in that branch anymore. However, if someone already has a license in that branch, they can keep using their branch-specific title and must follow license renewal rules. They can also still use general titles like "professional engineer," "licensed engineer," or "consulting engineer."
Section § 6733
Section § 6734
This law states that someone is considered to be practicing civil engineering if they claim to be a civil engineer or if they are in charge of managing civil engineering projects.
Section § 6734.1
If someone calls themselves an electrical engineer or is leading electrical engineering projects, they are considered to be practicing electrical engineering.
Section § 6734.2
This section says that someone is considered to be doing mechanical engineering when they either call themselves a mechanical engineer or are responsible for leading mechanical engineering tasks.
Section § 6735
If you're a licensed civil engineer in California, any engineering documents you prepare must include your name and license number. These documents, like plans and reports, should also clearly state what they're for if they're not final, like if they're 'preliminary' or 'for review only.' Once the documents are ready for construction or to be finalized, they need your signature and stamp on every sheet or the main page if there are many pages. You're generally not liable for any damage caused by changes to your documents that you didn't approve, as long as your original work didn't contribute to the problem.
Section § 6735.1
This section states that when a civil engineer signs off on design documents, they are not automatically responsible for overseeing the actual construction of those designs. However, engineers can still make separate agreements with clients to supervise the construction if both parties agree. If an engineer does agree to provide supervision, they are responsible for doing so properly.
Section § 6735.3
This law requires that electrical engineering documents like plans and reports prepared by a licensed electrical engineer must have the engineer's name and license number. If these are temporary documents, they should state their purpose, such as "preliminary" or "for review only." When documents are ready for construction, they need the engineer's signature, seal, or stamp and the date, on each sheet or the cover page. Also, engineers aren't responsible for any damage caused by changes or uses of the documents that weren't approved by them, as long as their original work wasn't part of the cause of that damage.
Section § 6735.4
If you're a licensed mechanical engineer in charge of preparing engineering documents like plans or reports, you must include your name and license number on them. These documents need to be clearly marked if they're preliminary or not meant for construction yet. Final documents must be signed, stamped, and dated by you, and if they have multiple pages, the signature should appear on each important page. However, you won't be held responsible for any damages caused by changes or uses of the documents that occur without your approval, unless your original work caused the problem.
Section § 6735.5
If a professional engineer in California uses the words "certify" or "certification" while doing their work, they're sharing their professional opinion about those specific details but aren’t giving a guarantee or warranty that something will be free from defects or fault.
Section § 6735.6
This law talks about the responsibilities of a registered civil engineer when creating plans that show how a project was actually built, including any changes made during construction. If the engineer supervised the construction, the plans must be based on their observations and information from the owner, contractors, and public agencies. If they didn't supervise, the plans only need information from those sources unless the engineer is hired to double-check things in person. The engineer doesn't have to add any statements to the plans that conflict with this rule.
Section § 6736
This law states that you can't call yourself a 'structural engineer' in California unless you're already a licensed civil engineer in the state and have met additional qualifications specifically for structural engineers as set by the relevant board.
Section § 6736.1
In California, only licensed civil engineers can use the titles "soil engineer," "soils engineer," or "geotechnical engineer." They must apply to a board, which decides if they're qualified based on additional standards and qualifications, including four years of specific experience and a passing mark on a certain exam. The experience must involve managing soil engineering projects in at least half of the main areas defined by the board. Existing local rules and references to these titles do not automatically require registration or authorization.
Section § 6737
This law means that architects who are already certified to practice architecture in California don't need to register again under this specific chapter when they are working in their field.
Section § 6737.1
Section § 6737.2
This section clarifies that civil engineers, who are officially registered, are allowed to engage in other types of engineering work as long as it relates to or supports their civil engineering projects or studies.
Section § 6737.3
If you are a contractor in California with a valid license, you don't need to worry about the rules for electrical or mechanical engineering as long as you have a registered engineer responsible for those services. You can design electrical or mechanical systems for your projects following the right building codes, and you can create drawings for the projects you're contracted to do. However, you can't design systems for projects that someone else will install.
Section § 6738
This law clarifies how civil, electrical, or mechanical engineers in California can operate their businesses. It allows these engineers to work as sole proprietors or within a partnership, firm, or corporation, provided they are licensed and meet specific requirements. All engineering work must be overseen by a licensed engineer. If the business name includes a person's name, that person must have the appropriate engineering, architect, land surveyor, or geologist license or registration.
Out-of-state engineering businesses with branches in California must have a manager who is licensed in California and regularly present. The use of fictitious business names is allowed, as long as licensing requirements are honored. The regulation also permits businesses to retain names of deceased or retired partners if certain conditions are met. The law requires regular filing of organization records with evidence of compliance and remains effective until January 1, 2034.
Section § 6738
This section outlines the requirements for civil, electrical, or mechanical engineers in California who want to practice or offer services as part of a business. The key points are: an engineer licensed in California must be in charge of the business's engineering practice; all services must be performed or overseen by a licensed engineer; and if a person's name is in the business name, they must hold a relevant license. Out-of-state businesses operating in California must have a licensed professional in charge at the local branch. Businesses established before 1987 can continue using their names but must comply with certain rules. The law also allows using the names of deceased or retired professionals under specific conditions. Moreover, businesses must file a form with the board showing compliance, and this section will be active starting January 1, 2034.
Section § 6739
This law states that if someone is working exclusively as an officer or employee of the United States government, they do not need to register as required by this particular set of rules.
Section § 6740
If you're working under a licensed or exempt civil, electrical, or mechanical engineer in California, you don't need your own engineering license. However, this doesn't mean you can independently work as an engineer or use official engineering titles.
Section § 6741
This law exempts certain individuals and businesses from having to register as engineers in California if they meet specific conditions. To qualify for this exemption, they must be non-residents of California, legally qualified to practice engineering in another state, not have a regular business location in California, and may offer engineering services but not actually practice in the state.
Section § 6742
If you're a licensed real estate broker or salesperson, you don't need to register under this chapter when you're appraising or valuing real estate properties as part of your job.
Section § 6743
This law section says that the rules in this specific chapter do not change or apply to the existing regulations about surveyors, unless this chapter specifically mentions that it does.
Section § 6744
This law says that you don't need to register as a civil engineer to work on engineering projects for your own property or your business's property unless the project affects public health or safety, or the safety of employees.
Section § 6745
This law says that businesses and individuals can provide labor and materials, along with any necessary plans or specifications, for things like store fronts, interior changes, fixtures, or furniture, including their installation. They can also make certain alterations to buildings, as long as these changes don't impact the building's structural safety.
Section § 6746
This law says that any plans, specifications, reports, or documents about communication lines and equipment made by employees of communication companies, or their contractors, aren't subject to certain rules if the companies are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. Basically, these documents don't have to follow the rules in this chapter of the law.
Section § 6746.1
This law says that people who work in the communications industry, or for contractors working on communication equipment, don't need a special license to do their job as professional engineers, except if they're claiming certain titles like the ones mentioned in other sections. To use those titles legally, they must be licensed.
Section § 6747
This law says that the rules in this chapter, except those specifically about civil engineers, don't apply to engineering work done by certain types of companies, like manufacturing or public utility companies, as long as the work is related to the company's own products or services. It includes work done by not just regular employees, but also consultants and temporary or contract workers.
Section § 6748
This law states that when utility employees are involved in engineering work for a nuclear power plant, that work must follow specific regulations. This includes having the engineering work approved by a registered professional engineer who is specialized in the relevant field.
Section § 6749
A professional engineer must use a written contract when offering their services to a client. This contract should be signed by both the engineer and the client before work starts, unless the client agrees in writing for work to begin beforehand. The contract needs to include details like the services provided, payment terms, both parties' contact information, procedures for adding services or ending the contract, and whether the engineer has liability insurance. However, written contracts aren't required if the services are free, if there's an existing paid contract, or if both parties agree in writing that a contract isn't needed. Exceptions also include services for other licensed professionals, certain corporations, or public agencies. Also, a 'written contract' can be electronic.