News
Rules Proposed October 9, 2020
The deadline for comment is November 8, 2020
The proposed rules implement necessary changes as required by House Bill (HB) 1523, 86th Legislature, Regular Session (2019), related to the merger of operations of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying into the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
https://pels.texas.gov/proposed.htm
New Website
The pels.texas.gov site now includes merged content from the Surveyor and Engineer Websites. We hope the new site is easy to navigate for you. Due to the COVID-19 virus, staff is working from home but will respond quickly via email. If you need assistance, please email info@pels.texas.gov
Fraudulent Email Reports
We've received reports of phishing emails targeting Texas PEs with warnings of license revocation. These emails are not from us. If you receive an email like this, please forward to us at info@pels.texas.gov so that we can investigate and update guidance as needed. Please note that official State of Texas websites will end in texas.gov, and emails from us will come from @pels.texas.gov or @engineers.texas.gov. Thanks for your attention.
Criminal History Record Check Requirement for RPLS
In meeting with legislatively mandated fingerprinting requirements for all professional license holders, all active RPLS and LSLS licensees must complete a one-time, criminal history record check (CHRC) prior to renewing their license this year. The only exceptions to this requirement are currently inactive RPLS or RPLS who are also Professional Engineers and have previously met this requirement as part of their PE renewals. Emails are being sent to all active and inactive RPLS regarding this requirement. If you need assistance, contact us at chrc@pels.texas.gov
CHRC Webpage
Frequently Asked Questions
Presentation Document from Recent Webinar
New Surveyor Fees Announced
At the August 2020 Board meeting, TBPELS revised the surveyor fee list starting September 1, 2020. This includes reducing the RPLS annual renewal fee from $174 to $100.
Emergency Rule
The TBPELS Board approved an emergency rule to extend the PE exam completion deadline due to COVID-19. EmergencyRule133_67_ExamExtension.pdf
PE Electrical and Computer: Power Exam
NCEES officially cancelled the Electrical and Computer: Power paper PE Exam for this October. Instead, the exam will be available via computer-based testing in December. Registration is open now. Refer to: https://ncees.org/pe-electrical-and-computer-power-exam/
TBPELS Office Closed due to COVID-19 Pandemic
In order to do our part in the fight against COVID-19, the agency office building located at 1917 S. Interstate 35, Austin, Texas, is closed for the foreseeable future. If you need to drop off paperwork in person, please use the drop box to the right of the front door. Mail is gathered daily. Processing times for any documents submitted, including public information act requests, will be delayed. Staff is teleworking. Send your emails to info@pels.texas.gov. This email is monitored throughout the day during normal work hours. Your message will be routed and responded to by the appropriate department. Refer to this page for all agency operations affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. COVID 19 Webpage
Request for RPLS Qualifications Needed
TBPELS is seeking qualifications for up to 3 Registered Professional Land Surveyors (RPLS) to perform technical reviews and analysis of the compliance of surveys and surveying work products with the Board Acts and Rules. Refer to this RFQ document: RFQ_RPLS.pdf
Engineering & Surveying Board Merger
Effective September 1, 2019, HB1523 created the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. This is a merger of both the engineering (TBPE) and surveying (TBPLS) boards. For more information please visit our TBPELS Merger page.
TECHNICAL EXPERTS
Do you want to assist in the enforcement process? Would you like to earn valuable Continuing Education credits in the process? How about the possibility of being paid for your services? We are currently accepting resumes of Texas Licensed Professional Engineers (PE), Texas Registered Professional Land Surveyors (RPLS), and Licensed State Land Surveyors (LSLS) who are experts in their field. The linked page has further information and instructions to apply. Technical Experts Webpage
JOB OPENINGS
TBPELS has an opening for an Analyst and two Investigators. The link below has a job description and instructions to apply. Employment Webpage
Events
Paper and Pencil P.E. Exams
October 22-23, 2020
The registration deadline was August 20, 2020 at 3 p.m. EDT. Refer to NCEES for further information.
PE Ethics Webinar
Thursday, November 5, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
The Board is offering these free ethics webinars to assist license holders with meeting their ethics requirement. Each webinar provides an up-to-date overview of agency activities, case studies, and a review of professional ethics topics. Webinar Page
Land Surveyor Rule Hearing
November 10, 2020 8:30 a.m.
Hearing to receive public comment on surveying rules published in the Texas Register. Meeting Page With Agendas
TBPELS Virtual Board and Committee Meetings
November 18-19, 2020
Meetings will be held via Zoom for Board members and presenters. The public may attend via a live YouTube stream. Agendas and links to virtual meetings will be posted one week prior to the meetings.