1. (a) Applicants for licensure shall provide references to verify character suitability for licensure and all engineering experience claimed to meet the minimum years of experience required. Reference statements will be used to verify the applicant's character and the factual presentation of the applicant's experience and to determine to the extent the experience is creditable engineering experience.

   1. (1) Standard Licensure Procedure. Applicants applying under §12(a)(1) or (2) of the Act, including those applicants licensed in another jurisdiction or previously licensed in Texas, shall provide at least five references. At least three of these references shall be from currently licensed professional engineers who have personal knowledge of the applicant's character and engineering experience and shall review all or the applicable portions of the applicant's supplementary experience record and complete the reference statement in full.
   2. (2) Waiver of Examinations Procedure. Applicants requesting a waiver from the Fundamentals of Engineering or Principles and Practice of Engineering examinations and who have never been licensed in any jurisdiction shall provide nine references. At least five of these references shall be from currently licensed professional engineers who have personal knowledge of the applicant's character and engineering experience and shall review all or the applicable portions of the applicant's supplementary experience record and complete the reference statement in full.
2. (b) Professional engineers who have not worked with or directly supervised an applicant may review and judge the applicant's experience and may serve as a licensed engineer reference; such review shall be noted on the reference statement.
3. (c) All references shall be provided by individuals with personal knowledge of the applicant's character, reputation, and general suitability for holding a license. If possible, references should be provided by individuals who directly supervised the applicants.
4. (d) Professional engineers who provide reference statements and who are licensed in a jurisdiction other than Texas shall include a copy of their pocket card or other verification to indicate that their license is current and valid.
5. (e) Professional engineers who provide references shall not be compensated.
6. (f) References on file with the board from previous applications may be used upon written request of the applicant and with the approval of the executive director.
7. (g) The board members and staff may, at their discretion, rely on any, all, or none of the references provided in connection with an application for licensure.

Source Note:The provisions of this §131.71 adopted to be effective September 1, 1997, 22 TexReg 8040; amended to be effective March 18, 1998, 23 TexReg 2811; amended to be effective January 2, 2000, 24 TexReg 11756; amended to be effective November 11, 2001, 26 TexReg 8835; amended to be effective October 13, 2002, 27 TexReg 9322.