Wyo. Code R. 037-0001-3
Engineers & Land Surveyors, Professional Licensing
Chapter 3: License and Application Requirements
Effective Date: 12/16/2020 to 09/03/2021
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 037.0001.3.12162020
License and Application Requirements
(a) Any “curriculum approved by the Board of at least four (4) years” is one that meets one of the following definitions:
(i) Undergraduate or graduate degree in an engineering program that is accredited by ABET/EAC; or
(ii) A combined educational background that includes an undergraduate or graduate degree in an engineering program that meets the NCEES education standard.
(A) If the Applicant does not hold a degree(s) from an international university, the Board will determine if the Applicant’s educational background meets the NCEES standard.
(B) If the Applicant holds a degree(s) from an international university, the education evaluation service provided by NCEES must determine whether the Applicant’s education meets the NCEES education standard. The associated NCEES evaluation fees are the responsibility of the Applicant.
(b) Following graduation, official transcripts must be provided directly to the Board by the registrar from the Applicant’s educational institution(s).
(c) An “examination in the fundamentals of engineering” is defined as the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
(a) Any “curriculum approved by the Board” must include at least thirty (30) semester credit hours in surveying as follows:
(i) Core Subjects. A minimum of 21 semester credit hours is needed from the following categories as specified.
(A) Elementary and Advanced Surveying – a minimum of 9 semester credit hours that contain any of the following topics:
(VII) note scrivener (scribe); (VIII) topographic data acquisition; (IX) triangulation; (X) coordinate geometry; (XI) photogrammetry; (XII) public land survey system; (XIII) section subdivision; (XIV) ethics for professional surveyors; (XV) global positioning systems; or (XVI) records research.
(B) Office Tasks (Office Practicum) – a minimum of 3 semester credit hours that contain any of the following topics:
(I) board drafting; (II) computer aided drafting; (III) map preparation; (IV) subdivision drafting and design; or (V) data management and analysis.
(C) Route Surveying – a minimum of 3 semester credit hours that contain any of the following topics:
(I) P-line/center line establishment; (II) curves – horizontal, vertical, etc.; (III) route types – utility & transportation; or (IV) construction staking and calculation.
(D) Boundary Law – a minimum of 6 semester credit hours that contain any of the following topics:
(I) field search and identification;
(II) real property law interpretation; or
(III) document preparation
(1.) land descriptions; (2.) maps and plats; or (3.) report of survey.
(ii) Elective Subjects. A minimum of 7 semester credit hours is needed from this category, with a maximum of 4 semester credit hours in any one major area.
(A) Mine Surveying;
(B) Water and water rights;
(I) water law; (II) hydrology; (III) hydraulic engineering; or (IV) hydrographic surveying. (1.) inland water boundaries
(C) Geodesy;
(I) horizontal control surveys and computations; (II) vertical control surveys and computations; (III) geodetic datum; (IV) global positioning systems; or (V) precise control surveys.
(D) Cartography; or
(I) map projections; (II) property subdivisions; (III) utility and transportation mapping; or (IV) geographic information systems.
(E) Advanced Surveying Courses in subjects not covered in (ii) a-d above (I) State specific laws; (II) survey data management; (III) site planning; or (IV) real property law.
(b) Any “curriculum approved by the Board of at least four (4) years” is one that meets one of the following definitions:
(i) An undergraduate or graduate degree in a surveying or geomatics program that is accredited by ABET/EAC, ABET/ETAC or ABET/ANSAC;
(ii) An undergraduate or graduate degree in an engineering program that is accredited by ABET/EAC that also includes at least thirty (30) semester credit hours in surveying as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section; or
(iii) An undergraduate or graduate degree (not in surveying, geomatics, or engineering) that includes at least thirty (30) semester credit hours in surveying as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section and also contains other specific coursework:
(A) A combination of college level mathematics and basic sciences (with a laboratory component) appropriate to the discipline:
(I) Mathematics (8-10 semester credit hours) must include:
(1.) college algebra; (2.) college trigonometry; and (3.) technical statistics (e.g. non-business statistics).
(II) Basic Sciences (8-10 semester credit hours) must include lab-based courses in at least two of the following areas:
(1.) physics (preferred); (2.) geology (preferred); (3.) chemistry; or (4.) biology.
(III) A general education component that complements the technical content of the curriculum:
(1.) English (6-8 semester credit hours), which can include: a. composition;
b. literature;
c. public speaking; or
d. technical report writing.
(2.) Other (5-8 semester credit hours):
a. social sciences (e.g. economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology, geography, etc);
b. humanities (e.g. philosophy, religion, literature, etc.);
c. visual and performing arts (e.g. music, art, theatre, etc); or
d. business and management.
(c) A “curriculum approved by the Board of at least two (2) years” is defined as:
(i) An Associate degree in a surveying or geomatics program that is accredited by ABET/ETAC or ABET/ANSAC; or
(ii) An Associate degree (not in surveying or geomatics) that includes at least thirty (30) semester credit hours in surveying as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section and also contains other specific coursework as defined under (b) (iii) of this section; and
(iii) Two (2) years of combined office and field experience in land surveying, of which one (1) year shall have been in charge of land surveying projects under the supervision of a licensed professional land surveyor.
(d) Official transcripts must be provided directly to the Board by the registrar from the Applicant’s educational institution(s).
(e) An “examination in the fundamentals of surveying” is defined as the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam.
Section 3. Professional Engineer Licensure by Examination.
(a) An “examination in the principles and practices of engineering” is defined as an NCEES Principles and Practices exam (PE) in any of the examination areas offered by NCEES, or the NCEES Structural exam (SE).
(b) The four (4) years of engineering experience must be obtained after graduating with the degree described in Section 1 (a) of this Chapter. One (1) year of experience will be granted for those Applicants who have earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree in engineering as defined in Section 1 (a) of this Chapter.
(a) A “doctoral curriculum approved by the Board” is defined as an earned doctoral degree in engineering from an institution that grants ABET/EAC accredited undergraduate or graduate degrees.
(b) “Examinations required by Rule of the Board” are defined as
(i) A written examination on professional ethics and Wyoming licensing laws related to engineering and surveying; and
(ii) An oral interview with the Board.
(c) The four (4) years of engineering experience must be obtained after the Applicant completes his/her first degree (undergraduate or graduate) in engineering. No credit toward this experience requirement will be given for the Applicant’s graduate education.
(d) Applicants with a doctoral degree from an institution that grants ABET/EAC accredited undergraduate or graduate degrees may be exempt from both the fundamentals (FE) and professional (PE) examinations.
(a) The “examination in the principles and practices of surveying” is defined as an NCEES Principles and Practices exam in surveying (PS), the Wyoming Land Surveying state specific exam, and the Wyoming Land Surveying take-home exam.
(b) The four (4) years of land surveying experience must be obtained in addition to any experience necessary for the land surveying Intern certificate. The four years will include at least one (1) year of office experience and one (1) year of field experience in land surveying.
(a) “Examinations required by Rule of the Board” are defined as a written examination on professional ethics and Wyoming licensing laws related to engineering and surveying, the successful passage of which is required as described in W.S. 33-29-406.
(b) All comity applications must be accompanied by:
(i) An NCEES Record or all documents as required by the Board in the application;
(ii) An executed release authorizing the Board to investigate the Applicant’s education, experience credentials, and a background that does not evidence conduct adverse to the practice of engineering or land surveying or to the ability to practice engineering or land surveying; and
(iii) Evidence of lawful presence in the United States.
(a) Applicants seeking licensure as a professional engineer or professional land surveyor by examination or those with an earned Doctoral Degree as defined in Section 4(a) of this Chapter shall complete the application form. If the application does not contain sufficient space for all information required to be submitted, the Applicant may securely attach additional sheets to the form. In addition, all Applicants shall:
(i) Arrange to have certified transcripts sent directly from NCEES or the registrar of the college, university, or educational institution to the Board;
(ii) Provide the names and addresses of immediate supervisors from past and present employment;
(iii) Supply the names and addresses of three (3) licensed professionals to serve as references. If the Applicant cannot supply such information, he/she must provide to the Board a written, sworn statement explaining why. The Applicant shall then provide the names and addresses of three (3) references, unrelated to the Applicant, at least one (1) of whom shall be licensed in the profession in which license is sought. All references shall have personal knowledge of the Applicant's experience. The Board may require additional references;
(iv) Execute a release authorizing the Board to investigate the Applicant's education, experience credentials, and a background that does not evidence conduct adverse to the practice of engineering or land surveying or to the ability to practice engineering or land surveying; and
(v) Complete and submit evidence of lawful presence in the United States.
(vi) If an Applicant makes no attempt to complete his/her application within six (6) months from the date of original application, his/her application will be canceled with neither prejudice nor refund of fee.
(b) The Applicant shall provide experience verification in one of two methods:
(i) Mail experience verification forms to immediate supervisors from past and present employment or as provided in Section 7(a)(iii) of this chapter. The Applicant shall mail any required additional reference forms. The Applicant shall have the experience verification forms and reference forms sent directly to the Board Office. Upon receipt of all completed required forms, the application will be evaluated, or:
(ii) Submit NCEES Record Book.
(c) If the application is complete and in the proper form, the Board is satisfied that all statements on the application are true, and the Applicant is eligible in all other respects to be licensed in engineering or land surveying for which the Applicant has applied, then the Board shall certify the Applicant as eligible to take any required examinations, or, if exempt from examination pursuant to the Act, is eligible for licensure. If, for any reason, the Board is not satisfied that all of the statements on the application are true or that the Applicant is not eligible in all respects for examination or licensure, it may perform further investigations. If, in the judgment of the Board, the Applicant has not furnished satisfactory evidence of qualifications for examination or licensure as required by these rules and regulations, it may deny the application or require additional information. The Board shall require an Applicant for professional licensure to have passed both the fundamentals and professional examination, unless exempt pursuant to the Act.
(d) No experience credit will be given for engineering work experience gained during pursuit of an undergraduate education, nor will experience credit be given for both land surveying and engineering for the same period of time.
(a) The following shall apply for Intern Applicants:
(i) Applicants shall register directly with NCEES to take the FE or FS exam; and
(ii) Upon graduation with the education required by W.S. 33-29-402 and Sections 1 or 2, as appropriate, of this Chapter, Applicants shall:
(A) Complete the appropriate application for Intern certification with the Board;
(B) Have certified transcripts sent directly from NCEES or the registrar to the Board;
(C) Provide information to the Board that will allow it to determine if the Applicant has passed the FE or FS exam; and
(D) Execute a release authorizing the Board to investigate the Applicant's background that does not evidence conduct adverse to the practice of engineering or land surveying or to the ability to practice engineering or land surveying.
(b) If the application is complete and in the proper form, the Board is satisfied that all statements on the application are true, the Applicant is eligible in all other respects to be granted an Intern certificate in engineering or land surveying for which the Applicant has applied, then the Board shall certify the Applicant as an engineer or land surveyor Intern. If, for any reason, the Board is not satisfied that all of the statements on the application are true or that the Applicant is not eligible in all respects for Intern certification, it may perform further investigations. If, in the judgment of the Board, the Applicant has not furnished satisfactory evidence of qualifications for Intern certification as required by these rules and regulations, it may deny the application or require additional information.
(a) National examinations (FE, FS, PE, PS, SE) are given according to a schedule developed by NCEES.
(b) When an Applicant or Examinee has applied directly to NCEES to take an exam, the repeat policy for this exam shall be set by NCEES.
(c) State examinations (Wyoming licensing laws and professional ethics exam, Wyoming Land Surveying state specific exam, and the Wyoming Land Surveying take-home exam) are given according to a schedule and procedures developed by the Board.
(i) An Examinee may take the Wyoming Land Surveying 2-hour state specific exam no more than two times within a six month period and no more than three times in a one year period.
(ii) An Applicant for Professional Land Surveyor License that has held an expired Wyoming license for two (2) or more years shall retake the Wyoming Land Surveying state specific exam.
(iii) An Examinee may take the ethics exam no more than two times within a three month period and no more than three times in a six month period.
(d) Examinees shall abide by the exam administrator's published examination policies and procedures. An Examinee who does not fully comply with the exam administrator's requirements may, in addition to any action by the Board, be subject to dismissal from the remainder of the exam.
(e) An Examinee may be dismissed from the examination and subject to disciplinary or other Board action for conduct including, but not limited to:
(i) Cheating on the examination;
(ii) Giving assistance to, or receiving assistance from, another person;
(iii) Compromising the integrity of the examination;
(iv) Disruptive or abusive behavior; or
(v) Participating in any form of violation of exam policies or procedures during an examination.
(f) Evidence of failing to comply with the exam administrator's policies and procedures subsequent to an examination may also be a cause for action by the Board. An Examinee who does not fully comply with the exam administrator's policies and procedures during and after an examination may be subject to having his/her exam results invalidated and being prohibited from taking the examination(s) for a period of time as determined by the Board. Any licensure examination taken and passed in another jurisdiction while barred from taking that same exam in Wyoming will not be acceptable for licensure purposes in Wyoming.
Section 10. Admission to the Professional Examination; Out-of-state Applicants with Intern Status. An Applicant for licensure as a professional engineer or professional land surveyor who has successfully completed the fundamentals examination in another jurisdiction, which is equivalent to those examinations administered in Wyoming, may be admitted to take the professional examination. Proof of Intern status must be forwarded directly from the authority which certified the original examination. An Applicant must further comply with all the education and experience requirements set forth in this chapter.
(a) The Board recognizes all branches of professional engineering for which exams are offered by NCEES.
(b) The Licensee may accept professional engagements or assignments in any branch of engineering in which the licensee has demonstrated proficiency via education, technical knowledge, or experience.
Section 12. Military Education, Training, and Experience. Education, training, or service gained in military services submitted by an Applicant to be applied towards receiving a license or certificate, must be substantially equivalent, as determined by the Board, to the qualifications otherwise applicable at the time of receipt of application. It is the Applicant's responsibility to provide timely and complete evidence for review and consideration. Satisfactory evidence of such education, training, or service will be assessed on a case by case basis.