SECTION 133.51. Reference Providers

(a) Applicants for licensure shall provide reference statements 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. The NCEES record reference documentation may be accepted as reference statements as specified in this section.

(1) Standard Licensure Procedure. Applicants applying under §1001.302(a)(1)(A) or (B) of the Act, including those applicants licensed in another jurisdiction or previously licensed in Texas, shall provide reference statements from at least three reference providers. These reference providers shall be currently licensed professional engineers who have personal knowledge of the applicant's character, reputation, suitability for licensure, and engineering experience and shall review all applicable portions of the applicant's supplementary experience record and complete the reference statement in full.

(2) Waiver of Examinations Procedure. Applicants requesting a waiver from the examinations on the fundamentals of engineering or principles and practice of engineering shall provide reference statements from at least five reference providers. These reference providers shall be currently licensed professional engineers who have personal knowledge of the applicant's character, reputation, suitability for licensure, and engineering experience and shall review all applicable portions of the applicant's supplementary experience record and complete the reference statement in full.

(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 provider; such review shall be noted on the reference statement.

(c) All reference providers shall be individuals with personal knowledge of the applicant's character, reputation, and general suitability for holding a license. If possible, reference providers should be individuals who directly supervised the applicants.

(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.

(e) Professional engineers who provide reference statements shall not be compensated.

(f) Reference statements 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. Additional references may be required.

(g) The board members and staff may, at their discretion, rely on any, all, or none of the reference statements provided in connection with an application for licensure.

Source Note: The provisions of this §133.51 adopted to be effective May 20, 2004, 29 TexReg 4873; amended to be effective November 8, 2004, 29 TexReg 10264; amended to be effective June 4, 2007, 32 TexReg 2996; amended to be effective December 21, 2008, 33 TexReg 10168