§ 5-56.1-4. Conditions for obtaining a designer's license. (a) A designer's license shall be issued to any person who satisfies all the requirements stated below:

(1) A completed application for a designer's license along with a reasonable fee shall be submitted to the licensing authority; all fees shall be deposited as general revenues and the amounts appropriated shall be used for the purpose of administering the water-and-air-protection program.

(2) The applicant for a designer's license shall be required to pass a written examination, which may include a field component, administered or sanctioned by the licensing authority for the applicable class of license. The test assesses the competency and knowledge of the applicant regarding pertinent subject matter and the application of ISDS regulations.

(3) The licensing authority shall establish, through regulations, classes of licenses appropriate to the expertise required for each activity performed by licensed individuals. The licensing authority shall establish minimum qualifications, education and experience requirements for each class of license and eligibility requirements for testing. The licensing authority may waive the requirement of a written examination or any portion of it in the case of a person licensed by a federal agency or another state having licensing requirements substantially equivalent to those in Rhode Island.

(4) With the exception of subsection (b) of this section, no person may be granted an exemption to any of the conditions for obtaining a license as provided for in this section on the basis of past experience or "grandfather" rights.

(5) The licensing authority shall hold an examination at least once per year.

(b) Professional engineers who have met all the educational requirements and have been registered and authorized to practice engineering in the state of Rhode Island by the state board of registration for professional engineers shall be deemed to have met all the minimum qualifications, experience, and education requirements for a designer's license under this section and shall not be required to pass a written examination or to attend or enroll in continuing education programs as a requirement for the granting and renewal of their designer's license.

History of Section. (P.L. 1966, ch. 273, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 291, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 239, § 1.)