WASHINGTON ENGINEER LAW REVIEW PRACTICE
EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for
the Washington State Engineer Law Review, a required component of professional
engineering licensure under the Washington State Board of Registration for
Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. It provides a rigorous assessment of
the legal and ethical principles governing the practice of engineering in
Washington, including the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 18.43 and related
chapters) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 196-25 through 196-33).
The 100 multiple-choice questions cover licensure requirements, examination and
continuing competency, the proper use of seals and signatures, certificates of
authorization, professional conduct and ethics, enforcement and disciplinary
proceedings, and the powers and duties of the Board. Each question is crafted to
mirror the complexity of the actual law review examination, with detailed
rationales that explain the correct answer and why the alternatives are incorrect.
Updated for the 2026–2027 examination cycle, this resource provides verified
solutions to help you master the legal responsibilities of engineering practice and
successfully pass the Washington Engineer Law Review.
Table of Contents
I. Definitions and Scope of Engineering Practice
II. The Board of Registration and Its Powers
III. Licensure Requirements and Examinations
IV. Continuing Professional Competency
V. Seals, Signatures, and Stamping
VI. Certificates of Authorization and Business Practice
VII. Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics
, VIII. Enforcement, Complaints, and Disciplinary Actions
IX. Exemptions and Special Provisions
1. Under RCW 18.43, the practice of engineering is defined as any professional
service requiring engineering education, training, and experience that
involves the application of which of the following?
A) Only the design of buildings and structures
B) The mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to safeguard life,
health, property, and the environment
C) Only the supervision of construction projects
D) The management of construction contracts without technical oversight
Correct Answer: B
RCW 18.43.020 defines engineering practice broadly as any service embodying the
application of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences where such
services require engineering education, training, and experience and are rendered
for the purpose of safeguarding life, health, property, or the environment. Option
A is too narrow; the practice includes but is not limited to structural design. Option
C limits the definition to supervision; option D describes a non-engineering activity.
Thus, B correctly reflects the statutory definition.
2. The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors consists of how many members?
A) 5 members
B) 7 members
C) 9 members
D) 11 members
Correct Answer: C
RCW 18.43.030 establishes that the Board shall consist of nine members: six
professional engineers, two land surveyors, and one public member. Options A, B,
and D do not reflect the correct statutory composition. Therefore, C is correct.
, 3. According to WAC 196-25, an applicant for licensure as a professional
engineer by comity (reciprocity) must demonstrate that they hold an active
license in another jurisdiction whose licensure requirements are:
A) Less stringent than Washington's
B) Identical to Washington's in every respect
C) Substantially equivalent to Washington's requirements at the time of
original licensure
D) Endorsed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and
Surveying (NCEES)
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-25-030 provides that an applicant for comity licensure must hold a
license from a jurisdiction where the requirements at the time of the applicant's
original licensure were substantially equivalent to those in Washington. Option A is
incorrect because less stringent requirements would not satisfy the standard.
Option B requires exact equivalence, which is not mandated. Option D describes an
NCEES record but is not the legal standard for comity. Thus, C is correct.
4. Under Washington law, which of the following individuals is exempt from
the requirement to hold a professional engineering license?
A) A person designing a commercial office building of more than 4,000
square feet
B) An employee of a licensed professional engineer who performs routine
drafting under the engineer's direct supervision
C) A person offering civil engineering services to the public as an
independent consultant
D) An architect performing structural engineering design for a bridge
Correct Answer: B
RCW 18.43.130 provides that the licensure requirement does not apply to
employees of a licensed professional engineer so long as the work performed does
not include responsible charge of engineering design or supervision. Routine
drafting under direct supervision is exempt. Option A requires licensure for public
, safety; option C requires licensure; option D constitutes engineering practice
beyond the architecture exemption. Therefore, B is correct.
5. A professional engineer in Washington who is convicted of a felony must
report the conviction to the Board within how many days?
A) 10 days
B) 20 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-27-020 requires a licensee to report any criminal conviction, including a
felony, to the Board within 30 days of the conviction. Options A, B, and D are
incorrect timeframes. Thus, C is correct.
6. Under RCW 18.43.130, which of the following is NOT an exemption from
the requirement to be licensed as a professional engineer?
A) An owner performing work on their own property that does not involve
public health or safety
B) A person performing engineering work solely related to the construction
of single-family residences
C) A licensed architect practicing architecture within the scope of their
license
D) A professional engineer licensed in another state who temporarily offers
engineering services to the public in Washington
Correct Answer: D
RCW 18.43.130 exempts certain activities, including work on one's own property
(A), work related to single-family residences (B) under specific conditions, and
licensed architects practicing within their scope (C). However, a professional
engineer licensed in another state who offers services to the public in Washington
generally must obtain a Washington license unless they fall under a specific
temporary practice provision. Therefore, D is not automatically exempt.
EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for
the Washington State Engineer Law Review, a required component of professional
engineering licensure under the Washington State Board of Registration for
Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. It provides a rigorous assessment of
the legal and ethical principles governing the practice of engineering in
Washington, including the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 18.43 and related
chapters) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 196-25 through 196-33).
The 100 multiple-choice questions cover licensure requirements, examination and
continuing competency, the proper use of seals and signatures, certificates of
authorization, professional conduct and ethics, enforcement and disciplinary
proceedings, and the powers and duties of the Board. Each question is crafted to
mirror the complexity of the actual law review examination, with detailed
rationales that explain the correct answer and why the alternatives are incorrect.
Updated for the 2026–2027 examination cycle, this resource provides verified
solutions to help you master the legal responsibilities of engineering practice and
successfully pass the Washington Engineer Law Review.
Table of Contents
I. Definitions and Scope of Engineering Practice
II. The Board of Registration and Its Powers
III. Licensure Requirements and Examinations
IV. Continuing Professional Competency
V. Seals, Signatures, and Stamping
VI. Certificates of Authorization and Business Practice
VII. Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics
, VIII. Enforcement, Complaints, and Disciplinary Actions
IX. Exemptions and Special Provisions
1. Under RCW 18.43, the practice of engineering is defined as any professional
service requiring engineering education, training, and experience that
involves the application of which of the following?
A) Only the design of buildings and structures
B) The mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to safeguard life,
health, property, and the environment
C) Only the supervision of construction projects
D) The management of construction contracts without technical oversight
Correct Answer: B
RCW 18.43.020 defines engineering practice broadly as any service embodying the
application of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences where such
services require engineering education, training, and experience and are rendered
for the purpose of safeguarding life, health, property, or the environment. Option
A is too narrow; the practice includes but is not limited to structural design. Option
C limits the definition to supervision; option D describes a non-engineering activity.
Thus, B correctly reflects the statutory definition.
2. The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors consists of how many members?
A) 5 members
B) 7 members
C) 9 members
D) 11 members
Correct Answer: C
RCW 18.43.030 establishes that the Board shall consist of nine members: six
professional engineers, two land surveyors, and one public member. Options A, B,
and D do not reflect the correct statutory composition. Therefore, C is correct.
, 3. According to WAC 196-25, an applicant for licensure as a professional
engineer by comity (reciprocity) must demonstrate that they hold an active
license in another jurisdiction whose licensure requirements are:
A) Less stringent than Washington's
B) Identical to Washington's in every respect
C) Substantially equivalent to Washington's requirements at the time of
original licensure
D) Endorsed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and
Surveying (NCEES)
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-25-030 provides that an applicant for comity licensure must hold a
license from a jurisdiction where the requirements at the time of the applicant's
original licensure were substantially equivalent to those in Washington. Option A is
incorrect because less stringent requirements would not satisfy the standard.
Option B requires exact equivalence, which is not mandated. Option D describes an
NCEES record but is not the legal standard for comity. Thus, C is correct.
4. Under Washington law, which of the following individuals is exempt from
the requirement to hold a professional engineering license?
A) A person designing a commercial office building of more than 4,000
square feet
B) An employee of a licensed professional engineer who performs routine
drafting under the engineer's direct supervision
C) A person offering civil engineering services to the public as an
independent consultant
D) An architect performing structural engineering design for a bridge
Correct Answer: B
RCW 18.43.130 provides that the licensure requirement does not apply to
employees of a licensed professional engineer so long as the work performed does
not include responsible charge of engineering design or supervision. Routine
drafting under direct supervision is exempt. Option A requires licensure for public
, safety; option C requires licensure; option D constitutes engineering practice
beyond the architecture exemption. Therefore, B is correct.
5. A professional engineer in Washington who is convicted of a felony must
report the conviction to the Board within how many days?
A) 10 days
B) 20 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-27-020 requires a licensee to report any criminal conviction, including a
felony, to the Board within 30 days of the conviction. Options A, B, and D are
incorrect timeframes. Thus, C is correct.
6. Under RCW 18.43.130, which of the following is NOT an exemption from
the requirement to be licensed as a professional engineer?
A) An owner performing work on their own property that does not involve
public health or safety
B) A person performing engineering work solely related to the construction
of single-family residences
C) A licensed architect practicing architecture within the scope of their
license
D) A professional engineer licensed in another state who temporarily offers
engineering services to the public in Washington
Correct Answer: D
RCW 18.43.130 exempts certain activities, including work on one's own property
(A), work related to single-family residences (B) under specific conditions, and
licensed architects practicing within their scope (C). However, a professional
engineer licensed in another state who offers services to the public in Washington
generally must obtain a Washington license unless they fall under a specific
temporary practice provision. Therefore, D is not automatically exempt.
