WASHINGTON PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
LICENSURE BY COMITY EXAMINATION – STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
This advanced practice examination is designed for Professional Engineers seeking
licensure in Washington state by comity (reciprocity). It focuses exclusively on the
Washington-specific legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements that comity
applicants must master, including the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 18.43,
18.235), the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 196-100 through 196-300),
and the rules of professional conduct enforced by the Washington State Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. The 100
multiple-choice questions are crafted to mirror the rigorous nature of a
state-specific examination, covering definitions, board authority, comity eligibility,
continuing competency, seal and signature requirements, disciplinary actions, and
mandatory reporting. Detailed rationales follow each answer, clarifying why the
correct choice is right and why the alternatives are wrong. Whether you are taking
a Washington engineering law review or preparing for a board interview, this
guide is an essential tool for ensuring full compliance with Washington’s unique
licensing standards.
Table of Contents
1. Definitions and General Provisions (RCW 18.43)
2. Board Structure, Authority, and Rulemaking (WAC 196-10)
3. Licensure Requirements and Comity Eligibility (WAC 196-12, 196-20)
4. Examinations and Experience Verification
5. Continuing Competency and Professional Development
6. Seal, Stamp, and Signature Requirements
7. Professional Conduct and Ethics (WAC 196-27, RCW 18.235)
8. Complaints, Investigations, and Disciplinary Actions
,9. Business Practices and Firm Registration
10. Environmental and Structural Specialty Regulations
1. Under RCW 18.43, which of the following activities constitutes the “practice
of engineering”?
A) The installation of electrical wiring in a residential building
B) Any professional service requiring engineering education, training, and
experience, where the safeguarding of life, health, property, or the public
welfare is concerned
C) Only the design of public infrastructure projects such as bridges and
highways
D) The management of construction workers on a job site
Correct Answer: B
The statutory definition is broad and includes any professional service requiring
engineering principles and data, where the public welfare is at stake. Option A is
typically covered by electrical licensing, C is too narrow, and D may involve
engineering judgment but is not exclusively the practice of engineering.
2. The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors consists of how many members, and what is a key
requirement for their composition?
A) Five members, all of whom must be licensed professional engineers
B) Seven members: four professional engineers, one land surveyor, and two
public members
C) Nine members appointed by the governor without specific professional
requirements
D) Seven members, all of whom must be professional engineers
Correct Answer: B
Per RCW 18.43.030, the board has seven members: four licensed professional
engineers, one licensed land surveyor, and two public members. This ensures
professional expertise and public representation.
, 3. For a comity applicant who holds an active NCEES Council Record, which of
the following is normally waived by the Washington board?
A) The requirement to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
B) The verification of work experience and references, if the Council Record
contains verified work history and references acceptable to the board
C) The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
D) The requirement to pay any application fees
Correct Answer: B
If an applicant’s NCEES Council Record contains sufficient verified work experience
and professional references, the board may accept it in lieu of requiring separate
verification. The passing exam scores are required, and fees are never waived.
4. According to WAC 196-12-010, what is the minimum number of years of
progressive engineering experience required for initial licensure as a
Professional Engineer in Washington, in addition to an ABET-accredited
engineering degree?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 8 years
D) 12 years
Correct Answer: B
A candidate with an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree must have four years of
progressive engineering experience. A master’s degree may substitute for one
year, and a PhD for up to two years, but the base is four.
5. A Professional Engineer licensed in Oregon applies for comity licensure in
Washington. Which statement best describes the key additional
requirement beyond those already met for the original licensure?
A) The applicant must retake the PE exam in Washington.
B) The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of Washington’s engineering
laws, rules, and professional conduct standards, usually by completing a
board-approved law review course or examination.
C) The applicant must obtain three new references from
, Washington-licensed engineers.
D) The applicant must reside in Washington for at least six months before
applying.
Correct Answer: B
Washington requires comity applicants to complete a Washington-specific
engineering law review or pass a state-specific exam on RCW 18.43, WAC 196, and
related rules. Retaking the PE is not required, and residency is not a factor.
6. Under RCW 18.235, the Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions
Act, what is the threshold that triggers a mandatory report to the board by
a licensed engineer regarding another licensee’s potential unprofessional
conduct?
A) Any minor disagreement between colleagues
B) Only when a court finds the engineer guilty of a crime
C) When the engineer has actual knowledge of a clear violation that
presents a substantial threat to the public health, safety, or welfare
D) When a client complains verbally
Correct Answer: C
Washington law requires reporting of known violations that pose a substantial risk
to the public. It is not triggered by minor disagreements or mere client complaints
without evidence.
7. What is the continuing professional development (CPD) requirement for a
licensed Professional Engineer in Washington per the current rules (WAC
196-25)?
A) 8 professional development hours (PDH) per year
B) 15 PDH per year, with a minimum of 1 PDH in ethics
C) 30 PDH over a two-year renewal cycle, with no specific ethics
requirement
D) 24 PDH per biennium, including a minimum of 2 PDH in professional
ethics
LICENSURE BY COMITY EXAMINATION – STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
This advanced practice examination is designed for Professional Engineers seeking
licensure in Washington state by comity (reciprocity). It focuses exclusively on the
Washington-specific legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements that comity
applicants must master, including the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 18.43,
18.235), the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 196-100 through 196-300),
and the rules of professional conduct enforced by the Washington State Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. The 100
multiple-choice questions are crafted to mirror the rigorous nature of a
state-specific examination, covering definitions, board authority, comity eligibility,
continuing competency, seal and signature requirements, disciplinary actions, and
mandatory reporting. Detailed rationales follow each answer, clarifying why the
correct choice is right and why the alternatives are wrong. Whether you are taking
a Washington engineering law review or preparing for a board interview, this
guide is an essential tool for ensuring full compliance with Washington’s unique
licensing standards.
Table of Contents
1. Definitions and General Provisions (RCW 18.43)
2. Board Structure, Authority, and Rulemaking (WAC 196-10)
3. Licensure Requirements and Comity Eligibility (WAC 196-12, 196-20)
4. Examinations and Experience Verification
5. Continuing Competency and Professional Development
6. Seal, Stamp, and Signature Requirements
7. Professional Conduct and Ethics (WAC 196-27, RCW 18.235)
8. Complaints, Investigations, and Disciplinary Actions
,9. Business Practices and Firm Registration
10. Environmental and Structural Specialty Regulations
1. Under RCW 18.43, which of the following activities constitutes the “practice
of engineering”?
A) The installation of electrical wiring in a residential building
B) Any professional service requiring engineering education, training, and
experience, where the safeguarding of life, health, property, or the public
welfare is concerned
C) Only the design of public infrastructure projects such as bridges and
highways
D) The management of construction workers on a job site
Correct Answer: B
The statutory definition is broad and includes any professional service requiring
engineering principles and data, where the public welfare is at stake. Option A is
typically covered by electrical licensing, C is too narrow, and D may involve
engineering judgment but is not exclusively the practice of engineering.
2. The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors consists of how many members, and what is a key
requirement for their composition?
A) Five members, all of whom must be licensed professional engineers
B) Seven members: four professional engineers, one land surveyor, and two
public members
C) Nine members appointed by the governor without specific professional
requirements
D) Seven members, all of whom must be professional engineers
Correct Answer: B
Per RCW 18.43.030, the board has seven members: four licensed professional
engineers, one licensed land surveyor, and two public members. This ensures
professional expertise and public representation.
, 3. For a comity applicant who holds an active NCEES Council Record, which of
the following is normally waived by the Washington board?
A) The requirement to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
B) The verification of work experience and references, if the Council Record
contains verified work history and references acceptable to the board
C) The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
D) The requirement to pay any application fees
Correct Answer: B
If an applicant’s NCEES Council Record contains sufficient verified work experience
and professional references, the board may accept it in lieu of requiring separate
verification. The passing exam scores are required, and fees are never waived.
4. According to WAC 196-12-010, what is the minimum number of years of
progressive engineering experience required for initial licensure as a
Professional Engineer in Washington, in addition to an ABET-accredited
engineering degree?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 8 years
D) 12 years
Correct Answer: B
A candidate with an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree must have four years of
progressive engineering experience. A master’s degree may substitute for one
year, and a PhD for up to two years, but the base is four.
5. A Professional Engineer licensed in Oregon applies for comity licensure in
Washington. Which statement best describes the key additional
requirement beyond those already met for the original licensure?
A) The applicant must retake the PE exam in Washington.
B) The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of Washington’s engineering
laws, rules, and professional conduct standards, usually by completing a
board-approved law review course or examination.
C) The applicant must obtain three new references from
, Washington-licensed engineers.
D) The applicant must reside in Washington for at least six months before
applying.
Correct Answer: B
Washington requires comity applicants to complete a Washington-specific
engineering law review or pass a state-specific exam on RCW 18.43, WAC 196, and
related rules. Retaking the PE is not required, and residency is not a factor.
6. Under RCW 18.235, the Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions
Act, what is the threshold that triggers a mandatory report to the board by
a licensed engineer regarding another licensee’s potential unprofessional
conduct?
A) Any minor disagreement between colleagues
B) Only when a court finds the engineer guilty of a crime
C) When the engineer has actual knowledge of a clear violation that
presents a substantial threat to the public health, safety, or welfare
D) When a client complains verbally
Correct Answer: C
Washington law requires reporting of known violations that pose a substantial risk
to the public. It is not triggered by minor disagreements or mere client complaints
without evidence.
7. What is the continuing professional development (CPD) requirement for a
licensed Professional Engineer in Washington per the current rules (WAC
196-25)?
A) 8 professional development hours (PDH) per year
B) 15 PDH per year, with a minimum of 1 PDH in ethics
C) 30 PDH over a two-year renewal cycle, with no specific ethics
requirement
D) 24 PDH per biennium, including a minimum of 2 PDH in professional
ethics
