Trends in Engineer Registration—Sunset Review: How to survive?

Thirty-one states have legislated periodic review of licensing and regulatory functions, including professional registration or licensure of engineers, land surveyors, and related professionals, to determine if these functions should be continued on the basis of serving the public interest. To date, 23 state boards of registration have been subjected to such review under Sunset Legislation. The reports and recommendations submitted by a number of the reviewing bodies, together with the response from these boards and supporting statements, were reviewed and are summarized. All registration boards reviewed so far have been continued, but numerous changes in composition, procedure and policy have been implemented as a result of the process. These changes are reported, and recommendations related to preparing for and responding to Sunset Law reviews are offered.