criminal check for licensed professionals

[WildBill]

The bottom line for me is this: I am tired of having to prove that I am not a criminal. I go to the airport and subject myself to screenings (maybe even cavity searches) to prove I am not a criminal. Even at my local high school football game I have to go through a metal detector to prove I am not a criminal. Now the state is asking me (a Professional Engineer) with high moral and ethical standards to prove I am not a criminal. I have been a registered PE in Texas since 2005 and the state has all the information that they need from me to continue that licensure.

The truth of the matter is that only a small percentage are criminals and now I am being punished because of their bad behavior. It’s wrong and I will not submit to it.

When did we move to a society that I now need to prove my innocence? Isn't the old saying "Innocent until proven guilty"? Why does it no longer apply?

Well stated Bcschae!

[TomsTXCHL]

But...don't you need it to ply your trade?

[puma guy]

My wife had submit fingerprints to renew her real estate broker's license. At least she knew where the L-1 location was since she'd been there a couple of weeks prior for her CHL package prints. In my opinion it's all about the money since RE license renewal fees have gone through the roof. I assume others have as well.

[mr surveyor]

I've been a Registered Professional Land Surveyor since March of 1983. I have no doubt that if this foolishness of mandating P.E.s to do the background check thing is true that we will be on the list next. We've already been paying higher annual registration fees than engineers for many years, in addition to the mandatory CEU classes, annual "business name" fees, etc., but this will be next (oh, and we have to collect sales tax along with the extra record keeping and reporting on a large portion of our work .... how many "professionals" are required to do that?). I'm at the age where I can't retire, don't want to change professions, and can't afford to not work (until I drop dead in the field some day), so I'll have to just suck it up and be a good little sheep ... and once again raise my rates on my customers due to government intrusion. This is nuts when it gets down to the State of Texas level.

JD

[Crossfire]

Architects, Engineers, and Interior Designers have all been newly added to the list of those who have a fingerprint requirement to renew thier license. None of them seem to be happy about it, and I certainly understand the frustration. Not just the money, but the time and travel required.

However, please remember, it is not the fault of the fingerprint tech

[WildBill]

Why are engineers being asked to get a criminal history record check?

The Texas Legislature will now require professional engineers, among other licensed professions, to have a record check to provide a measure of assurance of safety to the public as well as more transparency and accountability as professionals.

From the website http://engineers.texas.gov/chrc_faq.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sounds like double talk to me.

[srothstein]

Wildbill, it sounds like someone is saying they are doing it because the legislature required it, and don't blame them for it. They just have to make it sound nicer or the legislature will take action next budget session.

[WildBill]

Wildbill, it sounds like someone is saying they are doing it because the legislature required it, and don't blame them for it.

Yes, the legislature did require it. I just find their "reasons" for the law phony.

more transparency and accountability

I am not really sure what that statement means.

They just have to make it sound nicer or the legislature will take action next budget session.

I don't see them taking an action other than adding more people who need to get the background checks.

[puma guy]

I was thinking about this as I read the posts and remembered something. This probably is a result of pre-existing Texas laws that prevent felons from being employed in any job that requires a license. They also can't be employed any place that sells or installs any type of alarm.

[WildBill]

I was thinking about this as I read the posts and remembered something. This probably is a result of pre-existing Texas laws that prevent felons from being employed in any job that requires a license. They also can't be employed any place that sells or installs any type of alarm.

Apparently this new law passed last year SB 204 makes it easier and more effective to use modern technology to keep track of professional engineers criminal history.
From what I have read, the agency responsible for licensing professional engineers is financed entirely by license fees.

Senate Bill 204, for the Engineers’ Board, addresses these needs by enabling the Board to
take advantage of new technology to help it meet current requirements and giving it additional
authority to act against individuals who violate the law.

The bill gives the Board flexibility to administer the national accrediting examination electronically,
and provides for electronic fingerprinting to ensure complete and accurate criminal history record
information that is already part of the Board’s license application process. The bill also gives the Board
new tools to take meaningful action against individuals who violate the Act or Board rules. The bill
authorizes the Board to take immediate action against professional engineers whose misdeeds pose an
immediate threat to the public and to deter unlicensed activity. The bill also increases administrative
penalties against violators to enhance the deterrent effect of the Board’s enforcement efforts.

http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/83rd/eng/eng_sor.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bcschae]

But...don't you need it to ply your trade?

I work in the offshore oil and gas industry and fortunately it is not a necessity for my occupation. I would like to keep it just because of the work and experience that I put in to get it but I will not keep it at any cost. The "cost" being asked by the new law is too high, in my opinion.

[VMI77]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I find it interesting that you needed to submit finger prints to renew your P.E. license. I've been licensed as a P.E. in Texas for many years, and I don't ever recall submitting prints. In fact I just renewed last week, and did it through the web site.

You'll have to submit fingerprints next year. The law took effect on January 1st.

[VMI77]

I have decided to not renew my Texas PE license this year due to the new requirement. I have notified the Texas PE Board of my decision as well as my State senators and representatives.

I'm considering that course of action myself. When I got the email about this I went ranting around the office about it.

[KRM45]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I find it interesting that you needed to submit finger prints to renew your P.E. license. I've been licensed as a P.E. in Texas for many years, and I don't ever recall submitting prints. In fact I just renewed last week, and did it through the web site.

You'll have to submit fingerprints next year. The law took effect on January 1st.

Yes. I investigated and thanked the OP for bringing this to my attention on page 2. I'm surprised I didn't hear anything about this when it was introduced...