Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 820 - BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING
Here’s a refreshed and more precise breakdown of Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 820 — the Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (OSBEELS):
🧭 Chapter Overview
Chapter 820 governs licensure, professional conduct, regulation, and fees for engineers, land surveyors, photogrammetrists, and water-right examiners in Oregon
📅 Last updated May 10, 2025
📂 Divisions & Content Summary
Division 1 – Procedural Rules (OAR 820-001): Covers rulemaking, contested-case procedures, public-records fees, contracting, and administrator qualifications
Division 5 – Definitions (OAR 820-005): Defines critical terms like “Board,” “Engineering Practice,” “Professional Development Hour (PDH),” and more.
Division 10 – Licensing:
Exams & qualifications for EIs, LSIs, PEs, PLSs, photogrammetrists, and water-right examiners; includes take-home Oregon law exams
NCEES PE Exam branches recognized include civil, electrical, mechanical, and more
Continuing Professional Development: 30 PDHs required each biennial period, prorated for partial years, with recordkeeping and audit rules
Status categories: Rules for delinquent, inactive, retired, suspended, and revoked professionals—outlining requirements for reinstatement, fees, and PDH completion
Division 15 – Regulation: Administrative enforcement measures, discipline, complaints, and investigations (not detailed in sources).
Division 20 – Professional Conduct: Ethical obligations—public welfare, competence, truthful statements, conflict of interest avoidance, and prohibition on exam cheating
Division 25 – Digital Seal & Signature: Standards for using digital seals and certificates (not detailed).
Division 30 – Land Surveying Practice: Practice standards including field work, surveys, maps, and reports (source implied).
Division 40 – Engineering Practice: Standards for engineering documentation, design, computations, and seal use.
Division 50 – Water Right Examination Practice: Governs certified examiners of water rights per ORS 537 standards.
Division 80 – Fees: Comprehensive fee schedule including application, exam, renewal, delinquency, reinstatement, seals, and others (
✅ Key Takeaways
Licensure Pathways: Candidates must pass NCEES exams, state-specific take-home tests, and meet experience/reference requirements
PDH Requirement: 30 PDHs per 2-year license period, prorated for partial first periods, with audit documentation required
Professional Conduct: Licensees must prioritize public safety, act competently and ethically, and avoid exam misconduct
Status Management: Clear rules on delinquency, inactive/retired status, suspension/reinstatement obligations, and related fees
Fees: Detailed schedule covering all license-related transactions (e.g., PE & PLS initial application $250, renewal $75, delinquency $80, seal $35, etc.)
RELATED Blog
comments