HB 2101 makes a number of important changes to the licensing law for engineers, land surveyors and geologists. While the major part of the bill makes a necessary clarification between land surveying and Geographic Information System (GIS) activities, it ALSO rectifies concerns caused by a 2016 court decision.

 

The court decision could be interpreted to limit the practice of engineering to only projects that involve a "design". In other words, structural inspections, environmental assessments, and many other activities that have long been considered the practice of engineering in the other 49 states would not be in Pennsylvania. 

 

House Bill 2101 does not expand the practice of engineering but simply restores the traditional understanding of what is included.