COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE
I have completed my first eight months at DLLR and it has been both exciting and challenging to be a part of the process of protecting the health, safety and well-being of Maryland Residents. I am impressed and pleased to see the willingness and spirit of the units within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing work so effectively and efficiently with the resources available. I can no longer consider myself a newcomer and am extremely excited about the experience and opportunity of working with such talented people, both Board Members and Staff. I have become involved with the legislative process and attempted to participate and observe the process as closely as possible. The Design Boards have sponsored legislation to make permanent the Design Boards Special Fund. The move to special funding has already enabled the Design Boards to better serve both the public at large and design professionals, asthe Funds’ continuation is critically important. I am fortunate to have the expertise and wisdom of Harry Loleas, Deputy Commissioner who has been invaluable this legislative season in Annapolis as I understand he has been for the past 15 years. Harry has worked tirelessly to make the legislative season a success for the Department and the Design Boards specifically. Daniel Parr, Executive Director of the Professional Licensing Boards, has come in and taken the reigns of the organization and continues to lead it in a way that we all can be proud of. I trust that your experience with Dan has been good, based on the continued quiet and sense of satisfaction I get whenever I get an opportunity to attend a board meeting or have contact with various board members
We have experienced what have been considered positive budget hearings and are excited about the appropriations for IT upgrades that are projected with the approval of the current budget. We are also still working to award a private sector contract for future administration of professional licensing exams and hope to complete the procurement process soon. The State continues to face financial challenges but has been engaged by Secretary Perez to understand the need and difference of how we address our special fund requirements. We are optimistic these discussions will result in smoother operations going forward.
I continue to meet with Dan and the staff to express my appreciation for the work they do and I trust will continue to do. Pamela Edwards, Assistant Executive Director and Karen Wright, Exam Coordinator attended a conference at the National Council of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) in Clemson, South Carolina. I am sure the investment made will enhance their capability to manage examination services.
I look forward to ongoing communication with the Boards, firms and individuals associated with the design professionals. Please feel free to contact me at with your thoughts and concerns.
ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE BOARD TACKLES REGULATIONS
The issue of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and Intern Development Program (IDP) regulations that the Board of Architects discussed and resolved over the past year has raised an issue of even more significance. The Maryland regulations for architects had been changed in many ways over the past decade or so, and the document had become a little muddled.
The board decided to take on a comprehensive review led by Board Member Paul Edmeades of Edmeades and Strohmdahl, Ltd. The result is a new and more easily understood set of regulations that should serve Maryland and its Architects well for another decade at least. These will be published in the Maryland Register for public comment in April or May. There will be no change to the substance of the document; the changes are to order, language and format only.
ENGINEERING
Maryland’s latest class of licensed professional engineers received their certificates Feb. 22 at the Engineers Club of Baltimore located in the Garrett-JacobsMansion. The keynote speaker was John D. Porcari, Maryland Secretary of Transportation. This coincided with the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) Engineers’ Week Celebration of Feb. 17-23, 2008.
LAND SURVEYING
LOCATION VERSUS BOUNDARY SURVEY
by Daniel Parr
The difference between a location drawing (survey) and a boundary survey is often a bone of contention after people buy a home. A location drawing is often called a location survey, but simply illustrates the location of improvements on a property that is changing hands to meet the requirements of a lender. It cannot be relied upon to show precise property boundaries. It should certainly not be used to place a new fence or wall which is often the point at which complaints are filed with the Board for Professional Land Surveyors.
A boundary survey is much more technical and detailed. The resulting drawing of boundaries and significant land marks does show precise location and can be used as a record plat, or legal survey showing true property lines.
Every professional surveyor makes clear the distinction between the two tasks, but home buyers are often unaware or lose the distinction in the maze of documents required to buy a home. The more detailed boundary survey is more expensive and people often are simply trying to reduce closing costs as much as possible.
All licensed professionals involved in the transfer of property and homes should be fully aware of the difference and make certain that the buyer is, as well.
DESIGN BOARDS INFO
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - FE EXAM RESCHEDULED
The National Council for Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors’ examinations were administered on April 11th and 12th. The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam went smoothly for about 250 candidates on Friday at the Pikesville Armory. The 200 Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) candidates at the NavalAcademy took the exam without a glitch on April 12th. However, the majority of the FE candidates (350) who were at the Pikesville Armory had their exam canceled because of a major sewer backup at the armory and surrounding buildings. The unsanitary conditions precluded starting the exam.
Professional Licensing employees have worked with the National Council for Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) to minimize the impact on candidates and have set up a new date for the examination.
The FE examination will be administered on Saturday May 17, 2008 at the Timonium Fairgrounds in Timonium Maryland. Each candidate will receive a new admissions letter and instructions.
We do understand that this date may not work for all candidates. If a candidate cannot sit for the examination on May 17th, they need only to not show up for the examination. If they do not sit, they simply will be marked ‘absent’ and will receive a refund of the examination fee. Instructions for applying for a re-examination will be sent when the examination grades are mailed out in July to all candidates. A candidate’s absence does not count as a fail. The approval of the basic application remains in good standing. The re-examination application process will be automated and available on-line by the time candidates receive exam results.
We hope that all candidates will be able to take advantage of this opportunity to sit for the FE examination. We are very grateful to NCEES for their cooperation and generosity in resolving this situation.
LICENSE RENEWAL BASICS
As most licensure transactions are renewals, it is important for licensees to remember that online renewal is the fastest and most secure method of licensure renewal.Licensees must renew every two years; as a result, a notice will be mailed 60 days prior to license expiration. The licensee is responsible for renewing even if the notice is lost. Failure to renew on time will result in a reinstatement fee.
Licensees should contact the Board's office to reinstate a license if thelicense has been expired more than two years.Licensees can submit a request for reinstatementapplication by contacting their respective board. However, an applicant cannot renew online prior to the 60 days before the license expires. If applicants renew late, after the expiration date, the reinstatement fee will automatically be assessed on their renewal.
EXAM COORDINATOR EXTRORDINAIRE: KAREN WRIGHT
by Janine S. McDonald
With a stellar grin and infectious enthusiasm, Karen Wright, the exam coordinator for the Design Boards, is well into the swing of her job, having begun October 1.
With the October 2007 exam administration under her belt, she is currently prepping for the April 2008 exams, getting documents ready—“closing out the old and getting ready for the new,” says Wright. One of her main objectives has been making sure the Design Boards have an exam site for the April exams. Since the date for the exams was moved up this year, the traditional exam site, the Timonium Fairgrounds, was not available on the new dates. Wright stepped up to the challenge and was instrumental in obtaining space at the Pikesville National Guard Armory for the April exams.
Not new to DLLR, Wright came from the Division of Financial Regulation to the position of Exam Coordinator. There she was an Administrative Specialist, reviewing and examining documents to approve licensure for Maryland mortgage originators. Wright says that position laid the foundation for her job as exam coordinator. Prior to that, she studied biology and chemistry at FayetvilleStateUniversity. One of her initial career goals was to perform research. “I love research. I love looking and digging,” Wright says of her inquisitive nature.
Before that, she was in the Army. “In the Army, I learned teamwork. I’ve learned to go beyond what’s expected…from a military standpoint, I believe mission first. To accomplish the mission, you have to make quick decisions. You have to accomplish your tasks so others can accomplish theirs. It’s about teamwork and looking out for one another,” says Wright.
Wright brings that same passion to the Design Boards. When asked what she enjoys about her job, she says, “I love the challenge. I love the responsibility and the trust my supervisors have in me.” As part of her responsibilities, she often works in the field. For example, she had to meet with prospective lighting vendors who could provide additional lighting for the Pikesville exam site.
When asked what she does in her spare time, Wright says “I read a lot. I love reading. I really do believe knowledge is power.” She also enjoys trying new foods.
Wright says she has enjoyed being on the Design Boards’ team so far and hopes to continue to learn and grow here. “It is a pleasure and an honor being a part of this department. I’m excited about the future,” Wright says.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS - SPRING 2008
REVOCATIONS
04-LS-05 - Wilbur L. Ford, Jr. (professional land surveyor). License REVOKED and licensee FINED for violation of §§15-318(a) (4) & (5), Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, and Code of Maryland Regulations 09.13.01.02 and 09.13.06.03, i.e. Mr. Ford failed to properly perform a boundary survey in violation of the Board’s Minimum Standards of Practice; violated the Board’s Code of Ethics; and actions constituted gross negligence, incompetence and misconduct.
FINES
06-PE-11 - Antoine Foy (Unlicensed). AGREED to a FINE of $1,000 for violation of §§14-501 and 14-502, Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, for signing a contract on behalf of Foy Engineering to provide engineering services in the State of Maryland without being licensed as a professional engineer in the State.
07-AR-03 – Olufemi Sokoya (Unlicensed).AGREED to a FINE of $500, and to repay the sum of $2000 to the Complainant for violation of §3-601, Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, for practicing architecture without a license.
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
06-LS-09 - Stephen H. Jupitz (property line surveyor). Licensee AGREED to complete 8 hours of course work in the Minimum Standards of Practice and also to reimburse the homeowner, for violation of §15-317(a)(1)(v), Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland and Code of Maryland Regulations 09.13.06.06A & B for violating the Board’s Minimum Standards of Practice when failing to show a neighbor’s driveway on the location drawing of the subject property.
LICENSE DENIALS
08-PE-08 - Application for renewal of professional engineer’s license DENIED based on applicant’s conviction for obscene internet contact, and on the fact that he still remains on probation.
ARCHITECTS’ BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE
As part of the Design Boards’ communications outreach program, the brochure Becoming a Licensed Architect isnow available for distribution. The publication outlines the requirements for Maryland architectural licensure. The brochure is fifth in a series designed to explain licensure and the various professions represented by the Design. The other brochures are Land Surveying: The Career Opportunity of a Lifetime; Understanding Professional Land Surveyors’ Licensure; Understanding Professional Engineers’ Licensure; and the Design Boards Complaint Process. For more information about obtaining any of thesebrochures, please contact Janine McDonald at or (410) 230-6215.