Rhode Island § 5-8-24 - Engineers

§ 5-8-24. Sole proprietorship, partnership, limited-liability partnership, corporation, and limited-liability company.

(a) The practice or offer to practice engineering as defined by this chapter by a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited-liability partnership, corporation, or limited-liability company, subsequently referred to as the “firm,” through individuals is permitted; provided, that the individuals: (1) Are in direct control of the practice; (2) Exercise personal supervision of all personnel who act in behalf of the firm in professional and technical matters; and (3) Are registered under the provisions of this chapter; and provided, that the firm has been issued a certificate of authorization by the board of engineers.

(b)(1) Within one year after enactment of this chapter, every firm must obtain a certificate of authorization from the board and those individuals in direct control of the practice and who exercise direct supervision of all personnel who act in behalf of the firm in professional and technical matters must be registered with the board. The certificate of authorization shall be issued by the board, with the assistance of the department, upon satisfaction of the provisions of this chapter and the payment of a fee not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150). This fee is waived if the firm consists of only one person who is the person in responsible charge.

(2) Every firm desiring a certificate of authorization must file with the board an application for a certificate of authorization on a form to be provided by the board. A separate form provided by the board shall be filed with each renewal of the certificate of authorization and within thirty (30) days of the time any information previously filed with the board has changed, is no longer true or valid, or has been revised for any reason. If, in its judgment, the information contained on the application and renewal form is satisfactory and complete, the board, with the assistance of the department, will issue a certificate of authorization for the firm to practice engineering in this state.

(3) No firm that has been granted a certificate of authorization by the board shall be relieved of responsibility for modification or derivation of the certificate, unless the board has issued for the applicant a certificate of authorization or a letter indicating the eligibility of the applicant to receive the certificate. The firm applying shall supply the certificate or letter from the board with its application for incorporation, organization, or registration as a foreign corporation.

(c) Any party aggrieved by the board’s decision regarding license issuance or renewal may, within ten (10) days of the decision, appeal the matter to the director by submitting a written request for a formal hearing in accordance with the provisions of § 5-8-18.