A professional land surveyor, having reached at least the age of 65 and having discontinued active practice as a land surveyor, may be eligible for retired status.
(1) Request for retired status. Upon approval of a request, the retired status becomes effective on the date provided by the licensee on the application, or when the licensee reaches the age of 65. The board will not provide refund of renewal fees if the application for "retired" status is made and granted before the date of expiration of the certificate of registration.
(2) A licensee on retired status may:
(a) Retain the board issued wall certificate of registration;
(b) Use the title professional land surveyor (PLS), provided that it is supplemented by the term retired, or the abbreviation "ret";
(c) Work as a land surveyor in a volunteer capacity, provided that the retired registrant does not create a land surveying document, and does not use their seal, except as provided for in (d) of this subsection;
(d) Provide experience verifications and references for persons seeking registration;
(e) Serve in an instructional capacity on land surveying topics;
(f) Provide services as a technical expert before a court, or in preparation for pending litigation, on matters directly related to land surveying work performed by the licensee;
(g) Serve in a function that supports the principles of registration and/or promotes the profession of land surveying, such as members of commissions, boards or committees;
(h) A professional land surveyor in retired status is not required to complete continuing professional development as provided in WAC 196-16-110. However, if a retired status land surveyor wishes to return to active status, the licensee will need to complete an additional 15 PDH during their first year of reactivated practice.
(3) A licensee on retired status must not:
(a) Perform any land surveying activity, as provided for in RCW 18.43.020, unless said activity is under the direct supervision of a licensed professional land surveyor with an active registration in Washington;
(b) Act as the designated land surveyor or land surveyor in responsible charge for a Washington land surveying corporation or Washington land surveying limited liability company;
(c) Apply their professional land surveyors seal, as provided for in RCW 18.43.070, to any plan, specification, plat or report, except as provided for in subsection (2)(d) of this section.
(4) Certificate of registration reinstatement. A retired licensee may resume active land surveying practice with payment of the current renewal fee.
(5) Exemptions. A licensee is not eligible for a retired registration if their license to practice is under board ordered sanction. This exemption exists until the sanctions have been lifted or satisfied by the board.