Lessons Learned from the Utah Experience:Suggestions for Implementing a Structural License and Practice Act in Your State

摘要

Wading through the mechanics of writing a bill and getting support for structural licensing and practice acts can appear to be an overwhelming, difficult, and time-consuming experience. Working through the political process can especially be a challenge if you are unfamiliar with the motivating factors and back-room negotiations that typically influence a legislative decision. However, a number of Structural Engineers Associations (SEAs) have successfully worked through the legislative process and effectively lobbied for structural licensing and practice acts. Learning from their experience will provide you with the essential background information that you need to ensure success as you move forward toward structural licensing and practice acts in your state. Because the specific methods of changing the licensing laws will vary from state to state, this session will focus on general topics that each state should have in common. Specifically, this session will include important information about establishing a firm foundation of support, emphasizing the reasons for a practice act, creating a vision that will motivate and inspire, developing strategies for success, presenting talking points that will have impact, and explaining why structural licensing and practice acts are essential. Additional topics will include understanding your legislators and actually writing the bill.