LoadPath PDH — PE/NICET supplemental PDH (not FHWA/NBIS refresher training).

Home › 1-PDH Bridge Catalog › BR-EL13

State Engineering LawOnline self-study

Texas Engineering Law and Ethics for Bridge Engineers

1 PDH · about 60 minutes · Course no. BR-EL13 · Instructor: Michael Craig, PE

About the instructor

Michael Craig, PE is Senior Vice President and Southeast Director at Strinteg Corporation, leading bridge inspection and structural engineering across eight states and Puerto Rico. In 27+ years he has inspected over 4,000 structures and completed 3,000+ load ratings and 160+ load tests. He has managed repair and preservation design for complex bridges, including cable-stayed bridges. He holds PE licenses in twelve states, DC and Puerto Rico, SPRAT Level 1, and FAA Part 107 credentials.

Texas bridge engineers practice under the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Occupations Code Chapter 1001) and TBPELS rules in 22 TAC Chapters 131–139, including §137.33 sealing procedures. This one-hour course covers licensure, sealing (standards, preliminary-release statements, multi-engineer work), direct supervision, firm registration, conduct, discipline and public-works liability (Tort Claims Act, certificate of merit, ten-year repose) with TxDOT bridge examples. Not legal advice.

⬇ Download study guide (PDF)

Learning objectives

  • Identify the Texas practice act, board rules and board
  • Apply Texas seal, signature and responsible-charge rules to bridge plans, load ratings, inspection reports and repairs
  • Explain firm authorization, conduct rules and discipline in Texas
  • Recognize public-works liability and repose rules affecting Texas bridge work

Outline

  1. Why engineering law matters on a Texas bridge
  2. How Texas's engineering law is organized
  3. Licensure: who must be licensed in Texas
  4. Seals and signatures under Texas law
  5. Sealing bridge documents: plans, ratings, inspections and repairs
  6. Responsible charge and supervision
  7. Firm registration and practicing through a company
  8. Conduct and ethics rules for Texas engineers
  9. Discipline: process, grounds and illustrative bridge cases
  10. Public works, procurement and liability
  11. Texas specifics to remember
  12. Worked bridge scenarios under Texas law
  13. A practice-act checklist for Texas bridge engineers
  14. Open the course (19 screens, 2 knowledge checks)
  15. Final quiz — 10 questions, 70% to pass

References

  1. Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov).
  2. 22 TAC Chapters 131–139, incl. §137.33 Sealing Procedures and §137.35 (sos.state.tx.us; pels.texas.gov).
  3. TBPELS Enforcement FAQs.
  4. Texas CPRC Chapter 101, Chapter 150, §16.008.
  5. 23 CFR Part 650 Subpart C, National Bridge Inspection Standards (eCFR, current).
  6. NCEES Model Law and Model Rules (ncees.org), for comparison.
  7. 23 U.S.C. 112 and 23 CFR Part 172 (qualifications-based selection).