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SB681

Regular Session

Relating to the term and renewal of an engineering or land surveying license or registration.

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS)

SB681
Moderate
Relating to the term and renewal of an engineering or land surveying license or registration.
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
TBPELS
Primary Author: Sen. Bryan Hughes
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: Contingent upon TBPELS administrative rollout. Current annual expiration dates remain in force until the Board issues new biennial invoices.
  • Agency Rulemaking: TBPELS is required to adopt implementing rules "as soon as practicable" after September 1, 2025. Anticipate a "regulatory gray zone" in Q4 2025 where the law is active but Board IT systems may still be processing annual cycles.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Reprogram compliance software and ERPs to accommodate biennial dates instead of annual triggers.
  • Audit all professional liability (E&O) insurance questionnaires to ensure licensure status reporting aligns with the new cycle; incorrect reporting can jeopardize coverage.
  • Instruct accounting to double the per-license budget allocation for the upcoming renewal cycle.
  • Monitor the *Texas Register* weekly starting September 2025 for TBPELS transition rules regarding the "staggered" implementation.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Review Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and sub-consultant contracts immediately. Remove representations requiring "annual" renewal of licensure to avoid technical breach of contract. Replace with language requiring vendors to "maintain valid licensure in accordance with TBPELS rules."

Hiring/Training

Adjust internal Continuing Education (CE) tracking systems. You must now track and verify 30 hours of CE over a two-year block rather than 15 hours annually. Implement policy to prevent staff from backloading 30 hours of training into the final month of the cycle.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Update proposal and bid qualification templates. Ensure RFP response teams possess updated license certificates reflecting the new two-year validity dates to avoid disqualification during client vetting. Retain CE documentation for the full biennial period plus the audit look-back period defined by the Board.

Fees & Costs

Adjust departmental budgets for FY 2026. While the annualized cost of licensure remains neutral, the cash flow requirement will double for the renewal month as you must pay for two years of licensure upfront.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Transition Stagger: The statute does not define if the Board will switch all licensees simultaneously or implement a staggered phase-in (renewing half for one year, half for two) to balance agency revenue. Watch your invoices closely during the first cycle.
  • CE Carry-Over: TBPELS must clarify how current CE carry-over rules apply to the new two-year block.
  • Fee Schedule: While a doubling of fees is anticipated, the specific fee structure has not yet been published by the Board.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Dec 19, 2024
Passed Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Passed House
May 22, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsOccupational RegulationOccupational Regulation--other Trades & ProfessionsEngineers & EngineeringProfessional Engineers & Land Surveyors, Texas Board of
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Bryan HughesRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsors

Rep. Dennis PaulRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Sen. Bryan Hughes

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Related by Topic

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB681

Q

What does Texas SB681 do?

SB681 mandates a structural shift from annual to biennial (two-year) renewal cycles for all Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and registered engineering/surveying firms in Texas. While this reduces administrative frequency, it doubles the upfront cash requirement for renewals and necessitates immediate updates to internal compliance tracking to prevent accidental licensure lapses. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Contingent upon TBPELS administrative rollout.

Q

Who authored SB681?

SB681 was authored by Texas Senator Bryan Hughes during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB681 signed into law?

SB681 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB681?

SB681 is enforced by Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS).

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB681?

The compliance urgency for SB681 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB681?

The cost impact of SB681 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB681 address?

SB681 addresses topics including occupational regulation, occupational regulation--other trades & professions, engineers & engineering and professional engineers & land surveyors, texas board of.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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