Providing for statewide electrician licensing by the state fire marshal.

As Amended by Senate Committee
{As Amended by House Committee of the Whole}
As Amended by House Committee
Session of 2026
HOUSE BILL No. 2588
By Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development
Requested by Representative Willcott
1-28
AN ACT concerning occupational licensing; relating to statewide licensure
of electricians; providing for such licensing of electricians by the board
of technical professions state fire marshal; enacting the electrician
licensing act ; amending K.S.A. 12-1526 and 12-1527, 74-7003, 74-
7004, 74-7005, 74-7035 and 74-7040 and repealing the existing
sections; also repealing K.S.A. 12-1525 and 12-1526.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
New Section 1. The provisions of sections 1 through 12, and
amendments thereto, as contained in this act shall be known and may
be cited as the electrician licensing act.
New Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Act" means the electrician licensing act.
(b) "Board" means the electrician licensing advisory board.
(c) "Electrician," generally, or "master electrician,"
"journeyman electrician" or "residential electrician," specifically,
means a person who is qualified to engage in the practice of a master
electrician, journeyman electrician or residential electrician,
respectively, and licensed by the state fire marshal to practice such
respective profession and perform electrical work.
(d) "Electrical work" or "practice as an electrician" means
providing, offering to provide or representing oneself as able to
provide professional electrician services as a master electrician,
journeyman electrician or residential electrician.
(e) "Licensee" means a master electrician, journeyman
electrician or residential electrician who is licensed pursuant to this
act.
(f) "Person" means a natural person or business entity.
New Section 1. New Sec. 3. On and after July 1, 2027, standard
examinations for the determination of competency of electrical
contractors, master electricians, journeyman electricians and residential
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 2
electricians, as promulgated or administered, or both, by the international
code council, the international association of plumbing and mechanical
officials or prometric, a subsidiary of educational testing services in effect
on July 1, 2008, are hereby designated as the standard examinations to be
administered by the board of technical professions state fire marshal for
determining the qualification of persons seeking licensure from the board
state fire marshal as electrical contractors, master electricians,
journeyman electricians and residential electricians. The board state fire
marshal shall administer such examinations or may designate any city or
county to administer such examinations as directed by the board state fire
marshal.
New Sec. 2. 4. (a) On and after July 1, 2027, any city or county may
conduct examinations designated by section 1, and amendments thereto, if
and as directed by the board of technical professions state fire marshal ,
for the purpose of determining the competency of applicants for licensure
as electrical contractors or master, journeyman or residential electricians
and shall not be allowed to ask further questions not designated by the
board state fire marshal on such examination. The board state fire
marshal shall adopt rules and regulations:
(1) Governing the conduct and grading of such examinations;
(2) prescribing a minimum score for passage of examinations that
shall not be less than 75%;
(3) fixing a uniform fee to be charged all applicants taking each such
examination;
(4) requiring all persons receiving such license to obtain not less than
12 hours biennially or six hours annually of continuing education
approved by the board. Not less than six hours biennially or three hours
annually shall consist of code education. Continuing education may be
provided by the local governing body, a nationally recognized trade
association, community college, technical school, technical college or
other provider approved by the board state fire marshal . All hours of
education shall consist of training related to construction, maintenance and
code update training. The board state fire marshal shall not impose any
restriction on the number of providers of such continuing education; and
(5) defining the scope of practice for electrical contractors and
master, journeyman or residential electricians; and
(6) encouraging and facilitating entry into the profession of
electrician through guidelines for safely obtaining experience through
apprenticeships under the direct supervision of licensed master,
journeyman or residential electricians.
(b) The board state fire marshal shall issue the appropriate license to
any applicant who successfully passes an examination designated by
section 1, and amendments thereto, and who demonstrates that such
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 3
applicant has met the experience requirements specified in subsections (e)
{(h)} and (f) {(i)}. The board state fire marshal shall fix a uniform fee to
be charged to all such applicants for such licensure.
(c) All new licenses issued by the board state fire marshal shall bear
a distinctive notation identifying the testing agency and the specific test by
name. The board state fire marshal may review licenses upon the basis of
completed continuing education as provided by subsection (a)(4). All
licenses renewed upon the basis of completed continuing education as
provided by subsection (a) shall bear a distinctive notation to verify such
completion. All such licenses shall be valid in any county or city.
(d) No person who was certified or licensed prior to July 1, 1989,
upon the basis of passing of a standard examination designated as such
under the provisions of article 15 of chapter 12 of the Kansas Statutes
Annotated, and amendments thereto, and whose certificate or license was
issued by a political subdivision that prescribed a minimum score of not
less than 70% for passing such examination, shall be required to be
reexamined for renewal of licensure, nor shall any person be required to
be examined who, on or before July 1, 2027, provides to the state fire
marshal documented proof of a minimum of 8,000 hours of field
experience as defined in subsection (h) or documented proof of
completion of a registered apprenticeship program approved by the
United States department of labor.
(e) Any person licensed to practice in this state as a master
electrician, journeyman electrician or residential electrician on July 1,
2026, in any city or county in this state shall thereafter continue to
possess the same rights and privileges with respect to such practice in
every city or county within this state without being required to obtain
a new license under the provisions of this act, subject to the power of
the state fire marshal to suspend or revoke such license or require
such person to renew such license on and after July 1, 2027, as
provided by this act. Renewals of such license may require completion
of education or training requirements as specified by the state fire
marshal but shall not require any examination.
(f) Any person licensed by a city or county as a master electrician,
journeyman electrician or residential electrician after July 1, 2026,
and before July 1, 2027, shall possess the same rights and privileges
with respect to such license in every city or county within this state.
Such license shall be subject to the provisions of this act on and after
July 1, 2027.
(g) Before issuing a residential license, the state fire marshal shall
verify the validity of the applicant's documented proof of trade-
related schooling. Schooling shall consist of a minimum of 930 at least
432 program hours of trade-related instruction, documented by a
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certificate of completion from a state-certified or federally certified
electrical trade school program, including a registered apprenticeship
program, as defined in K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 74-50,230, and amendments
thereto.
(e)(h) Before issuing a journeyman or residential license, the board
state fire marshal shall verify the validity of the applicant's documented
proof of a minimum of two years 8,000 hours of field experience. "Field
experience" means working under the direct supervision of a person
having a valid journeyman license , residential license or master license or
attending trade related trade-related schooling. Not more than one year of
Such requirement may not be satisfied by trade-related schooling.
Schooling shall consist of a minimum of 930 at least 432 program hours
of trade-related instruction, documented by a certificate of completion
from a state-certified or federally certified electrical trade school
program, including a registered apprenticeship program, as defined in
K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 74-50,230, and amendments thereto.
(f)(i) Before issuing a master license, the board state fire marshal
shall verify the validity of the applicant's documented proof of having a
valid journeyman license for a minimum of two years.
New Sec. 5. (a) There is hereby established the electrical licensing
advisory board within the office of the state fire marshal. The
electrical licensing advisory board shall consist of the following six
members who shall be residents of this state:
(1) One member to be appointed by the governor;
(2) two members to be appointed by the president of the senate;
(3) two members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives; and
(4) one member to be appointed by the state fire marshal or the
state fire marshal's designee who shall serve as an ex officio member
of the board.
(c) Each member of the board appointed under subsections (a)(1)
through (3) shall serve a term of three years or until a successor is
appointed and qualified. Whenever a vacancy occurs, a successor shall
be appointed in accordance with subsection (a). The members of the
board shall elect one of the members to serve as chairperson. In
selecting appointees, the appointing authority shall consider the
experience and training of the appointee in the profession of
electrician.
(d) On and after July 1, 2027, under the direction of the state fire
marshal, the board shall oversee the administration of the statewide
electrician licensing program. The board shall advise the state fire
marshal regarding the statewide licensing of electricians and make
recommendations to the state fire marshal regarding administrative
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 5
procedures or statutory changes necessary to implement and enforce
such licensing and to facilitate the growth and development of the
profession of electrician, including, but not limited to, furthering the
recognition of such Kansas licenses in other states, development of
apprenticeship programs and development of licensure standards for
education, experience and testing. The board shall consult with
stakeholders within the profession in executing its duties. The board
shall annually review any rules and regulations adopted by the state
fire marshal pertaining to the licensing of electricians.
(e) The members of the board shall serve without compensation.
Members who are not state officers or employees and attending
meetings of such board or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof
authorized by such board, shall be paid amounts provided in K.S.A.
75-3223(e), and amendments thereto.
(f) The board shall meet at least four times each year at a time
and place to be fixed by the state fire marshal and at such other times
as the state fire marshal deems necessary for the transaction of such
business as may come properly before the board. The state fire
marshal shall arrange for meeting space and provide administrative
support to the board.
New Sec. 6. (a) On and after July 1, 2027, electrical contractors
shall submit proof to the state fire marshal of a current insurance
policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in
this state that provides general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000
for injury or death of any number of persons in any one occurrence,
with coverage of at least $500,000 for property damage in any one
occurrence and proof of workers compensation insurance coverage as
required by Kansas law.
(b) Proof of such policies shall be delivered to the state fire
marshal with the application for a license, as required and designated
by the state fire marshal. A licensee shall provide the state fire marshal
of notice of any material alteration or cancellation of any policy at
least 10 days prior to the effective date of such change in the policy.
New Sec. 7. (a) On and after July 1, 2027, an application for a
license may be denied, a license may be suspended or revoked or civil
penalties may be assessed by the state fire marshal upon a finding that
one or more of the following have been committed by a person,
applicant or licensee:
(1) Any willfully false statement or willful omission as to a
material matter made in the process of securing a license or renewal of
a license. A material matter is a fact relevant to a question or line of
inquiry in the applicable application form or in additional inquiry of
the applicant by the state fire marshal that, if made known to the state
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 6
fire marshal, could constitute a basis for a denial of the application
under this act or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto;
(2) fraud, misrepresentation or bribery in securing a license;
(3) failure to maintain any requirement or to notify the state fire
marshal of any material alteration or change relating to any
requirement that is necessary to obtain or renew a license that is in
nature a continuing requirement, including, but not limited to,
insurance requirements;
(4) failure to have immediate personal possession of the licensee's
valid electrical license while performing electrical work;
(5) performing electrical work for which a permit is required
without obtaining an electrical permit;
(6) knowingly performing electrical work that is not in
compliance with building, electrical, fire prevention and other
applicable codes adopted by the state fire marshal or cities and
counties;
(7) intentionally charging a customer for work not performed or
parts not provided;
(8) knowingly allowing a hazardous situation to remain so that
the public is unduly exposed to risk of injury;
(9) impersonating another licensee or knowingly allowing the use
of the licensee's license by an unlicensed person;
(10) engaging in conduct intended to defraud or deceive the
public;
(11) chronic or persistent abuse of alcohol or prescription or
nonprescription drugs such that continued performance of electrical
work is dangerous to clients or the public;
(12) having a physical or mental disability or other condition such
that continued performance of electrical work is dangerous to clients
or to the public; and
(13) having a license, certificate, registration or other official
authorization to perform electrical work denied, limited, suspended,
probated or revoked in another jurisdiction on grounds sufficient to
cause an electrical license to be denied, limited, suspended, probated
or revoked in this state.
(b) A license may be suspended or revoked upon a finding by the
state fire marshal that facts and circumstances exist that require
suspension or revocation of the license to protect the safety of the
public, including, but not limited to, facts and circumstances going to
the competence, ability or fitness of the licensee to safely conduct the
work or activities permitted by the license in a manner that does not
risk the safety or well-being of coworkers, employees or the public.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by this act, no license shall be
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 7
suspended or revoked, nor shall any civil penalty be assessed, until
after a written order issued by the state fire marshal has been served
to the licensee who committed the violation. Such order shall state the
violation, the penalty to be imposed and the right of the person to
request a hearing as provided in the Kansas administrative procedure
act. The state fire marshal may issue emergency orders, including, but
not limited to, immediate suspensions or revocations of a license, as
provided by the Kansas administrative procedure act.
New Sec. 8. (a) On and after July 1, 2027, in addition to any other
penalty provided by law, the state fire marshal, upon a finding that
any licensee has violated, knowingly permitted a violation or
negligently failed to detect, report or correct a violation of any
provision of this act or rules and regulations adopted pursuant
thereto, is authorized to impose a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 per
violation. Such civil penalty shall constitute an actual and substantial
economic deterrent to the violation for which the penalty is assessed.
(b) No civil penalty shall be imposed except upon the written
order of the state fire marshal to the person who committed the
violation. Such order shall state the violation, the penalty to be
imposed and the right of the person to request a hearing as provided
in the Kansas administrative procedures act.
(c) All fines assessed and collected under this section shall be
remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of
K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such
remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the
state treasury to the credit of the state general fund.
New Sec. 9. (a) Any individual, sole proprietor, firm, partnership,
association or corporation aggrieved by an order issued by the state
fire marshal pursuant to the provisions of this act may request a
hearing on such order within 15 days from the date of the service of
such order by filing such request in writing with the state fire marshal.
Such hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of
the Kansas administrative procedure act. The filing of a request for a
hearing shall not abate or operate as a stay of the effect of an
emergency order or an order to cease and desist or a stop work order
unless otherwise stated in such order.
(b) Except as otherwise provided, all administrative proceedings
by the state fire marshal under this act shall be conducted in
accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative
procedure act.
(c) Judicial review and civil enforcement of agency actions under
this act shall be in accordance with the Kansas judicial review act.
New Sec. 10. (a) On and after July 1, 2027, the state fire marshal
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 8
shall be responsible for receiving and monitoring the disposition of
complaints received concerning the professional conduct,
qualifications and quality of work performed by persons and
licensees. The state fire marshal may require an investigation of a
complaint, in accordance with this section, concerning a person or
licensee who is alleged to have violated this act or any rules or
regulations adopted by the state fire marshal.
(b) For the purpose of facilitating the handling of complaints, the
state fire marshal shall devise simple, standard complaint forms
designed to supply the information necessary to properly investigate
complaints. The complainant shall produce a complaint in writing
before any formal action shall be taken on the complaint. The receipt
of the forms shall be acknowledged on behalf of the state fire marshal,
and the complainant shall be advised in writing of the final disposition
of the complaint.
(c) Such complaint, notice and any records relating to the
complaint shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed by the state
fire marshal unless ordered to be disclosed by a court of competent
jurisdiction. However, the state fire marshal may present the results
of any investigation of a complaint against a person or licensee to the
electrician licensure advisory board, omitting names and other
personal identifying information, to receive their feedback on
potential disciplinary measures.
(d) Upon receipt of a written complaint, the state fire marshal
may:
(1) Assign a complaint specially for investigation; or
(2) take such other action on the complaint as appears to the state
fire marshal to be warranted in the circumstances.
(e) Nothing in this section supersedes the state fire marshal's
statutory power to issue, suspend, revoke or renew licenses.
New Sec. 11. (a) Military personnel who have been called to
federally funded active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of
serving in a war, emergency or contingency and who hold an
electrician license issued by the state fire marshal shall be exempt
from the requirement to submit a license renewal application,
payment of any license renewal fees and from any continuing
education requirements of the state fire marshal that falls within the
period of service or within the six months following the completion of
service in the war, emergency or contingency.
(b) The state fire marshal may accept, from a person with
authority to practice, continuing education, training or service
completed as a member of the armed forces or reserves of the United
States, the national guard of any state, the military reserves of any
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 9
state or the naval militia of any state toward the educational
qualifications to renew the person's authority to practice.
New Sec. 12. The electrician fee fund is hereby established in the
state treasury and shall be administered by the state fire marshal. The
state fire marshal shall remit all moneys received from fees, charges or
penalties assessed in accordance with this act to the state treasurer in
accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments
thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall
deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the
electrician fee fund. All expenditures from the electrician fee fund
shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of
the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers
approved by the state fire marshal or the state fire marshal's designee.
Sec. 13. K.S.A. 12-1526 is hereby amended to read as follows: 12-
1526. (a) Any county or city requiring the licensure of electricians
practicing within the county or city may conduct examinations
designated by K.S.A. 12-1525, and amendments thereto, for the
purpose of determining the competency of applicants for such
licensure and shall not be allowed to ask further questions not
designated on such examination. The board of county commissioners
of such county or the governing body of such city shall adopt rules and
regulations: (1) Governing the conduct and grading of such
examinations; (2) prescribing a minimum score of 75% for passage of
examinations; (3) fixing a uniform fee to be charged all applicants
taking each such examination; and (4) requiring all persons receiving
such license to obtain not less than 12 hours biennially or six hours
annually of continuing education approved by such local governing
body. Not less than six hours biennially or three hours annually shall
consist of code education. Continuing education may be provided by
the local governing body, a nationally recognized trade association,
community college, technical school, technical college or other
provider approved by the local governing body. All hours of education
shall consist of training relative to construction, maintenance and code
update training. Neither the county commission nor the governing
body of such city shall impose any restriction on the number of
providers of such continuing education.
(b) The certificate of competency received by any person who
completes the experience requirements specified in subsections (e) and
(f) and who successfully passes an examination designated by K.S.A.
12-1525, and amendments thereto, shall be valid proof of competency
for licensure, without additional examination, in any county or city of
the state which requires licensure of electricians practicing within
such county or city. The county or city shall issue the appropriate
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 10
certificate to any such applicant therefor who presents such a
certificate of competency and who demonstrates that such applicant
has met the experience requirements specified in subsections (e) and
(f). The county or city shall fix a uniform fee to be charged all such
applicants for licensure.
(c) All new licenses issued by a county or city upon the basis of
successful passage of an examination designated by K.S.A. 12-1525,
and amendments thereto, shall bear a distinctive notation identifying
the testing agency and the specific test by name. All licenses renewed
upon the basis of completed continuing education as provided by
subsection (a) shall bear a distinctive notation to verify such
completion. All such licenses shall be valid in any other county or city
which requires examination and licensure of electricians for practice
in such county or city.
(d) No person who was certified or licensed prior to July 1, 1989,
upon the basis of passage of a standard examination designated as
such under the provisions of article 15 of chapter 12 of the Kansas
Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, and whose certificate or
license was issued by a political subdivision which prescribed a
minimum score of not less than 70% for passage of such examination,
shall be required to be reexamined for renewal of certification or
licensure.
(e) Before issuing a journeyman or residential certificate, the
issuing jurisdiction shall verify the validity of the applicant's
documented proof of a minimum of two years field experience. "Field
experience" means working under the direct supervision of a person
having a valid journeyman certificate, residential certificate or master
certificate or attending trade related trade-related schooling. No more
than one year of The requirement may not be satisfied by trade related
trade-related schooling. Schooling shall consist of a minimum of 930 at
least 432 program hours of trade-related instruction, documented by a
certificate of completion from a state-certified or federally certified
electrical trade school program, including a registered apprenticeship
program, as defined in K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 74-50,230, and amendments
thereto.
(f) Before issuing a master certificate, the issuing jurisdiction
shall verify the validity of the applicant's documented proof of having
a valid journeyman certificate for a minimum of two years.
(g) No city or county shall issue any license pursuant to this section
on and after July 1, 2027.
(h) Licenses issued by a city or county pursuant to this section prior
to July 1, 2027, shall be effective for practice in every city or county in
this state.
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 11
Sec. 3. 14. K.S.A. 12-1527 is hereby amended to read as follows: 12-
1527. (a) On and after July 1, 2027, for any city or county that
requires a certification or license for practice as a master, journeyman
or residential electrician, no person shall practice as an electrical
contractor, a master, journeyman or residential electrician within the state
of Kansas any such jurisdiction unless licensed by the board of technical
professions state fire marshal pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 7001,
et seq., and amendments thereto the electrician licensing act. Such
license shall authorize practice within the scope of such license in every
city or county within this state that requires licensure or certification .
No city or county shall require any additional licensure requirements or
fees, nor provide for any alternative licensure or certification.
(b) Within their such city's or county's respective jurisdictions and
subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 12-1526 12-1527 and 74-7001 et seq.
the electrician licensing act , and amendments thereto, any city or county
may:
(a) Utilize examinations other than those designated by K.S.A. 12-
1525, and amendments thereto, for the examination of electricians for
licensure to practice only within the jurisdiction of such city or county;
(b)(1) Adopt and enforce such electrical codes, standards and
regulations as the board of county commissioners or governing body of the
city deem appropriate; and
(c)(2) conduct such inspections and fix such reasonable fees therefor
as the board of county commissioners or governing body of the city may
prescribe.
Except when authorized by reciprocal agreement between the political
subdivisions involved, licenses granted upon the basis of examinations
other than those designated by K.S.A. 12-1525, and amendments thereto,
shall not authorize an electrician to practice outside of the jurisdiction of
the city or county granting such license.
Sec. 4. K.S.A. 74-7003 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
7003. As used in K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments thereto:
(a) "Agricultural building" means any structure designed and
constructed to house hay, grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural
products, or for farm storage of farming implements. Such structure shall
not be a place for human habitation or a place of employment where
agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged, nor shall it be a
building or structure for use by the public.
(b) "Architect" means a person who is qualified to engage in the
practice of architecture and who is licensed by the board to practice
architecture as provided in K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments
thereto.
(c) (1) "Architecture" or "practice of architecture" means providing,
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offering to provide or holding oneself out as able to provide professional
architectural services or performing creative work which requires
architectural education, training and experience as may be required in
connection with the design and construction, restoration, enlargement or
alteration of non-exempt public or private buildings intended for human
habitation, occupancy or use, and the spaces within and the site
surrounding such buildings.
(2) Professional architectural services include the following:
Common technical services, as defined in subsection (g); pre-design and
schematic design; programming; planning; preparing or providing
architectural designs, drawings, specifications and other technical
submissions; the design of items relating to building code requirements, as
such items pertain to architecture; and the preparation of any architectural
design features that are required on legal documents and those other
professional architectural services as may be necessary for the rendering of
services which that have the purpose of protecting the health, safety,
property and welfare of the public.
(3) The term "Architecture" or "practice of architecture" shall does
not include those services specifically identified in the definition of
"landscape architecture," "professional engineering," "professional
geology" and "professional surveying" except for those services which
that are included in the term "common technical services," as defined in
subsection (g).
(d) "Board" means the state board of technical professions.
(e) "Building" means any permanent structure which is enclosed or
partially enclosed that provides shelter for human habitation.
(f) "Business entity" means a general corporation, professional
corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership,
corporate partnership or other legal entity created by law.
(g) "Common technical services" means those services which may be
offered or performed by any licensee, are performed within the licensee's
defined scope of practice and are further described as follows:
(1) Representation of clients in connection with contracts entered into
between clients and others;
(2) coordination of elements of technical submissions prepared by the
licensee's consultants;
(3) administration of contracts for construction;
(4) observation of construction for general conformance with
requirements of approved construction documents or technical
submissions prepared by a licensee;
(5) performing acts of consultation and technical investigation;
(6) providing expert technical testimony or testimony evaluation;
(7) performing technical evaluations and research;
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(8) teaching in a college or university offering an accredited technical
professional curriculum recognized by the board;
(9) providing responsible supervision of these services, insofar as
such services involve safeguarding the health, safety, property and welfare
of the public; and
(10) preparing and providing drawings, specifications and other
technical submissions.
(h) "Construction administration" means the provision of technical
professional services during construction by licensees, or persons under
the licensee's responsible supervision, which act to confirm substantial
compliance with the requirements and provisions of applicable technical
documents prepared by the licensee or under the licensee's responsible
supervision. Such technical professional services include, but are not
limited to: Assisting with bidding or negotiation processes; reviewing and
acting upon shop drawings and other submittals; providing clarification or
interpretation of the licensee's technical documents; evaluating general
progress of construction; observing or evaluating completed construction;
and assisting the client in matters related to the licensee's technical
professional expertise. Construction administration services do not include
management of, or responsibility for, the contractor's construction
activities, means or methods.
(i) "Electrician," generally, or "electrical contractor," "master
electrician," "journeyman electrician" or "residential electrician,"
specifically, means a person who is qualified to engage in the practice of
an electrical contractor, master electrician, journeyman electrician or
residential electrician, respectively, and licensed by the board to practice
such respective profession and perform the respective electrical work as
provided in K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments thereto.
(j) "Electrical work" or "practice as an electrician" means providing,
offering to provide or representing oneself as able to provide professional
electrician services as an electrical contractor, master electrician,
journeyman electrician or residential electrician.
(k) "Government client" means any state, county or municipal
governmental entity, including, but not limited to, any department, agency,
authority, planning district, board, commission, office or institution
thereof, and any school district, college, university and any individual
acting under authority to represent any such governmental entity.
(j)(l) "Landscape architect" means a person who is qualified to
engage in the practice of landscape architecture and who is licensed by the
board to practice landscape architecture as provided in K.S.A. 74-7001 et
seq., and amendments thereto.
(k)(m) (1) "Landscape architecture" or "practice of landscape
architecture" means performing professional landscape architectural
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 14
services, including the following: Common technical services, as defined
in subsection (g); consultation, planning, designing or responsible
supervision in connection with the development of land areas for
preservation and enhancement; the development of sustainable designs and
technology; preparation, review and analysis of master plans for land use
and development; production of overall site development and land
enhancement plans, grading and drainage plans, irrigation plans, planting
plans and construction details; specifications, cost analysis and reports for
land development; and the designing of land forms and non-habitable
structures for aesthetic and functional purposes, such as pools, walls and
structures for outdoor living spaces, for public and private use. The
practice of landscape architecture also encompasses the determination of
proper land use as it pertains to: Natural features; ground cover, use,
nomenclature and arrangement of plant material adapted to soils and
climate; naturalistic and aesthetic values; settings and approaches to
structures and other improvements; soil conservation; erosion control; and
the development of outdoor space in accordance with ideals of human use
and enjoyment.
(2) The term "Landscape architecture" or "practice of landscape
architecture" shall does not include those services specifically identified in
the definition of "architecture," "professional engineering," "professional
geology" and "professional surveying" except for those services which
that are included in the term "common technical services," as defined in
subsection (g).
(l)(n) "License" means a license to practice the technical professions
granted under K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments thereto.
(m)(o) "Person" means a natural person or business entity.
(n)(p) "Principal" means a person who serves in a business entity as
an officer, member of a board of directors, member of a limited liability
company or partner.
(o)(q) "Professional engineer" means a person who is qualified to
engage in the practice of engineering and who is licensed by the board to
practice engineering as provided in K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and
amendments thereto.
(p)(r) (1) "Professional engineering" or "practice of engineering"
means providing, offering to provide, or holding oneself out as able to
provide professional engineering services, the adequate performance of
which requires engineering education, training and experience in the
application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and
engineering sciences, including the following: Common technical services,
as defined in subsection (g); consulting, investigating, evaluating, planning
and designing of engineering works and systems; producing engineering
surveys and studies; and preparing any engineering design features which
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 15
embrace such service or work, either public or private, for any utilities,
structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, work systems,
projects and industrial or consumer products or equipment of a
mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or thermal nature, insofar as
they involve safeguarding the health, safety, property or welfare of the
public.
(2) As used in this subsection, the term "engineering surveys"
includes all survey activities required to support the sound conception,
planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of engineered
projects, but excludes the surveying of real property for the establishment
of land boundaries, rights-of-way, easements and the dependent or
independent surveys or resurveys of the public land survey system.
(3) The term "Professional engineering" or "practice of professional
engineering" shall does not include those services specifically identified in
the definition of "architecture," "landscape architecture," "professional
geology" and "professional surveying" except for those services which
that are included in the term "common technical services," as defined in
subsection (g).
(q)(s) "Professional geologist" means a person who is qualified to
engage in the practice of geology and who is licensed by the board to
practice geology as provided in K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments
thereto.
(r)(t) (1) "Professional geology" or "practice of professional geology"
means the performing of professional geology services, including the
following: Common technical services, as defined in subsection (g);
planning or mapping, providing observation, or the responsible
supervision thereof, in connection with the treatment of the earth and its
origin and history, in general; the investigation of the earth's constituent
rocks, minerals, solids, fluids, including surface and underground waters,
gases and other materials; and the study of the natural agents, forces and
processes which cause changes in the earth.
(2) The term "Professional geology" or "practice of professional
geology" shall does not include those services specifically identified in the
definition of "architecture," "landscape architecture," "professional
engineering" and "professional surveying" except for those services which
that are included in the term "common technical services," as defined in
subsection (g).
(s)(u) "Professional surveyor" means any person who is engaged in
the practice of surveying and who is licensed by the board to practice
surveying as provided in K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments thereto.
(t)(v) (1) "Professional surveying" or "practice of professional
surveying" means providing, or offering to provide, professional surveying
services, including the following: Common technical services, as defined
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 16
in subsection (g); using such sciences as mathematics, geodesy and
photogrammetry; and involving the making of geometric measurements
and gathering related information pertaining to the physical or legal
features of the earth, improvements on the earth, the space above, on or
below the earth and providing, utilizing or developing the same into
survey products such as graphics, data, maps, plans, reports, descriptions
or projects. "Professional surveying services" also include includes
planning, mapping, assembling and interpreting gathered measurements
and information related to any one or more of the following:
(A) Determining by measurement the configuration or contour of the
earth's surface or the position of fixed objects thereon;
(B) determining by performing geodetic surveys the size and shape of
the earth or the position of any point on the earth;
(C) locating, relocating, establishing, re-establishing or retracing
property lines or boundaries of any tract of land, road, right-of-way or
easement;
(D) preparing the original descriptions of real property for the
conveyance of or recording thereof and the preparation of graphics, data,
maps, plans, reports, land subdivision plats, descriptions and projects that
represent these surveys;
(E) determining, by the use of principles of surveying, the position
for any survey monument, whether boundary or non-boundary, or
reference point and establishing or replacing any such monument or
reference point;
(F) making any survey for the division, subdivision or consolidation
of any tract of land;
(G) locating or laying out alignments, positions or elevations where
such work is part of the construction of engineering or architectural works;
and
(H) creating, preparing or modifying electronic, computerized or
other data relative to performance of the activities set forth in
subparagraphs (A) through (G).
(2) The term "Professional surveying" or "practice of professional
surveying" shall does not include those services specifically identified in
the definition of "architecture," "landscape architecture," "professional
engineering" and "professional geology" except for those services which
that are included in the term "common technical services," as defined in
subsection (g).
(u)(w) "Responsible charge" means the application of personal
supervision and professional judgment, and the incorporation of detailed
knowledge with respect to the content of a technical submission by a
licensee when applying the normal standard of care for the work that such
licensee is licensed to perform.
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 17
(v)(x) "Standard of care" means the duty to exercise the degree of
learning and skill ordinarily possessed by a reputable licensee practicing in
Kansas in the same or similar locality and under similar circumstances.
(w)(y) "Technical professions" includes the professions of
architecture, landscape architecture, professional engineering, professional
geology and professional surveying as the practice of such professions are
defined in K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments thereto.
Sec. 5. K.S.A. 74-7004 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
7004. (a) For the purpose of administering the provisions of this act and in
order to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity, skills and
practice in the technical professions and to safeguard the health, safety,
property and welfare of the public, the governor shall appoint a state board
of technical professions consisting of 13 members. At least 30 days prior
to the expiration of any term other than that of a member appointed from
the general public, professional societies and associations which that are
respectively representative of each branch of the technical professions may
submit to the governor a list of three or more names of persons of
recognized ability who have the qualifications prescribed for board
members for appointment from that such branch of the technical
professions. The governor shall consider the such list of persons in making
the appointment to the board. In case of a vacancy in the membership of
the board, other than that of a member appointed from the general public,
for any reason other than the expiration of a term of office, the governor
shall appoint a qualified successor to fill the unexpired term. In making the
appointment, the governor shall give consideration to the list of persons
last submitted.
(b) Within 30 days of July 1, 2026, professional societies and
associations that are representative of electrical contractors or master,
journeyman or residential electricians may submit to the governor a list of
six or more names of persons of recognized ability who have the
qualifications prescribed for such board members for appointment. The
governor shall consider such list of persons in making appointments to the
board to fulfill the two board memberships of persons engaged in practice
as electricians as provided by K.S.A. 74-7005, and amendments thereto.
Following the first appointments, such members shall be appointed
pursuant to to the provisions of K.S.A. 74-7001, et seq., and amendments
thereto.
Sec. 6. K.S.A. 74-7005 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
7005. (a) Membership of the board shall be as follows:
(1) Four members shall have been engaged in the practice of
engineering for at least eight years, which practice shall include
responsible charge of engineering work, and shall be Kansas licensed
professional engineers. At least one of such members shall be engaged in
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 18
private practice as an engineer. At least one of such members may also be
licensed as a Kansas professional surveyor, as well as a Kansas licensed
professional engineer.
(2) Two members shall have been engaged in the practice of
surveying for at least eight years, which practice shall include responsible
charge of surveying work, and shall be Kansas licensed professional
surveyors.
(3) Three members shall have been engaged in the practice of
architecture for at least eight years, which practice shall include
responsible charge of architectural work, and shall be Kansas licensed
architects.
(4) One member shall have been engaged in the practice of landscape
architecture for at least eight years, which practice shall include
responsible charge of landscape architectural work, and shall be a Kansas
licensed landscape architect.
(5) One member shall have been engaged in the practice of geology
for at least eight years, which practice shall include responsible charge of
geology work, and shall be a Kansas licensed professional geologist.
(6) Two members shall be from the general public of this state.
(7) Two members shall have been engaged in practice as electricians
for at least eight years, which practice shall include responsible charge of
electrician work, and shall be Kansas licensed electricians.
(b) Each member of the board shall be a citizen of the United States
and a resident of this state.
(c) Any amendments to this section shall not be applicable to any
member of the board who was appointed to the board and qualified for
such appointment under this section prior to the effective date of such
enactment.
Sec. 7. K.S.A. 74-7035 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
7035. The provisions of K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments thereto,
shall not apply to:
(a) The work of an employee, consultant or a subordinate of a person
holding a license under K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and amendments thereto, if
such work does not include final designs or decisions, responsible charge
of design and is done under the direct responsibility and supervision of a
person practicing lawfully a technical profession or, except as otherwise
provided pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 74-7001 et seq., and
amendments thereto, work of an apprentice of a licensed journeyman,
master or residential electrician, if such work is done under the direct
responsibility and supervision of a licensed journeyman, master or
residential electrician;
(b) the work of any person who is exclusively and regularly
employed by a single employer, provided if , such employer is not an
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HB 2588—Am. by SC 19
engineering, architectural, surveying, landscape architectural or , geology
firm, or electrical contractor and is not primarily engaged in the business
of conveying an interest in real property, and also provided, such work is
performed under an employer-employee relationship, and making surveys
of land and determinations of physical property rights is performed solely
in connection with the affairs of such employer or its subsidiaries and
affiliates and solely for the uses, purposes and benefit of such employer,
subsidiaries and affiliates; or
(c) a plumbing contractor, master plumber or journeyman plumber
licensed under the provisions of K.S.A. 12-1508 et seq., and amendments
thereto, while performing the work that such plumber is authorized to
perform pursuant to such license; or.
(d) an electrical contractor, master electrician, journeyman electrician
or residential electrician licensed under the provisions of K.S.A. 12-1525
et seq., and amendments thereto, while performing the work such
electrician is authorized to perform pursuant to such license.
(e) For purposes of this act, public officers and employees who,
within the scope of their employment and in the discharge of their public
duties, provide information pertinent to or review the sufficiency of
technical submissions, or who inspect property or buildings for
compliance with requirements safeguarding life, health or property, are not
engaged in the practice of the technical professions.
Sec. 8. K.S.A. 74-7040 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
7040. Any person licensed to practice the technical professions in the state
of Kansas at the time that this act takes effect or any person licensed to
practice as an electrical contractor, master electrician, journeyman
electrician or residential electrician on July 1, 2026, shall thereafter
continue to possess the same rights and privileges with respect to the
practice of the technical profession for which such person is licensed, in
accordance with the current definition of the practice of such technical
profession, without being required to obtain a new license under the
provisions of this act, subject to the power of the board as provided in this
act to suspend or revoke the license of any such person for any of the
causes set forth in K.S.A. 74-7026, and amendments thereto, and subject
to the power of the board to require any such person to renew such license
as provided in K.S.A. 74-7025, and amendments thereto.
Sec. 9. 15. K.S.A. 12-1525, 12-1526 , and 12-1527 , 74-7003, 74-
7004, 74-7005, 74-7035 and 74-7040 are hereby repealed.
Sec. 10. 16. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after
its publication in the statute book.
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