Can a Civil with a Lic above 33965 do Flood certificates in CA?

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PipeSetter
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Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:51 am

Can a Civil with a Lic above 33965 do Flood certificates in CA?

Post by PipeSetter »

Form 81-31 instructions are not clear on this.
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Ian Wilson
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Joined: Sat Aug 03, 2002 6:58 am
Location: Bay Area

Post by Ian Wilson »

Since FEMA Flood Certs usually do not require the establishment of parcel boundaries, in my opinion, post-'82 PEs are authorized to complete and sign 81-31s. (ref: PE Act §6731.1(a))

On the other hand, if a determination is made as to the relationship of a particular parcel to the boundary of a particular zone on a FEMA Flood Map, that might be construed as the practice of boundary surveying under PLS Act 8726(c), (e) [stretch] and (g). Additionally, the certification makes a statement concerning the validity and accuracy of the surveyed data shown on the 81-31. That would be a violation under §8726(n).

It might be worth a question to the Board for their interpretation.
Ian Wilson, P.L.S. (CA / NV / CO)
Alameda County Surveyor
Paul Goebel
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Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:47 pm

Post by Paul Goebel »

Well, the elevation certificate form lists "Architect" as a person who can certify. I would guess that any engineer would qualify for FEMA. You have a good point about showing the relationship of parcels to zones when practicing in CA. It does seem like it would be defined as land surveying according to 8726.
Paul E. Goebel, PLS
Ben Lund
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Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:07 pm

Post by Ben Lund »

I believe engineers can do flood certificates: see 6731.1 of the PE Act.
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