Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 8.1
Land Surveyors

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-4

§ 5-8.1-4. Board of registration for professional land surveyors — Authority, powers, and duties.

(a) The duty of the board of land surveyors is to administer the provisions of this chapter in regards to the regulation of professional land surveying and the registration of professional land surveyors.

(b)(1) Subject to the director’s approval, the board of land surveyors may establish any rules and regulations for the conduct of its own proceedings; for examination of applicants; for registration of professional land surveyors and surveyors-in-training; for continuing education requirements; and for governing the practice of land surveying, that it deems appropriate.

(2) Upon July 12, 1990, the rules and regulations in effect prior to that date shall remain in effect until adoption of new rules and regulations.

(c) The board of professional land surveyors shall hold examinations for qualified individuals applying for registration as professional land surveyors or for certification as surveyors-in-training at least once a year.

(d) With the assistance of the department, the board of land surveyors shall issue and renew certificates of registration to individuals who have qualified to practice professional land surveying under the provisions of this chapter.

(e) The director, on his or her own motion or upon recommendation of the board of professional land surveyors, has the power to suspend, revoke, or take other permitted action with respect to certificates of registration in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. In all disciplinary proceedings brought pursuant to this chapter, the director has the power to administer oaths, to summon witnesses, and to compel the production of documents in accordance with procedures applicable in the superior court. Upon failure of any person to appear to produce documents in accordance with the order, the director may apply to a court of any jurisdiction to enforce compliance with the order.

(f) Either on his or her own initiative or on the recommendation of the board, the director is authorized in the name of the state to apply for relief by injunction in the established manner provided in cases of civil procedure, without bond, to enforce the provisions of this chapter, or to restrain any violations of this chapter. In those proceedings, it is not necessary to allege or prove, either that an adequate remedy at law does not exist or that substantial or irreparable damage would result from the continued violation of this chapter. The department and/or the members of the board are not personally liable under this proceeding.

(g) The state shall indemnify the department and/or board and the members, employees, or agents thereof, and hold them harmless from, any and all costs, damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees arising from or related in any way to claims or actions or other legal proceedings taken against them for any actions taken in good faith in the intended performance of any power granted under this chapter or for any neglect or default in the performance or exercise in good faith of that power.

(h) The department and/or board is empowered to collect any fees and charges prescribed in this chapter and to apply the fees and charges to the cost of fulfilling the requirements and responsibilities of this chapter.

History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 330, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 304, § 4; P.L. 1992, ch. 337, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 90, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 98, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 298, § 3; P.L. 2013, ch. 378, § 3.