(a) An applicant for authority to use the title “structural engineer” shall submit at least three completed reference forms, using the form entitled “Structural Engineer Engagement Record and Reference Form (SE09)(2017),” hereby incorporated by reference, from individuals who hold current, valid California licenses as civil engineers and who are authorized by the Board to use the title “structural engineer,” or equivalent thereto, none of whom is related to the applicant by birth or marriage. Each reference shall have personal knowledge of the applicant's qualifying experience and shall have examined the applicant's work. It is preferred that at least one of the references has been a direct supervisor for a period of not less than six months.

(b) “Equivalent thereto,” as used in this section, means a professional engineer who is authorized to use the title “structural engineer” in a state which has a comity agreement with this state related to “structural engineering.”

Reference forms completed by a “structural engineer” registered or licensed outside of this state but registered or licensed in a state which has a comity agreement with the State of California shall be notarized.

(c) Nothing contained in this section shall limit the authority of the Board to require that an applicant submit additional references, employment verifications, and other information pertinent to the applicant's education and/or experience to verify that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications as defined in Sections 426.10, 426.11, and/or 426.13.