Licensure


All states have laws that govern the practice of civil engineering. Known as "Engineering Practice Acts," the primary purpose of this legislation is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of that state.

Having an engineering license means more than just meeting a State's minimum requirements. It means you have accepted both the technical and the ethical obligations of the engineering profession.

In many states, the typical requirements to obtain your professional engineer's license include:

Each state sets its own requirements for licensure and individuals seeking licensure should verify the specific requirements in the jurisdiction in which they seek licensure.

Guidance for Civil Engineering Students on Licensing and Ethical Responsibilities

 

Principles and Practices (PE) and Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination Preparation Material

ASCE makes available several products to assist in preparing for taking the PE and FE Exams:

LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS
ASCE Policy Statement 432

Approved by the Committee on Professional Practice on July 20, 2002 .
Approved by the Board Policy Committee on September 12, 2002 .
Adopted by the Board of Direction on November 2, 2002 .

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports licensing examinations that recognize the breadth of civil engineering practice by providing the candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate their unique competency covering a reasonable range of problems from several different discipline subsets.

Issue

The accepted accreditation criteria for civil engineering programs include education in subjects required for competence in the performance of tasks required for civil engineering projects. The practice of civil engineering may require performance of tasks within specialty areas. However, the successful completion of civil projects requires comprehensive knowledge, experience and judgement in all the related elements of said practice. Licensure as a professional engineer requires the civil engineer to assume responsibility for competency in the broad area of practice. Therefore, the examination taken for licensure should measure the civil engineer's ability in specialty areas and require demonstration of the civil engineer's ability to merge project elements into a unified whole.

Rationale

ASCE strongly supports the traditional concept of civil engineering as the integrated practice of engineering embracing a number of related specialty areas including, but not limited to, transportation, structures, water resources, environmental and geotechnical. The preliminary examination specifications provided by the Civil Engineering Subcommittee of the Examinations for Professional Engineers (EPE) Committee of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) recognize this goal.

 

 

LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
ASCE Policy Statement 130

Approved by the Committee on Professional Practice on July 20, 2002 .
Approved by the Board Policy Committee on September 12, 2002 .
Adopted by the Board of Direction on November 2, 2002 .

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) endorses, supports and promotes the licensure of professional engineers and land surveyors with necessary standards for education, experience, examination and continuing professional development. ASCE also supports the establishment of rules of professional conduct for engineers and land surveyors consistent with the Society's Code of Ethics to guide licensees in their practice.

Issue

The intent of licensure is to identify those individuals who possess the necessary qualifications to practice engineering and land surveying. Licensure is essential to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare in matters pertaining to engineering or surveying. Because of the licensing process, the public can have confidence in the professional competency and conduct of engineers and land surveyors.

Rationale

ASCE is dedicated to the enhancement of the welfare of humanity. Licensure of engineers and land surveyors is an imperative element in the protection of the public health and safety. ASCE is committed to effective licensure.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE MOBILITY AGREEMENT
ASCE Policy Statement 464

Approved by the National Engineering Practice Policy Committee on August 18, 2004
Approved by the Policy Review Committee on August 25, 2004
Adopted by the Board of Direction on October 19, 2004

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports the concept of a mobility agreement for transfer of professional licensure among states.

Issue

Civil Engineers represent the largest component of licensed professional engineers in the United States . At the time professional engineering laws were being adopted by states, civil engineering was usually practiced within a limited geographic area. Advances in transportation speed and communications technology, coupled with a population-wide trend of increased mobility, have caused consequential changes in the market place for civil engineers. Today's civil engineers often relocate in response to shifts in emphasis on infrastructure development in different parts of the country. Engineers often work for several firms during their careers. Today's engineering projects often involve a team approach involving several firms in multiple locations. Based upon these and similar issues, ASCE sees a need for rapid licensure of its already licensed members in additional states as employment and project opportunities arise. Where a member already holds licensure in one state and has demonstrated professional competence through years of successful practice, that member should be able to secure licensure in additional states through some uniform, prompt process. However, at the current time, cumbersome procedures and administrative regulations of some state licensure boards delay acquisition of a license by reciprocity for a professional already licensed in another state.

Rationale

Inasmuch as the future will require wider vision on the part of engineers, rapid response to infrastructure and other public needs, and a diminished importance of state boundary lines in engineering work, ASCE supports adoption of criteria for a national licensure mobility agreement.

 

 

THE PURPOSE OF THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAMINATION

Approved by the Committee on Professional Practice on January 17, 2004
Approved by the Policy Review Committee on March 12, 2004
Adopted by the Board of Direction on May 14, 2004

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) asserts that the primary purpose of the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) is to measure the preparedness of the engineering candidate for progress through the licensure process.

Issue

Debate and discussion ranging from content, format, to purpose have surrounded the FE exam in recent years. Serious proposals have been put forth by various bodies advocating the expansion of the FE examination as a multi-purpose tool that would:

This is in addition to the original and existing purpose of demonstrating preparedness for the goal of professional licensure.

Rationale

The professional licensure process exists to ensure engineers have met minimum established standards. The FE exam should confirm that a candidate is ready to continue the licensure process.

To meet additional objectives, modifications to examination specifications would certainly be required. Resulting modifications for multiple purpose use may compromise the FE exam's fundamental purpose of achieving licensure by diluting the FE exam subject matter. The FE examination should be limited in purpose because in trying to meet the needs of many purposes, it may not meet the needs of any one.

It is not disputed that FE exam results could provide valuable information to educators. In fact, reviewing FE exam results by educators should be encouraged. State licensing boards should make results of the examination available to universities. Further, all accredited civil engineering degree programs should consider requiring students take, but not necessarily pass, the FE exam before graduation.

 

 

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT ENGINEERS
ASCE Policy Statement 385

Approved by the Committee on Professional Practice on August 18, 2004
Approved by the Policy Review Committee on August 25, 2004
Adopted by the Board of Direction October 19, 2004

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) encourages government agencies at the local, state and federal levels to require registration of its civil engineers who have responsible charge for preparing, supervising and/or approving public projects, in accordance with the legal professional requirements of the jurisdiction within which the project is to be constructed or regulated.

Government agencies are encouraged to pay registration fees of their engineering employees. Should multi-state registration be required, registration costs should be paid for by the employer.

Issue

States and other jurisdictions normally require professional engineers to seal and sign plans for which they have design responsibility. Such plans and specifications, whether prepared by consultants or in-house, normally are reviewed by a supervising engineer of the administering public agency. The engineer who has responsible charge should be a registered professional engineer in order to appropriately conduct such a review. When the engineer has responsible charge for designs in more than one state, multiple registrations may be required to enable the professional to meet legal requirements.

Rationale

Engineers are employed by federal, state and local units of government. The duties of these engineers cover a broad range of engineering responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following: field inspection and supervision; review and approval of project reports; supervision or preparation of project designs, contract plans and specifications; review and approval of plans and specifications prepared by others; review and approval of shop drawings and preparation and approval of design changes.

While government engineers may be augmented by consultants, the long-term responsibilities for the constructed project remain with the government agency, and this responsibility cannot be transferred to the private sector. It logically follows that the government engineer should be equally if not more professionally qualified and should at least meet the same requirements as those consulting engineers being managed. A staff of registered professional engineers should be maintained by government agencies to provide the continuity of professional services needed to uphold the public safety, health and welfare interests involved with government projects.

The government engineer can assist in legal matters which must be adjudicated, or in policy matters being promulgated by the entity being represented. Additionally, the government engineer may, from time to time, be asked to appear as an expert witness on behalf of that entity. Foremost in any deposition or testimony is the determination of the qualifications and special experience of the individual appearing. In engineering matters, the professional registration and active practice in the profession would be important factors to be considered in establishing credibility as an expert. Registration of the government engineer would attest to the engineer's competence.

Engineers responsible for designs in more than one state may be required to obtain professional registration in all those states in which the projects are to be constructed. Accordingly, the registration requirements should be included in the engineer's job description and appropriate compensation or reimbursement should be provided in recognition of this requirement.

 

 

STATE LICENSURE BOARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
ASCE Policy Statement 450

Approved by the Committee on Professional Practice on July 20, 2002 .
Approved by the Board Policy Committee on September 12, 2002 .
Adopted by the Board of Direction on November 2, 2002 .

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) endorses, supports, and promotes the following:

Issue

It is the right and responsibility of government to protect the health and safety of its citizens. The sole purpose of state status requiring licensing of engineers is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public by identifying individuals that have met certain education, experience and competence standards for licensing and have agreed to the ethical practice of their profession.

The public interest is best served when the judgement of technical qualifications and evaluation of professional competence are made by state licensure boards with members who are themselves licensed professional engineers and land surveyors.

While it is essential for the states to exercise their authority through the legislatures and the courts and to view the consequences of their laws, these bodies are not in a position to set standards of technical competence or to control the various levels of practice; nor is the general public able to exercise this responsibility. This responsibility is, therefore, delegated to the individual state boards of registration. It is incumbent upon the members of the state licensure boards to demonstrate that they are capable of setting standards of education, experience and examination for licensure; that they can impose and enforce rules of professional conduct; and that they are in the best position to maintain a continuing watch over the technical competence of practicing engineers and land surveyors, in the best interest of the public.

Rationale

ASCE is dedicated to the enhancement of the health, safety and welfare of humanity. ASCE is committed to effective involvement in the licensing process for professional engineers and land surveyors by the individual state licensure boards which are essential to protection of the public health, safety and welfare.

 

 

TESTING FOR PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
ASCE Policy Statement 376

Approved by the National Engineering Practice Policy Committee on August 18, 2004
Approved by the Policy Review Committee on August 25, 2004
Adopted by the Board of Direction on October 19, 2004

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) encourages all state boards of engineering registration to institute a take-home examination on professional ethics for professional registration. The take-home exam should be based upon the State's Fundamental Canons of Professional Conduct and other appropriate administrative rules or regulations, and designed to demonstrate a working knowledge of professional ethics. Passage of the exam as established by the board of registration should be a requirement for professional registration.

Issue

Professional ethics is the cornerstone of engineering practice. Adherence to an ethical code ensures that practitioners will not practice in an area in which they are not competent. The majority of complaints referred to state boards of engineering for investigation and possible penalty action involve ethics and, often, a lack of understanding of the Fundamental Canons of Professional Conduct.

Rationale

A take-home exam based on the Fundamental Canons of Professional Conduct and other appropriate administrative rules will allow the Board to ensure familiarity and understanding on the part of the candidate for registration. Causing the candidate to become familiar with this material helps to eliminate ignorance as a cause of unethical behavior. Obvious difficulty in passing the exam can warrant further investigation of the candidate by the Board.

 

 

ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES FOR LICENSURE AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
ASCE Policy Statement 465

Approved by the Committee on Academic Prerequisites for Professional Practice on April 24, 2004 .
Approved by the Policy Review Committee on July 23, 2004
Adopted by the Board of Direction on October 19, 2004

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports the attainment of a Body of Knowledge for entry into the practice of civil engineering at the professional level. This would be accomplished through the adoption of appropriate engineering education and experience requirements as a prerequisite for licensure.

ASCE encourages institutions of higher education, governmental units, employers, civil engineers, and other appropriate organizations to endorse, support, promote, and implement the attainment of the Body of Knowledge. This includes additional education beyond the bachelor's degree for the practice of civil engineering at the professional level. The implementation of this effort should occur through establishing appropriate curricula in the formal education process, appropriate experience guidelines for the workplace, and related education and experience standards for licensure.

Admission to the practice of civil engineering at the professional level means professional engineering licensing requiring attainment of a Body of Knowledge through appropriate engineering education and experience. Fulfillment of this Body of Knowledge will include a combination of:

Issue

The practice of civil engineering at the professional level means practice as a licensed professional engineer.

The Body of Knowledge prescribes the necessary depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of an individual entering the practice of civil engineering at the professional level in the 21st Century. This Body of Knowledge exceeds today's typical civil engineering baccalaureate degree, even when coupled with the practical experience gained prior to licensure.

The civil engineering profession is undergoing significant, rapid, and revolutionary changes that have increased the body of knowledge required of the profession. These changes include the following:


These changes have created a market requiring civil engineers to have simultaneously greater breadth of capability and specialized technical competence than that required of previous generations. For example, many civil engineers must increasingly assume a different primary role from that of designer to that of team leader. The knowledge required to support this new market is found in the combination of an appropriate baccalaureate education, additional education, and experience.

Rationale

Requiring education beyond the baccalaureate degree for the practice of civil engineering at the professional level is consistent with other learned professions. The Body of Knowledge gained in the formal civil engineering education process is not significantly less than the comparable knowledge and skills required in other professions. It is unreasonable to believe in such complex and rapidly changing times that we can impart the specialized Body of Knowledge required of professional engineers in just four years of formal schooling while other learned professions necessitate seven or eight years. Four years of formal schooling were considered the standard for medical, law and engineering professionals 100 years ago. While the education requirements for physicians and attorneys have been increased with the growing demands of their respective professions, the requirements for the practice of engineering have remained virtually unchanged. Most likely, this retention of a four-year undergraduate engineering education has contributed to the lowered esteem of engineering in the eyes of society, and the commensurate decline in compensation of engineers relative to other professions.

Current baccalaureate programs, while constantly undergoing reform still retain a nominal four-year education process. This length of time limits the ability of these programs to provide a formal education consistent with the increasing demands of the practice of civil engineering at the professional level. There are diametrically opposed forces trying to squeeze more content into the baccalaureate curriculum while at the same time reducing the credit hours necessary for the baccalaureate degree. The result is a baccalaureate civil engineering degree satisfactory for an entry-level position, but becoming inadequate for the professional practice of civil engineering. The four-year internship period (engineer-in-training) after receipt of the baccalaureate degree cannot make up for the formal educational material that would be gained from additional education.

The implementation of this concept will not happen overnight. While ASCE cannot mandate that it be done in a specified time period or manner, ASCE will be an active partner with other groups and organizations to accomplish this policy. The ultimate full implementation may not occur for 10 to 20 or more years. Appropriate grandfathering for existing registered and degreed engineers will be part of the implementation process. This concept is a legacy for future generations of civil engineers. However, perhaps the most important aspect of the implementation of this policy is already in place. Within the U.S. system of higher education, high quality, innovative and diverse master's degree programs currently exist in colleges and universities to support this concept. A growing number of government agencies, public and private organizations, and professional societies now offer high quality on-site and distance learning educational opportunities that can support attainment of the Body of Knowledge outside of college campuses and as adjuncts to employee development. The active support of this policy by all of the stakeholders such as the educational institutions, the registration boards, and the various employers of civil engineers will be required for the implementation of this concept.

 

 

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ASCE Policy Statement 425

Approved by the National Engineering Practice Policy Committee on August 20, 2004
Approved by the Policy Review Committee on August 25, 2004
Adopted by the Board of Direction on October 19, 2004

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports documented continuing professional development as a condition for maintaining status as a licensed Professional Engineer. ASCE also supports uniformity of continuing professional development requirements among licensing jurisdictions.

Issue

It is essential that practicing civil engineers remain current with issues and advancements in technology. In recent years state boards and their state legislators have also placed increasing importance on continuing professional development to ensure that practicing professionals maintain their competence. In addition, increased opportunities for international practice may require engineers to conform to an objective measure of competence.

With many civil engineers licensed in multiple states, and with the common objectives of continuing professional development there are practical reasons for uniform continuing professional development requirements among states.

Rationale

ASCE has a Fundamental Canon in its Code of Ethics that states engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.

ASCE is dedicated to the advancement of the profession of engineering to enhance the welfare of mankind. Continuing professional development can be used to enhance the competence of practicing professional engineers. ASCE is committed to providing leadership, encouragement, and opportunities to achieve this continuing professional development.

Uniform continuing professional development requirements will advance the goal of this Policy.

 

Copyright 2005 Richard Cheeks
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