A century ago, the first engineering licensure law was enacted. Now, every state regulates the practice of engineering to ensure public safety by granting only Professional Engineers (PEs) the authority to prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans and drawings to a public authority for approval or seal engineering work for public and private clients. Licensure for a consulting engineer or a private practitioner is a legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of work — be they principals or employees.
To honor the anniversary of licensure, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has partnered with the National Council of Engineering Examiners and Surveyors (NCEES) in sponsoring “100 Years of Licensure,” which includes activities that promote licensure and its importance to both the engineering profession and public health, safety, and welfare. For information on the celebration, visit the NSPE Web site at http://nspe.org/100years.asp.
