The Case Against “Master’s-or-Equivalent” Licensure Requirements INSERT NAME AND DATE HERE

Current Requirements for Licensure  Graduation from four-year engineering program accredited by Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET  Successful completion of the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam  Completion of four years of progressive engineering experience  Successful completion of the NCEES Principles & Practice (PE) exam

To MOE or Not MOE  MOE = BS+30 = “Raise the Bar”  No compelling evidence  MOE opposed by vast majority of eminent engineering societies

 MOE = BS+30 = “Raise the Bar”  No compelling evidence  MOE opposed by vast majority of eminent engineering societies Confusion Too many terms

 MOE = BS+30 = “Raise the Bar”  No compelling evidence  MOE opposed by vast majority of eminent engineering societies Confusion Professional Practice, Prestige, and Licensure

NCEES Model Law  A guide (i.e., not mandatory) for states to adopt  It includes a provision to require an MS (or its equivalent [≈ 30 add’l semester credit hours]) to sit for the PE exam, beginning in 2020

Professional Practice v. Professional Engineer Professional Engineer  A legal designation  Defined by:  Knowledge  Experience  Ethical base Professional Practice  Technical, legal, managerial, & social concepts within an engineer’s training & experience

State Regulations The mission of licensure boards is to protect the health, safety, & welfare of the general public

State Regulations  Elevating the status or perception of the profession  Defining the scope of the profession or professionalism  Contributions to economic development  Ensuring the supply of PEs in a state

Degree program accreditation Two NCEES-validated exams Four years of supervised experience

Continuing Education Body of codes and standards

Engineering Societies Supporting ABET AAEE ACerS ACSM AIAA AIChE AIHA ANS ASABE ASCE ASEE ASHRAE ASME ASSE BMES CSAB IEEE IIE INCOSE ISA MRS NCEES NSPE SAE Int’l SFPE SME SME-AIME SNAME SPE SPIE TMS WEPAN

What problem does MOE solve?  Front-loaded specialized education shows no specific benefit to public safety  ABET accreditation values outcomes above numbers

What problem does MOE solve?  Doesn’t address already-licensed PEs  A deterrent to study (e.g., costs, time) and to employers (i.e., more $ to hire engineers)

“Reduced Hours” Issue  Basic math & science counted in 150 units  Superior computation capabilities

Professional Status of Engineers  150 Hour Requirement for CPA’s  Public perception of engineers

Other options? Career-long professional development requirements Begin continuing education immediately after B.S. degree?