PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING LICENSURE

May 5, 2009 2

Prelude:
Professional Engineering Licensure

&
The Hyatt Regency Collapse
Presenter: Scott A. Sabol, PE Vermont Technical College

May 5, 2009 3

The Hyatt Regency Walkway BACKGROUND

40-story Hyatt Regency in Kansas City, Missouri opened in 1980 July 1981 dance event in hotel drew huge crowds
Many were on elevated, suspended walkways 2nd floor walkway directly beneath 4th floor walkway (3rd floor offset)

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THE CATASTROPHE
Based on loading and design/construction error, some walkways collapsed >100 killed >200 injured

May 5, 2009 5

THE RESULT
(SOURCE: Lee L. Lowery, Jr., PhD, P.E

May 5, 2009 6

THE CAUSE
Construction modification with insufficient/inappropriate engineering review

May 5, 2009 7

ORIGINAL vs. AS-BUILT

Original
Built-up box beams suspended by rods Each nut assembly holds one floor Required long threaded rod length

As-built
Separate rods from floor to floor Eliminated long threading Eased construction
May 5, 2009 8

WHY DID CHANGE CAUSE PROBLEM?

The 2 people on a rope-swing analogy

May 5, 2009 9

THE FAILED DETAIL

May 5, 2009 10

HOW / WHY DID THE CHANGE OCCUR?

Poor contractor-engineer communications Havens Steel Jack D. Gillum & Assoc. Engineer approved change without performing detailed calculations Did not meet standard of care
May 5, 2009 11

THE AFTERMATH
Missouri Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, and Land Surveyors stripped the responsible engineers of their licenses ASCE revoked their membership

May 5, 2009 12

What Is A Professional Engineer (PE)?

Presenter: Francis Kennedy, PE

May 5, 2009 13

What Is A Professional Engineer (PE)?

Topics: Background: Professional Engineering Legal Requirements Why become a registered Professional Engineer? Fundamental Canons of Engineering

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Background: Professional Engineering

A century ago, anyone could work as an engineer without proof of competency.

In order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the first engineering licensure law was enacted in 1907 in Wyoming. Now every state regulates the practice of engineering to ensure public safety by granting only licensed Professional Engineers (PEs) the authority to sign and seal engineering plans and offer their services to the public.

May 5, 2009 15

Legal Requirements
All states in U.S. and most foreign countries have Professional Registration laws governing the practice of engineering Most states prohibit persons who are not registered Professional Engineers from:
Advertising, using a business card, or otherwise indicating to the public that they are a qualified engineer or consulting engineer Assuming the title of expert engineering witness Practicing or offering to practice as a consulting engineer or expert engineering witness Teaching in a public engineering school (some states).

Engineers in industrial practice may be exempted from some of these laws

May 5, 2009 16

Why Become a Registered PE?

Prestige
Tells public that you have mastered the critical elements of your profession

Authority
Only PEs can be in responsible charge of an engineering consulting firm PEs can serve as qualified expert witness Only PEs can sign engineering drawings for public projects

Higher pay and increased opportunities Career development and flexibility

May 5, 2009 17

Fundamental Canons of Engineering

(From ASCE Code of Ethics) Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.
May 5, 2009 18

The Process of Becoming a PE

Presenter: Matthew J. Low, P.E., SECB

May 5, 2009 19

The Process of Becoming a PE

Topics: Who Licenses Professional Engineers? What Are The Requirements? Existing Licensure Process Model

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Who Licenses Professional Engineers?

Individual State Boards of Licensure NCEES: National Council of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors (Council of PE Boards)
Maintains and transmits official records for a fee Registration with NCEES required by some states Streamlines future state applications by comity

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What Are The Requirements?

Education Examinations Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam Experience Ethics & Reputation

May 5, 2009 22

Education Requirements
ABET Accredited EAC Bachelors Degree Alternate Pathways Science Bachelors / Engineering Masters ABET TAC Degree Foreign Degrees Some states allow less education with significant (20+ years) experience but that practice is disappearing
Acronyms: ABET: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technologies EAC: Engineering Accreditation Commission TAC: Technology Accreditation Commission
May 5, 2009 23

Examination Requirements
Fundamentals of Engineering Examination Fee required Easiest when taken senior year of college No maintenance required of Engineer In Training status Some states may waive with significant experience Principles and Practices Examination Fee required Extensive application process which requires references, detailed work experience record, etc. Taken after fulfillment of experience requirements
May 5, 2009 24

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam

Day-long (8 Hours) Exam Given Nationwide in April and October Given at Thayer School every April Covers the Topics Normally Studied in an Undergraduate Engineering Program Included are: mathematics, chemistry, mechanics, electrical circuits, engineering economics, electronics, thermodynamics, materials science, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and computer programming

May 5, 2009 25

Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam

Given Nationwide in April and October Day-long (8 Hours) Exam in Two Parts 1. General (4 Hours)
Includes economics, HVAC, thermo, mechanics, etc. You select one area of specialization Areas of specialization: Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental, Structural, Aeronautical, Agricultural, Manufacturing, Control Systems, Metallurgical, Fire Protection, Mining, Industrial, Nuclear, Petroleum

2. Specialized (4 Hours)

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Experience Requirements
Typically Four Years Engineering Experience or Three With an Engineering Masters Non-engineering work will not count toward your experience Requires Letters of Reference From Several PEs Familiar With Your Work 3 for NH, 5 for NCEES Engineering Experience Must Show Increasing Scope & Responsibility Record your accomplishments in detail START NOW Some states require evidence such as your drawings or calculations
May 5, 2009 27

Ethics & Reputation Requirements

NH Requires You Pass an Ethics Examination Keep Your Reputation Clean! Abide by all laws governing practice of engineering in the State in which registered Avoid any misconduct, whether personal, professional, or legal Build Working Relationships With Other PEs Experience requirement mandates working with a PE You will need references/recommendations from several PEs to apply for PE exam

May 5, 2009 28

Existing Licensure Process Model

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Fundamentals of Engineering Examination ABET EAC Bachelors Degree Engineer-in-Training Four Years Engineering Experience Principles and Practices Examination NH Engineering Ethics Examination Licensed Professional Engineer Continuing Professional Development

May 5, 2009 29

PE License Maintenance
Presenter: Gary Phetteplace, PE

May 5, 2009 30

Maintenance Fees

May 5, 2009 31

Maintenance Continuing Education

Many states now have continuing education requirements as a condition of PE license renewal. Both the amount of continuing education required and what meets the requirements vary by state. Some states allow their continuing education requirements to be met by comity; i.e. if there are requirements in your state of residency and you meet them you will be considered to have met the requirements in the jurisdiction of other states.
May 5, 2009 32

Maintenance Continuing Education

May 5, 2009 33

Maintenance Continuing Education NH Regulations

Each licensee shall obtain at least 30 professional development hours of approved continuing education courses during the biennial renewal period as a condition of license renewal. If a licensee exceeds the requirement, a maximum of 15 professional development hours may be carried forward into the subsequent renewal period.

May 5, 2009 34

Maintenance Continuing Education NH Regulations

New licensees shall be exempt from obtaining professional development hours for their first biennial renewal period. Licensees who are residents of jurisdictions other than New Hampshire shall meet the continuing professional development or equivalent requirements of their resident jurisdiction. The requirements for the State of New Hampshire shall be satisfied when a non-resident licensee provides evidence of having met the requirements of their resident jurisdiction. If licensees reside in a jurisdiction that has no continuing professional development requirements, the resident shall meet the requirements of the State of New Hampshire.
May 5, 2009 35

Maintenance Continuing Education NH Regulations

Continuing education activities shall be relevant to the practice of engineering or no credit shall be awarded. Such continuing education activities may include technical, ethical, or managerial content. The content of each presentation shall be well organized and presented in a sequential manner. The participant in a CE course/program is required to maintain records.

May 5, 2009 36

Maintenance Continuing Education NH Regulations

Teaching or instructing qualifying courses or seminars or making presentations at technical meetings shall earn professional development hours credit at twice that of participants. Each professional journal, published paper, article or published engineering text book shall equal 30 professional development hours. Active participation in professional or technical societies shall equal 2 professional development hours and shall require that a registrant serve as an officer and/or actively participate in a committee of the organization. (Professional development hour credits shall not be earned until each year service is completed and shall be limited to 2 professional development hours per organization) Credit awarded for one patent shall equal 10 professional development hours. Professional development credits shall not be recognized for any repeat program attended or completed.
May 5, 2009 37

Maintenance Continuing Education NH Regulations

Its the responsibility of the licensee to maintain records to be used to support CE credits claimed. A log must be maintained showing the type of activity claimed, sponsoring organization, location, instructors or speakers name, and professional development hours credits earned. Attendance verification records are needed in the form of completion certificates or other documents supporting evidence of attendance such as signed attendance receipts, paid receipts, or a copy of a listing of attendees signed by a person sponsoring the course or program or the course/program provider. The licensee shall retain attendance verification records for a period of at least 4 years. Not less than 5% of the licensees shall be randomly selected each year by the board for compliance.
May 5, 2009 38

Maintenance Continuing Education

NCEES maintains a registry of Continuing Education providers, see www.rcep.net/rcep/ for details. This website also has a list of the continuing education requirements for each state and links to the state regulations.

May 5, 2009 39

Maintenance NCEES Record

As mentioned earlier, NCEES record is required by some states and may be useful even where not required for those who need to get registered in new jurisdictions and do so rapidly. Annual cost of maintaining an NCEES record is $25. Only one updated reference is required per year. Cost of record transmittal to a state board is $60.

May 5, 2009 40

PE License Maintenance
Maintain Good Professional Character Abide by all laws governing practice of engineering and ethics in the State in which registered. For NH the Engineering Ethical Standards begin with: The professional engineer shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public Public statements only in an objective and truthful manner Avoid conflicts of interest Accept work only on the basis of qualifications Perform services in an ethical and lawful manner

May 5, 2009 41

Benefits of Becoming a PE
Presenter: Jennifer Marrs, PE

May 5, 2009 42

Benefits of Becoming a PE
Topics: Personal Benefits Career Benefits Private Practice

May 5, 2009 43

Personal Benefits
Prestige & Authority License is proof of high level of commitment License is proof of mastery License is proof of ethical fidelity & deserves trust The difference between a profession and just a job PE is an individual credential, not job dependent PE designation after name, similar to MD Career Flexibility Economic advantages Personal fulfillment
May 5, 2009 44

Career Benefits
Credentials Give You a Competitive Edge Economic Change Requires Flexibility, Mastery New Job Options With PE License: Some Corporate Jobs (Some States, Some Specialties) Some Public Sector / Government Jobs Some Government Contracts & Grants Teaching (Some States) Forensic Engineering (Engineering Expert Witness) Private Practice (Consulting & Contracting)

May 5, 2009 45

Private Practice

May 5, 2009 46

Private Practice
License Required in Most States to Sell Engineering Services to Any Entity, Including Corporate Clients
This includes contracting, consulting Your business insurance policy may also require licensure

Simply Avoiding the Word Engineering Is Not Enough! State laws define what actions constitute the practice of engineering Usually actions like making drawings or performing calculations constitute practice of engineering Some States Have Exemptions Example: VT exempts anyone involved in design or manufacture of a product Check Your State Laws for Guidance
May 5, 2009 47

Ten Reasons to NOT get your PE License

Presenter: E. Smith Reed, PE

May 5, 2009 48

Ten NINE Reasons to NOT get your PE License

May 5, 2009 49

9.

May 5, 2009 50

9. It costs money.

May 5, 2009 51

NH
FE (EIT) Exam: PE Application: PE Exam: $150 $225 $150

VT
$125 $100 $235

Annual Renewal: $ 75/yr $ 50/yr

May 5, 2009 52

8.

May 5, 2009 53

8. For the exam, ya gotta go out and buy a new calculator!

May 5, 2009 54

8. For the exam, ya gotta go out and buy a new calculator! . . . and then learn how to use it . . .

May 5, 2009 55

7.

May 5, 2009 56

7. You'll probably need to take a refresher course

May 5, 2009 57

7. You'll probably need to take a refresher course . . . which takes time

May 5, 2009 58

7. You'll probably need to take a refresher course . . . which takes time

. . . and you have to do problem sets

May 5, 2009 59

7. You'll probably need to take a refresher course . . . which takes time

. . . and you have to do problem sets . . . . something youll not have done in years !
May 5, 2009 60

typical refresher class structure

six Saturdays - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm - or -

twelve Wednesdays - 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm - plus two Saturdays - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

May 5, 2009 61

6. This refresher course will take more money

May 5, 2009 62

 Kaplan course ENSYS course

$ 160 $2,400 ( - up to $2,995 )

PPi course

$1,000 + books

PE Review Books $ 40 to $ 400

May 5, 2009 63

5.

May 5, 2009 64

5. There's a REAL chance you won't even pass! ( a chance you'll be a FAILURE! )

May 5, 2009 65

5. There's a REAL chance you won't even pass! ( a chance you'll be a FAILURE! )

. . . which takes time & money

May 5, 2009 66

FE (EIT) Exam Failure Rates

Examination Module First-time takers who FAIL Repeat takers who FAIL

Chemical

18%

54%

Civil
Electrical Environmental Industrial Mechanical
May 5, 2009

30%
33% 24% 34% 19% 26%
67

71%
71% 66% 73% 68% 71%

General

PE Exam Failure Rates

Examination Module First-time takers who FAIL Repeat takers who FAIL

Chemical

21%

66%

Civil
Electrical Environmental Industrial Mechanical
May 5, 2009

40%
30% 27% 21% 30% 27%
68

75%
74% 57% 68% 62% 53%

Petroleum

4.

May 5, 2009 69

4. Many (most?) employers don't really care.

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3.

May 5, 2009 71

3. Your girlfriend (boyfriend) won't know the difference . . .

May 5, 2009 72

3. Your girlfriend (boyfriend) won't know the difference . . . (. . . duhhhh . . . )

May 5, 2009 73

3. Your girlfriend (boyfriend) won't know the difference . . . . . . people you want to impress would be more impressed by an MBA, or a PhD . . .

May 5, 2009 74

2.

May 5, 2009 75

2. In five more years, . . . you'll have forgotten all that stuff.

May 5, 2009 76

2. In five more years, . . . you'll have forgotten all that stuff. - again !

May 5, 2009 77

1.

May 5, 2009 78

1. Even if you get your PE license,

May 5, 2009 79

1. Even if you get your PE license, they probably won't let you teach the gym class anyway . . .

May 5, 2009 80

Professional Engineering Licensure Resources

Presenter: Scott A. Sabol, PE Vermont Technical College

May 5, 2009 81

NATIONAL COUNCIL of EXAMINERS for ENGINEERING and SURVEYING (NCEES)

Creator/scoring agency for the FE and PE exams www.ncees.org Information on Test dates Test format Allowable reference and other material
May 5, 2009 82

NCEES (contd)
Information on Review materials Including FE Handbook Professional licensure records program State engineering board contacts

May 5, 2009 83

NCEES EXAMPLE REFERENCE

May 5, 2009 84

Professional Publications, Inc.

www.ppi2pass.com Exam-specified references/specs Review products FE Review Manual (FERM) money back guarantee EIT Reference Manual Various PE review Manuals
May 5, 2009 85

EXAMPLE PPI PRODUCT

May 5, 2009 86

PPI (contd)
Discussion forums Review course listing Independently offered ones can post notice Comment: Roam the website carefully not the easiest to navigate

May 5, 2009 87

YOUR STATE BOARD

Their information trumps anything found on other sources! Often under the Secretary of State VT:
http://www.vtprofessionals.org/opr1/engineers/

NH:
http://www.nh.gov/jtboard/pe.htm

May 5, 2009 88

KAPLAN AEC EDUCATION

http://www.kaplanaecengineering.com/ Similar offerings to PPI

May 5, 2009 89

STATE/NATIONAL ENGINEERING SOCIETIES

Vermont Society of Professional Engineers New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers National Society of Professional Engineers ASCE-ASME-IEEE and others

May 5, 2009 90

OTHER RESOURCES EXIST

Ask a colleague! Check university websites Hofstra, Wisconsin-Madison Some in-person; some distance Most colleges/universities have an FE review course (some a PE) Not all resources of equal quality SERMCERM MERM FERM
May 5, 2009 91

QUESTIONS?

Thank You For Your Attention!

May 5, 2009 92