Engineering Licensure in Texas Rick Guerra, P.E. TSPE Immediate Past

Engineering Licensure in Texas Rick Guerra, P.E. TSPE Immediate Past President Champion Guide Advance Unite Lance Kinney, Ph.D., P.E. TBPE Executive Director

Presenting Organizations Texas Society of Professional Engineers Texas Board of Professional Engineers TSPE’s mission is to promote and enhance the profession and licensed practice of engineering. The Board's role in the protection of the public is to license qualified engineers, enforce the Texas Engineering Practice Act, and to regulate the practice of professional engineering in Texas. Trish Smith, CAE Executive Director (512) 472-9286 [email protected] https://www.tspe.org Lance Kinney, Ph.D., P.E. Executive Director (512) 440-3080 [email protected] https://engineers.texas.gov

Outline Who Needs a License? Why Get a License? How To Become Licensed Questions

Who Needs a License? Generally speaking . Only licensed professional engineers can legally perform, or offer to perform engineering services for the public. Public works projects must be designed and constructed under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer. Larger commercial and private projects must also be designed and constructed under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer. The terms "P.E." or "professional engineer" can only be used by persons who are currently licensed.

Who Needs a License? Licensed Professional Engineers protect the health, safety and welfare of the public

Why Get a License? It’s The Law! 1937 New London School Explosion killed 300 students and teachers as a result of improper engineering design Texas Engineering Practice Act created by Texas Legislature in 1937 Established a Board to regulate the practice of engineering through licensing and rules of practice

Why Get a License? Personal Benefits Respect/prestige - P.E. is the highest credential in the engineering profession Recognition/credibility – commitment to engineering excellence, ethics and integrity More - salary surveys of show higher salaries for licensed professional engineers Responsibility – only a P.E. can sign and seal drawings and specifications Marketability - P.E. opens doors for advancement, can be a differentiator in the hiring process

How To Become Licensed Earn 4 Year ABET Accredited Engineering Degree Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam E.I.T. Work 4 Years Under A Licensed Professional Engineer Continuing Education Pass the Practice of Engineering Exam P.E.

How To Become Licensed Education AEC/ABET Accredited Engineering Program Non- Accredited Programs Including Non-ABET Engineering Degrees and Related Science Degrees (Math, Sciences, Engineering Technology) Information concerning ABET accreditation available at www.abet.org

How To Become Licensed Experience 4 Years of credible engineering work with ABET accredited engineering degree 8 Years with Non-Accredited degree or qualifying related science degree Experience credit for advanced engineering degrees in ABET accredited programs

How To Become Licensed Examinations Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Principals & Practices of Engineering (PE) All through NCEES (www.ncees.org)

Value of the PE License (Video) https://youtube.com The Value of Professional Engineer (PE) License

Questions ?

Want to Know More? Texas Society of Professional Engineers Texas Board of Professional Engineers Trish Smith, CAE Executive Director (512) 472-9286 [email protected] Lance Kinney, Ph.D., P.E. Executive Director (512) 440-3080 [email protected] https://www.tspe.org https://engineers.texas.gov