The Importance of Licensure and Membership in Professional

The Importance of Licensure and Membership in Professional Societies

Professional Licensure for Engineers

Becoming a Professional Engineer - Licensure Valuable credentials Trust Higher level of authority (ability to stamp and sign documents/plans/drawings) How to obtain it? Earn a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited engineering program Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam – 6 hrs Complete four years of progressive engineering experience under a PE Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam – 8 hrs

FE Exams Developed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Administered across the U. S. Computer-based since January 2014 High probability of success! 38% taking FE exam Source: NCEES 2015 Annual Report (http: //ncees. org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NCEES-Squared_web. pdf)

FE Pass Rates Source: NCEES 2015 Annual Report (http: //ncees. org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NCEES-Squared_web. pdf)

PE Exam Pass Rates Source: NCEES 2015 Annual Report (http: //ncees. org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NCEES-Squared_web. pdf)

Source: NCEES 2015 Annual Report (http: //ncees. org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NCEES-Squared_web. pdf)

Benefits of Licensure Prestige – seen as “professionals” similar to doctors and lawyers with advanced certification Career Development – shows knowledge and skill progression as well as commitment to the profession Authority – sign and seal engineering drawings, serve as expert witness, etc. Flexibility – opens up career options and also provides job security (e. g. , the Great Recession) Money – earn higher pay than non-PEs throughout careers, ability to consult independently

Other Benefits of Having a PE "Basically being a PE means that you are at the top of your game, top of your profession. They don't just hand that out to anybody. " -- Randal E. Riebel, P. E. Source: NCEES (http: //ncees. org/licensure/)

Professional Societies – TSPE and NSPE

Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) A state affiliate of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Represents and serves ALL engineers in the state regardless of discipline National founded in 1934 / TN in 1986 35, 000 members nationally <1, 000 members in Tennessee Seven local chapters across the state

Our Goals Protect the health, safety and welfare of Tennesseans Our ultimate goal!! Foster and Develop our Professional Members Networking and engagement at local to national levels Engage in Pro-Active Advocacy Working with legislators on bills to support the engineering profession and public welfare Sustain the Profession Continuing education and scholarships Protection of the Profession Serve as a voice on engineering licensure issues Protect Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) Ensures the best qualified gets the job, not the cheapest

Our Mission TSPE promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering and advocates for licensure to enhance the engineering profession and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) NSPE, in partnership with the State Societies: Serves as the recognized and authoritative expert in licensure, ethics, and professional practice Promotes licensure and assists individuals in becoming licensed, and Protects and enhances the value of licensure and the opportunities for the licensed engineer

History of NSPE “The technical problems of civil, mechanical, electrical, mining, and chemical engineers are divergent; but the professional problems are alike. ” – Steinman (1935) He saw an inherent value in bringing together “engineers of all sections of the country, and of all branches of the profession, in a unity of strength, purpose, and accomplishment. ” NSPE Founder David Steinman, PE, standing atop the Mackinac Bridge, which he rehabilitated in 1948

NSPE Values Protection of the public health, safety, and welfare above all other considerations Ethical and competent practice of engineering Innovation through the creative application of math, science and engineering The PE license as the highest standard of professionalism in engineering Continuous learning for professional growth Growth in the number of licensed Professional Engineers Teamwork, unity, and fellowship of all PEs across all disciplines Commitment to the future of the licensed Professional Engineer

NSPE Code of Ethics Fundamental Canons Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Perform services only in areas of their competence. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. Avoid deceptive acts. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

Membership in TSPE/NSPE

Develop Your Professional Skills & Enhance Your Career Continuing Education (meet requirements for license renewal) Chapter Meetings TN Engineers’ Conference Red. Vector PE Exam Review Career Center Ethics Review Leadership Opportunities Committees Chapter / State Leadership PE

Stay Informed Keep up-to-date on issues of importance including key legislation that affects the Tennessee/national engineering community Email blasts TSPE Newsletter PE Magazine Chapter Meetings

Expand Your Professional Network Across All Disciplines Connect with engineers – build an amazing network All disciplines All areas of the state All levels of employment and experience Where else does a CEO sit at the same lunch table with a college sophomore? Technical societies provide networking WITHIN the discipline, TSPE/NSPE provides networking ACROSS disciplines

Give Back to Your Profession Support your profession through formal lobbying efforts At the state level and dedicated representation of the society and the interests of our members before the Tennessee General Assembly, state regulatory agencies, local governments and the Governor’s Office. At the national level through NSPE lobbying efforts Support potential future engineers MATHCOUNTS Lego. League First Robotics K 12 Classrooms Etc.

Advocacy

National Advocacy – Key Efforts Ø Transportation Funding Ø Energy Ø Engineering Education Ø Ø STEM Design Build and Procurement Reform Ø Protection of the PE License Ø Political Action Committee Ø Minuteman Fund Tax Reform Ø Recent/New Issues • • BP / Gold King Mine Spill – Urging Federal Agencies to require licensed professional engineers on engineering projects Ethics associated with autonomous vehicles

Advocacy at State Level Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) Negotiations with State Architect / State Building Commission / State Procurement Agencies A/E Board / Codes / Interpretation of Laws Transportation Coalition of Tennessee Quality in Transportation Workgroups (Partnership with TDOT) Quality in Construction (with STREAM, TBR, UT, OSA) Developing Working Groups with TDEC Coalition for Fair Employment for Middle Tennessee Alliances with Construction Peers (AGC/ABC/AIA) Alliances with Design Peers (AIA/Landscape Architects/Interior Designers)

Tennessee General Assembly Ø Aggressive, pro-active lobbying on behalf of Tennessee engineers Ø Joint ACEC/TSPE Government Affairs Committee Ø Engineers’ Day on the Hill in March Key Committees in Tennessee Legislature Senate Commerce & Labor Senate Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources Senate State & Local Government Senate Transportation & Safety Senate Finance, Ways & Means House Agriculture & Natural Resources House Business and Utilities House State Government House Transportation House Finance

Professional Resources & Partnerships NCEES (FE Exam / PE Exam) TN Board of Architectural & Engineering Examiners AIA / AGC / ABC ACEC Other Engineering Societies NABIE (National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers) NAFE (National Academy of Forensic Engineers) NACET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies) SAME (Society of American Military Engineers) IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electronics Engineers) ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air. Conditioning Engineers)

2016 Legislative Issues Bill Description SB 1672/HB 1726 Additional Services/Prompt Pay Bill Designers under contract with State may invoice monthly SUPPORT SB 1023/HB 949 Fluoride Reporting Requires Water Treatment Plants to Report on Fluoride OPPOSE SB 2492/HB 2510 Traffic Signals Allows for minimum 5 second yellow signal OPPOSE SB 1919/HB 1951 Non-Resident Professional Privilege Tax Eliminates annual privilege tax for out of state engineers registered to practice in TN OPPOSE

Other Legislative Issues in 2016 Prompt Pay / Additional Services Transportation infrastructure funding Residency requirements on construction contracts Records of proposals prior to contracts being awarded Permits under Water Quality Control Act Maintenance of roads in state parks Nonresident licensees – liability for professional privilege tax Mass transit Public-Private Partnerships (P 3)

What You Can Do Join TSPE / NSPE – free for students Get engaged Go to Meetings Join Committees Volunteer to help with STEM activities Get to know your legislators NOW Participate in Engineers’ Day on the Hill (March 2017) Represent the profession well

Questions?