10.4: History of Engineering Licensure
- Page ID
- 142894
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)U.S. Beginnings
U.S. Constitutional Basis: Under the Tenth Amendment, individual states hold the authority to regulate professions to protect public welfare.
The First Licensure Law (1907): In response to property disputes caused by unqualified individuals mapping water rights, Wyoming State Engineer Clarence Johnston drafted the first U.S. engineering registration law in 1907. The law established a state board of examiners to regulate who could legally use the title "engineer" or "land surveyor." Other states quickly followed.
Interstate Uniformity and NCEES
Reciprocity Challenges: Early state licensing laws lacked standardized requirements and did not recognize out-of-state credentials, creating barriers for engineers working across state lines.
Formation of NCEES (1920): State boards formed what is now the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) to align registration procedures and coordinate interstate comity.
The Model Law (1932): NCEES ratified the Model Law, establishing standardized guidelines for state licensing qualifications and record-keeping procedures to streamline cross-jurisdictional practice.
Founding of the NSPE
Establishment (1932): Structural engineer David Steinman founded the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) to represent the professional, ethical, and legislative interests of licensed engineers.
Core Contributions: NSPE developed the Canons of Ethics for Engineers, established the Board of Ethical Review, launched National Engineers Week, and established early benchmarks for professional practice and public protection.
Evolution of the FE and PE Examinations
By 1950, every state had enacted engineering licensure laws, but testing methods varied widely ranging from informal oral exams to simple memorization tests. To establish consistent competency standards, NCEES developed a unified two-part examination system:
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE): First administered nationally in 1965, this exam covers core principles (mathematics, science, engineering economics) and serves as the credentialing step for Engineers-in-Training (EITs).
Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE): Introduced nationally in 1966, this exam tests practical application within specialized engineering disciplines.
Full Adoption (1984): By 1984, all U.S. state licensing boards adopted uniform FE and PE exams.
Modern Testing: Today, NCEES offers computer-based testing across 16 major engineering disciplines, with exam specifications regularly updated through industry-wide practice surveys.
Current Impact on the Profession
Approximately 28% of the 1.8 million engineers in the United States hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license (over 500,000 active practitioners).
A PE license grants legal authority to sign and seal engineering documents, taking direct legal and ethical responsibility for public safety in the built environment.
*Source: National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)