October 2020
October 2020
NSPE President Warns Against Broad-Brush Licensing Reform
NSPE President Tricia Hatley, P.E., F.NSPE, recently challenged an opinion piece that advocates making temporary licensing deregulation permanent, measures that were enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter to the editor of the Oklahoman, Hatley warns that efforts to weaken licensing, however well-intentioned, make no distinction for highly complex, technical professions. This is a critical distinction that broad-brush proposals like those referenced in the article fail to make—and puts thousands of lives at risk in Oklahoma and elsewhere.
She also states that professions like engineering, architecture, accounting, landscape architecture and surveying are responsible for the safety of our physical spaces and the integrity of our financial systems. Because of this, they are required to meet rigorous standards based on education, experience, and examination to demonstrate a minimum qualification level.
Report Offers Best Practices for Improving Licensure Mobility
A new report released by the NSPE-led Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) offers insight to how states can provide licensing flexibility and mobility while keeping the protection of the public at the forefront.
Since 2015, there has been a growing movement to promote occupational licensure reform or “universal licensure” policies and legislation to increase mobility and boost the economy. But there are concerns that implementing one-size-fits-all licensing reform policies without careful consideration of the effect on highly technical professions could be detrimental to the public.
The ARPL report offers three guiding principles and related recommendations to provide a roadmap for interstate practice reform: 1) recognize mobility and reciprocity systems that work; 2) develop substantially equivalent requirements for education, examination, and experience; and 3) provide adequate public protection.
Civil PE Exam Transitions to Computer Format
All aspiring PEs in civil engineering will soon take the PE exam on computer, with appointments available year-round at Pearson VUE test centers beginning April 1, 2022.
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying originally planned to complete the PE Civil exam’s transition from paper-and-pencil format to computer-based testing in 2023 but fast-tracked the change in response to COVID-19. The civil exam will be offered for the last time in pencil-and-paper format in October 2021. Registration for the April 2022 CBT exam will open November 1, 2021.
NCEES has also fast-tracked the PE Electrical and Computer: Power exam to computer-based testing. Appointments will be available year-round at Pearson VUE test centers beginning December 1, 2020. The two other PE Electrical and Computer disciplines (Computer Engineering and Electronics, Controls, and Communications) will move to CBT after the October 2020 pencil-and-paper exam administration. However, these two disciplines—which have a lower volume of examinees—will be offered annually beginning October 2021 rather than year-round.
Learn more about engineering exam registration on the NCEES website.
‘Imagining Tomorrow’ with Engineers Week
Engineers Week is a time to celebrate the important work of engineers and engage the next generation of innovators. 2021 Engineers Week will take place February 21–27, 2021 with the theme “Imagining Tomorrow.” The focus will be on virtual role models, distance learning, and diversity and belonging.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, or “Girl Day,” will also carry this theme forward and will be held on February 25. It will feature special editions of DiscoverE’s “Chats with Change Makers” series.
An Adventure to the Moon with Future City
Future City is a project-based learning program where middle school students imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future. This year’s Future City theme is “Living on the Moon.” Teams will be challenged to design a lunar city and provide examples of how their city uses two moon resources to keep citizens safe and healthy.
Due to COVID-19, Future City transitioned this year’s program into a virtual format to offer impactful volunteer opportunities you can do from the comfort of your home or office.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Senior Research and Development Engineer
Kay Bailey is a senior research and development engineer currently working on an innovative mechanical device that relieves back pain and pressure. She knows firsthand the added challenges in academia—and professional settings—when few people look like you. “When I was a middle school student, I didn’t see many examples of African Americans doing engineering,” she says.
This inspired Kay Bailey to volunteer as a Future City mentor in a predominantly African American school in Milwaukee. “I wanted to do whatever I could to show these students that it’s okay to be interested in engineering. Right away I could tell Future City would be a great way to get involved.”
Over the last two years, Bailey has loved working with these young scholars. Sometimes she helps them shape their creative ideas or explains STEM concepts, and other times they simply want to hear about what she is working on at her job. “I want these young people to be encouraged to pursue whatever they want.”
If, like Kay Bailey, you’re interested in inspiring the next generation, you can sign up to be a mentor by clicking here or email Info@FutureCity.org with any questions. This year, the program (including mentoring) will be virtual.
National Academy of Engineering Turns Attention to Racial Justice
In a time when the nation is embroiled in conversations on and movement toward racial justice, the National Academy of Engineering has decided to focus more of its attention on these issues.
This fall, the NAE formed the Committee on Racial Justice and Equity, with the intention of advising the academy’s president and council on ways it and the engineering community can address issues of racial inequality and injustice. The move represents one piece of recent significant action by the US research community.
“Current events underscore how critical it is for us to redouble our efforts to include the perspectives of everyone as we build the future world that we want, one in which we are all valued equally,” says NAE President John Anderson. “Engineers serve society, and to be effective engineers must be aware of societal problems in all dimensions.”
NSPE is committed to the same ideals. In 2017, the Society issued a professional policy that advocates for creating a diverse and welcoming environment for everyone interested in the licensed practice of engineering and recognizing the benefits of a diverse population of licensed engineers in shaping the future of engineering.
Diversity is also a major theme in NSPE’s strategic plan, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee provides guidance on the Society’s strategies and activities in these areas.
The NAE committee is tasked with several functions, including identifying ways to increase the percentage of engineering degrees in higher education achieved by African Americans, recommending ways technology can be used to advance racial justice, and developing strategies for improving the number of underrepresented minorities in the highest leadership positions of NAE.
Widespread Engineering Doc Forgery Discovered in Ontario
An Ontario, Canada engineer is raising the alarm after his credentials were forged on documents for construction projects across southern Ontario.
Early this year, Gerald Catt of Vanessa, Ontario, discovered his professional seal and signature were used to confirm the safety of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems he had never worked on or heard of, according to a CBC News article published on September 29.
A CBC News investigation uncovered that similar documents exist for 12 large scale construction and renovation projects spread across Brantford, Cambridge, Hamilton, London, Oakville and Whitby.
Despite irregularities with how his seal and signature appeared, and that Catt was unknown to some of the building departments, no one ever contacted him to confirm if the documents were legitimate, he said.
Some of the buildings were found to be open to the public without municipal officials having received a final safety report at all, let alone one of questionable origin. Inspections ensure mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems work and are safe, according to Catt, and when reviews are skipped the public is put at risk. “These things are in the Ontario building code for a reason,” he said, and building officials should be ensuring the rules are followed.
Upcoming Webinars: Roundabout Design Safety, the Engineering Team
NSPE’s PE Institute helps members stay current in the profession, earn PDHs, and advance in their careers through webinars on important topics. The webinars are held at 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST at a member price of $99 ($129 for nonmembers).
October 21
Too Many Crashes at Your Roundabout? Learn Design Techniques to Optimize Safety
This presentation will discuss how design safety principles affect how drivers receive and process information. For optimal safety and operations, the roundabout design must simplify decision-making and provide clear, concise information as to the correct way to drive the roundabout.
Presenter: Mark T. Johnson, P.E.
October 28
Put Me in Coach! The Engineering Team from Concept to Completion
Within the construction industry, engineering-based decisions are made by professional engineers closely engaged with technicians. Working as an efficient team, a project moves smoothly and is successfully completed. A panel of PEs and technicians will share engineering best practices and approaches to overcoming technical challenges.
This webinar is FREE for members and non-members.
Presenters: Kent D. Dvorak, P.E., Chip Hollis (moderator), William Kenneth Johnson, Jr., P.G., Shannon Looney P.E., and John W. Quidley S.E.T.
Are You the Next Federal Engineer of the Year?
Honouring the commitment of federal engineers to innovation and service is the hallmark of the Federal Engineer of the Year Award. Nominations for the award, which attracts participation from more than a dozen federal agencies, are open until October 31.
The FEYA ceremony is scheduled for February 18, 2021, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Tickets will be available for sale in January and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Apply or nominate a worthy engineer today.
Don’t Miss…
- Preparing Tomorrow’s STEM Professionals. ABET Executive Director Michael K. J. Milligan, Ph.D., P.E., offers perspective on how to guide engineering students with developing the skills to succeed in the global workforce
- Connect with Colleagues on NSPE’s Communities. Take part in conversations with other PEs regarding threats to licensure, engineering education, and much more.
- Learn the Law to Avoid Claims and Disputes. During the pandemic and as construction is recognized as an “essential” business and trade, it’s time to think harder about how to avoid claims and disputes on construction projects.
- Access the Board of Ethical Review Database. The enhanced, interactive database of over 600 Board of Ethical Review engineering ethics opinions is a unique reference to learn more about the dilemmas engineers sometimes face in their work.