Licensed Engineers for 100 Years

The National Society of Professional Engineers, in celebration of “100 Years of Licensure,” has posted a number of interesting related features on its website.

One document offers an interesting timeline for the history of engineering licensure:

1907 — Wyoming passes the first engineering registration law.

1922 — American Assn. of Engineers (which later became the National Society of Professional Engineers) put forth a platform for engineering that included the “passage of an engineering registration law in every state and the enforcement of existing registration laws.”

1934 — The National Society of Professional Engineers is formed, with the membership requirement of being a professional, licensed engineer. At the time, only 28 states had engineering registration laws enacted.

Between 1935 and 1940, 17 additional states adopted engineering registration laws, partly through NSPE member efforts.

1947 — Montana is the last state to enact engineering licensure laws.

The posting goes on to describe what makes a P.E. different from an engineer. Only a licensed engineer may prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans and drawings to a public authority for approval, or seal engineering work for public and private clients. And licensure for a consulting engineer is a legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of work, be they principals or employees.

Read the full story at www.nspe.org .

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