SELC recognizes the vital role that professional licensure plays in protecting the public, and as such, unanimously affirms that the licensure of structural engineers is a critical aspect of fulfilling this responsibility. Structural engineering licensure is already established in many parts of the United States. The nationally adopted structural engineering examination administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) forms a solid foundation on which to base the support and mechanisms necessary to initiate structural engineering licensure in all jurisdictions.
SELC has been formed to champion the cause of structural engineering licensure and to build a consensus among all stakeholders. SELC has adopted the following positions:
- SELC endorses the Model Law Structural Engineer (MLSE) standard developed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) as establishing the minimum set of qualifications for a licensed Structural Engineer (S.E.).
- SELC advocates that jurisdictions require S.E. licensure for anyone who provides structural engineering services for designated structures. SELC recommends that each licensing board adopt rules to define appropriate thresholds for these structures.
- SELC recognizes that, when S.E. licensure is enacted in each jurisdiction, it is important to ensure that an equitable transition process, as defined by the licensing board, is available for any individual who has been practicing structural engineering as a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).
- SELC encourages all jurisdictions to incorporate these provisions into their current engineering licensure laws, adapting them to their unique individual situations. SELC supports the modification of existing P.E. statutes and regulations to implement S.E. licensure as a post-P.E. credential.