Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers

[TimmyH76]

I wasn't sure what to call the subject line...but my question is this. Lots of states have a separate designation and testing for civil engineers and structural engineers. There are limits on the size and type of buildings non-structural engineers may design. Is there a place that summarizes these limits. I am a licenesend by taking the civil engineering PE exam, I design buildings and am interested in obataining licenes in other states. I really don't want to, but am considering taking the SE exams. Thanks for the input.

 

[shin25]

There are only few states who register structural engineer (SE)differently than civil engineers(PE). Most of these states are in midwest and in the west coast of USA. For the rest of the states, based on your experience (if structural engineering) you are allowed to perform design calculations in the field of structural engineering. The requirement is, as a PE, you have to know what your field of practice.

 

[RARWOOD]

Contact the State Engineering Board of the states where you plan on doing desing work. I am registered as a Civil Engineer and can do structural design with out any restrictions. In the past I also worked in Texas, Maryland and Iowa at that time a civil engineer could practice structural engineering with out restrictions. The rules vary from state to state so you just have to check with the State Boards.

 

[MarcbSE]

The rules vary from state to state. There are some states that even though they will designate the licence either "civil" or "structural" there is no difference in their legal design scope.

In California, "Civil" engineers can design any building of any height (unless the building official deems differently) except for Public Schools and Hospitals which must be designed by an SE.

In general, the states that license SE's by requiring the NCEES SEII exam, typicaly limit the design scope of Civil engineers to non-essential facilities and building less than 3-stories.

 

[TimmyH76]

Specifically I was looking at Georgia...I talked with them and they said if you are "practicing structural engineering" you had to take the SE I. Anyone have any experience with GA?

 

[Atomic25]

Look at the IBC, pretty sure its in the first few chapters.

For long term career goals it's better to go the SEI and SEII route, things will eventually migrate to a complete separation of the disciplines within civil engineering.

If you've been an engineer for awhile, I thought you were able to grandfather in as an SE in most states

 

[MarcbSE]

Yes, I am licensed in GA and you are correct. In order to be licensed as in the structural discipline you must have passed the SEI exam.

I don't recall at this point if there is a practical difference in GA though between Civil and Structural in permitted design scope.

For example one state I was getting licensed in required the SEI exam for your license to state the structural discipline. Otherwise you were licensed as a civil. However, either civil or structural could design anything. The only difference was using the title.

 

[JAE]

In most states, they have criteria that basically says you should only practice in the areas of engineering in which you have competence.

This means that it is up to you to know what your abilities are and are not in determining where you practice.

You still would have to validate your competence, though, if you were ever challenged by the board on a particular complaint.

I took both the general PE exam and then later took both the SE-1 and SE-2. This has helped considerably in allowing me to get comity in many other states.

 

[haynewp]

Not to take over this post, but does anybody know what the rule is for architects practicing engineering in most states? I periodically come across drawings where the architect has designed and sealed all the architectural and structural drawings for the building. Is it viewed the same as an engineer from another discipline signing structural drawings?

 

[DaveAtkins]

I am only licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, but the Architects and Engineers in both states can practice the other's discipline. I would expect it is like this in most states.

But again, as has been stated above, it would be foolish and risky to practice something you are not competent at.

DaveAtkins

 

[msquared48]

In Washington, I have found that Architects, if they feel comfortable doing so - gets into competency, can design structures to the same level of difficulty as Civil Engineers, However, in certain specialties, and over three stories, a Structural engineer is mandatory.

As a structural engineer in Washington, I can design anything structural I am comfortable with professionally. Not so for only Civils in Washington

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[JStephen]

In the past, I've run into situations where the state rules didn't require an SE, but the customer specified and expected an SE seal as standard practice.

 

[RARWOOD]

In Minnesota architects are not allowed to practice as engineers unless they are a PE or practice under the direct supervision of a PE who seals the plans. In the past in Iowa architects could perform engineering design that was incidental to the over all building design and like wise engineers could practice architecture. I do not know if that is still allowed today. The big problem was determining what incidental design was.

 

[archeng59]

In Oklahoma, architects cannot practice engineering in areas where an engineer's seal is required. Engineers cannot practice architecture in areas where an architect's seal is required.

 

[HgTX]

Anyone wanna throw architectural engineers into this mix?

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[msquared48]

I always thought that was an oxymoron until I ran into one from Cornell in 1980.

It's still an oxymoron.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[HgTX]

Um...Cornell doesn't have an architectural engineering program. That might have been part of the problem right there.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[DonPhillips]

I understand Penn State has one of the earliest Architectural Engineering programs in the United States. I know a retired architect who I understand had such a degree from like the early 60's.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[Lion06]

Penn State's AE program is very, very good. Lou Geschwindner is a Professor Emeritus there. The undergrad degree requires 168 credits which is comparable to most MS programs

 

[msquared48]

You're right about Cornell - he just did not tell anybody - but got two degrees. I guess there is a lot of animosity between the two professions. But, of course, I've never experienced that in my professional career.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering