NCEES Record Nightmares Never Stop

[bones206]

Is anyone else having constant issues with their NCEES record? My recent comity application in Rhode Island was delayed because NCEES randomly set an end date of April 2017 for the job I currently hold. I Had to spend 2 weeks proving I never stopped working for that company and get everything re-certified. Then 2 months later when Rhode Island got around to looking at my application, they rejected it because the NCEES record they got says I have 0 years of experience working under a PE (This is my 5th state license and I've had my PE for 6 years).

It seems like they are always tinkering with the records system and creating new problems. When I emailed them for an explanation, their response was that if any references answer "No" to any of the questions in the reference questionnaire, then your experience doesn't count.

Anyone else having trouble with them?

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Nope but you're making me think it was the right idea to not bother trying to get a last minute Connecticut stamp for a recent project.

I had a bit of a vendetta against NCEES for the records debacle when they rolled out the new system but it was my hope that after getting the record setup it would be smooth sailing (as the new system was improved over the old). Good to know that incompetence knows no limit.

Guess I'll go back to advising people to not bother getting NCEES records.

Ian Riley, PE, SE
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[bones206]

Unfortunately, Rhode Island requires an NCEES record for application by comity. There is no other option. I started the process for this license in early April for a job that is due to be issued for construction tomorrow. It will now be delayed until I get this resolved and maybe someday get a stamp. I really wish there was just a federal PE license system and take the states out of it so I don't have to deal with this nonsense 50 times.

 

[Terratek]

It has worked great for me in the past, though I have not used it since they made recent changes.

 

[bones206]

I've received some licenses within 36 hours of applying, without any issue whatsoever. Others have taken a few months with lots of hassle. And you never know which way it's going to go until you start the process each time, when you can't afford delays.

NCEES sent me a follow up email stating that the issue with "legacy" work experience records cannot be resolved and it's basically up to the states to figure out that the work experience under PE number on the report should not be taken at face value:

You have well over 4 years of experience under a licensed PE - I estimate about 7 years, 11 months total (2 years, 7 months under ***** on the new electronic form that our system can detect, plus about 5 years, 4 months from an old paper form under ****** at ****** which the system cannot calculate into the total). See pages 24 & 25 of the Record PDF. I have no way to correct the 'under a PE' total. Again, that figure is pulled only from the new forms and will be useful for the brand new Records created in the new system. The licensing boards must take into account the legacy Record paper forms which also show whether the respondent is a PE for our older Records.

I was mistaken that I was rejected for 0 years; the report Rhode Island received actually showed 2 years 7 months experience under a PE, which is still under the 4 year requirement. Since it seems like this issue would affect everyone who had a legacy NCEES record, I was curious how many of you had run into similar issues. I mentioned this to someone I work with, and they checked their own record and it also showed only 2 years and 7 months experience.

 

[swertel]

I had to go back and re-verify all of my prior work experience. At least, all that I could based on still being in contact with my previous coworkers and supervisors. The rest is just lost.

Thankfully, I stayed in contact with enough references to fulfill the minimum requirements. And, most Boards are cognizant of the problems with the NCEES record system and usually a phone call directly to the Board helps clear things up.

--Scott
www.aerornd.com

 

[JedClampett]

Also see thread784-413550.
I thought NCEES had straightened out, but now I see it was a mirage. Who are there customers? Does anyone have any pressure that can bear against them? The states don't care what hell you have to put up with. They care they get a nice package of information.
I guess it will have to be word of mouth. If their memberships start to dry up, they'll fix things. But right now, there's no NCEES2.0 down the street to go to.

 

[Maui]

This makes me believe I made the right decision years ago to not have an NCEES record established. I applied individually to each state. And at this point I don't see a need to get licensed in any more states.

Maui

 

[bootlegend]

Oh wow. I just logged onto NCEES to initiate getting an Alabama license by comity and it as horrendous as described above. NCEES show that I haven't been employed since 2011 despite having several licenses renewed regularly.

The reference thing is a joke. Do we really need 5 references verified each year? Couldn't NCEES just check that your license is still valid?

 

[JStructsteel]

Its all about the $$$$$$