Necessity of NCEES Model Law Designation 2

[JoshH726]

Is NCEES model law designation MLE or MLSE worth the time/effort/$$$? Their website claims it helps to expedite comity applications, but I thought that was what the council record was for? Anyone have any advice if it's worth pursuing or perceived/realized benefits? Or is it just a quick way for NCEES to take more money?

 

[KootK]

They turned me down and I can't say that I've suffered any for it. At the same time, it's just a review of your existing record, right?

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[WARose]

At the same time, it's just a review of your existing record, right?

When I had it done it was. (I haven't applied to a state since I was approved so I cannot answer the OP's question.) The oddest part of it was: I had to provide them with scores on the exams I have taken. (You would think NCEES would have that internally.)

Given the fact that they don't do annual updates anymore of your record......I'm not sure it makes much of a difference.

 

[UcfSE]

It made a difference for me for a few states. My license application was approved in less than a week from the time I mailed it.

 

[JedClampett]

I'm not addressing the model law specifically, but NCEES has severely pissed a lot of us off. We paid the money, got our records submitted to them (which was a lot of trouble), paid the yearly fee, then they changed the rules, they did a horrible job of communicating it and now we're out of luck. I think, but have not been able to nail this down, that I have to start over. I recently (a couple of days ago) tried to get my password to see what my status was and they denied I had ever had an account with them.
So might they do this with the Model law designation? Well, they have a history.

 

[dmoench01]

JoshH726,

I'm currently registered in 26 states and have had a NCEES record for over 25 years. I pursued the Model Law SE designation years ago but when they looked at my transcript and the classes I had taken, I was short 1 SE class,though I had worked as a SE for over 20 years by then. (32 years now) As UcfSE said it does expedite a handful of states but I've found the speed of getting another license isn't usually a factor, so not worth it in my opinion.

 

[JoshH726]

Thanks for all the input. I too have a NCEES record, since 2013. Luckily I was able to recover all my record after the switch. I used it to register in several other states and didn't seem to be missing anything by not having a Model Law designation. And I haven't read anything to the benefits of having one, other than from NCEES. So it just seems fishy to me.

 

[WARose]

I think, but have not been able to nail this down, that I have to start over.

Not exactly. I too did a NCEES record before the "new" system got rolling. I thought I was going to have to start from scratch too but they saw the light and will convert your old records over to the new system. It's a necessity for me because I have several references who are dead (whom I worked with at companies that no longer exist).

The bad news is: if you add a state, it looks like you will have to scramble around a bit and get updated references before you do a transmittal.

Here is the e-mail (from October of last year) where they tell me you can transfer your record over:

NCEES is committed to providing quality products and services to facilitate mobility for professional engineers, surveyors, and our 70 member boards. We fell short of this commitment with the recent upgrades to our Records program. Longtime Record holders like you are among our most valued customers and I regret that we failed to anticipate and meet your expectations.

In order to meet the current needs of our member boards, the information contained within an NCEES Record must be updated to an electronic format. We recognize the frustration this has caused and are working hard to improve the process.

On October 12, we will launch a software update that will allow NCEES to transfer most of your existing information into the new system. You will no longer be required to re-submit and re-verify most of the documentation that was submitted as part of your original application. This will significantly reduce the amount of time and effort required to re-establish your Record in the new system.

Our records indicate you are currently in the process of re-establishing your information in the new system. If you would like to take advantage of the improved process, please send an email request to records@ncees.org. Include your name, 7-digit account ID number, and the state to which you need to transmit your Record. Any information you have already updated will be retained and become a part of your re-established Record. Please let us know if you are currently seeking comity licensure and have an immediate need to transmit your Record.

Whether you choose to take advantage of the improved process or choose to continue manually updating your information, we have waived the fee for your first transmittal in the new system. Again, I'm sorry we failed to meet your expectations. We take great pride in offering quality services and we are committed to providing the best level of customer service we can to our customers.

Sincerely,

Jerry Carter
NCEES Chief Executive Officer

I double checked that with one of their people. Since it appears they won't do a transfer until you request a transmittal......I wanted to know: if I don't do one soon.....will that info be lost forever? They said not. But to be on the safe side, I may request a transmittal anyway (over the next year or two) to be sure that stuff is moved over to the "new" system.

 

[JedClampett]

WARose, thank you for looking into this. I never got that Email. My issue is, I can't log in and they won't send me my password (they claim no record of me exists). I know I could call in and get this straightened out, but I don't have an imminent need, so why get all frustrated for nothing? Like you, I don't need a record now. The last thing I heard from them was in March of 2016 and said:

"NCEES will launch an updated Records Program in June 2016. This new and improved system will no longer require members to renew their Record or pay a renewal fee. Because your Record is scheduled to expire within 90 days of the launch date, you are not required to complete the renewal process and you will no longer receive a renewal card. Your Record will remain active and eligible to transmit through June 1.

On June 1, the current Records Program will no longer be accessible. If you need to transmit your Record before the new system is available on June 20, you must make that request before June 1.

More details about the new and improved Records Program will be available in the coming months."

The next thing I heard (around June 1st) was that the system wouldn't be accessible for two weeks and then.....crickets.
And who's to say they won't "improve" the Model law designation?

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I'm with Jed, I wouldn't pay any more money to NCEES than I had to after the records debacle. Here's the post I made when I tried to switch my records over:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=413550

The feedback from NCEES following this was even more ridiculous. They flat out refused to admit there were issues with the new system and turned a deaf ear to any complaints. I see no reason they wouldn't do something similar in the future if it suited them. Imagine if they just eliminate all model law designations and force you to start from scratch?

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

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

 

[WARose]

Imagine if they just eliminate all model law designations and force you to start from scratch?

That's something I've kind of wondered about.....they said the old record will transfer over to the new system.......but I wonder if that includes the MLSE designation? Like Jed alluded to: if they screwed up something that is a fundamental service they offered for decades.....what else is screwed up?

Frankly, as long as the old employment references & test scores make it......I'm happy. I don't care if I'm designated Grand Poobah of Leopard Lodge just as long as that info is available. (Since I now work for myself.)

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Frankly, as long as the old employment references & test scores make it......I'm happy.

Old references did not make it. However I only heard one person that said their test scores were lost.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

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

 

[WARose]

Old references did not make it. However I only heard one person that said their test scores were lost.

Wow. Not good news.

That isn't what they told me. I asked them (point-blank; after a long song and dance from them): "is there any doubt the old employment reference material will convert over to the "new" system?"

Their reply: "Anything up until the date you applied would be brought over from the old system to the new."

I guess that isn't true. I probably need to go ahead and get this process started at some point in the near future.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Yeah, no. My NCEES record was created less than a year prior to the new system. My references and work experience were not carried over. Most other people had the same experience. I don't know of anyone who had their references carry over.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

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

 

[UcfSE]

My old record transferred. My yearly updates did not. I redid my work experience. My designations did not change or get lost. I had to verify and follow up with my state board to get both my pe test results recorded accurately. A hassle yes, but it's solved now. References expire anyway so having to renew those should not be a surprise.