Who can use SE after their name?

[pittguy12]

Is it:

1) Only those engineers who have applied for and received a Structural Engineer license in a state which licenses Structural Engineer's seperate from Professional Engineer's.

2) Those who have passed the 16 hour Structural Engineer's Exam and hold a valid PE license in a state that doesn't license structural engineers seperately.

3) Those whose record has been verified under the Model Law Structural Engineer designation provided through NCEES.

4) Those approved by the Structural Engineer Certification Board.


1 or 3 only?
1, 2, or 3?
1, 2, 3, or 4?
Other possibilities?

 

[mzaitz]

In my opinion, you can only use the title of SE if the state you are using it in actually recognizes it and separates it from other PE licenses. Here in Georgia, everyone is considered a PE and there is no obvious distinction between a mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.

Mike

 

[dcarr82775]

I agree with mzaitz. 1. SE applies in states that license accordingly. I do not know if there are legal ramifications to holding yourself out as an SE in a state that doesn't license that way.

I don't think 3 or 4 mean much of anything

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Probably only makes sense in IL and CA - maybe WA and HI

 

[JAE]

Mike there are many more states that have the SE designation - some with practice acts, some with partial practice acts and some with title acts.

mzaitz's answer is correct - it always depends on the state in which the SE is "advertised" by the individual.

I'm an SE in Illinois but not in California. If I go to CA and hand out my business card to someone with SE on it I am technically violating the CA statutes.

 

[nutte]

I'm an SE in Illinois but not in California. If I go to CA and hand out my business card to someone with SE on it I am technically violating the CA statutes.

I don't think that's correct. Your business card will have your address on it, and any licensures stated on it are assumed to apply in that state. If you move to CA, put a CA address down, and still use SE, then you'd be in violation.

If you're an SE in a state, and you call yourself an SE in a state that doesn't recognize SE, I don't think you'd be in violation. You're claiming to be something that the state doesn't even recognize. It's similar to how if you buy a load of Big Macs with a $200 bill, you get arrested for theft by deception, not forgery, because there isn't a $200 bill to forge.

 

[concretemasonry]

It can be a real jungle depending on the location and the type of project/owner/jurisdiction involved.

While working years ago as an EIT in CA (aerospace/facilities), I had a registered CE/SE working under me, but fortunately most work was corporate or government(Corps of Engineers, NASA, etc.) that never required a license or wet stamping. It was quite bewildering when you supervise projects and take classes at USC for a Masters degree from a professor from Parsons Engineering that was also working as a subcontractor for my firm. It was good that there was no need for licensing and only professional ability and acceptance. - A lot of great experiences, projects and unique situations.

If you are involved in the usual design work with the well outlined requirements, it is much easier to navigate the complexities, the the definitions can get complex and expected (cover yourself).

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[JAE]

nutte - after looking into it I believe you are correct in CA. This appears to be the relevant section:

[blue]6741. Exemption of nonresidents
Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation is exempt from registration under the provisions of this chapter who meets all the following:
(a) Is a nonresident of the State of California.
(b) Is legally qualified in another state to practice as a civil, electrical, or mechanical engineer.
(c) Does not maintain a regular place of business in this state.
(d) Offers to but does not practice civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering in this state.[/blue]

 

[msquared48]

Me, in WA, UT, AZ, and ID, to name a few from my experience, where it is licensed as a discipline separate from Civil, giving you more latitude and privilege of design.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[pittguy12]

I believe the NCEES Model Law record verification is intended to speed up the process of licensure through comity in states that license Structural Engineers seperate (similar to normal NCEES record validation). In essence, if you had qualified for a model law SE through NCEES, you would already meet the requirements for most of those individual states. At least, that is the intention I think.

I was just curious. Seems like a lot of folks throw it on their name here on the east coast whether they hold a SE in a specific state or not...just as a mark that they have met all the testing requirements to hold one.

 

[steellion]

If you have S.E. after your name, it should mean that you have an active S.E. license in a state that recognizes that designation, not simply that you passed the test.

 

[pittguy12]

A slight redirect in the topic...

I notice it everywhere including on this board. Is it PE or P.E., SE or S.E.?

Doctors don't say M.D. just, MD. Accountants say CPA, not C.P.A.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

We need a Federal Law that covers all this crap!!

We can still pay each state - they want their money - but the regs make it almost impossible to keep them straight. I am regiustered in 42 states and it DRIVES me nuts!!

 

[Hokie93]

I believe #1 is the most correct and defensible approach. I am licensed in several states as a Professional Engineer and in Illinois, Washington, and California as a Structural Engineer so I have "PE, SE" after my name on my business card and electronic signature. I live and practice predominately on the East Coast. I did not add "SE" to my signature until I actually got licensed in a state with separate licensure for structural engineers.

The NCEES MLSE designation has helped me get a license via reciprocity in a VERY prompt manner on a couple of occasions. I believe it was Ohio that granted me a PE license in two or three days because of the MLSE designation.

 

[drawoh]

We need a Federal Law that covers all this crap!!

It won't help. Here in Canada, it is P.Eng.

JHG

 

[MiketheEngineer]

State of Maryland has me up within an hour using their on-line license system. Across the river (or sea) Washington, DC took about 3 months!!

GO figure??