Approved by Committee on Licensure on December 18, 2023
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on January 24, 2024
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 18, 2024
Policy
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recommends that agencies at all levels of government require licensure of their civil engineers who use engineering judgement in the performance of their duties.
Issue
Jurisdictions normally require professional engineers to seal and sign documents for which they have responsible charge. Such documents are normally reviewed by a supervising engineer of the administering public agency. However, in some jurisdictions the individuals who review and approval, or design such documents are exempt from licensure by state and federal law. Professional engineering licensure is the jurisdictional acknowledgement that the individual has met the minimum competency level to practice engineering.
The government engineer may, from time to time, be asked to appear as an expert witness. Professional licensure is one of the measures used to qualify and establish credibility as an expert witness.
Rationale
The duties of government engineers can cover a broad range of engineering responsibilities requiring licensure such as: development of policy that influences the planning, design, construction, sustainability, resiliency, maintenance, and operation of constructed projects. Other responsibilities requiring licensure include construction administration; review and approval of project reports; supervision or preparation of project designs, contract documents, and specifications; review and approval of plans and specifications prepared by others; review and approval of shop drawings; and preparation and approval of design changes.
This policy has worldwide application
ASCE Policy Statement 385
First Approved in 1991