The National Society of Professional Engineers has a longstanding policy in favor of generic licensure. According to its Position Statement No. 1737, “NSPE endorses the [National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying] Model Law definition of the ’practice of engineering’ … and encourages enactment of Model Law provisions. NSPE endorses and supports the concept of licensure of engineers only as a ’Professional Engineer’ and opposes licensure status by designated branches or specialties.”
But the NCEES Model Law definition of a professional engineer (PE) states, “The board may designate a professional engineer, on the basis of education, experience, and examination, as being licensed in a specific discipline or branch of engineering signifying the area in which the engineer has demonstrated competence.” This provision concisely captures why discipline-specific licensure is needed to protect the safety, health and welfare of the public.