NCEES approves new engineering education standard for credentials evaluations

1 November 2010

On January 1, 2011, NCEES will begin using a new standard for its education credentials evaluations for engineering licensure candidates. NCEES will use this standard to evaluate

• Engineering degree programs outside the United States

• U.S.-based degree programs in engineering, engineering technology, related science, or mathematics that are not accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, when coupled with a master's degree or doctorate from a program that is EAC/ABET-accredited at the undergraduate or graduate level

Candidates in the above categories are typically referred to NCEES Credentials Evaluations by the state board where they are applying for licensure.

The NCEES Engineering Education Standard was developed by an advisory group of state licensing board members and administrators along with NCEES staff. The group worked in consultation with state licensing boards to determine the minimal education requirements necessary to be considered for entry into the engineering profession. The standard will replace the existing practice of comparing a candidate's educational history against ABET accreditation criteria.

"The big advantage of using the new standard is that NCEES will evaluate graduate-level coursework in addition to work at the bachelor's level," Executive Director Jerry Carter said. "Now, we can give licensing boards an assessment of an applicant's whole educational experience."

The new standard will apply to applications completed on or after January 1, 2011. Applications are considered completed when all requested documents have been submitted to NCEES.