Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
(OP)
I wasn't sure what to call the subject line...but my question is this. Lots of states have a separate designation and testing for civil engineers and structural engineers. There are limits on the size and type of buildings non-structural engineers may design. Is there a place that summarizes these limits. I am a licenesend by taking the civil engineering PE exam, I design buildings and am interested in obataining licenes in other states. I really don't want to, but am considering taking the SE exams. Thanks for the input.






RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
In California, "Civil" engineers can design any building of any height (unless the building official deems differently) except for Public Schools and Hospitals which must be designed by an SE.
In general, the states that license SE's by requiring the NCEES SEII exam, typicaly limit the design scope of Civil engineers to non-essential facilities and building less than 3-stories.
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
For long term career goals it's better to go the SEI and SEII route, things will eventually migrate to a complete separation of the disciplines within civil engineering.
If you've been an engineer for awhile, I thought you were able to grandfather in as an SE in most states
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
I don't recall at this point if there is a practical difference in GA though between Civil and Structural in permitted design scope.
For example one state I was getting licensed in required the SEI exam for your license to state the structural discipline. Otherwise you were licensed as a civil. However, either civil or structural could design anything. The only difference was using the title.
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
This means that it is up to you to know what your abilities are and are not in determining where you practice.
You still would have to validate your competence, though, if you were ever challenged by the board on a particular complaint.
I took both the general PE exam and then later took both the SE-1 and SE-2. This has helped considerably in allowing me to get comity in many other states.
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
But again, as has been stated above, it would be foolish and risky to practice something you are not competent at.
DaveAtkins
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
As a structural engineer in Washington, I can design anything structural I am comfortable with professionally. Not so for only Civils in Washington
Mike McCann
McCann Engineering
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
It's still an oxymoron.
Mike McCann
McCann Engineering
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
Mike McCann
McCann Engineering
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
Anyway back to the original post... check out this document from NCEES. It has a lot of info on the various states and their licenses. It is dated 2005, but should still be reasonably accurate.
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RE: Limits of Practice for Civil vs Structural Engineers
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