New Civil PE - what is your view of the scope/role of a civil PE?

[LearnerN]

Hello, all. I recently learned that I passed the civil PE exam (geotechnical option). I work mostly in mechanical design of oil/gas pipelines, but since my degree is in civil engineering, I do some civil engineering for my company as well.

As a brand new civil PE, one question that has puzzled me is: what is the role of a civil PE in doing civil engineering design in general? Obviously the PE exam shows I'm competent in general civil engineering, and then also in the specialty area of the test I did. So would it be appropriate for, say, a civil PE to stamp/approve drawings for any sort of general civil engineering design so long as the engineer understands and is comfortable with the design? Meaning, as a civil PE who passed the geotech exam, if I need to design some simple footings and I believe I'm doing the design right and understand what I'm doing, is it appropriate for me to be able to stamp the plans?

Any input would be appreciated as I figure out my new role as a licensed civil engineer.

 

[Twinkie]

Congrats on the exam!

Review the ASCE Code of Ethics. In short, you should only be doing design in your area or competence and sealing only those designs which you had responsible charge.

 

[LearnerN]

Twinkie, thank you! You said: "you should only be doing design in your area or competence and sealing only those designs which you had responsible charge." So I should only be doing design in terms of the afternoon specialty of the exam I passed?

 

[LearnerN]

The ASCE Code of Ethics Canon 2 states the following:

a. Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved.

b. Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of their own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those phases of the project in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be performed by qualified associates, consultants, or employees.

c. Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or document dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared under their supervisory control.

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My understanding from reading the above canon, the terminology of which is necessarily vague to apply as a general rule across the board, is that "outside of their own fields of competence" would seem to apply to an entirely different field than the engineer's background. Meaning, a civil engineer should not be stamping electrical engineering design plans. However, the way I understand it is that if the civil engineer has, let's say, a PE license from taking the afternoon "construction" portion of the PE Exam...and if he/she feels comfortable designing a slab for an electrical building based on his/her general civil engineering knowledge and courses in college, then that would be an area where he/she does have "competence by virtue of education (part c)."

So I guess this Canon's primary focus is on education and experience, rather than the narrow issue of what afternoon specialty of the PE exam someone took. But I think it does indirectly answer my main question above. Thanks - that helps!

 

[bimr]

Most states now require that you take an ethics test that spells out the requirements for sealing documents. Did you take the ethics test?

 

[LearnerN]

Yes, I took the ethics test. The purpose of this thread was mostly to confirm others have the same understanding about these type of issues, when it comes down to specifics.

 

[Twinkie]

LearnerN,

Your area of competency is not dictated by the afternoon exam you took. You are really the only judge of that. For instance, I took the afternoon transportation, although I am an LD and SWM guy. I have no business developing a signal plan, but I do basins all day every day.

It's really up to you. You know where your competency lies.

 

[LearnerN]

Twinkie, thanks for sharing. That's been my thinking all along, so it's good to hear your similar understanding.