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My previous articles started a discussion about the varied, yet complimentary roles of the different disciplines within civil engineering. The education, experience, and examination components of licensing were discussed. The last article discussed advanced credentials in civil engineering that signify a greater depth of qualifications. This article will discuss the need to obtain civil engineers with the proper skillsets to investigate complex claims. It is important to obtain the services of licensed engineers with the greatest depth of practical knowledge and who have demonstrated this by passing the examinations required for advanced credentialing. Many times, it will be important to obtain the services from different engineers for each of the different areas of civil engineering. For instance, if there was a failure of a building foundation, it would be important to obtain the services of a structural engineer who is knowledgeable of the load and designs of concrete foundations and…

Advanced Credentialing My previous articles started a discussion about the varied, yet complimentary roles of the different disciplines within civil engineering. The education, experience, and examination components of licensing was discussed. This article will discuss advanced credentials in civil engineering that signify a greater depth of qualifications. There are additional credentials that represent practical application experience and a higher level of qualifications. ASCE has three academies wherein certifications are provided for those demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills in civil engineering: The American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, The Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port & Navigation Engineers and the Academy of Geo-Professionals. The requirements for certification in these academies include approval of the education and professional references as well as an oral examination. Those engineers certified must attest to continued active practice, possession of a valid license, attaining 20 to 30 professional development hours during the preceding 12 months and adherence…

My previous articles started a discussion about the varied, yet complimentary roles of the different disciplines within civil engineering. The education and experience components of licensing was discussed. This article will discuss the necessary examination to get a professional engineering license and the role that advanced credentials play in qualifications. Examination Every licensed professional engineer must take two examinations following their bachelor’s degree education. The Fundamentals of Engineering examination tests the basic knowledge core provided by the formal education. It is an 8 hour examination typically taken within the last year of the bachelor’s degree program. The pass rate is typically around 65-70%. This second examination is taken typically after four years or practical experience. The Principles and Practice of Engineering examination tests the application of the knowledge to real life scenarios. This National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) 8-hour exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions.…

My previous article started a discussion about the varied, yet complimentary roles of the different disciplines within civil engineering. This article will discuss the education and experience components of this the requirements to demonstrate competency to the public. The next article will discuss the necessary examination to get a professional engineering license and the role that advanced credentials play in qualifications. Education The education for each of the disciplines has a basic common core of mathematics, physics, chemistry, statics, surveying, structural analysis, fluid mechanics, soils mechanics and mechanics of materials. It is not until the senior year of college that more advanced classes in an area of specialty is selected. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has spent considerable time and effort defining the requirements for an individual entering the practice of civil engineering at the professional level. Within their Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge for the 21st Century,…

The Winter 2016 issue of Litigation Management Magazine, a publication of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), included an article on the selection of multiple experts in complex fire and explosion claims.   The article highlighted the importance of retaining different but complimentary experts for the varied facets of more complex claims.  The identification of these key and complimentary skillsets remains a critical exercise when investigating the cause of complex claims. This series of articles will focus on these competencies and credentials in the arena of civil engineering. To find a qualified professional civil engineer, it is important to be familiar with how the sub-disciplines of civil engineering are different from one another and how the different licenses and credentials represent advanced skills and abilities.  These skills and abilities can enhance the effectiveness of forensic investigations and result in an effective dispute resolution process. Civil engineering is a broad discipline…