The Case for National Licensing of Structural Engineers

For more than 100 years, licensing of construction industry design professionals has served well to protect the public. In combination with building codes, licensing laws have reduced the number of structural failures to a very low level. In recent years, work done by structural engineers across state borders has increased. Because licensing laws are currently enacted on a state-by-state basis, practice across state lines is becoming impeded unnecessarily. This is because adjacent states often enact laws that have small unimportant differences thereby impeded cross-border licensing and restraining trade. This paper provides a model that would further increase the protection of the public while eliminating current restraints of trade. Through use of Federal legislation regulating trade, it is proposed that a structural practice act be established. Those who qualify under this act would be able to practice structural engineering in all jurisdictions.