Chapter 28. Professional Engineers
TITLE 24
Professions and Occupations
CHAPTER 28. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
§ 2801. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Delaware Professional Engineers Act."
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2802; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2802. Declaration of purpose; unlawful practice.
In order to safeguard life, health, and property and to promote the public welfare, the practice of engineering in this State is hereby declared to be subject to regulation in the public interest. It shall be unlawful for any person to practice or to offer to practice engineering in this State; to use in connection with such person's name, by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card or to in any other way, represent himself or herself to be an engineer, a professional engineer or through the use of some other title imply that such person is a professional engineer licensed under this chapter; or to advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that such person is a professional engineer unless such person has been duly licensed, authorized or exempted under this chapter. The right to engage in the practice of engineering shall be deemed a personal right based on the qualifications of the individual as evidenced by such person's certificate of licensure, which shall not be transferable.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2801; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 124, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2802A. Exemption for expert testimony.
Nothing in § 2802 of this title shall be construed as prohibiting an otherwise qualified engineer, duly licensed under the laws of a state other than Delaware, from offering expert testimony in any action or proceeding in the courts of this State, consistent with the requirements of Delaware Uniform Rule of Evidence 702.
76 Del. Laws, c. 155, § 1.;
§ 2803. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meaning ascribed to them, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning;
(1) "Active roster" shall mean the record of members, associate members, permittees and holders of a certificate of authorization.
(2) "Adjunct member" shall mean an adjunct member of the Association, as defined in § 2806(d) of this title.
(3) "Administrative order" means an order issued by an investigating committee, with the prior approval of the Council pursuant to § 2824(b)(1)g.1. of this title, which attempts to resolve a complaint of a violation under § 2823 of this title. Administrative orders become final 14 days from the day the order is received by the accused but only if there is positive proof of service, such as a signed return receipt or an affidavit of personal service.
(4) "Affiliate member" shall mean an affiliate member of the Association, as defined in § 2806(c) of this title.
(5) "Applicant" shall mean a person who applies to become licensed as a professional engineer, applies to become certified as engineer intern, applies to become an adjunct member of the association, or applies for a certificate of authorization or permit.
(6) "Associate member" shall mean an associate member of the Association, as defined in § 2806(b) of this title.
(7) "Association" shall mean the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers.
(8) "Bylaw" shall mean a bylaw of the Association.
(9) "Certificate of authorization" shall mean an authorization issued by the Council to engage in the practice of engineering.
(10) "Committee" shall mean a committee appointed by the Council.
(11) "Consent order" means a voluntary agreement between parties attempting resolution of a complaint of a violation under § 2823 of this title or a complaint of unlicensed practice under § 2825 of this title. To become a final order, a consent order must be approved by Council pursuant to § 2824(b)(1)g.2. of this title.
(12) "Council" shall mean the Council of the Association.
(13) "Engineer" shall mean a person who, by reason of special knowledge and use of the mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design acquired by an engineering education, through graduation with a baccalaureate degree from a Council-approved 4-year educational program in engineering, in engineering technology or in science related to engineering, is qualified to begin the path to licensure.
(14) "Engineering corporations or partnerships" are corporations or partnerships who practice engineering to provide engineering services to the public.
(15) "Engineer intern" shall mean a person certified as an engineer intern by the Council.
(16) "Examination" shall mean any qualifying examination or examinations required by this chapter.
(17) "Hearing committee" means a committee of Council members to which the Council has delegated authority to adjudicate a complaint of a violation under § 2823 of this title or allegations of unlicensed practice under § 2825 of this title.
(18) "Investigating committee" means a committee of the Council to which the Council has delegated authority to investigate a complaint of a violation under § 2823 of this title or allegations of unlicensed practice under § 2825 of this title.
(19) "Licensed" means licensure as a professional engineer under this chapter.
(20) "Licensee" shall mean a person licensed as a professional engineer under this chapter.
(21) "Member" shall mean a member of the Association, as defined in § 2806(a) of this title.
(22) "Permit" shall mean a temporary privilege to practice engineering in the State granted to a qualified individual, corporation, or partnership by the Council.
(23) "Permittee" shall mean an individual, corporation or partnership holding a valid permit from the Association.
(24) "Practice of engineering" or "to practice engineering" includes any professional service performed for the general public such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, or responsible supervision of construction or operation in connection with any public or private buildings, structures, utilities, machines, equipment, processes, works, or projects wherein the public welfare or the safeguarding of life, health or property is concerned or involved when such professional service requires the application of engineering principles and data, but it does not include the work ordinarily performed by persons who operate or maintain machinery or equipment, neither does it include engineering services performed by an employee of a firm or corporation that does not offer professional engineering services to the general public.
(25) "Professional engineer" shall mean a person who has been duly licensed as a professional engineer by the Council.
(26) "Responsible charge" means a professional engineer's supervision of, control over, and possession of detailed professional knowledge of an engineering work. A professional engineer is only considered to be in responsible charge of an engineering work if the professional engineer makes independent professional decisions regarding the engineering work without requiring instruction or approval from another authority and maintains control over those decisions by the professional engineer's physical presence at the location where the engineering work is performed or by electronic communication with the individual executing the engineering work.
(27) "Substantially related" shall mean the nature of the criminal conduct, for which the person was convicted, has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform 1 or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the practice of engineering.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2803; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 124, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 336, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 412, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 51, § 4; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 291, §§ 1-6.;
§ 2804. Delaware Association of Professional Engineers; objectives.
There is hereby established the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers, an instrumentality of the State. The objectives of the Association and of this chapter are to regulate the practice of engineering, to provide for the registration of qualified persons as professional engineers and the certification of engineer interns, to define the terms "engineer," "professional engineer," "engineer intern" and "the practice of engineering," to create an organization to regulate the practice of engineering to provide and administer qualifying examinations and grant registration to qualified persons as professional engineers, to provide for the appointment and election of members to the governing body of this Association, to define the powers and duties of the Council, to set forth the minimum qualifications and other requirements for registration as a professional engineer, for certification as an engineer intern, the granting of a permit to practice engineering, and the granting of a certificate of authorization, to set rules for the establishment of fees, expiration requirements and renewal requirements, and to provide for the enforcement of this chapter together with penalties for violations of the provisions of this chapter.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2804; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 2.;
§ 2805. Ownership and use of property.
The Association may purchase, acquire, or receive by gift or bequest for the purposes of the Association and furtherance of its objectives, but for no other purposes or objectives, any real or personal property, and may sell, mortgage, lease, or otherwise dispose of any said property.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2805; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2806. Membership.
(a) All persons licensed as professional engineers on July 7, 1972, or hereafter licensed as professional engineers and who are residents of or are employed in or have a place of business within the State, and who subscribe to the code of ethics in accordance with § 2816 of this title, are members of the Association. Members shall be entitled to vote as provided by this chapter.
(b) All other persons licensed as professional engineers, and who subscribe to the code of ethics in accordance with § 2816 of this title, are associate members of the Association and shall not be entitled to vote.
(c) All persons certified as engineer interns within the State on July 7, 1972, or who are hereafter certified as engineer interns, and who subscribe to the code of ethics in accordance with § 2816 of this title, are affiliate members of the Association and shall not be entitled to vote. Affiliate members may use the title "Engineer", "Engineer intern" or "E.I."
(d) All persons meeting the definition of engineer, as set forth in § 2803(11) of this title, and who subscribe to the code of ethics in accordance with § 2816 of this title, who are residents or employed in or have a place of business in the State, are adjunct members of the Association and shall not be entitled to vote. Adjunct members may use the title "Engineer".
(e) Fees. --
(1) All fees for licensure, membership and renewals shall be in accordance with the bylaws, as approved by the members in accordance with this chapter.
(2) All fees required under the provisions of this section shall be nonreturnable and nontransferable.
(3) Reinstatement fees for professional engineers and holders of certificates of authorization shall be required for return from the inactive roster to the active roster. Reinstatement fees shall be established by bylaw and shall include any unpaid supplemental levies assessed prior to removal from the active roster.
(4) The Council may, whenever the Association has incurred an operating deficit, make a supplemental levy in order to eliminate such deficit. Each member, associate member and each holder of a certificate of authorization shall be assessed in direct proportion to their rate of annual renewal and the total amount assessed shall be the amount of the deficit. Fractional assessments shall be raised to the next highest even dollar amount. The amount assessed against any person pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed the annual renewal fee paid by such person under this chapter. Such supplemental levy shall be a debt against those assessed and shall be billed only at the time when the annual renewal fees are billed and must be paid within 3 months. Those failing to pay within 3 months shall be declared ineligible to practice engineering in the State and shall be removed from the active roster. Reinstatement will not be allowed until the reinstatement fee has been paid in full.
(f) Expiration and renewals. --
(1) Members, associate members, adjunct members, and holders of certificates of authorization shall be billed for renewal fees 30 days before expiration of the period for which fees have been paid. If fees are not paid within 3 months after the expiration date, the member, associate member or holder of a certificate of authorization shall be declared ineligible to practice engineering in the State and shall be removed from the active roster.
(2) Any applicant, associate member, adjunct member, engineering corporation or partnership whose application is approved shall be billed for fees for the quarter-year in which approved and for any remaining full quarters in the Association's licensure period.
(3) Any member, associate member, or holder of certificate of authorization on the active roster who intends to withdraw from the practice of engineering in the State shall notify the Secretary of the Council in writing. That name will then be removed from the active roster and be placed in an inactive status file. That name may be reinstated to active status by a request for reinstatement, in writing, within 10 years of that removal from the active roster, to the Secretary of the Council and by payment of a reinstatement fee. After the expiration of the 10-year period, reinstatement may be obtained only by reapplying for licensure pursuant to § 2817 of this title or for a certificate of authorization pursuant to § 2821 of this title. Any member, associate member or holder of a certificate of authorization in inactive status shall be ineligible to practice engineering in the State.
(4) Any member, associate member, or holder of a certificate of authorization who has not given notice of withdrawal and whose name has been removed from the active roster because of a delinquency in payment of fees, may be reinstated upon petition to the Council within 2 years of the removal from the active roster and by payment of the reinstatement fees plus any delinquency fees. After the expiration of the 2-year period, reinstatement may be obtained only by reapplying for licensure pursuant to § 2817 of this title or for a certificate of authorization pursuant to § 2821 of this title.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2806; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 43, §§ 3-8; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 291, §§ 7-9.;
§ 2807. Council of the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers.
(a) There shall be a Council which will be the governing board of the Association. The Council shall consist of 15 voting members, 12 of whom shall be elected, and 3 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. The immediate past president, if not an elected member of Council, shall be a nonvoting member of Council. A quorum of the Council shall be a majority of the seated members of the Council.
(b) The 12 elected members shall be elected and hold office on the basis of the following constituencies:
(1) One shall be from each of the following 5 engineering disciplines: civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical and any other;
(2) One shall be from each of the following fields of employment: government, industry, private consulting practice and education; and
(3) One shall be from each of the 3 counties: New Castle, Kent and Sussex.
(c) Of the 3 appointed members, 1 shall be from each of the 3 counties. New Castle, Kent and Sussex.
(d)(1) A person elected as a Council member shall, at the time of election, and during the term of office, be a citizen of the United States of America, a resident of the State, a member of the Association and be qualified to represent the constituency from which the person was elected.
(2) A person appointed as a Council member shall, at the time of appointment, and during the term of office, be a citizen of the United States of America and a resident of the State and of the county for which the appointment is designated.
(e) The term of office for members of Council shall, unless otherwise specified, be 4 years. A member of Council, whether appointed or elected, may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms on the Council.
(f) Three members of Council shall be elected each year for a 4-year term to fill vacancies in the field of discipline, field of employment and county of residence. Each Council vacancy will be designated by discipline, field of employment or county of residence in accordance with the constituency designation specified in subsection (b) of this section and each designated vacancy will be voted upon separately by members of the Association. A candidate for Council must announce at the time of nomination or petition the vacancy for which that candidate is seeking election and the candidate must be qualified by discipline, field of employment or residence to fill the vacancy for which that candidate is seeking election. For purposes of election, the candidate discipline shall be that shown on the roster, the field of employment shall be that held by the candidate and the county of residence shall be that of the candidate at the time of nomination or petition as well as at the time of election. The terms of office for Council members shall commence on September 1 of the year elected or appointed and shall expire on August 31, of the year ending the term.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2807; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 368, § 16; 68 Del. Laws, c. 24, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2808. Council election and appointment procedure.
(a) The schedule for the election of the 12 elected members shall be as follows:
(1) Three members representing the constituencies of: Civil engineering, industry and New Castle County shall be elected in 1978 and every 4 years thereafter.
(2) Three members representing the constituencies of: electrical engineering, private consulting practice and Kent County shall be elected in 1979 and every 4 years thereafter.
(3) Three members representing the constituencies of: mechanical engineering, education and Sussex County shall be elected in 1980 and every 4 years thereafter.
(4) Three members representing the constituencies of: chemical engineering, government and any other engineering discipline not previously designated shall be elected in 1981 and every 4 years thereafter.
(b) The schedule for the appointment of the 3 appointed members shall be as follows:
(1) One member from New Castle County shall be appointed in 1994 and every 4 years thereafter.
(2) One member from Kent County shall be appointed in 1993 and every 4 years thereafter.
(3) One member from Sussex County shall be appointed in 1991 and every 4 years thereafter.
(c) All appointments to the Council shall be made by the Governor in accordance with the above schedule and with the requirements of § 2807 of this title. Each term of office of the appointed Council members shall expire on the date specified in the appointment, however, the Council member shall remain eligible to participate in Council proceedings unless and until replaced by the Governor.
(d) The 12 Council members shall be elected by members of the Association by means of a letter ballot returned within 30 days after the mailing thereof. The members in contest for each elected Council position receiving a plurality of votes from those voting within the prescribed time for that Council position shall be declared elected to that Council position.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2808; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 3; 66 Del. Laws, c. 56, § 12; 67 Del. Laws, c. 368, § 17; 68 Del. Laws, c. 24, § 2; 69 Del. Laws, c. 412, § 10; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2809. Annual election of officers.
The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Council shall be elected annually from among the Council members by vote of the Council. No Council President or Vice-President may serve more than 2 consecutive 1-year terms in office.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2809; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2810. Powers of the Council.
(a) The Council, under the head of the Council President or the President's designee and seal of the Council, may issue subpoenas for named respondents, witnesses, documents, physical evidence or any other source of evidence needed during the investigation of the complaint and/or for a public hearing on the complaint and/or in a matter involving an application for licensure, the revocation of licensure, or practicing or offering to practice without licensure, or any other matter pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. If the party or person subpoenaed fails to comply, the Council may compel compliance with said subpoena by filing a motion to compel in the Superior Court which shall have jurisdiction. The Superior Court may order costs, attorney's fees and/or a civil fine not to exceed $5,000 if the motion to compel is granted.
(b) Any member of the Council may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Council.
(c) The records of the Council shall be prima facie evidence of the proceedings of the Council set forth therein. A transcript thereof, duly certified by the Secretary of the Council under seal, shall be admissible in evidence with the same force and effect as if the original were produced.
(d) Except as provided for in § 2804 of this title the Council may not create or promulgate rules or regulations to extend, modify, or in any way supplement the provisions of this chapter governing the regulation or the practice of engineering or the qualification, certification, or licensure of engineers, professional engineers, or engineer interns.
(e) The Council may, in its sole discretion, delegate its authority to investigate allegations of licensee or applicant violations under § 2823 of this title or allegations of unlicensed practice under § 2825 of this title to an investigating committee.
(f) The Council may, in its sole discretion, delegate its authority to adjudicate allegations of licensee or applicant violations under § 2823 of this title or allegations of unlicensed practice under § 2825 of this title to a hearing committee in accordance with § 2824(b)(2) of this title.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2810; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 412, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 93, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 291, § 10.;
§ 2811. Council vacancies.
(a) Where any member of Council is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Council without suitable or acceptable reason or becomes incapacitated, the office may be declared vacant by the Council.
(b) When any member of Council resigns, dies, moves that member's residence from the State or otherwise ceases to be a member, or in the case of an elected member who changes that member's engineering discipline in the roster if elected to fill a discipline position on the Council, or in the case of an elected member who changes that member's field of engineering employment if elected to fill a field of engineering employment position on the Council, or in the case of an elected or an appointed member who changes that member's county of residence if elected to fill a county residency position, the office shall be declared vacant.
(c) A declared vacancy of an appointed Council position shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the Governor of the State of a person meeting the qualifications required to hold that appointed Council seat. A declared vacancy of an appointed Council position may, upon a majority vote of Council, be temporarily filled by the former Council member until a new person meeting the qualifications required to hold that appointed Council seat is appointed by the Governor.
(d) A declared vacancy of an elected Council seat shall be temporarily filled either by the former Council member or by a member meeting the qualifications required to hold that Council seat by virtue of a discipline or employment or county of residence, upon the vote of a majority of the Council, until the next annual election when a member shall be elected to fill any remainder of the unexpired term.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2811; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 4; 68 Del. Laws, c. 24, § 3; 69 Del. Laws, c. 412, §§ 11, 12; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2812. Administration.
The Council may appoint or employ such administrative officials as it deems fit.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2812; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2813. Legal liabilities of the Council.
(a) No action or other legal proceedings for damages shall be instituted against the Council or against any Council member or official of the Council for any act done in good faith and in the performance or intended performance of any duty or in the intended performance of any power granted under this chapter or any bylaw of this chapter or for any neglect or default in the performance or exercise in good faith of any such duty or power.
(b) The Attorney General shall represent the Council, any Council member, and at the express request of the Council, any person appointed or employed by the Council in a civil action against such person arising from services for the State. If any Attorney General determines the Attorney General is unable to represent the Council, or any Council member or any person whom the Attorney General is requested by the Council to represent, and in all criminal actions, § 3925 of Title 10 shall apply.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2813; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 261, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2814. Bylaws of the Association.
The Council shall prepare for approval by the membership the following bylaws related to the administrative and domestic duties of the Association:
(1) Prescribing procedures for the nomination of members of Council by a nominating committee and by the nomination by members;
(2) Prescribing procedures for the election of members of the Council;
(3) Prescribing procedures for the nomination and election of Council President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer by the Council;
(4) Prescribing the duties of members of the Council and rules governing their conduct;
(5) Respecting the remuneration and reimbursement of members of the Council;
(6) Respecting the calling, holding and conducting of meetings of the Council and of the Association;
(7) Respecting the management of the property of the Association;
(8) Providing for the borrowing of money on the credit of the Association and the charging, mortgaging or pledging of the real or personal property of the Association to secure any money borrowed or other debt or other obligation or other liability of the Association;
(9) Respecting the receipt and disbursement of the funds of the Association and the investment of funds in a savings account which must be in a bank located within the State for the purpose of earning interest on the investment;
(10) Respecting the establishment of a reserve fund within a year of the initial election of Council for emergency or unforeseen expenses;
(11) Providing for an annual independent audit of the accounts of the Association;
(12) Providing for the appointment of committees of the Council and defining their composition, functions, remuneration and reimbursement;
(13) Providing for the closing of the roster and the registration of recorded changes of addresses or disciplines of the registrants for a period of 20 calendar days immediately preceding any meeting of the Association or any mailing of ballots for vote or election by the membership;
(14) For maintaining a system for the recording of registrants, their disciplines, their residence and business addresses and the counties in which they are resident, recording of the names and addresses of official representatives of engineering corporations and partnerships, and other pertinent data. The official roster of the Association shall be printed at least biannually and be available to the membership;
(15) Fixing and providing for the levying and collection or remitting of annual or other fees approved by the members in accordance with this chapter;
(16) Prescribing applications, certificates, permits and seals and providing for their issuance and use;
(17) Concerning bonding of officers of the Council and employees of the Association;
(18) Respecting all other things that are deemed necessary or convenient for the attainment of the objectives of the Association and the efficient conduct of its business.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2814; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1.;
§ 2815. Bylaw approval by members.
A bylaw is effective when approved by the members. Proposed bylaws or changes shall be submitted to the members for approval by means of a letter ballot returned by not less than 20 percent of the members within 30 days after the mailing thereof. Affirmative votes by the majority of members voting within the prescribed time shall constitute approval by the members.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2815; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2816. Code of ethics.
(a) The Council shall prepare and publish a code of ethics designed for the protection of the public.
(b) All applicants, members, associate members, affiliate members, adjunct members, holders of certificate of authorization and permittees must subscribe to and follow this code of ethics in the practice of professional engineering, or in seeking to register as a professional engineer or seeking certification as an engineer intern.
(c) Copies of the code of ethics shall be provided to each member, associate member, affiliate member, adjunct member and permittee and shall be available free of charge to the public. Copies of the code of ethics shall also be sent to prospective applicants as a part of their application materials.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2816; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 412, §§ 3, 16; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2817. Requirements for licensure.
The following requirements shall be considered as the minimum satisfactory evidence that an applicant is qualified for licensure as a professional engineer:
(1) Graduates from an engineering educational program approved by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, Inc. (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) or from an ABET recognized foreign accreditation agency approved educational program.
a. Graduation with a baccalaureate degree from an engineering educational program accredited by the EAC of ABET, Inc. or by a foreign educational program accreditation agency adjudged by ABET to use substantially equivalent accreditation procedures; and
b. Professional experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Council in the amount of 4 years or more, such experience indicating that the applicant is competent to practice as a professional engineer; and
c. Successful passing of a written examination totaling 16 hours and meeting the additional requirements of paragraph (7) of this section.
(2) Graduates from non-EAC of ABET accredited engineering programs, from engineering technology programs or from science programs related to engineering.
a. Graduation with a baccalaureate degree from a Council approved 4-year educational program in engineering that is not EAC of ABET accredited, in engineering technology or in science related to engineering; and
b. Professional experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Council in the amount of 8 years or more, such experience indicating that the applicant is competent to practice as a professional engineer; and
c. Successful passing of written examination totaling 16 hours, and meeting the additional requirements of paragraph (7) of this section.
(3) Graduates from non-EAC of ABET accredited engineering programs, from engineering technology programs or from science programs related to engineering who hold master's degrees in engineering from institutions that offer EAC of ABET-accredited engineering programs, or the equivalent:
a. Graduation with a baccalaureate degree from a Council approved 4-year educational program in engineering that is not EAC of ABET accredited, in engineering technology or in science related to engineering; and
b. Professional experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Council in the amount of 5 years or more, such experience indicating that the applicant is competent to practice as a professional engineer; and
c. Successful passing of written examination totaling 16 hours, and meeting the additional requirements of paragraph (7) of this section.
(4) Graduates from non-EAC of ABET accredited engineering programs, from engineering technology programs or from science programs related to engineering who hold doctoral degrees in engineering from institutions that offer EAC of ABET-accredited engineering programs, or the equivalent:
a. Graduation with a baccalaureate degree from a Council approved 4-year educational program in engineering that is not EAC of ABET accredited, in engineering technology or in science related to engineering; and
b. Professional experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Council in the amount of 4 years or more, such experience indicating that the applicant is competent to practice as a professional engineer; and
c. Successful passing of written examination totaling 16 hours, and meeting the additional requirements of paragraph (7) of this section.
(5) Engineering experience and examination. --
a. Professional experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Council, consisting of 15 years or more of lawful practice and indicating that the applicant is competent to practice as a professional engineer; and
b. Successful passing of written examinations totaling 16 hours and meeting the additional requirements of paragraph (7) of this section.
(6) Comity. --
a. The Council may, upon application and payment of the required fee and without further examination, issue a license as a professional engineer to any person holding a valid certificate of registration or a license as a professional engineer issued to that person by a proper authority of a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a province of territory of Canada, provided the applicant's qualifications meet at least 1 of the following:
1. The professional engineering qualifications of the applicant on the effective date of such certificate of registration or a license would have satisfied the requirements for licensure in this State on that date.
2. The professional engineering qualifications of the applicant at any time subsequent to the effective date of such certificate of registration or a license would have satisfied the requirements for licensure in this State in effect at that time. A personal interview may be required by Council to ascertain the facts in the case.
3. The professional engineering qualifications of the applicant include successful passing of written examinations totaling 16 hours, meeting the additional requirements of paragraph (7) of this section, and having a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Council, such experience indicating that the applicant is competent to practice as an engineer. Such experience shall have been obtained in states, territories or possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, or provinces or territories of Canada, and at least 8 years of it shall have been obtained after the applicant has received the said valid certificate of registration or a license.
4. The professional engineering qualifications of the applicant include a minimum of 10 years of continuous and verifiable experience as a professional engineer. Such experience shall have been obtained in a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a province or territory of Canada. The applicant must meet the additional requirements of paragraphs (7)a. and (9) of this section and must not have been subject to disciplinary action in the current or previous licensing jurisdictions.
b. A person holding a valid NCEES Council Record issued by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, whose qualifications meet the requirements of this chapter, may be registered by Council as a professional engineer upon receipt from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying of a certified copy of such registration Record together with the usual application form and fee from the applicant.
c. If the person who has been licensed in Delaware pursuant to paragraph (6)a. or b. of this section has that person's license to practice revoked in the state in which the person was registered or licensed at the time licensure in Delaware through comity was sought, then the authorization issued in Delaware shall be automatically revoked followed 30 days' written notice from the Council unless the person makes application to the Council for consideration for retaining the Delaware authorization and the Council acts favorably on such application.
(7) Additional requirements. --
a. Every applicant shall give not less than 5 references, people who state that in their opinion and by their personal knowledge the applicant is qualified to practice as a professional engineer. At least 3 such references shall be registered or licensed professional engineers in this or any other state or territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the province or territory of Canada.
b. An applicant, otherwise qualified, shall not be required to be actively practicing the applicant's profession at the time of the applicant's application.
c. Every applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the Delaware Professional Engineers Act and the code of ethics to the satisfaction of the Council.
d. The required 16-hour written examination shall consist of an 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering examination and an 8-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering examination furnished by, and scored by, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, or other nationally normed examinations which are approved by the Council.
e. The examination in the Fundamentals of Engineering shall be taken after graduation, except it may be taken by a college or university senior in good academic standing in an educational program leading to a baccalaureate degree in engineering, related science or engineering technology. The Council may permit other students in such programs to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination prior to graduation.
f. The examination in Principles and Practice of Engineering shall not be taken until after the completion of the professional experience requirement. The Council may waive this requirement in the case of an applicant who has previously passed the examination in any other state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or province or territory of Canada.
g. Applicants with 4 failures of the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination may only apply to retake the examination after completing the following:
1. Present 3 new references to the Council, at least 2 of whom must be registered or licensed professional engineers in this or any other state or territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any province or territory of Canada, pursuant to paragraph (7)a. of this section; and
2. Submit documentation to the Council that demonstrates, to the Council's satisfaction, that the applicant has acquired additional engineering education or experience, including a brief summary explaining how that education or experience has better prepared the applicant to pass the examination.
(8) Applicants for licensure as a professional engineer shall be exempt from the requirement to pass the written 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, if they are qualified as follows:
a. An individual holding an earned doctoral degree in engineering from a university, which has an ABET accredited undergraduate program in that discipline at the time that individual earned the doctoral degree, providing that doctoral degree required the passing of a Ph.D. qualifying examination from that university; or,
b. An individual holding a baccalaureate degree from a Council-approved 4-year engineering educational program, who has at least 15 years of professional experience in the lawful practice of engineering of a character satisfactory to the Council, and which indicates that the applicant is competent to practice as a professional engineer.
(9) The Council may refuse an applicant for licensure if the Council finds that the applicant has:
a. Been convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the practice of engineering; or
b. Misstated or misrepresented a fact in connection with the applicant's application; or
c. Been found guilty of a violation of the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers' Code of Ethics; or
d. Engaged in the practice of engineering in this State without being licensed as a professional engineer. Notwithstanding such a finding, the Council may allow licensure of such applicant if the applicant presents to the Council suitable evidence of reform; or
e. Used improper means to gain information usable by the applicant on or in connection with a written examination taken by the applicant to obtain licensure as a professional engineer or certification as an engineer intern.
(10) Where an application of a person has been refused or rejected, and such applicant feels that the Council has acted without justification, has imposed higher or different standards for that person than for other applicants, or has in some other manner contributed to or caused the failure of such application, the applicant may appeal to the Superior Court.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2817; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, §§ 5, 6; 66 Del. Laws, c. 56, §§ 1-8; 67 Del. Laws, c. 6, §§ 1-4; 68 Del. Laws, c. 24, § 4; 68 Del. Laws, c. 321, §§ 1-4; 69 Del. Laws, c. 43, §§ 9-11; 69 Del. Laws, c. 412, §§ 4, 13-15; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 259, §§ 1-3; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 304, §§ 1, 2; 76 Del. Laws, c. 291, § 11; 77 Del. Laws, c. 50, §§ 1, 2.;
§ 2818. Experience and educational equivalence.
(a) The experience of a full-time faculty member teaching advanced engineering subjects in an ABET-accredited, or CEAB-accredited engineering curriculum may be accepted as part of the professional experience specified in § 2817(1) or (2) of this title.
(b) The award of a master's degree in engineering involving 1 year or more of post graduate study in an engineering educational program approved by the Council may be accepted as 1 year of professional experience required in § 2817 of this title; or
(c) The award of a doctorate, with or without a master's degree, involving full-time post-graduate study in an engineering educational program approved by the Council may be accepted as 2 years of professional experience required in § 2817 of this title.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2818; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 7; 66 Del. Laws, c. 56, § 9; 67 Del. Laws, c. 6, § 5; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 304, § 3.;
§ 2819. Requirements for certification as an engineer intern.
The following shall be considered as minimum satisfactory evidence that the applicant is qualified for certification as an engineer intern:
(1) Graduation with a baccalaureate degree from an engineering educational program accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), or by a foreign educational program accreditation agency adjudged by ABET to use substantially equivalent accreditation procedures, or from a Council-approved educational program in engineering not accredited by ABET or an ABET-approved foreign educational program accreditation agency, engineering technology or science related to engineering; and
(2)a. Council-approved professional experience of 15 years or more; or
b. Successful passing of an 8-hour written Fundamentals of Engineering examination.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2819; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 8; 66 Del. Laws, c. 56, § 10; 67 Del. Laws, c. 6, § 6; 69 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 12; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2820. Qualifications for a permit.
(a) Individuals not residing in this State, not having full-time employment in this State, and not having established a place of business for the practice of professional engineering within this State, who are legally qualified by licensure to practice engineering as defined within the chapter in the state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or province or territory of Canada where they reside or are in business, may make application to the Council in writing for a permit to practice professional engineering in this State.
(b) After payment of the fee established in the bylaws, the applicant may be issued a permit to practice engineering for a specific project. Such permit shall be limited to a specified time period, not to exceed 1 year, and shall be issued in writing upon authorization of the Council. The issuance of 1 such permit shall not mean that the Council will approve other permits nor shall such issuance result in any accrual of the right to practice engineering with respect to any other works not specified in the permit. Applicants for the permit must comply with all applicable state tax laws of Chapter 23 of Title 30 to the same extent as required by Delaware residents. Proof of compliance with all applicable state laws is required by the Council prior to actual issuance of permit.
(c) An engineering corporation or partnership may be issued a permit subject to the above limitations, provided that 1 of its officers or partners or 1 of its employees is designated as being in responsible charge of the engineering activities and decisions and holds a valid permit or is licensed under this chapter.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2820; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 124, § 3; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, §§ 9, 10; 67 Del. Laws, c. 6, § 7; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2821. Certificate of authorization.
(a) An engineering corporation or partnership must have a certificate of authorization in order to practice, or offer to practice, engineering as defined in this chapter.
(b) The practice of or offer to practice engineering for the public by an engineering corporation or partnership which has been issued a certificate of authorization is permitted, provided that 1 of the officers or 1 of the employees of the said engineering corporation or partnership:
(1) Is designated as being in responsible charge of the engineering activities and engineering decisions of the said corporation or partnership; and
(2) Is a licensee.
(c) All personnel of any such engineering corporation or partnership who practice engineering on its behalf shall be licensees. The requirements of this chapter shall not prevent an engineering partnership or corporation and its employees from performing engineering services for the said engineering partnership or corporation or its subsidiaries or for affiliated corporations.
(d) An engineering corporation or partnership desiring a certificate of authorization shall file with the Council an application listing the names and addresses of all officers, board members and principals of the engineering corporation or partnership and also of any licensee who shall be in responsible charge of the practice of engineering through the said engineering corporation or partnership, together with any other information required by the Council. The same information must accompany the annual renewal fee. In the event there shall be a change in any of these persons during the year, such change shall be filed with the Council within 30 days after the effective date of such change. If all the requirements of this section are met, the Council shall issue a certificate of authorization to such engineering corporation or partnership, and such engineering corporation or partnership shall be authorized to contract for and to collect fees for furnishing engineering services.
(e) The Council may refuse or reject an applicant if, the Council finds that the applicant has practiced engineering without being authorized under this section. Notwithstanding such a finding, the Council may allow licensure of such applicant if the applicant presents to the Council suitable evidence of reform.
(f) No such engineering corporation or partnership shall be relieved of responsibility for the conduct or acts of its agents, employees or officers by reason of this compliance with the provisions of this section, nor shall any individual practicing engineering be relieved of responsibility for engineering services performed by reason of this employment or relationship with such corporation or partnership.
(g) Applicants for a certificate of authorization must comply with the applicable state tax laws of Chapter 23 of Title 30. Proof of such compliance is required by the Council prior to the issuance of a certificate of authorization.
(h) A licensee who practices, or offers to practice, engineering under a name other than that person's licensed name is required to obtain a certificate of authorization, or to practice under a certificate of authorization.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2821; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 11; 62 Del. Laws, c. 376, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 56, § 11; 68 Del. Laws, c. 24, § 5; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 51, § 5; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 304, § 4.;
§ 2822. Public works.
(a) The State, its political subdivisions, agencies, commissions and authorities shall not solicit or receive proposals for, or engage in, the construction of public works involving the practice of engineering as defined in this chapter, unless:
(1) The engineer, partnership or corporation which will perform and/or take responsibility for all engineering work, as identified in the proposal, is authorized to practice engineering under this chapter at the time of submission of the proposal; and
(2) The engineering study, drawings, specifications and estimates are prepared by, and the construction is executed under the responsible charge or direct supervision of a licensee or permittee.
(b) Any contract executed in violation of this section shall be null and void.
24 Del. C. 1953, § 2822; 58 Del. Laws, c. 501, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 12; 68 Del. Laws, c. 24, § 6; 74 Del. Laws, c. 267, § 1.;
§ 2823. Grounds for discipline; appeals.
(a) Applicants, adjunct and affiliate members, and any person licensed under this chapter shall be subject to disciplinary penalties set forth in § 2824(c) of this title, if, after a hearing, the person is found to violate any of the following:
(1) The practice of any fraud or deceit in the attempt to obtain any authorization to practice engineering in this State;
(2) Any gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct in the practice of engineering;
(3) Violation of the code of ethics promulgated by the Council;
(4) A crime that is substantially related to the practice of engineering;
(5) An activity resulting in discipline by another jurisdiction, territory, foreign country, the District of Columbia, the United States government, or any other governmental agency, if at least 1 of the grounds for discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those contained in this section;
(6) Aiding or abetting another person in violating any provision of this chapter; or
(7) Signing, affixing the licensee's seal, or permitting the licensee's seal or signature to be affixed to any specification, report, drawing, plan, plat, design information, construction document, or calculation, or revision thereof, that has not been prepared by the licensee or those under the licensee's responsible charge.
(b) The Council shall have the power to review the actions of any applicants sitting for any examination that is conducted by, or on behalf of, the Association to determine the applicant's qualification for licensure as a professional engineer or certification as an engineer intern.
(1) The following actions by an examinee shall be considered violations of this chapter:
a. Any attempt to remove, or removal of, examination materials or content from the room in which the examination is administered;
b. Any attempt to reproduce, transcribe or transmit the content of examination materials that would permit the removal of such content from the room in which the examination is administered;
c. Any use or possession of unlawfully obtained information that reveals, or is procured by the examinee with the anticipation that it could reveal, any portion of the content of the current examination;
d. Any communication, whether verbal, written, electronic, or by action, made in an effort to seek assistance from another party, that would aid in obtaining a higher grade for the examination during an examination administration, or to provide such assistance to another examinee.
e. Any impersonation, or solicitation of impersonation, that allows another individual to sit for the examination in place of the designated applicant; or
f. Any violation of the terms of any written examination security agreement entered into freely by the examinee with the Association outlining the examinee's responsibilities in taking the examination.
(2) The chief proctor for the examination, acting on behalf of the Council, may at the chief proctor's sole discretion, when presented with evidence of any violation under paragraph (1) of this subsection above at any time during the examination administration period:
a. Collect any examination materials provided to the examinee;
b. Collect any personal property belonging to the examinee, which the proctor reasonably believes may contain content from the examination materials;
c. Dismiss the examinee from the examination site; and
d. Seek any law enforcement assistance that the chief proctor feels is necessary to affect paragraphs a. through c. above of this paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(3) Following its review of the facts associated with any alleged examination impropriety, Council shall have the power to impose any or all of the following penalties on any individual found guilty after a hearing, unless such hearing is waived by the examinee, of an examination impropriety:
a. Void the results of the subject examination;
b. Refuse permission for the examinee to take the examination for a period of 2 years, or such time determined by Council to be required to ensure that a subsequent examination is unlikely to repeat questions contained in the subject examination;
c. Require successful completion by the examinee of an ethics course before a future examination opportunity;
d. Revoke any license as a professional engineer or certification as an engineer intern granted as a consequence of the examinee receiving a passing score on the subject examination; and
e. Report any disciplinary action taken to other jurisdictions to help ensure the integrity of their examination process.
(c) The Council, after receipt of a complaint in accordance with § 2824(c) of this title associated with the practice of engineering in Delaware, shall have the power to review the actions and representations of individuals, corporations or partnerships not authorized by this chapter to engage in the practice of engineering in Delaware. Upon notice, hearing and review afforded by subchapters III and V of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29, the Council may issue a cease and desist order to an individual, corporation or partnership found to be engaged in the unauthorized practice of engineering, notwithstanding that the individual's, corporation's or partnership's license has lapsed, expired or has been suspended or revoked.
(d) Subject to notice, hearing and review afforded by subchapters III and V of the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29, the Council may fine any person who violates a cease and desist order not more than $100 or more than $1000. Each day a violation continues may be deemed a separate offense in the Council's discretion.
(e) When disciplinary action requires the successful completion of additional training or education courses, Council shall determine the conditions of the additional training or education courses on a case-by-case basis, including, but not limited to, the type and number of hours of training or education. All training or education courses shall be related to the engineering profession and must be approved by Council.
(f) Any individual, corporation or partnership aggrieved by any disciplinary decision by Council may appeal such decision to the Superior Court. The appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the day the notice of the decision was mailed. The appeal shall be on the record without a trial de novo. If the Court determines that the record is insufficient for its review, it shall remand the case to the Council for further proceedings on the record. The Court, when factual determinations are at issue, shall take due account of the experience and specialized competence of the Council and of the purposes of the Delaware Professional Engineers' Act under which Council has acted. The Court's review, in the absence of actual fraud, shall be limited to determination of whether the Council's decision was supported by substantial evidence on the record before it.
(g) When an action is brought in the Court for review of a Council decision, enforcement of such decision may be stayed by the Court only if it finds, upon a preliminary hearing, that the issues and facts presented for review are substantial and the stay is required to prevent irreparable harm.
(h) No appeal for relief of the Court shall be considered as having been taken or made until it has been filed with the Prothonotary and served upon the Council in