Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0120-01-.10 - EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - ENGINEER

(1)

(a) Accredited engineering programs. An engineering curriculum of four (4) years or more which was accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) (or its predecessor) at the time of graduation, or graduation was not more than two (2) academic years prior to accreditation, may be approved by the Board as being satisfactory.

(b) Nonaccredited engineering programs. An engineering curriculum of four (4) years or more which is a non-ABET accredited program shall be referred at the applicant's expense to a person or entity approved by the Board and qualified to evaluate equivalency to an ABET accredited engineering program for evaluation and recommendation. If the curriculum for the degree at the time of the applicant's graduation is substantially equivalent to ABET accreditation requirements, the application shall be reviewed in accordance with the requirements for applicants holding engineering degrees from institutions which do not have ABET accredited engineering programs in consideration of the factors outlined below.

(c) In reviewing applicants holding degrees from nonaccredited engineering programs, whether obtained in the United States or otherwise, which are substantially equivalent to degrees from ABET accredited programs, the Board may consider the following factors:

1. Evidence of having obtained the statutory minimum acceptable progressive professional experience of a grade and character which indicates to the Board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering; and

2. At least five (5) references from individuals having knowledge of the applicant's technical competence as an engineer on projects of a grade and character which indicates to the Board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering.

(d) Applicants meeting the above requirements shall be reviewed by the Board for determination of eligibility for either the Fundamentals of Engineering examination or the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination or for registration by comity.

(e) An engineering technology program, whether four (4) or two (2) years in length, is not considered by the Board to be an acceptable curriculum.

(f) Programs that allow credit for work experience and experiential learning (with the exception of cooperative education programs), or which are not part of an institution that is accredited or recognized as a degree-granting institution of higher learning within a national territory or in the United States, are not considered by the Board to be acceptable curricula.

(g) Engineering degrees from programs accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) that were awarded in or after 1980 are considered substantially equivalent and do not require evaluation.

(2) In general, "progressive experience in the practice of engineering" consists of engineering experience which is supervised by a registered professional engineer falling within the categories described in subparagraphs (a)-(d). Greater weight is given to the Practical Application and Theory component.

(a) Practical Application of Theory includes:

1. Analysis - operating conditions; performance assessment; feasibility studies; constructability; value engineering; safety; environmental issues; economic issues; risk assessment; reliability.

2. Design - construction plan or specification preparation; product specifications; component selection; maintenance and social implications of final product.

3. Testing - developing or specifying testing procedures; verifying functional specifications; implementing quality control and assurance; maintenance and replacement evaluation.

4. Implementation - of engineering principles in design, construction, or research; performance of engineering cost studies; process flow and time studies; implementation of quality control and assurance; safety issues; environmental issues.

5. Systems Application - evaluation of components of a larger system; evaluation of the reliability of system parts; design and evaluation of equipment control systems while considering ergonomics, utility, manufacturing tolerances, and operating and maintenance concerns; the engineering required to establish programs and procedures for the maintenance and management of buildings, bridges, and other types of structures where failure or improper operation would endanger the public health and safety.

6. Time in the Engineering Process - difficulties of workflow; scheduling; equipment life; corrosion rates and replacement scheduling.

7. Knowledge and Understanding - codes, standards, regulations, and laws that govern applicable engineering activities.

(b) Management of Engineering includes:

1. Planning - developing concepts; evaluating alternative methods.

2. Scheduling - preparing task breakdowns and schedules.

3. Budgeting and Contracting - cost estimating and control; contract development.

4. Supervising - organizing human resources; motivating teams; directing and coordinating project resources.

5. Project Control - complete or partial project control.

6. Risk Assessment - assessment of risk associated with the progression of the project.

(c) Communication Skills includes:

1. Accumulation of project knowledge through interpersonal communication with supervisors, clients, subordinates, or team interaction.

2. Transmission of project knowledge in verbal or written methods to clients, supervisors, subordinates, the general public, or team members. Examples include but are not limited to meetings, written reports, public hearings and reporting or findings and suggestions, other written correspondence and/or verbal briefings.

(d) Social Implications of Engineering includes:

1. Promoting and safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of the public as demonstrated in daily work activities.

2. Demonstrating an awareness of the consequences the work performed may incur and a desire to mitigate or eliminate any potential negative impact.

3. Following a code of ethics that promotes a high degree of integrity in the practice of professional engineering.

(e) The Board may grant toward experience requirements for registration as an engineer one (1) year of credit for completing one (1) of the following:

1. Graduation with a Master's degree (or higher) in engineering from an approved curriculum;

2. Up to one (1) year of qualified experience obtained in an established cooperative education program, which is carried out within the framework of an approved engineering curriculum, and which has been approved by the Board; or

3. Three (3) years or more qualified experience obtained prior to graduation under the direct supervision of a licensed engineer.

(f) No partial credit will be awarded for experience which does not fully meet the criteria listed in 0120-01-.10(2)(e) 1.-3. Applicants are limited to gaining one (1) year of credit from the options listed in 0120-01-.10(2)(e) 1.-3. towards progressive experience in the practice of engineering. At least one (1) year of engineering experience must be completed in the United States. Unless otherwise noted above, an applicant's engineering experience must be obtained after graduation with the qualifying degree and completed by the date of the examination.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0120-01-.10

Original rule filed May 3, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed October 2, 1978; effective January 29, 1979. Repeal and new rule filed January 14, 1980; effective February 28, 1980. Amendment filed November 20, 1989; effective January 4, 1990. Amendment filed December 9, 1991; effective January 23, 1992. Amendment filed January 19, 1995; effective April 4, 1995. Amendment filed March 13, 1997; effective May 27, 1997. Amendment filed July 19, 2002; effective October 2, 2002. Amendment filed March 14, 2005; effective May 28, 2005. Amendment filed March 9, 2007; effective May 23, 2007. Amendment filed December 18, 2007; effective March 1, 2008. Amendment filed September 16, 2008; effective November 30, 2008. Amendment filed September 11, 2009; effective December 10, 2009. Amendment filed March 9, 2011; effective June 7, 2011. Amendment filed November 15, 2014; effective February 15, 2015. On January 27, 2015, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance's Division of Regulatory Boards filed a 75-day stay of the effective date; new effective day May 1, 2015. Amendments filed April 25, 2018; effective July 24, 2018. Amendments filed August 9, 2018; effective November 7, 2018. Amendments filed May 14, 2021; effective 8/12/2021.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-2-203(c), 62-2-203(d), and 62-2-401.