Civil Engineering Certification

Professional certification steps

• Eligibility for Certification

  The baseline requirements apply to all civil engineering specialties. Based on specific Specialty Area Bodies of Knowledge (SABOK), an administrative unit (AU) may add or remove requirements, subject to CEC Board approval.
  
  The baseline requirements set the minimum standards for applying for post-licensure board certification in civil engineering specialties. Board certification demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for competent practice, as outlined in the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CEBOK3) and the relevant Specialty Area Bodies of Knowledge (SABOK).

  1. Professional Characteristics:
  1.1 Adherence to the ASCE Code of Ethics.
  1.2 Strong communication skills.
  1.3 Demonstrated project management and/or leadership abilities.
  1.4 Commitment to continuing education and advancing the profession.

  2. Education: Formal education in engineering and the specialty area supports achievement of the CEBOK3 and specialty area body of knowledge.
  2.1 A bachelor’s degree in engineering or another related field, from an ABET-accredited program is required. Alternatively, a relevant postgraduate degree (master’s or PhD) may fulfill this requirement.
  2.2 Thirty or more postgraduate education credit hours, or completion of recognized certificate program(s). Alternatively, additional work experience can also qualify (see Item 4.2 below for details).

  3. P.E. License or Approved Equivalent:
  3.1 A current P.E license or approved equivalent is required. In countries without this, additional work experience may substitute (see item 4.3 below).

  4. Work Experience: Work experience may include planning, design, analysis, operations, management, governance, research, and/or teaching. The applicant must be currently actively engaged in the specialty area of civil engineering and have:
  4.1 At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering after the first bachelor's degree, with 8 years in the specialty area. 
  4.2 Without postgraduate education (see item 2.2 above), 15 years of experience (13 in the specialty) is required.
  4.3 If an applicant lives and works in a country without a P.E. license or equivalent (as per requirement 3), they must have at least 15 years of civil engineering experience, with 13 of those years in the specialty area.
  
  5. Validation:
  5.1 The applicable administrative unit validates achievement of the requisite CEBOK3 and SABOK outcomes in a manner appropriate for the certification. Validation applies to all applicants and follows a uniform process for each certification developed and administered by the applicable specialty board.

  View the complete CEC eligibility requirements. 

  If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for certification, contact [email protected].

• Certification process

  Below are the steps to apply for and earn your certification:
  1. Select the certification specialty.
  2. Submit your application and payment.
  3. Application review.
  4. Panel exam interview or computer-based exam.

  Please see specialty certification pages for additional details. For questions on the steps to certification, email [email protected].

• Maintaining your certification

  All board-certified engineers must recertify their credential on an annual basis.

  To recertify, the following are required:

  • Active Practice
    You must be actively practicing in your specialty area in civil engineering.
  • P.E. License
    Maintain a valid license to practice engineering.
  • Annual PDH Requirement
    Attest to attaining 20 PDHs including 2 PDHs in ethics annually.
  • Code of Ethics
    Attest to adherence to ASCE Code of Ethics.
  • Annual Fee
    Submit annual recertification fee.
  • ASCE will notify you via email when your recertification deadline is approaching and provide detailed instructions on how to maintain your certification.

  For questions on recertification, email [email protected].