Approved by the Engineering Practice Policy Committee on May 19, 2025
Approved by Public Policy and Practice Committee on June 4, 2025
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 10, 2025

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recognizes there are a variety of members of the civil engineering (CE) team which include these general categories: Civil Engineer Professionals, Engineering Specialists, Engineering Technicians, and a cadre of support personnel. ASCE defines each as follows:

  • Civil Engineer Professionals - A person who has completed formal education in engineering, consistent with the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CE BOK) and holds professional engineering licensure or discipline specific engineering licensure, as specified by an appropriate licensing authority. A person working as a civil engineer professional has demonstrated competence as defined by the CE- BOK and comprehends and applies advanced knowledge of engineering principles in the solution of complex problems. Typical titles range from Engineer in Training to Principal/Chief Engineer or Engineering Manager.
  • Engineering Specialist – A person who performs engineering work, while working under the direct project control and personal supervision of a Civil Engineer Professional. A person obtains status as an Engineering Specialist through the attainment of a BOK, such as the Civil Engineering Technologist Body of Knowledge (CE TBOK) achieved through a combination of formal education, experience, and/or other requirements (i.e., examination, certifications) as specified by a credentialing/certifying body.  A person working as an Engineering Specialist is capable of being a member of the civil engineering team assisting in the evaluation of an engineering problem and is expected to comprehend and apply knowledge of engineering principles, typically embodied in widely accepted and applied procedures, processes, systems or methodologies, in the performance of engineering tasks.  
  • Engineering Technician – A person who performs task-oriented scientific, engineering or construction related activities, as well as exercises technical judgments commensurate with those tasks. A person working as an Engineering Technician can work under the direct project control and personal supervision of a Civil Engineer Professional, or direction of an Engineering Specialist. A person obtains status as an Engineering Technician through any combination of education, training, experience, examination(s), or other requirements which may be specified by an appropriate credentialing/certifying bodies. A person working as an Engineering Technician is expected to apply appropriate principles, technologies, and specifications toward the performance of a task.
  • Support Personnel – A variety of science based trained professionals in fields complementary to civil engineering and which, on the basis of education, training, and experience, are capable of providing the requisite support to help the Civil Engineering Team to complete a project. Such Support Personnel may include, but are not limited to, Biologists, Paleontologists, Archaeologists, Historians, Aerial Drone Pilots, and Chemists.

Issue

Civil engineering, like other learned professions, consists of a work continuum with varying complexities that is most effectively accomplished by individuals with different ranges of responsibilities, qualifications, and work experience. The civil engineering continuum of work can be segmented into three broad categories: engineering professional work; engineering specialist work; and technician work. 

Not all members of the civil engineering workforce can be characterized as engineering professionals, specialists, or technicians. These members include individuals in the developmental stages of becoming engineers, specialists or technicians and those who are critical to the success of the civil engineering enterprise, but who do not necessarily have completed an engineering education. This latter group may include individuals such as engineering interns, contract specialists, resource managers, marketing, business-related specialties, and other administrative personnel.

Rationale

ASCE considers it is essential to improve the utilization, recognition, and support all of the members within the civil engineering team. Therefore, it is critical that the roles of each team member be properly defined and that appropriate requirements for entry into the CE workforce, including continuing education, career advancement, licensure and/or certification, as well as conforming BOKs are delineated and implemented. The health, safety, and welfare of the public is best assured by assigning the segments of civil engineering work to the members of the CE workforce that are most qualified to complete them.

ASCE Policy Statement 535
First Approved 2011