0120-01-.10
Education And Experience Requirements - Engineer
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0120-01-.10
(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.
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CHAPTER 0120-01
(d)
Any baccalaureate degree, submitted by an applicant who has also completed post-
graduate coursework in engineering curriculum leading to a master’s degree or higher
in engineering, will be considered satisfactory if obtained from an institution with an
ABET EAC accredited undergraduate engineering program approved by the Board as
being of satisfactory standing.
(e)
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.
(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.
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CHAPTER 0120-01
(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 when the applicant also holds a bachelor’s degree from an ABET
EAC accredited undergraduate engineering program;
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
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CHAPTER 0120-01
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.