In this article (and video above), I guide you through the essential topics outlined in the Ethics section of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) reference handbook, equipping you with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate the complexities of engineering ethics and ethical conduct in the engineering profession. Together, we’ll explore the principles that underpin ethical decision-making, ensuring that you’re well-prepared to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a computer-based test (CBT) administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) that most engineers must pass in order to obtain their professional licenses. The FE exam covers a broad range of engineering topics, including engineering ethics.
What is Engineering Ethics?
Engineering ethics are the moral codes that guide the actions and decisions of our everyday lives with one another. In the world of engineering, ethical decisions are pivotal in ensuring the safety, well-being, and welfare of the public. These ethical decisions range from a variety of virtues such as integrity, honesty, and objectivity, which engineers must uphold in their professional lives. For instance, when an engineer works on a critical infrastructure project such as a bridge, they have a moral duty to prioritize public safety over any personal or financial gain.
Here are the essential topics in the Ethics section covered in the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) reference handbook:
1. Model Rules, Section 240.15 Rules of Professional Conduct
This section outlines the principles aimed at safeguarding the public’s health, safety, and welfare, along with upholding integrity and rigorous standards in engineering and surveying practices.
Licensed professionals are required to give paramount importance to public welfare, certify documents in compliance with established norms, and report to authorities if their professional discretion is disregarded in a manner that jeopardizes public safety (NCEES, 2022, 4). Additionally, they are expected to furnish comprehensive and unbiased information in professional documents and offer professional judgments grounded in factual expertise and proficient assessment.
2. The Model Law in Section 110.20
In this section, it provides definitions related to the practice of engineering and surveying. Clarifying the terms used in the Act, including various professional titles and statuses (NCEES, 2022, 12).
Engineer: A person possessing the qualifications to engage in engineering practice, established through education, training, and professional experience.
Professional Engineer: An individual duly licensed in a specific engineering discipline or branch.
Retired Professional Engineer: A licensed professional engineer who has elected not to renew their license.
Engineer Intern: A person certified by the board.
Practice of Engineering: Activities necessitating engineering expertise and experience, with potential impacts on public health, safety, and welfare. This includes tasks such as planning, designing, coordination, and technical submissions.
3. The Model Law in Section 130.10
Here, it outlines the requirements for licensure as a professional engineer or surveyor. Eligibility includes good character, meeting education and experience criteria, passing exams, and submitting references.
For engineers, there are stages: Engineer Intern certification and licensure as a Professional Engineer. Education, examination, and experience requirements must be met. Licensure by comity is possible for qualified applicants. The section also references surveying requirements. These criteria ensure that licensed professionals meet the necessary standards for practice (NCEES, 2022, 13).
4. The Model Law in Section 150.10
Detailing grounds for disciplinary action against licensees and interns, the board has the authority to suspend, revoke, fine, or refuse to issue or renew a license or certification for various reasons. These include fraud, negligence, misconduct, criminal convictions, failure to comply with the law or regulations, discipline by other jurisdictions, providing false information, aiding violations, practicing outside of competence, unethical conduct, substance abuse, and more (NCEES, 2022, 14-15).
The board may also impose fines based on factors such as deterrence, severity of the violation, risk to the public, economic benefits gained, and consistency with past fines. These provisions ensure accountability and protection of the public in the engineering and surveying professions.
5. The Model Law in Section 150.30
This section outlines grounds for disciplinary action against unlicensed individuals in the field of engineering and surveying. The board has the authority to fine and recover costs from unlicensed individuals who engage in the practice of engineering or surveying without proper licensure, use restricted professional terms, present false credentials, commit fraud, impersonate licensees, or use expired or nonexistent licenses. The fine for each offense cannot exceed a specified amount, and each day of continued violation may be considered a separate offense (NCEES, 2022, 15).
Factors such as deterrence, circumstances of the violation, risk to the public, economic benefits gained, public interest, and consistency with past fines may be taken into account when determining the fine amount. The aim of these provisions is to regulate and protect the public from unlicensed individuals practicing in the engineering and surveying domains.
6. The Model Law in Section 160.10
It establishes the general requirements for obtaining a certificate of authorization for firms practicing or offering engineering or surveying services. Firms engaging in these activities must obtain a certificate of authorization from the board, except in cases where the firm performs engineering or surveying exclusively for itself, its parent company, or its subsidiary (NCEES, 2022, 15-16).
The secretary of state is prohibited from accepting organizational papers or issuing certificates to firms that include the words “engineer,” “engineering,” “surveyor,” “surveying,” or related variations in their objectives or name unless the board has issued a certificate of authorization or an eligibility letter. Additionally, the secretary of state cannot authorize trade names, trademarks, or service marks that contain these restricted words, except for licensees and firms with valid certificates of authorization.
These provisions are in place to ensure that proper regulation and control are used among professional titles and marks in the engineering and surveying fields.
7. The Model Law in Section 160.70
It outlines the grounds for disciplinary action against firms holding a certificate of authorization. The board is empowered to suspend, revoke, fine, or refuse to issue, restore, or renew a certificate of authorization for various violations.
These violations include fraud, negligence, incompetence, misconduct, criminal convictions, failure to comply with the law or board regulations, discipline by other jurisdictions, false statements, aiding in violations, and unethical conduct. Firms may also be fined for each offense, with the amount determined by the board based on factors such as deterrence, severity, and public interest. Additionally, the board can impose sanctions on firms when their managing agents or officers are found guilty of violating the law or regulations, including probation, fines, reprimand, or revocation of the certificate of authorization (NCEES, 2022, 16).
Here’s an example:
Scenario: Mario is a licensed engineer working for a construction firm. She is responsible for overseeing the construction of a high-rise building. During the construction process, Sarah becomes aware of a significant structural defect that could potentially compromise the safety of the building. She knows that immediate action is required to rectify the issue.
Which of the following actions aligns with the licensee’s obligation to the public?
- A) Mario ignores the structural defect as it may cause delays and additional costs to the project.
- B) Mario informs her employer and takes appropriate measures to address the structural defect promptly.
- C) Mario conceals the defect to avoid damaging the reputation of her firm.
- D) Mario waits until the project is completed and then anonymously reports the defect to the local authorities.
Correct answer is letter: B) Mario informs her employer and takes appropriate measures to address the structural defect promptly.
According to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, licensees have a primary responsibility to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public. In this scenario, Sarah’s discovery of a significant structural defect poses a potential risk to the safety of the building and its occupants. To fulfill her obligation to the public, Sarah should promptly inform her employer and take appropriate actions to address the defect. By doing so, she prioritizes public safety over personal concerns and ensures that necessary measures are taken to rectify the issue.
As I conclude, it’s imperative to recognize the vital role of regulatory frameworks in maintaining integrity and professionalism in engineering and surveying. Model rules set standards and guide disciplinary actions against violations like fraud and unethical conduct, prioritizing public interest protection. Disciplinary measures, including suspension and fines, stress the importance of engineering ethics compliance for both individuals and firms. Upholding these rules fortifies trust and reliability in engineering and surveying, ensuring societal well-being.
About Matthew Douglas
Matthew currently serves as a content creator and host of The Engineering Project Management Podcast. A civil engineer by trade, Matthew has developed a passion for construction and stormwater management by way of maintenance and rehabilitation services. Matthew has also had experience working with private consulting firms and public agencies, and has even held a role of an educator. As such, he loves to lead, build, mentor, and help those in need.
Most recently, during his time working for the public sector, he has taken the role of Public Works Operations Manager. He led quite a few public infrastructure rehabilitation projects and implemented new asset management technologies at a very young age. It is here that the passion for “fixing what’s broken” developed.
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Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
Jeffrey Basiliere, EIT, is a Project Engineer at the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, overseeing sugarcane production and processing. Previously, he worked at Concept Group, LLC, focusing on product design with Insulon® Technology. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and served in the United States Marine Corps with deployments to Afghanistan. Jeffrey is dedicated to achieving his engineering goals, including passing the FE exam and pursuing licensure as an EIT since 2021.
Mauricio Bernal is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, with an expected graduation in May 2026. On campus, he is a UMKC Trustee’s Scholar, serves as Vice President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and is actively involved in the Latinx Student Union, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the concrete canoe team. After his freshman year, Mauricio began his internship at Burns & McDonnell in the transmission and distribution global practice, working on underground and submarine cable projects. Returning for his second summer, he is now contributing to the power group, providing civil work for solar, wind, and power plant projects. On Saturdays, he serves as a Data Science Instructor for the K-12 Initiative Pipeline Programs, teaching soil science and developing STEM curricula for over 200 students. Through his studies and his time at Burns & McDonnell, Mauricio has gained experience with Autodesk Civil 3D, SolidWorks, HydroCAD, Power BI, and FLO-2D. Mauricio is preparing to take the FE exam in Spring of 2025.
Katie Lev is an accomplished assistant structural engineer in training at Burns & McDonnell, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from Northwestern University. Day to day, she mainly focuses on supporting coal-burning power plants to add natural gas capacity, plant services and most recently solar power generating facilities. During her time at Northwestern, she served as a Civil/Structural Engineering Intern at Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. as well as a Structural Intern at Burns & McDonnell. Additionally, she worked as a tour guide at Northwestern’s Office of Admissions as well as a teaching assistant and student grader. In her spare time, she co-managed the Smart Tree project for Engineers for a Sustainable World and held a leadership role in Relay for Life. Katie recently passed her FE exam in the Spring of 2023.
Oscar Gutierrez is a dedicated structural engineer with a strong academic foundation and extensive experience in the field. He earned his degree in Civil Engineering from Santiago Marino Polytechnic University in Venezuela in 2017, followed by advanced coursework at the Albert Nerken School of Engineering at Cooper Union University in Manhattan, New York City. At Cooper Union, Oscar honed his skills in key areas such as AISC Steel Design, ACI Reinforced Concrete, and industry-standard software like Revit and AutoCAD.