New Mexico House Bill HB18

New Mexico 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/22

Caption

Professional Engineer Licensure Requirements

Impact

This legislation is set to have significant implications on the engineering profession in New Mexico as it updates and clarifies the educational prerequisites for licensure. By allowing more flexibility in the types of degrees recognized and the experience needed, the bill promotes inclusivity for candidates from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. The new criteria for references, which could potentially include non-licensed engineers, expands the pool of individuals who can vouch for an applicant's experience, thereby easing the path to licensure.

Summary

House Bill 18 seeks to amend the licensure requirements for professional engineers in New Mexico. The bill outlines that applicants may obtain licensure through examination or via endorsement and specifies the new degree criteria required for qualifying as a licensed professional engineer. This includes provisions regarding the educational background and engineering experience that must be met to apply for licensure. The changes are aimed at ensuring that the licensure process is aligned with current educational and professional standards in the engineering field.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits, there are concerns regarding the enforcement and interpretation of the new requirements. Some critics argue that permitting non-licensed references could undermine the integrity of the profession by allowing individuals without a recognized engineering license to influence the endorsement process. Opponents fear that this could lead to a dilution of professional standards in engineering practices, potentially affecting the quality of engineering services provided in the state.