December 2022
In this issue…
VSPE Position on the Registered Design Professional Exemption
Membership Campaign Mailing
Thank You for Donations During Dues Renewal!
In-person Conference in the Planning Stages
Year One of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
NCEES Seeks PEs to Update Mechanical PE Exams
NSPE Job Board
Share Your PE Story #IAMNSPE
NSPECon23 Heads to Louisville
Take Advantage of Professional Development Opportunities
VSPE Position on the Registered Design Professional Exemption
VSPE is investigating the localities in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia whose building officials exercise the exemption of requiring a registered design professional (RDP) for accessory use structures, such as pavilions and other structures. Research done to date indicates that 44% of localities surveyed exercise this exemption that is allowed under Virginia Code § 54.1-402: Further exemptions from license requirements for architects, professional engineers, and land surveyors.
Structural failures have resulted, leaving homeowners to seek remedy to correct the failure and design assistance from the engineering firm of a member of the VSPE Board of Directors. This has happened on numerous occasions. In one instance where Karst soils are prevalent and the locality’s ordinance requires a PE to certify that a residential home or commercial building is not constructed over Karst soil, an inground swimming pool was exempt from such investigation as an accessory structure. A fatality occurred when a Karst sink hole manifested itself below the pool, engulfing the pool and one person.
VSPE feels that if a structure will have a person under it, on it, or in it, the structure should not be exempt from requiring an RDP. We want to acknowledge and thank Channing Blackwell, P.E., senior engineer with the Blackwell Group, LLC in Gainesville, Virginia, and a director on the VSPE BOD, for bringing this matter to our attention. The Blackwell Group’s Catherine Comcowich conducted the interviews and outreach efforts for the survey. We extend our sincere appreciation to Channing and his team.
Membership Campaign Mailing
A big “Thank You!” to Judi Harrison, VSPE’s Director of Membership and Outreach, for helping us accomplish a decades long goal. We mailed post cards to the licensed professional engineers who call Virginia home in November. NSPE’s Membership Engagement team helped us with the information, and the Board of Directors and Education Fund Trustees all provided input on the content and design.
We included the link to NSPE’s PE Institute page that provides cost free continuing education credits for members and reasonably priced online education for nonmembers. These classes are top notch and professionally produced with interesting and relevant content for all PEs.
Thank You for Donations During Dues Renewal!
Around this time of the year, our Financial Accounting team sends letters of appreciation to members who donated during the prior fiscal year when they renewed their membership. We had a record during FY22 of donations to VSPE, MATHCOUNTS, Virginia Engineers Political Action Committee (VEPAC), and the Scholarship Fund. Thank each one of you for your membership and hard work.
In-person Conference in the Planning Stages
The Board of Directors and Educational Fund Trustees are working with our Director of Membership and Outreach to plan a one-day conference in late spring of 2023. We’ll be sending members a survey after the first of the year to help in this effort. We would like to partner with other professional organizations that you might currently be involved in to find speakers that would cover areas of interest to you and those members from that partnering organization.
Our goal is to hold the event at a reasonable cost to cover expenses, and for the subject matter to appeal to a wide audience. If you have ideas, please reach out to us at rebeccalee.golden@outlook.com.
Year One of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Biden Administration recently updated state and territory fact sheets that highlight the nationwide impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest long-term investment infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. To date, over $4.3 billion in funding has been announced and is headed to Virginia with over 110 specific projects identified for funding. Access information about Virginia projects here.
NCEES Seeks PEs to Update Mechanical PE Exams
NCEES is seeking licensed mechanical engineers to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study (PAKS) for the PE Mechanical exams. The results of this online survey will help determine the knowledge and skills required of a licensed mechanical engineer with four to six years of experience to practice in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
The PE Mechanical exams include Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC), Machine Design and Materials (MDM), and Thermal and Fluid Systems (TFS). NCEES is also considering the addition of a Plumbing Engineering exam to the suite of exams.
The survey can be completed in 20-40 minutes and will be open until March 15, 2023. Access the survey here.
NSPE’s Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today’s top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.
NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.
Featured Jobs
Engineer, Principal
Richmond, VA
Senior Engineer III
Fairfax County, VA
Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.
Stay up to date on legislative issues through the NSPE Advocacy Center.
Share Your PE Story #IAMNSPE
NSPE is a society made up of dedicated individuals who each bring a unique story and perspective to the engineering profession. NSPE members are leaders. They are connected, inclusive, committed to ethical practice, and so much more. You have established your career as a PE, but what’s next? Learn how your peers have strengthened their professional toolkits andshare your own storythrough social media. #IAMNSPE
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Mark your calendars to attend NSPECon23 in Louisville, Kentucky, August 2-4. NSPECon provides an opportunity to build your network of professional engineers and advance your career by learning new skills, expanding your expertise, and preparing for future developments in the industry. The conference presentation proposal submissions site is open (submission deadline: January 25). Stay tuned for more information on registration, session topics, sponsorship opportunities, and additional conference activities!
If you want to reminisce about the fun, comradery, engagement experienced during this year’s NSPECon (Philadelphia) in preparation for NSPECon23, visit NSPE’s conference photo albums on Flickr.
Take Advantage of Professional Development Opportunities
It’s not too late for NSPE members to access the 2022 lineup of WORKability Wednesdays webinars. Access these free recorded webinars and earn PDHs before the end of the year.
The presentations address various topics of interest to professional engineers including the following:
- Amplifying the Current Infrastructure for the Imminent EV Transition
- Engineering: Addressing Unintended Consequences as a Professional
- What Separates Good Engineers From Great Engineers
- Ethical Case Insights: Lessons in Disclosure
- Setting and Verifying Corporate Sustainability Goals Across Environmental, Social, and Governance Topics
- Election Recap: How Can PEs Prepare for the 2023 Legislative Session