222 Palisades Creek Drive
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-952-9393
Fax: 972-952-9435
Email: [email protected]
About
Mission
The mission of NCEES is to advance licensure for engineers and surveyors in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
This mission is supported through its member boards, board of directors, staff, board administrators, and volunteers by:
- Providing outstanding nationally normed examinations for engineers and surveyors
- Providing uniform model laws and model rules for adoption by the member boards
- Promoting professional ethics among all engineers and surveyors
- Coordinating with domestic and international organizations to advance licensure of all engineers and surveyors
Vision
The vision of NCEES is to provide leadership in professional licensure of engineers and surveyors through excellence in uniform laws, licensing standards, and professional ethics in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public and to shape the future of professional licensure.
How NCEES is Safeguarding the Public
Through education, experience, and exams, professional engineering and surveying licensure establishes an important verification of expertise that is critical in safeguarding the public.
NCEES History
1891
California passes the first surveying licensure law.
1907
Wyoming passes the first engineering licensure law.
1920
At a meeting in Chicago, the Council of State Boards of Engineering Examiners (CSBEE) is founded by 7 of the 10 state boards with engineering/surveying licensing laws.
1931
The word “national” is added to the organization’s name (NCSBEE).
1932
NCSBEE approves the Model Law for Registration of Engineers and Land Surveyors. The Council’s National Bureau of Engineering Registration is created.
1933
NCSBEE revises the Constitution and Bylaws to create a board of directors, zones, and the position of executive secretary.
1950
All states plus Alaska, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have engineering licensure laws.
1953
The four geographic zones hold their first interim meetings, where member boards discuss issues of common interest.
1960
Guam becomes a member board of the Council.
1965
The first NCSBEE Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination is administered.
1966
The first NCSBEE Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination is administered.
1967
The organization’s name is changed to the National Council of Engineering Examiners (NCEE).
1968
The U.S. Virgin Islands becomes a member board of the Council.
1973
The first NCEE Fundamentals of Land Surveying (FLS) examination is administered.
1974
The first NCEE Principles and Practice of Land Surveying (PLS) examination is administered.
1960
The Northern Mariana Islands becomes a member board of the Council.
1979
The NCEE Records program is created to replace the National Bureau of Engineering Registration.
1984
All member licensing boards now use uniform national engineering examinations.
1989
The organization’s name is changed to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
1990
All states have surveying licensure laws
1996
The afternoon portion of the FE examination is offered in six discipline-specific modules (Chemical, Civil, Industrial, Electrical, Mechanical, and General) in order to test upper-division knowledge.
1999
With the October exam, the first academic-based FLS exam is administered.
2000
The NCEES Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Services (ELSES) is established to provide exam administration services to NCEES member boards. Initially chartered as an NCEES affiliate, ELSES was dissolved in 2009 but continues to provide the same services as the NCEES Exam Administration Services department.
2002
With the April exam, the PE Civil, PE Electrical and Computer, and PE Mechanical exams are all administered in the breadth-and-depth objectively scored (multiple-choice) format. With the October administration, all PE exams (except Structural) are given in the all objectively scored format.
2003
The Engineering Speaker’s Kit is developed to promote the engineering profession, emphasizing the benefits of pursuing licensure. A Surveying Speaker’s Kit is introduced two years later.
2004
Council headquarters is expanded to add more meeting space.
2005
The names of surveying exams are changed to Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) and Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) to remove the word “land.”
2006
NCEES begins providing Credentials Evaluations services for licensure candidates earning degrees from programs outside the United States and from domestic, non-ABET accredited programs. NCEES exams are first offered in Japan and Alberta, Canada.
2007
NCEES celebrates the 100th anniversary of engineering licensure in the United States.
2008
NCEES exams are first offered in South Korea.
2009
NCEES exams are first offered in Egypt. NCEES launches the Engineering Education Award.
2010
NCEES exams are first offered in Saudi Arabia. The Council votes to transition the FE and FS exams to a computer-based format.
2011
NCEES launches new web-based Engineering and Surveying Speaker’s Kits.
2012
NCEES exams are first offered in the Emirate of Sharjah and in Turkey. The Council votes to transition the PE and PS exams to a computer-based format.
2013
The last pencil-and-paper administration of the FE and FS exams takes place in October. Council headquarters is expanded to add more meeting space. NCEES serves as lead society sponsor of National Engineers Week. Two new departments are created: Client Services and Member Services. NCEES installs the first female president of the organization at its August annual meeting.
2014
The FE and FS exams are administered via computer-based testing for the first time. The FE exam becomes seven freestanding, discipline-specific exams. NCEES exams are first offered in Taiwan.
2015
NCEES exams are first offered in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
2016
The PS exam is administered via computer-based testing for the first time. NCEES launches the NCEES Surveying Education Award. NCEES exams are first offered in Qatar. The NCEES Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) Registry is introduced.
2017
NCEES begins offering the Council Record for initial licensure applications.
2018
NCEES exams are expanded in Saudi Arabia to include the FS and PS exams. The PE Chemical and PE Nuclear exams are administered via computer-based testing for the first time. NCEES serves as lead society sponsor of National Engineers Week.
2019
NCEES serves as lead society sponsor of National Engineers Week. The PE Environmental and PE Petroleum exams are administered via computer-based testing for the first time. NCEES is a founding partner of the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) to ensure a unified voice for the advanced professions in addressing the increase in threats to licensure.
2020
The Council celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. NCEES relocates its headquarters to Greenville, South Carolina. The PE Mechanical, PE Fire Protection, PE Industrial, and PE Electrical and Computer: Power exams are administered via computer-based testing for the first time. The surveying workforce development initiative launches. The Council introduces Advance: An NCEES Podcast Series.
2022
The PE Civil, PE Architectural, PE Naval Architecture and Marine, PE Metallurgical and Materials, and PE Control Systems exams are administered via computer-based testing for the first time.
2024
The NCEES Foundation is established. A mutual recognition agreement is approved between NCEES and the U.K. Engineering Council. The PE Structural exam is administered via computer-based testing for the first time.
NCEES Governance Structure
NCEES operates under the supervision of a board of directors. Members of the board of directors are nominated and elected to serve by the Council’s member licensing boards, which represent the engineering and surveying licensing boards from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The individual members of these state licensing boards are appointed to serve by their respective governors and are considered active members of NCEES. NCEES standing committees meet throughout the year to address NCEES business and licensure issues.
NCEES Board of Directors and CEO
President
Andrew Zoutewelle, P.L.S.
A resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, Zoutewelle is an emeritus member of the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. He served as NCEES Southern Zone vice president in 2021–23, as board liaison to the Committee on Law Enforcement and Committee on Member Board Administrators in 2022–23, and as board liaison to the Committee on Examination Audit in 2021–22. He served as a member of the NCEES Committee on Examinations for Professional Surveyors in 2014–17 and 2020–21. He also served as a member and consultant of the Surveying Exam Module Task Force in 2017–19 and as a member and chair of the Committee on Finances in 2017–20. Additionally, he served as board liaison to the Committee on Examinations for Professional Surveyors and the Surveying and Mapping Sciences Licensure Task Force in 2023–24.
President-Elect
Elizabeth Beckett Johnston, P.E.
A resident of Fairbanks, Alaska, Beckett Johnston has served as a member of the Alaska State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors since 2018.
She served as a member of the NCEES Committee on Examination Policy and Procedures in 2020–21 and 2023–24 and as chair of the committee in 2021–23. Additionally, she served as Western Zone assistant vice president in 2023–24.
Immediate Past President
Laura Sievers, P.E.
A resident of LeMars, Iowa, Sievers has served as a member of the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board since 2016. She served as chair of the NCEES Committee on Examinations for Professional Engineers in 2021–22 and as chair of the Committee on Examination Audits in 2017–19. She served as board liaison to the Committee on Examinations for Professional Engineers and the Special Committee on Bylaws in 2022–23.
Treasurer
Karl Tonander, P.E.
A resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Tonander has served as a member of the New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors since 2014. He served as a member of the NCEES Committee on Law Enforcement in 2016–18 and as chair in 2018–20. He also served as a member of the Committee on Uniform Procedures and Legislative Guidelines and as Western Zone secretary-treasurer in 2021–23.
Central Zone Vice President
Jason Suelter, P.E., S.E.
A resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, Suelter has been a member of the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects since 2020.
He served as a member of the NCEES Committee on Examinations for Professional Engineers in 2022–23 and as chair of the Committee on Examination Policy and Procedures in 2023–24. He has been a member of the PE Structural exam development committee for 13 years.
Northeast Zone Vice President
Samuel Wilson, P.E.
A resident of Washington, D.C., Wilson has served as a member of the District of Columbia Board of Professional Engineering since 2017, serving as chair of the board in 2017–21. He served as a member of the Public Outreach Task Force in 2018–20 and as chair in 2020–21.
In addition, he served as the NCEES Northeast Zone assistant vice president in 2021–23. Wilson was a member of the Committee on Uniform Procedures and Legislative Guidelines in 2020–22 and was a member of the NCEES Committee on Finances in 2022–23.
Southern Zone Vice President
James Kelly, P.E.
A resident of Williamsburg, Virginia, Kelly has served as a member of the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects since 2017. He has also served as chair of the Virginia board. Kelly has served as a member of the NCEES Southern Zone Site Selection Committee.
Western Zone Vice President
Aaron Blaisdell, P.L.S.
A resident of Kirkland, Washington, Blaisdell has served as a member of the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors since 2015.
He served as a member of the NCEES Public Outreach Task Force in 2018–19. He also served as a member of the NCEES Committee on Examinations for Professional Surveyors in 2019–23 and as a member of the Committee on Examination Policy and Procedures in 2023–24. He is currently a member of the NCEES Public Land Survey System exam development committee.
Chief Executive Officer
The board of directors appoints the chief executive officer, who oversees daily operations of the Council and serves as secretary of the organization.
Davy McDowell, P.E.
Davy McDowell, P.E., is the chief executive officer of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, the organization composed of all U.S. licensing boards for engineers and surveyors. In this role, he serves as secretary of the board of directors and chief employed officer of NCEES, with authority over its daily operations.
Prior to being named CEO in 2024, McDowell was the chief operating officer of NCEES. In this role, he provided support to the CEO as the organization implemented the decisions of its board of directors and served as a liaison between NCEES and its member licensing boards.
An employee of NCEES since 1999, McDowell previously served as director of professional services, overseeing the organization’s Records department and leading the Council’s efforts to promote licensure to current and future engineers and surveyors. He also was an exam development engineer, overseeing the exam development process for several licensing exams produced by NCEES.
McDowell, who is a licensed engineer in South Carolina, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering from Clemson University.
Staff Directory
Davy McDowell, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
B. David Cox
Chief Executive Officer Emeritus
Jason J. Gamble, P.E.
Chief Operating Officer
Patricia Sheppard
Executive Assistant
Tracy Snyder
Manager of Member Services
Nancy Evans
Client Services Representative
Corey Norris
Client Services Representative
DaHianna Vacca
Client Services Representative
Tammy Coleman
Client Services Representative
Lehmon Dekle, P.E.
Chief Officer of Examinations
Faith Bostic
Exam Services Coordinator
Taylor Carruth
Exam Services Coordinator
Don Colman, P.E.
Exam Services Operations Manager
Andy Bindewald, P.E.
Exam Development Engineer
William Bowen, P.E.
Exam Development Engineer
Sonya Dawson, P.E.
Exam Development Engineer
Cheryl Warren, Ph.D., P.E.
Exam Development Engineer
Lee Robertson, P.E.
Exam Development Engineer
Mimi Hunt
Manager of Exam Production
Sally Bradley
Senior Exam Editor
Alfred Dockery
Exam Editor
Erin Long
Exam Editor
Zack Mauldin
Exam Editor
Marjorie Metts
Exam Editor
Katie Lilly
Exam Editorial Assistant
Sarah Justus
Exam Services Analyst
Kellsie Edwards
Project Coordinator
Stepheni Gilreath
Exam Publications Specialist
Kayla Jones
Exam Publications Specialist
Lea Strickland
Exam Publications Specialist
Jay Wood
Exam Publications Specialist
TBD
Manager of Exam Support
Erin Riojas
Prep Materials Editor
Tim Sumerel
Copyright and Permissions Editor
Ragenia Davis
Production and Print Coordinator
Cara Sizemore
Senior Instructional Designer
Kaleigh Aschenbrenner
Project Scheduler
Bob Whorton, P.E.
Manager of Compliance and Security
Lisa Day
Compliance and Security Coordinator
Joe Scheving, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Laura Painter
Manager of Accounting
Donna Ellis
Staff Accountant
Julie Farnsworth
Accounts Receivable Associate
Angie Tempest
Accounts Payable Associate
Donna Moss, SHRM-CP, PHR
Chief Human Resources Officer
Latisha Brown, SHRM-CP, PHR
Manager of Human Resources
Emily Halbert
Human Resources Generalist
Mandy Imhof
HR and Facilities Coordinator
Loretta Stephens
Front Desk Coordinator
Steven Matthews
Chief Technology and Strategy Officer
Matt Rardon
Lead Programmer
Matthew Ellis
Senior Programmer
John David
Junior Programmer
Liam Weston
Junior Programmer
Joshua Eaker
Network Security Administrator
Lamar Marsengill
Database Administrator
Tim Dietrich
Systems Analyst
Christopher McKerley
Systems Administrator
Edward Parham
Help Desk Administrator
Stef Goodenow
Chief Officer of Member Services
Tracy Snyder
Manager of Member Services
Shanda LaForge
Credentials Evaluator
Lauren Veneziano
Credentials Evaluator
Dave Seamans
Credentials Evaluator
Kristie White
Credentials Evaluator/Records Reviewer
Elizabeth Chandler
Member Services Coordinator
Karson Hood
Member Services Coordinator
Kim Alexander
Member Services Coordinator
Marie Nebesky
International Engagement Strategist
Gary Alford, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
John Q. Adams III, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
Tom Dodd, Ph.D., P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
Victor Edwards, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
David Gamble, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
John Hale, P.S.
Surveying Experience Reviewer
Tim Miller, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
Robert Richter, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
Justin D. Showghi, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
Karen Stancil, P.E.
Engineering Experience Reviewer
Nina Norris
Chief Communications Officer
Katy Goforth
Senior Communications Specialist
Jennifer Williams
Senior Editor
Sara Ann Grant
Associate Editor
Brittany Wilson
Graphic Designer
Joshua Twitty
Advocacy and External Engagement Strategist
Jacob Barker
Marketing Communications and Outreach Strategist
Christian Cernauskas
Marketing Communications and Outreach Strategist
Sierra Burrell
Digital Communications Coordinator
Kris Goodenow
Outreach Coordinator
Trish McAlister, CMP
Manager of Meetings
Tealle Mejia
Meeting Planner
Melissa Sanders
Meeting Planner
Dallas Holmes
Meetings Coordinator
Learn More
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