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Adopted: July 2000
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) established the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) to:
- Evaluate the competency of engineering technicians and technologists in their fields of engineering technology, and
- Recognize the attainment of such competency through the awarding of certificates.
It is by way of the NICET certifications that NSPE and NICET recognize that there are significant differences between the competencies, roles and responsibilities of licensed professional engineers and certified engineering technicians and technologists.
Specifically, NSPE and NICET see certified engineering technicians and technologists as members of the engineering team working in support of and complementing the activities of licensed professional engineers. The certified engineering technicians and technologists talents relate to applying practical skills toward the successful completion of a project under the direct supervision and control of a licensed professional engineer.
Certified engineering technicians and technologists strive to harmonize their professional activities with those of licensed professional engineers and avoid actions and activities that place them in an adverse relationship with licensed professional engineers or with the interests of the engineering profession. By virtue of their education and experience prior to licensure, the licensed professional engineer is uniquely qualified to perform design and other engineering services that may or may not involve the use of certified technicians and technologists. The converse is not true. Certified engineering technicians and technologists recognize that their services must be performed under the responsible charge of a duly qualified licensed professional engineer and in accordance with the requirements of state and territorial laws and regulations.
