The Virginia Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-VA) played a prominent role this year in discussions surrounding a Virginia regulatory change that established a new licensure-by-endorsement option tied to international engineering recognition agreements.

The proposal, advanced by Virginia regulators in early 2026, drew significant attention within the engineering community because of questions about how it would interact with existing licensure processes used to evaluate qualifications, grant licensure by endorsement, and protect the public. While supporters viewed the proposal as an opportunity to expand mobility for qualified engineers, others raised concerns about maintaining consistent review standards and regulatory oversight. 

NSPE-VA Engages

NSPE-VA played an active role throughout the process, engaging regulators and stakeholders and helping identify approaches that could expand mobility opportunities while maintaining established professional standards and public protection safeguards.

As discussions progressed, NSPE assisted in coordinating conversations between NSPE-VA and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Those discussions focused on how Virginia could modernize portions of its licensure system while preserving the review standards, board oversight, and qualification verification processes that support public protection.

Why the Proposal Drew Attention

Many of the discussions centered on how the proposal would interact with existing NCEES endorsement procedures and Model Law provisions. Questions also emerged regarding how applicants would be evaluated and how licensing boards would verify qualifications under a new international endorsement approach.

The issue attracted interest beyond Virginia because it touched on broader conversations occurring across the country regarding licensure mobility, workforce needs, and international recognition of engineering qualifications. Many stakeholders viewed the proposal as a potential precedent for future discussions in other states.

Shaping a Better Path Forward

As stakeholders continued discussions, attention increasingly shifted toward approaches that could build upon existing endorsement procedures rather than creating a completely separate process. Discussions explored how internationally recognized engineers could be accommodated within established licensure structures while maintaining board authority and public protection responsibilities. 

NSPE-VA subsequently proposed substitute language that incorporated both existing NCEES endorsement provisions and recognized international mutual recognition agreement (MRA) principles. The proposal sought to expand mobility opportunities while maintaining consistency with established qualification review procedures and the professional standards that underpin engineering licensure.

A Trend Worth Watching

Virginia’s experience reflects a broader national conversation about how states can modernize licensure processes, address workforce needs, and recognize qualified professionals from other jurisdictions while preserving the standards that protect the public. It also underscores the importance of early and sustained engagement by the engineering profession when proposals raise questions about qualification review, board oversight, licensure mobility, and public protection. Similar issues are likely to continue emerging in other states as regulators and policymakers evaluate new approaches to professional mobility and international recognition.