It is the position of the National Society of Professional Engineers that the designated Prime Professional for a project involving the design of buildings may be either a Licensed Professional Engineer or a Licensed Architect. The professional retained for a project as a condition of licensure shall only offer and accept services for which they are competent and qualified and should utilize the services of other qualified professionals as required to provide a proper and complete professional service to their clients consistent with applicable laws. Background NSPE believes that cooperation with the architectural profession is an important part of professional unity. In the interest of promoting public health, safety, and general welfare, enhancing the quality of the environment, recognizing that the legal rights and obligations of licensed engineers and architects coincide, and in the interest of further defining this cooperation, NSPE adopts the following principles:

1. Jurisdictional registration and licensure laws for architects and engineers are predicated upon and justified only as a means to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. They should not be used as a means to enhance the standing of one design profession over another.
2. The two professions must accept the basic premise that there is an overlap in the functions that architects and engineers may be qualified to perform in the design and construction of buildings. Members of either profession may be qualified to be the prime professional on building projects of any size and scope.
3. On projects for the design of buildings it is the prerogative of the client to select and designate the prime professional that is the best fit for their specific project needs.