Position Statement: It is the position of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) to support public recognition of the importance of the practice of engineering by licensed professional engineers in federal, state, and local agencies through the establishment of appropriate organizational structures at all levels of government and hiring or appointment of fully qualified, licensed professional engineers to government positions having responsibility for making engineering decisions and exercising engineering judgment.

Background: The practice of appointing non-engineer administrators to positions to perform functions which, by definition, constitute the practice of engineering, is inconsistent with the goal of state engineering licensing laws to protect the public health and safety and should be discontinued.