South Carolina engineers recently raised concerns about Senate Bill (S.B.) 706, legislation that would have created an alternative pathway to professional engineering licensure in the state.

Engineering leaders noted that the bill would have allowed individuals to pursue a professional engineer license without an engineering degree. S.B. 706 proposed creating a pathway to licensure based on verified engineering experience and successful completion of national engineering examinations. Engineers raised concerns that the measure diverged from the education–experience–examination framework that underpins engineering licensure.

Leadership from the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-SC) engaged quickly after the bill was introduced. Engineering leaders and industry representatives communicated their concerns to lawmakers and sought to better understand the intent behind the legislation.

Mitchel Cooper, P.E., of Kimley-Horn and a past president of NSPE-SC, joined other engineering leaders in outreach to lawmakers, raising concerns about inconsistencies within the bill and communicating those concerns directly to the sponsor.

Following those conversations, the sponsor indicated he was not willing to expend the effort to advance the legislation through committee given the opposition expressed by the engineering community. With the legislative session scheduled to adjourn on May 14, S.B. 706 is not expected to advance further.