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 while preserving the standards that protect the public. Similar discussions involving workforce development, licensure mobility, international recognition, and regulatory oversight are likely to continue as states evaluate ways to attract qualified professionals and address workforce needs.

Virginia's experience shows how the engineering profession can help shape regulatory discussions through constructive engagement. While stakeholders did not always agree on the best path forward, the discussion helped elevate important questions regarding licensure mobility, qualification review, board oversight, and public protection that are likely to continue emerging in states across the country.