Florida’s 2025 legislative session brought one of the most serious challenges to professional licensure in recent memory. Proposals to dismantle independent licensing boards, eliminate continuing education requirements, and centralize control under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) sparked immediate concern among licensed professionals across the state. Ultimately, those measures failed to advance—but not without significant effort.

A legislative proposal in New Hampshire that would have carved out significant portions of technology-related work from the state’s definition of engineering has been stopped—for now. House Bill 435 sought to exclude services in IT, information security, electronics, digital systems, and computing from being classified as engineering, raising serious concerns about regulatory gaps and public safety.

The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1151 / S. 756) continues to gain traction as a forward-looking policy aimed at expanding access to professional credentials and supporting workforce development. The measure would allow 529 education savings plans—traditionally limited to college tuition and related expenses—to be used for recognized post-secondary credentials, including certifications, technical training, and career development programs.

In a quiet and unexpected move, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officially terminated its flagship Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program in April—canceling all pending applications from fiscal years 2020 to 2023 and halting new funding opportunities for 2024. The agency labeled BRIC “wasteful and ineffective,” citing its failure to deliver meaningful disaster resilience despite significant federal investment.

Meeting with your U.S. Representative is one of the most effective ways to make sure the voices of Professional Engineers (PEs) are heard in Congress. In fact, a survey conducted by the Congressional Management Foundation confirmed it, showing that congressional offices consider face-to-face meetings with constituents to be one of the most effective ways to understand their views and opinions.

In December, NSPE engaged with the staff at the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency regarding a bill introduced in the DC legislature in 2024. While the bill stalled, it is expected to be reintroduced in 2025, and NSPE is actively working to ensure that model language from its position on Good Samaritan laws is included.

In December 2024, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) unveiled a draft proposal that could reshape how internationally qualified individuals are licensed in the state. The proposal would require all licensing boards to create uniform regulations for applicants with foreign credentials, mandating verification of legal status, credential checks, and adherence to education and training requirements set by each respective board.

Most state legislatures have kicked off their sessions for the year, and those that haven’t are quickly gearing up. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) is actively collaborating with state societies and other aligned organizations to stay ahead of key legislative trends, push for policies that advance the engineering profession, and ensure that the voice of professional engineers is heard loud and clear in every state legislature.

Momentum is steadily building for the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1151/S. 756), a key bipartisan effort designed to strengthen workforce development. With signs pointing toward consideration in the current legislative session, the Act is poised to expand educational access and address critical workforce shortages across industries.

Across the country, state societies are at the forefront of connecting professional engineers with legislators and influencing the future of the engineering profession. The Ohio Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-Ohio) is no exception, offering its members an exceptional opportunity to play an active role in the legislative process.