NSPE Endorses Veterans Licensure Legislation

Release Status: 
Immediate
Contact Name: 
Stacey Ober
Contact Number: 
703-684-2815
City: 
Alexandria
State: 
Virginia
Date: 
Thursday, December 5, 2013

–The National Society of Professional Engineers has endorsed the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2013. Introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV), this legislation (S.1579) would ensure that our nation’s service members are recognized for their invaluable contributions to our nation and for their personal sacrifices.

NSPE particularly commends S.1579 for acknowledging the need to protect the professional licenses of uniformed services members. NSPE strongly supports Section 104 of the legislation, which states that if a professional license issued by a state or local licensing authority to a service member would otherwise lapse during a period in which such service member is eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay, the state licensing authority shall delay the expiration of the license at least 180 days. NSPE further endorses Section 104 of the legislation for applying the 180-day cushion to continuing education requirements.

In a letter of support to Chairman Sanders and Senator Rockefeller, NSPE President Robert Green, P.E., F.NSPE writes, “While NSPE believes strongly that state licensure requirements are vitally important, NSPE also believes that state licensure authorities should show a reasonable level of flexibility toward those defending our nation. NSPE believes the language in S.1579 embodies that level of flexibility.”

For more information or questions concerning the Act of 2013, please contact Manager of Government Relations Arielle Eiser at aeiser@nspe.org .

Read President Green’s letter to Chairman Sanders and Senator Rockefeller.
 

Additional Notes: 

The National Society of Professional Engineers is the national society of licensed professional engineers from all disciplines that promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocates licensure, and enhances the image and well-being of its members. Founded in 1934, NSPE serves more than 35,000 members and the public through 53 state and territorial societies and just over 400 chapters. For more information, please visit www.nspe.org.