The Merits of a Civil Engineering Certification to Validate Fulfillment of the CE-BOK

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has been at the forefront of efforts to protect the licensure of civil engineers, the jurisdiction of civil engineers, and to make licensure of civil engineers more relevant in our changing world. Through three editions of the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CE-BOK), ASCE has identified an ever-widening gap between the knowledge, skills and attitudes that civil engineers need to serve in responsible charge, and what is measured through professional licensure (the legal authority to practice). Until recently, ASCE attempted to close this gap through licensure reform without success. Concluding that further attempts to change licensing laws are futile at this time, ASCE is exploring creation of a certification to attest to a civil engineer's attainment of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for responsible charge – as defined by the third edition of The Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CE-BOK3). This paper will explore the merits of a civil engineering certification to supplement engineering licensure – or one day replace licensure if further threats diminish or eliminate professional licensure as we know it today. ASCE published the first edition of The Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CE-BOK1) in 2004. CE-BOK1 made clear that a civil engineering baccalaureate degree from an ABET-accredited program provides insufficient academic preparation for licensure as a professional engineer. ASCE completed work on the third edition of The Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CE-BOK3) in 2019. In many respects, CE-BOK3 places higher expectations on civil engineers than earlier versions. What CE-BOK3 makes clear, is the need for civil engineers to pursue post-graduate education along with structured mentorship, self-development, and life-long learning to first attain then maintain the competencies required for responsible charge today and into the future. It is also clear that licensure does not ensure fulfillment of the CE-BOK. Filling this critical – and ever-widening gap – is the driving focus behind ASCE's interest in creating a civil engineering certification program to recognize attainment of the CE-BOK, in the various specialties of civil engineering. The purpose of this paper is to answer the following research questions: • Why do future civil engineers need to fulfill the CE-BOK to meet ever-changing societal needs and expectations? • Why does professional licensure fail to validate fulfillment of the CE-BOK? • Is there merit to the creation of a civil engineering certification to supplement licensure and validate fulfillment of the CE-BOK? • What can be learned from certification programs of other licensed professions? Based on the answers to these questions, the authors conclude with recommendations.