Designations and Certifications

Obtaining a designation or certification signals to your clients and employer that you have aspired to and achieved a specific professional competency. ACEC and ASCE strongly support and encourage designation and certification for all individuals working in the engineering field, both to protect the public and to deliver high quality services. Continuing education is a lifelong process and is motivated by a number of factors, including curiosity, closing gaps in knowledge, and the desire to provide the very best service to one's clients. Lifelong learning requires that the engineering professional continually develop his or her knowledge and skills, both through traditional continuing education and other educational activities that include emerging and state-of-the-art business and technical practice.

ACEC Designations

  • Management Engineer (MgtEng)
    The MgtEngSM is designed to recognize professionals working in project, program, or business management roles within an engineering firm or a firm related to the engineering industry. This premiere designation distinguishes holders as successful managers who have demonstrated a high level of management experience, skills and knowledge in the fields of engineering and business management. The MgtEngSM shows an individual's commitment to the practice of engineering and business management, including the overall management of projects, people, and business components.

    To earn the MgtEngSM designation, one must have:
    • A valid PE License.
    • 150 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) in four of ACEC's 12 Knowledge Domains, or a Master's degree plus 50 PDHs.
    • Seven-ten years of management experience in one of the following three areas: people management, project management, or business management.
    Click here to download the application.

  • Executive Engineer (ExecEng)
    The ExecEngSM is designed to recognize professionals who have reached the highest levels of achievement in engineering industry leadership and/or business management, differentiating holders from other leaders active in the engineering field. Earning the ExecEngSM demonstrates a commitment to remaining at the forefront of the engineering profession. Earning the ExecEngSM designation illustrates a path resulting in an achievement that honors both technical competence and management acumen.

    To earn the ExecEngSM designation, one must have:
    • A valid PE License.
    • 300 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) in eight of ACEC's 12 Knowledge Domains, or a Master's degree plus 200 PDHs.
    • 15-20 years of experience in a leadership role in a corporate, non-profit, or government setting.
    • Completion of the ACEC Senior Executives Institute (SEI) or another approved leadership capstone course.
    Click here to download the application.

  • Management Professional (MgtPro)
    The MgtProSM is designed to recognize non-PE professionals who manage programs in the design, architecture, engineering, surveying, and construction environment. The MgtProSM recognizes experience, skill, and achievements in the oversight of multiple related projects that are aligned with overall organizational and strategic goals. Candidates for the MgtProSM designation manage various aspects of a program, such as defining and initiating multiple related projects; overseeing multiple projects; allocating resources; assigning project manager to manage cost, schedule, performance of component projects; and making decisions to ensure the ultimate success and acceptance of a program. Candidates for the MgtProSM are not required to have a Professional Engineer (PE) license and thus may come from various environments such as governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and/or engineering firms.

    To earn the MgtProSM designation, one must have:
    • 150 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) in four of ACEC's 12 Knowledge Domains, or a Master's degree plus 50 PDHs.
    • Seven-ten years of program management experience related to the design, engineering, surveying, and/or construction industry.
    Click here to download the application.

  • Expert Witness (EXW)
    The purpose of the Expert Witness program is to recognize individuals who are dedicated to providing fair and unbiased testimony and investigations and promoting a high level of forensic and expert witness testimony. It should help engineers better understand the legal process and will provide education and discussion forums on expert witnessing and establishing guidelines for objectivity of testimony.

    To qualify for the EXW designation, you must meet the following requirements:
    • A valid license of Professional Engineer (PE).
    • Ten years of practical experience.
    • Successful completion of ACEC's expert witness course.
    • Have your application reviewed and accepted by the Expert Witness Designation Committee.
    To obtain an Expert Witness Designation application send an email to: ebajer@acec.org.

ASCE Certifications

  • American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE)
    AAWRE's mission is to improve the practice, elevate the standards, and advance the profession of water resources engineering. Applicants for certification as a Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) shall demonstrate that each applicant meets the prescribed Body of Knowledge for Water Resources Engineering by demonstrating:
    • Active engagement in the professional practice of water resources engineering.
    • A valid license to practice professional engineering in the U.S. or equivalent license issued by a foreign country.
    • Masters Degree
    • 10 years of work experience
    • Passage of an oral examination in a manner satisfactory to the Board of Trustees.
    Click here for more information.

  • Academy of Geo-Professionals (AGP)
    AGP provides professional engineers an opportunity to gain further recognition in the field of geotechnical engineering. Applicants for certification as a AGP shall demonstrate that they meet these requirements:
    • Be actively engaged in professional practice within the geotechnical engineering profession
    • Masters Degree
    • PE licensure
    • 8 years of work experience beyond your PE license
    • Oral Examination Required (if less than 25 years work experience)
    Click here for more information.

  • Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port & Navigation Engineers (ACOPNE)
    ACOPNE comprises the individuals and professional organizations that are engaged in the sustainable development and protection of coastal, ocean, port, and navigation environments Applicants for certification as a ACOPNE shall demonstrate that they meet these requirements:
    • Be actively engaged in professional practice within the Coastal, Ocean, Ports, or Navigation engineering profession
    • Masters Degree
    • 12 years of work experience
    • PE licensure
    • Oral Examination Required (if less than 15 years experience)
    Click here for more information.

  • The Building Security Council (BSC)
    A BSCP has broad knowledge and understanding of security considerations and can address them effectively in the integrated planning, design, construction, operation, and risk assessment of buildings. In particular, the BSCP is familiar with the building classification and field evaluation procedures described in BSC Building Security Rating System, and has the expertise to apply them within the context of a multidisciplinary team.

    Click here for more information.