The Nebraska Professional

Non-Compliant Plans: Missing Information on Technical Submissions

The Board continues to receive plans that do not comply with the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-3401 to 81-3455). One of the most common issues identified recently is missing or incomplete information on submitted technical submissions.

The summaries below highlight the most frequently identified deficiencies and provide guidance to help avoid these common compliance issues. For the current copy of the E&A Regulation Act Handbook, please click here.

Under Board Rule 6.5, all technical submissions must clearly identify the individuals and organizations responsible for the work.

Technical submissions that constitute the practice of architecture or engineering must include both:

• the project name and 

• the project address or location.

This information is required on each drawing, and the cover page and/or first page of specifications, reports, studies, and other documents.

Additional information is also required, depending on whether the work is or is not being performed through an organization.

If the work is not being performed through an organization, technical submissions must include the licensee’s:

• name and

• contact information

If the work is being performed through an organization(s), technical submissions must include the organization(s):

• legal name or DBA

• contact information and

• Certificate of Authorization number(s)

Per Board Rule 6.3, the Coordinating Professional applies their seal to the cover sheet of all documents and denotes their seal as such by placing the following language adjacent to their seal:

“I, (name of licensee), am the Coordinating Professional on the (name of project) project.”

The Coordinating Professional seal and language signifies the main point of contact for code officials or other professionals and should be on the cover sheet of all technical documents.

An example of a Coordinating Professional seal with the proper language is illustrated on the right.

All seals must be visible and legible, whether wet-ink or digital. 

Currently, Board Rule 6.1.6 states that no seal shall be valid unless it is signed across the face of the seal with the licensee’s name and the date on which the material was signed.

Starting July 17, 2026, licensees will be able to place their signature and date adjacent to the seal.

An example of a current, valid seal is illustrated on the left.

                                      Debt Reimbursement Available for                                         Recent Architecture and Engineering Graduates

The Board extends its sincere congratulations to the 2026 engineering and architecture graduates from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Doane University. Best wishes as you embark on your next adventure! 

If you’re a graduate, we’d like to remind you that you may be eligible for reimbursement of qualifying educational debt from the Board.

Nebraska architecture graduates may qualify for a $150 reimbursement from the Board if they:

• Have established an NCARB record,

• Hold a degree from a NAAB-accredited architectural program from an institution in Nebraska, and

• Have qualifying educational debt.

To apply for reimbursement:

• Complete and submit the Architectural Education Reimbursement Request Form to the Board,

• Request your official transcript to be sent directly from your institution to the Board (electronic transcripts may be sent to nbea.office@nebraska.gov,

• Request NCARB send verification of your Record establishment (ARE Eligibility Notice) directly to the Board, and

• Submit your request and transcript within 12 months of graduation.

Nebraska engineering graduates who have passed the FE Exam may qualify for a $100 reimbursement if they:

• Hold a degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program in Nebraska,

• Passed the FE Exam on the first attempt within nine months of graduation, and

• Have qualifying educational debt.

To apply for reimbursement:

• Complete and submit the Engineering Educational Debt Reimbursement Request Form to the Board.

• Request your official transcript to be sent directly from your institution to the Board (electronic transcripts may be sent to nbea.office@nebraska.gov).  Graduate students at the University of Nebraska must request transcripts from the Lincoln campus, regardless of program location.

• Submit your request and transcript within 12 months of graduation.

Qualifying educational debt is defined as any government or commercial loans obtained by a student for post-secondary education, tuition, other educational expenses, or reasonable living expenses, as determined by the Board. 

See Board Rule 3.7.1 and Board Rule 2.8.1 for more information.

       Next NBEA Webinar: When Does a Lumber Estimate Become a Design?                  Know the Line.

Join us for a free webinar on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CST and gain essential insight into the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act (E&A Act)—and how it applies to the work you do.

What may seem like a straightforward material takeoff or building layout can, in some cases, cross into the practice of architecture or engineering. Understanding where that line is can help you avoid risk, support your customers, and keep projects moving smoothly.

This session will break down what you need to know in a clear, real-world way.

In this webinar, you will:

• Understand when an estimate or layout may be considered “design” under the Act 

• Learn when a Nebraska-licensed architect or engineer must be involved 

• Gain practical examples you can apply immediately 

• Have the opportunity to ask questions and get straightforward answers

The E&A Act exists to ensure that buildings are designed by qualified professionals when required—protecting life, health, property, and public welfare. Having a clear understanding of these requirements helps you better serve your customers while reducing potential liability.

Don’t miss this opportunity—reserve your spot today. Strengthen your understanding of the Act, support safe construction practices, and help prevent the unlicensed practice of architecture or engineering—whether by preparing plans without proper Nebraska licensure or by failing to engage a licensed design professional when required.

NCEES News

NCEES is seeking engineers to participate in online surveys for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams. The results of these surveys will be used to update the content of the exams, a process that occurs every six to eight years.

• Engineers working in the nuclear field are invited to participate in a survey for the PE Nuclear exam. The survey will remain open until June 8, 2026. To access the online survey, please click here.

• Licensed industrial and systems engineers are invited to participate in a survey for the PE Industrial and Systems exam. The survey will remain open until June 12, 2026. To access the online survey, please click here.

NCEES is accepting applications for university students to serve as FE Ambassadors during the 2026–27 academic year.

FE Ambassadors are on-campus student representatives who promote the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam and the value of licensure through peer-to-peer engagement with their fellow engineering students. They do this through engineering society student chapter meetings, on-campus events and activities, and licensure presentations.

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application

• Enrolled as an on-campus, full-time undergraduate student while serving as an FE Ambassador

• Intend to take the FE exam

Expectations

FE Ambassadors are expected to promote the FE exam and the value of licensure to their fellow engineering students through on-campus activities, and NCEES will give you the resources to do so. Ambassadors will be provided a stipend to cover programming expenses.

Training and Support

All FE Ambassadors will receive virtual training and ongoing support from NCEES. Email outreach@ncees.org for more information or if you have any questions.

Visit NCEES for more information and the FE Ambassador application.

On April 27, 2026, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) implemented updates to the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) to align the program with the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects. The changes include minor updates to some exam objectives and formatting adjustments to case studies. All changes are reflected in the ARE Guidelines.

Updates to the ARE include:

• Exam Objective Adjustments

• Refreshed Case Studies 

• Software Update 

Visit NCARB for more information on the ARE updates. 

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is releasing season two of the NCARB Podcast in partnership with Gābl Media. This season explores NCARB’s Pathways to Practice initiative, which aims to create a more accessible yet equally rigorous architectural licensure process.

Subscribe to the NCARB Podcast to hear future episodes as they become available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other podcast hosting platforms. Season one, which focuses on NCARB’s annual data report, NCARB by the Numbers, is also available.