New Board Officers Elected
At the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects' meeting on March 21, 2025, new Board officers were elected.
Bruce Dvorak was elected Chair. Dvorak is a licensed professional environmental engineer and a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He joined the Board as the engineering education member in 2020. Dvorak's research and professional interests include environmental engineering, physical-chemical treatment process, sustainability of water and wastewater systems, industrial sustainability, and life cycle assessment. His research has also focused on the increase in the energy efficiency for small community water systems and a reduction of wastewater produced in the food and water industry.
Lenora Nelson was elected Vice-Chair. Nelson is a licensed architect with over 20 years of private architectural experience, code regulations, and governmental projects. She was appointed in 2016. Nelson received her URS Corporation Project Management Certification in 2001, and she’s been a Leadership in Energy Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional for the U.S. Green Building Council since 2006. LEED certification, the most widely used green building rating system globally, demonstrates proficiency in today’s sustainable design, construction, and operational standards.
Daniel Thiele was elected Secretary. Thiele is a licensed professional civil engineer with 30 years of experience in geotechnical and materials engineering. He was appointed in 2018. Thiele is licensed in over 20 states. His additional expertise includes geotechnical, material, environmental, and structural engineering projects across the Midwest regions and design services for earth retention systems, such as permanent retaining walls and temporary construction support, across the continental US.
Board officers are elected each year in March.
Rules Changes Public Hearing Held
The Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects held a rule-making hearing on March 21, 2025, at 8:30 am at the offices of the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The purpose of the hearing was to take testimony and evidence about the adoption, amendments, and additions to current Board rules and regulations. The proposed changes can be found on our website.
The Board approved the rules changes at its regular meeting later that morning with no revisions. The proposed rules changes will be sent to additional agencies for approval, including the Nebraska Attorney General and the Governor. The Board anticipates that the rules will be approved and enacted by August 2025.
NBEA Lunch and Learn Webinar Series
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Lunch and Learn Webinar on March 26, 2025, covering the E&A Act, potential updates to Board rules and regulations, and when licensed architects and professional engineers need to be involved in a project design. The webinar is now available on the Board’s YouTube channel. Please click here to view the presentation.
If you would like to access the PDF version of the webinar, please click here.
As a reminder, certificates WILL NOT be issued as attendance verification. If you participated in the entire presentation, you will receive an email within a week from the webinar confirming your attendance. Please use this email as attendance verification if you anticipate submitting continuing education hours for this webinar.
Please follow us on all the Board’s social media platforms for upcoming NBEA Lunch and Learn Webinar Series presentations, and never miss any important updates or information! Additionally, check out our website for upcoming webinar information, as well as past webinar YouTube videos and presentation documents.
If you have any suggested topics for future webinars, please email nbea.marketing@nebraska.gov.
Now Hiring: Office Specialist
Looking for an opportunity to work as part of an engaged and dynamic team dedicated to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all Nebraskans? The Board has an immediate opening for an Office Specialist.
This position is responsible for data entry and the initial review of license and exam applications against current requirements for exam admittance, intern enrollment, and licensure. In addition, it corresponds with applicants and licensees regarding architect and professional engineer application processes and requirements in addition to general inquiries related to them.
To learn more about the position and to apply, click here.
Board Community Outreach
Over the last several months, board staff have been speaking with organizations regarding various topics, including when an engineer or architect is required to be involved in a project, proposed rules changes, and licensee seals. Additionally, board staff have been holding exhibitor booths at several conferences to raise awareness of the Board and answer any questions from attendees.
Board staff can offer more information on the Act and Board rules. We can provide this information through video, phone call, or in-person meeting, depending on what works best for you!
Through this outreach, our goal is to foster collaboration between the Board and your area to protect life, health, and property, and the citizens of Nebraska.
If you have any questions or would like board staff to speak at an event, please contact PIO Allyson Bennett at nbea.marketing@nebraska.gov or (402) 471-3044. Board staff are more than happy to spread awareness on the Board and answer any questions regarding the E&A Act.
NCEES Professional Activities and Knowledge Study Opportunity
NCEES is currently seeking licensed control systems engineers to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study, or PAKS, for the PE Control Systems exam. The results of this online survey will be used to update the exam's specifications, which are used throughout the United States for licensing purposes.
NCEES requires a cross-section of licensed professional engineers practicing control systems engineering—including those working in industry, consulting, the public sector, and academia—to complete an online survey about the tasks and knowledge required of a licensed control systems engineer with four to six years of experience to practice in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The survey can be completed in approximately 30–40 minutes.
The survey will remain open until May 22, 2025. To access the online survey, please click here.
For more information, please click here.
NCARB New Competency Standard
Last October, NCARB released the new Competency Standard for Architects. Since then, they've seen questions and comments from the architecture community regarding what exactly the Competency Standard is—and what it's not.
To learn how NCARB will use this new resource to guide changes to their programs and services in the future, please click here.
NCEES Engineering Education Award
The 2025 NCEES Engineering Education Award competition is underway. Projects are due by May 1, 2025. All EAC/ABET-accredited programs from all engineering disciplines are invited to submit projects that integrate professional practice and education.
The NCEES Engineering and Surveying Education Awards recognize programs with a broad and robust curriculum that best reflect NCEES' mission to advance licensure in both fields to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The awards are intended to encourage programs to engage their students with other professionals, introduce them to new technology, and promote licensure.
For more information, please click here.
NCARB Scholars in Professional Practice Program
Applications for NCARB’s 2025 Scholars in Professional Practice program are now being accepted! The program is an intensive training opportunity that gathers educators from architecture schools nationwide for peer learning and expert training.
Professional practice educators are invited to apply by April 11, 2025, for a chance to attend the three-day, intensive professional development opportunity.
For more information, please click here.
Licensure Updates
Recently Resolved Compliance Cases
24.20 – Unlicensed Practice
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the modification of a two-story building [Assembly (A) Occupancy] comprising approximately 5,950 square feet. The plans did not bear the seal of a Nebraska-licensed architect or professional engineer.
Action: This project was subject to the Act due to the building area comprising more than 1,000 square feet of A-Assembly Occupancy. The Board authorized architecture and engineering remediation to bring the project into compliance with the Act. Per Board Rule 8.4, the project owner engaged a Nebraska-licensed architect and professional engineer to review the project for compliance with the Act. The Board dismissed the complaint without disciplinary action based on the successful completion of architectural and engineering remediation.
24.21 – Professional Misconduct – Rule 5.5
Summary: A complaint was submitted alleging unethical character, professional misconduct, and non-compliance with laws. Specifically, violations of Board Rule 5.5.3.
Action: Upon further investigation and information provided, the Board dismissed the complaint without prejudice.
24.38 – Unlicensed Practice of Engineering and Architecture- 81-3442(1)(a)
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the renovation of a single-story building [Assembly (A) Occupancy] comprising approximately 2,125 square feet. The plans did not bear the seal of a Nebraska-licensed architect or professional engineer.
Action: This project was subject to the Act due to the building area comprising more than 1,000 square feet of A-Assembly Occupancy. The Board authorized architecture and engineering remediation to bring the project into compliance with the Act. Per Board Rule 8.4, the project owner engaged a Nebraska-licensed architect and professional engineer to review the project for compliance with the Act. The Board dismissed the complaint without disciplinary action based on the successful completion of architectural and engineering remediation.
For further information regarding the enforcement process, please click here.
For a full list of disciplinary actions taken by the Board, please click here.
The Nebraska Professional Archive
Please click here for past issues.
If you have questions about topics in this digital newsletter, previous issues, or other topics that would be helpful to publish in our next release, please contact us.