Board Member Reappointments
The following Board Members were reappointed for another term on the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects:
Bruce Dvorak, Ph.D., P.E., a licensed professional environmental engineer and professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Engineering, has served as the engineering education member since his appointment 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.
Jason Suelter, P.E., S.E., a licensed civil and structural professional engineer with over 25 years of experience in structural engineering, was appointed to the Board in 2020. As a professional structural engineer, Suelter specializes in analyzing and designing steel, concrete, wood, light gage, precast, and masonry structures. In addition, he’s worked on projects related to the forensic engineering area, specifically on the rehabilitation of older brick masonry structures of other failing structures, which requires solutions for continued longevity. Suelter has been a part of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) examination program. He has served on the NCEES structural exams committee tasked with item writing and structural exam development.
Direct Supervision of Work
Recently, the Board has seen an increase in the number of licensees who appear to be placing their seal on work that was not prepared under their direct supervision. Direct supervision is having full professional knowledge of and control over work that constitutes the practice of architecture or engineering.
Under the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act (the “Act”), licensees must be engaged throughout the entire design process, from beginning to end. Architects and professional engineers may only seal work prepared by them or under their direct supervision. Per Board Rule 6.4, to exercise full professional knowledge of and control over work, a licensee in direct supervision of work on a project must satisfy each of the following criteria:
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Have and exercise the authority to review and to change, reject, or approve both the work in progress and the final work product, through a continuous process of examination, evaluation, communication, and direction throughout the development of the work;
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Be personally aware of the project's scope, needs, parameters, limitations, and special requirements;
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Be capable of answering questions relevant to the architectural or engineering decisions made as part of the services provided, in sufficient detail to demonstrate reasonable knowledge of and proficiency in the work; and
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Be reasonably satisfied with the product of the services rendered and accept full responsibility for the work.
To ensure compliance, all technical documents prepared for non-exempt projects must be designed under the direct supervision of a Nebraska-licensed architect or professional engineer in accordance with the Act.
Here are some good practices to ensure responsible control over your work:
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Review the processes you use to implement design solutions and develop clear expectations for on-site personnel who collect data and observations for your projects.
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Maintain a clear chain of custody with the information you receive (photos, measurements, etc.) when identifying thresholds that would necessitate follow-up or further investigation.
Individuals and organizations found to be involved in work comprising the practice of architecture or engineering that is not in compliance with the Act may be subject to disciplinary action as specified in N.R.S. §§81-3444. These actions could include civil penalties, imposition of costs, and—in the case of licensees who are involved—possible censure, reprimand, limitations to practice, and/or license revocation.
If you have questions, please contact us at nbea.compliance@nebraska.gov or (402) 471-9602.
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 examination. 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.
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.
Recent ARE Exam Changes
Several Architect Registration Examination (ARE) changes went into effect Monday, April 28, 2025, including updates to item types and provisional feedback.
The ARE no longer includes drag-and-place item types. You should only expect to see three item types on the exam: multiple choice, check-all-that-apply, and hotspot.
In addition, all candidates will automatically see provisional feedback at the end of their exam. Going forward, you will not need to indicate if you would like to see provisional feedback at the end of an exam division.
To learn about these and other changes, download the new ARE 5.0 Guidelines.
E&A Board Social Media Platforms
Are you looking to stay updated on news from the Board?
Its social media channels are an excellent way for licensees and the public to stay informed about important updates, including changes to the E&A Act and Board Rules, upcoming Lunch and Learn Webinars, license renewal notices, and more!
Be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms! Check out the links below!
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Licensure Updates
Recently Resolved Compliance Cases
24.14 – Unlicensed Individual Practice
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the addition of a single-story building [Storage (S) occupancy] comprising approximately 17,850 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 5,000 square feet of S-Storage 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 architecture and engineering remediation.
24.35 – Unlicensed Practice of Architecture and Engineering – 81-3442(1)(a)
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the construction of a single-story building [Business (B) occupancy] comprising approximately 14,400 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 3,000 square feet of B-Business 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 architecture and engineering remediation.
24.41 – Unlicensed Practice of Architecture and Engineering – 81-3442(1)(a)
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the renovation of a two-story building [Residential (R-2) occupancy] comprising approximately 4,838 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 4,000 square feet of R-2-Residential 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 prejudice based on the engagement of licensees.
24.43 – Unlicensed Practice of Architecture and Engineering – 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 [Mercantile (M) occupancy] comprising approximately 5,850 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 3,000 square feet of M-Mercantile 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 architecture and engineering remediation.
24.47 – Unlicensed Practice of Architecture
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the renovation of a single-story 3,600 square foot building with an Assembly (A) occupancy classification. The plans did not bear the seal of a Nebraska-licensed architect.
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 remediation to bring the project into compliance with the Act. Per Board Rule 8.4, the project owner engaged a Nebraska-licensed architect to review the project for compliance with the Act. The Board dismissed the complaint without disciplinary action based on the successful completion of architecture remediation.
24.51 – Unlicensed Practice of Architecture
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the renovation of a single-story building [Mercantile (M) occupancy] comprising approximately 4,200 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 3,000 square feet of M-Mercantile 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 architecture 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
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