Congratulations to the 2024 engineering and architectural graduates of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Doane University, and best wishes for your next adventure!
Hey graduates! Did you know the Board offers educational debt reimbursement?!
Nebraska architecture graduates may qualify for a $150 reimbursement from the Board if they meet the following requirements:
- Have established an NCARB record,
- Hold a NAAB-accredited architectural degree from an institution in Nebraska and
- Have qualifying educational debt. 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.
To request reimbursement:
- Complete the Architectural Education Reimbursement Request Form and send the completed form to the Board;
- Request the granting institution to send a copy of your official transcript directly to the Board. Electronic transcripts may be sent to nbea.office@nebraska.gov.
- Have NCARB send verification of your NCARB Record establishment (ARE Eligibility Notice) directly to the Board;
- Your request and transcript must be received within 12 months of graduation from the NAAB-accredited architecture program.
For further information regarding educational debt reimbursement for architects, please see Board Rule 3.7.1.
Nebraska engineering graduates who have passed the FE Exam may qualify for a $100 reimbursement from the Board if they meet the following requirements:
- Graduated from an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program in Nebraska,
- Passed the FE Exam on the first attempt, no later than nine months after graduation, and
- Have qualifying educational debt. 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.
To request reimbursement:
- Complete the Engineering Educational Debt Reimbursement Request Form and send the completed form to the Board.
- Request a copy of your official transcript to be sent directly to the Board's office from the granting institution. Electronic transcripts may be sent to nbea.office@nebraska.gov. Note: Master/Doctorate graduates from the University of Nebraska will need to request their graduate transcript from Lincoln, even if the program was offered wholly in Omaha.
- Your request and transcript must be received within 12 months of graduation from the EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program.
For further information regarding educational debt reimbursement for engineers, please see Board Rule 2.8.1.
Disciplinary Actions on Website
The Board is committed to safeguarding life, health, and property and promoting the public welfare. To achieve this goal, the Board has the ability to discipline any person or organization found to be in violation of the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-3444.
The Board’s website has been updated with a page for final disciplinary actions taken by the Board for violations of the E&A Act. This page contains a list of all final disciplinary actions taken by the Board since 2015. All orders are public record and not subject to withholding from the public under Neb. Rev. Stat. §84-712.05.
Certificates of Authorization
Chapter 7 of the Board Rules requires organizations practicing or offering to practice architecture and/or engineering in Nebraska to apply to the Board for a Certificate of Authorization.
Important Technical Submissions Reminder for Organizations
Rule 6.5.1 states technical submissions that constitute the practice of architecture or engineering shall include both (1) the name, and (2) either the address or location, of the project on each drawing and the cover page and/or first page of specifications, reports, studies, and other documents:
Rule 6.5.3 states if the work shown on technical submissions is being performed through an organization or organizations as provided in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-3436, (1) the organization(s) legal name or DBA, (2) contact information, and (3) the organization(s) certificate of authorization number(s) shall be included on technical submissions.
Does your Organization need a Certificate of Authorization?
Your organization will need a Certificate of Authorization if it:
- Practices or offers to practice architecture and/or engineering in Nebraska or
- Enters into an agreement to provide architectural and/or engineering services on a project in Nebraska or
- Engages in design-build in Nebraska; or
- Bills for architectural or engineering services pertaining to projects in Nebraska;
AND
- Is a business entity created by law, including, but not limited to, a partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or joint venture.
Your organization will not need a Certificate of Authorization if it:
- Engages in activities that result ONLY in non-customized, non-project- or site-specific manufactured/fabricated products, which can then be specified by Nebraska-licensed architects or professional engineers; or
- Is a "Public Service Provider," defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-3423 as "any political subdivision which appoints a municipal engineer or which employs a full-time person licensed under the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act who is in responsible charge of architectural or engineering work"; or
- Engages in the practice of architecture or engineering only for itself.
What are the minimum organizational requirements?
- For an organization to practice architecture in Nebraska, they must have one architect for architectural practice for the duration of the certificate of authorization.
- For an organization to practice engineering in Nebraska, they must have one professional engineer for engineering practice for the duration of the certificate of authorization
- For an organization to practice architecture and engineering in Nebraska, they must have one architect and one professional engineer for architectural and engineering practice for the duration of the certificate of authorization.
- The architect and/or professional engineer must be licensed to practice in the State of Nebraska and must regularly perform professional services for the organization.
How do I determine the size of an organization?
The size of an organization is based on the total number of licensed architects and professional engineers regularly performing services for the organization both in the United States and other countries, regardless of their jurisdiction of registration or licensure or if the organization is applying to practice only one profession. It does not include licensees who provide occasional part-time or consulting services.
What are the associated fees for a Certificate of Authorization?
Application for Certificate of Authorization
|
Number of Licensees |
Fee |
|
1-5 |
$100 |
|
6-10 |
$200 |
|
11-49 |
$300 |
|
50+ |
$400 |
*Valid for two years
Certificate of Authorization Renewal for Organization
|
Number of Licensees |
Fee |
|
1-5 |
$50 |
|
6-10 |
$150 |
|
11-49 |
$250 |
|
50+ |
$350 |
*Valid for two years
How often must a Certificate of Authorization be renewed?
Certificates of Authorization must be renewed every two years. A renewal notice is sent to the organization via email at least one month prior to the expiration date. Certificates of Authorization cannot be renewed online or over the phone.
Fees must be paid by check, money order, or debit-generated ACH payment; the Board does not accept credit card payments for this application fee.
For further information regarding Organizational Practice, please visit the Organizations Page of the E&A website or Chapter 7 of the E&A Handbook.
AXP Update
NCARB recently made some changes to the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) Guidelines. There are no programmatic or policy changes—the requirements for completing the AXP remain the same. The updates primarily focus on clarifications and formatting enhancements to improve the document's usability.
Some changes to the updated Guidelines are:
- The addition of notes throughout to clarify potential areas of confusion around current rules
- Edits to the setting O chart to clarify employment status and supervisor requirements
- Clarifying edits to the AXP Portfolio instructions
- New, more accessible layout
No updates have been made to program requirements, including AXP experience areas or tasks. These updates aim to make the AXP Guidelines more clear and user-friendly without altering any policies or requirements. Download the latest version of the document to learn more.
FE Ambassadors
NCEES is accepting applications for university students to serve as FE Ambassadors during the 2024–25 academic year. For eligibility requirements and to complete the application, click here.
Licensure Updates
| NEWLY-LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS | |
|
Civil |
|
|
Tyler G. Knuth |
Waterloo, NE |
|
Brian M. Larsen |
Papillion, NE |
|
Grant A. Lipprand |
Omaha, NE |
|
Keegan R. Melcher |
Norfolk, NE |
|
Mechanical |
|
|
Taylor L. Tuel |
Council Bluffs, IA |
Recently Resolved Compliance Cases
23.27 - Unlicensed Individual Practice
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for the construction of a single-story building [Storage (S) Occupancy] comprising approximately 8,775 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 the remediation professionals who reviewed the project, identified deficiencies, and recommended corrections. Following an investigation, the Board dismissed the complaint without disciplinary action based on the successful completion of architecture and engineering remediation.
23.28 - Unlicensed Practice
Summary: The Board was notified of the submission of unsealed plans to another state agency for a tenant finish of a single-story building [Assembly (A) Occupancy] comprising approximately 4,140 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 remediation to bring the project into compliance with the Act. Per Board Rule 8.4, the project owner engaged an architect who reviewed the project, identified deficiencies, and recommended corrections. Following an investigation, the Board dismissed the complaint without disciplinary action based on the successful completion of architecture remediation.
24.16 - Unlicensed Individual Practice
Summary: A complaint was submitted alleging an unlicensed individual engaged in the practice of architecture in commercial construction. The project involves the construction of a single-story building [Assembly (A) Occupancy] comprising of approximately 6,800 square feet.
Action: The project was subject to the Act due to the building area comprising 1,000 or more square feet of A-Assembly occupancy, which requires the engagement of a Nebraska-licensed architect and/or professional engineer. Additionally, the Act prohibits anyone from engaging in the practice of architecture and engineering unless they are duly licensed by the Board in accordance with the Act. According to the Board’s records, the Respondent does not hold a license to practice architecture or engineering in Nebraska. Following an investigation, the Board voted to dismiss the complaint after sending a Letter of Warning to the Respondent addressing the unlicensed practice as described in Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-3442. The Board authorized the project owner to remediate the project in a separate action.
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 blog post, previous issues, or other topics that would be helpful to publish in our next release, please contact us.