Understanding the Remediation Process
The Board utilizes a remediation process detailed in Board Rule 8.4 for projects that do not have licensed architects and/or professional engineers involved when required by state law under the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act (“E&A Act”). The goal of remediation is to work with project owners to bring their project back into compliance with the E&A Act. While remediation may cause delays and added expense, it ensures that the health, safety, and welfare of the public is protected through the involvement of licensed professionals.
To increase understanding and awareness of the requirements of licensees who may be involved in remediating non-compliant projects, Board staff have answered a few of the most common questions about remediation below. Please note that these answers are generalized; each individual project will have unique considerations.
Q: The project is already under construction. Must construction stop during remediation?
A: Not necessarily. A complaint and the remediation process are not a stop order. The licensed remediation professional will review any existing plans and the structure itself to identify any deficiencies. If the remediation professional identifies immediate concerns of public safety, it is the professional’s responsibility to notify appropriate authorities. Notification may result in a stop order from the local building official. It may be appropriate to stop construction if the remediation professional identifies deficiencies that raise an immediate concern. Stopping construction allows deficiencies to be corrected and can deter additional potential deficiencies created during construction.
Q: Do new building plans and technical documents need to be produced after a remediation inspection?
A: Not for every project. There are three general conclusions of a remediation review:
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If the remediation professional(s) did not identify any deficiencies, there is no need to produce technical documents.
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If the remediation professional(s) identified deficiencies that can be corrected without producing new technical documents, the deficiencies can be addressed through a detailed written description of the work required to bring the project into compliance in a remediation letter or report. If technical documents already exist, the remediation professional may be able to make corrections to these through annotations, clouding, and deltas. If existing documents are revised, the revisions must be attributed to the individual licensee(s) responsible for the revisions.
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If the remediation professionals identified deficiencies to a degree large enough that design corrections should be detailed in new technical documents such as drawings or specifications, the remediation professional will produce these technical documents along with a remediation letter.
Q: Do technical documents need to be submitted to the local building official and state fire marshal again?
A: It depends. If the deficiencies require design corrections or revisions to existing documents, responsible officials may require another submission of technical documents. A new submission of technical documents should include a copy of the remediation letter.
Q: I am the remediation professional for this project. What should I include in my remediation letter?
A: The initial remediation letter should reflect every step of the remediation process described in Board Rule 8.4.1.1.1 to 8.4.1.1.9, including:
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Identification of the project and an explanation of the remediation professional(s) relationship to the project.
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Identification of any deficiencies, including any that raise immediate concerns of public safety. If there are immediate public safety concerns, the remediation professional should indicate whether there is a local authority to notify and whether they did notify the authority.
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Describe your recommendations to correct deficiencies and the kinds of technical documents that may need to be produced.
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A statement affirming that the remediation professional takes responsibility for the remediation design.
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If remediation requires the involvement of other licensees or design disciplines, identify them and, amongst the licensed professionals, a coordinating professional should be designated. If there are multiple design professionals, each licensee may prepare their own remediation letter. The coordinating professional would then prepare a cover letter listing each remediation design professional involved. Alternatively, each licensee could prepare their portion of the remediation letter and identify the portion that they are responsible for.
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Seal, sign, and date the letter.
The final remediation letter must confirm that the project is in compliance with the E&A Act, all deficiencies have been removed, and the remediation professional is taking responsibility for the project.
Upcoming NBEA Lunch and Learn Webinar
Join us for the next installment of the NBEA Lunch and Learn Webinar Series—a free, interactive session designed to keep you up to date on important topics, including:
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The E&A Act
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Potential updates to Board Rules
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When licensed architects and professional engineers need to be involved in a project's design
This session is especially valuable for construction companies, contractors, lumberyards, and drafting firms in Nebraska—but all licensees and members of the public are encouraged to attend!
The Board values its partnerships with local industry professionals. By working together, we can:
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Ensure only properly licensed design professionals engage in the practice of architecture or engineering,
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Clarify exemptions and when they apply under the law, and
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Help prevent unlicensed individuals or businesses from engaging in the unlicensed practice of architecture or engineering.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from the Board, ask questions, and gain insights to help keep your projects compliant with the E&A Act.
Register today to reserve your spot!
Webinar Dates:
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Monday, September 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CST. Register here.
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Monday, September 29, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CST. Register here.
Both sessions will cover the same material, so you may attend whichever date best fits your schedule.
We encourage you to share this invitation with others in your area who may benefit. If you have any questions, please contact our office at nbea.marketing@nebraska.gov.
If you have specific questions about these topics, please submit them before the webinar so we can better answer them during the presentation. Please send questions to nbea.marketing@nebraska.gov.
Board Celebrates 88th Anniversary
On August 16, 2025, the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects marked its 88th year regulating the practices of engineering and architecture in Nebraska to protect life, health, and property and promote public welfare.
The Board was created by the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature by enacting Legislative Bill 14, which became effective on August 16, 1937. The Board ensures that those who practice architecture and engineering are competent, and also enforces the E&A Act. To be licensed, architects and professional engineers must meet rigorous education, experience, and examination standards. The E&A Act also mandates that architects and professional engineers must be involved in the design of buildings and structures of significant size or complexity.
Today, the Board is comprised of four professional engineers, three architects, and one member of the public. In its first year, the Board, which was initially called the State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Architects, consisted of three engineers and two architects. Since 1937, the Board has licensed more than 5,700 architects and 21,300 professional engineers.
To read more about the history of the Board, please click here.
104th NCEES Annual Meeting Concludes
Earlier this month, board members and staff from NCEES member boards convened for the 104th NCEES Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
During the meeting, the NCEES member boards came together to debate the issues and vote on motions to direct the path for the professions of engineering and surveying. Additionally, attendees attended workshops to learn about various topics and NCEES initiatives. The forums provide a space to discuss professional issues and share ideas.
Nebraska board member Jason Suelter, P.E., S.E., also began serving his second year of his term on the NCEES Board of Directors as NCEES Central Zone Vice President.
Also at the meeting, the NCEES Foundation announced that 13 organizations received funding for projects that will have a direct impact on advancing licensure for engineers and surveyors. Read more about this here.
NCARB Data Reveals How COVID-19 Impacted Architectural Licensure
NCARB's latest NCARB by the Numbers data report provides exclusive insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on candidates working toward earning their architecture license. The data demonstrates that the pandemic significantly affected candidates’ ability to complete the path to licensure, with more than a third of candidates reporting that the pandemic significantly slowed their experience progress.
Since 2020, NCARB has been closely monitoring how the pandemic affected licensure candidates. In September 2024, NCARB launched a survey designed to better understand the pandemic’s direct and indirect impacts. More than 2,300 candidates and architects licensed within the past 3 years completed the survey and shared their experiences in architecture from February 2020 through the present day.
The results shared in the 2025 NCARB by the Numbers revealed widespread challenges: project delays and cancellations, layoffs, reduced work hours, rescinded job offers, and concerns related to both physical and mental health. As a result of these disruptions, 37% of respondents reported that COVID-19 significantly slowed their Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) progress. Additionally, 63% believed they would have become licensed sooner if not for the pandemic.
These challenges align with NCARB’s licensure data: between 2020 and 2025, NCARB saw fewer new licensees compared to the previous years, as pandemic-era candidates took longer to complete the licensure path. However, in recent years, NCARB has seen strong growth in the number of individuals beginning the licensure process, signaling that the direct impact of the pandemic has begun to fade. Because the average time to licensure is approximately 13 years, this growth in the candidate population may take several more years to filter into the pool of new architects.
While NCARB’s data shows that many licensure candidates are back on track toward licensure, some candidates whose career trajectories were altered by layoffs or job changes may feel the pandemic’s effects for years—or even decades—to come.
To learn more about how COVID-19 impacted the architecture profession, click here.
NCARB: Understand the Upcoming AXP Changes
NCARB is making several changes to the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®). These updates are designed to align the programs with the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects and to address common administrative impediments faced by candidates on the path to licensure.
The following changes will go into effect on November 18, 2025:
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Refreshed descriptions of each of the program’s six experience areas: The AXP experience areas will no longer be described by a list of 96 tasks. Instead, the description of each experience area will be updated to reflect appropriate capabilities described in the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects. The minimum required hours per experience area will not be impacted. Note: AXP Portfolio applicants will still need to associate exhibits with the current AXP’s 96 tasks.
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Replacing the five-year reporting requirement with a new reporting policy: Under the current requirement, candidates must report all experience within eight months of earning it for 100% credit, and within five years for 50% credit; any experience older than five years does not receive any credit. Under the new policy, candidates will be able to earn 100% credit for experience up to a year old. Experience older than one year will be worth 75% credit, with no limitation on how old that experience can be.
This change will apply to previously reported experience as well as new experience reports, and many candidates will receive additional AXP credit. Hours previously reported and approved for 50% credit will be automatically increased to 75% credit for all candidates who are not already AXP complete. Note: Hours will not be automatically updated for AXP complete candidates—individuals who are AXP complete may contact NCARB if they would like their hours to be adjusted based on the new reporting policy.
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Updating the process through which candidates can gain experience for completing professional development courses: NCARB will expand the “Setting O: Continuing Education for HSW” opportunity that allows candidates to gain experience for completing continuing education (CE) programs that qualify as Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW). Under the current program requirements, NCARB only accepts courses accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which limits access to this experience opportunity to candidates who maintain AIA membership.
Under the updated requirements, NCARB will accept both AIA-accredited HSW CE courses, as well as professional development courses accredited by other organizations (these organizations must be pre-approved by NCARB). This will expand access to non-AIA members who complete courses through these approved organizations. More information about approved organizations and required documentation will be provided this fall.
For answers to questions regarding these changes, please click here.
Download the new AXP Guidelines here.
Licensure Updates
Recently Resolved Compliance Cases
25.02 – 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 4,775 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 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.
25.03 – 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 [Business (B) Occupancy] comprising approximately 7,500 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.
For further information regarding the enforcement process, please click here.
For a full list of formal disciplinary actions taken by the Board, please click here.
The Nebraska Professional Archive
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