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Three states to ease licensing of Japanese engineers

In December, three states announced that to provide a more seamless transition for international engineers (specifically, Japanese engineers), they have signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the Japan PE/FE Examiners Council, which will allow individuals in Japan who have sufficiently completed NCEES licensing exams to seek licensure as a professional engineer in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Texas.

According to a report published by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, the boards will still require that all prospective licensure candidates comply with state and federal requirements. Andrew Ritter, of the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors explained why the MOU with Japan is a good idea, “Some state requirements can make it difficult for someone from Japan to get an engineering license in the United States, such as requiring that he or she reside in that state. My state, as well as Texas and Kentucky, wanted to work with JPEC to make sure that we don’t have any unnecessary barriers,” said Ritter.

NCEES President Patty Mamola emphasized the importance of mobility for professional engineers.

“We want to champion mobility for professional engineers here in the United States and globally,” Mamola said. “Making it easier to practice engineering across borders will promote the exchange of ideas and accelerate advances.”

Read more here.