Occupational Board Reform Act

General Information

Committee of Jurisdiction:Health and Human Services
Occupation Regulated:Architecture and engineering
Occupational Board:Board of Engineers and Architects
Contact:Jon Wilbeck, Executive Director
Purpose:The practices of architecture and engineering greatly impact the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Nebraska. These professions oversee the physical integrity of public buildings and structures. Errors in designing a bridge, building, or large structure can have disastrous consequences in case of an emergency or failure. Because of this in 1937 the Nebraska Legislature declared the professions of engineering and architecture subject to regulation in the public interest.
Regulated Professionals:10,291 (3,140 reside in state, 7,151 reside out of state)
Year Created:1937
Year Active:1937
Sunset Date:None

Authorization

Statutory Authorization:Neb. Rev. Stat. §§81-3401 to 81-3455
Parent Agency:N/A

Membership

Number of Members:8
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:N/A
Qualifications of Members:See N.R.S. § 81-3428.
Per Diem:Yes
Expense Reimbursement:Yes
Term Length:Five years
Terms Rotate or Expire at Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings

Required FY 2019-2018:1
Held FY 2019-2018:11
Required FY 2018-2017:1
Held FY 2018-2017:12
Required FY 2017-2016:1
Held FY 2017-2016:12
Required FY 2016-2015:1
Held FY 2016-2015:15
Required FY 2015-2014:1
Held FY 2015-2014:11

Operations

Support Staff:7
Shared or Separate:Separate
FY 2019-2018 Budget:837430
FY 2018-2017 Budget:832171
FY 2017-2016 Budget:750869
FY 2016-2015 Budget:772667
FY 2015-2014 Budget:700036
Other Funding Sources:None
Spending Authority:N.R.S. §81-3432

Other

Government Certificates Issued:4165
Issued Certificate Descriptions:2,564 professional engineer licenses, 626 architect licenses, and 975 certificates of authorization for architecture and engineering firms.
Government Certificates Revoked:2
Revoked Certificate Descriptions:One due to due to incompetence, and one due to the fact that the state of which the licensee’s comity license in Nebraska was based on took action to revoke the individual’s license in that state.
Government Certificates Denied:2
Denied Certificate Descriptions:A prof. engineer applicant was denied in Sept. 2015 for not meeting Nebraska’s license requirements. A prof. engineer applicant was denied in Oct. 2015 for not disclosing disciplinary action taken by several other state engineering boards.
Government Certificates Penalties Against:5
Penalty Certificate Descriptions:In addition to the two revocations noted above in response to Q43, the Board assessed civil penalties in the amount of $3,500 and recouped investigative costs in the amount of $9,401 in three additional cases involving licenses.
Explanation of Effectiveness:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/explanation1593100091.pdf
Potential HarmSee response in PDF.
Regulation Comparison:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/comparison1593100091.pdf
Subject to Regulations of Act(LB407):No
Survey Submitted: June 25, 2020 10:48 AM