In Delaware, the Engineering profession is “self-regulating.” The Delaware Association of Professional Engineers (DAPE) is established by law and consists of all the professional engineers licensed in Delaware. These “members” are selected by voting 12 of the 15 members to the “Council” of DAPE. The remaining 3 seats are public members appointed by the Governor.  The “Council” performs the duties of “The Board of Licensing for Engineers” established in other states. Our objectives are best described in Section 2804 of the Delaware Professional Engineers’ Act :

“There is hereby established the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers, an instrumentality of the State. The objectives of the Association and of this chapter are to: regulate the practice of engineering; to provide for the registration of qualified persons as professional engineers and the certification of engineer interns; to define the terms “engineer”, “professional engineer”, “engineer intern” and “the practice of engineering”; to create an organization to regulate the practice of engineering; to provide and administer qualifying examinations and grant registration to qualified persons as professional engineers; to provide for the appointment and election of members to the governing body of this Association; to define the powers and duties of the Council; to set forth the minimum qualifications and other requirements for registration as a professional engineer; for certification as an engineer intern; the granting of a permit to practice engineering, and the granting of a certificate of authorization; to set rules for the establishment of fees, expiration requirements and renewal requirements; to establish continued professional competency guidelines and requirements; and to provide for the enforcement of this chapter together with penalties for violations of the provisions of this chapter.”

The National Society of Professional Engineers and NSPE-DE mission is to promote the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocate licensure, and enhance the professional, social, and economic development and well-being of licensed engineers.

For more information about DES, including contacts, visit their website.