NSPE Canon II: engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence. If a project needs skills you lack, associate with a qualified professional, decline the assignment, or work only under a PE who takes responsible charge in that discipline.
Competence
Education, experience, and study in the task
Referral
Associate or decline when unqualified
Charge
A qualified PE must take responsible charge
Step-by-step solved example
A structural PE is asked to stamp an HVAC design prepared by a CAD technician. Correct action?
1. Check competence
HVAC is outside typical structural competence unless the PE is also qualified in that work.
2. Action
Refuse to seal. Have a mechanical PE take responsible charge, or decline the assignment.
Answer: Refuse to seal; assign a qualified mechanical PE.
10 practice questions
0/10 correct
1.An engineer shall perform services only in
2.If a project needs a skill you lack, you should
3.Competence is demonstrated by
4.Signing work outside your expertise is
5.A civil PE with no geotechnical experience should