Section 1480.170  Endorsement

a)         Any person who holds an unexpired certificate of registration or license to practice structural engineering issued under the laws of another state or territory and who desires to become licensed by endorsement shall file an application, on forms provided by the Division, together with:

1)         Proof of meeting requirements substantially equivalent to those in force in this State at the time of original or subsequent licensure by examination in the other jurisdiction (i.e., a separate written 16 hour structural engineering examination and the Fundamentals of Engineering examination), including official conferred college transcripts and verification of experience;

2)         A certification by the jurisdiction of original licensure and certification from the jurisdiction of predominant active practice, including the following:

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license;

B)        The basis of licensure and a description of all examinations by which the applicant was licensed in that jurisdiction and the date of passage of any such examinations; and

C)        Whether the records of the licensing authority contain any disciplinary action taken against the applicant;

3)         If the qualifications of the applicant at the time of original licensure did not meet the requirements for licensure in this State at that time, the applicant may submit additional certifications of other jurisdictions to indicate meeting the qualifications in effect in this State at the time of any later licensure;

4)         The required fee set forth in Section 1480.195;

5)         Applicants who received their baccalaureate education in a foreign country, other than Canada and who were originally licensed after January 1, 1997 shall have the education evaluated at their expense. Applicants shall obtain the forms from NCEES Engineering and Surveying Credentials Evaluations, 200 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, SC 29607.  Evaluations completed prior to October 30, 2006 from Engineering Credentials Evaluation International (ECEI) are also accepted.  The Board has only approved NCEES and ECEI as evaluators for all degrees.  The Board will review all transcripts and the evaluation submitted to the Division to determine if the education meets the requirements set forth in Sections 1480.110 and 1480.120; and

6)         Applicants who graduated from a program outside the United States or its territories and whose first language is not English must provide the Division proof of passage of the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL-iBT) with a minimum score of 26 on the speaking module and a total minimum integrated score of 88.  In order to determine applicants whose first language is English, the applicant shall submit verification from the school that the, program from which the applicant graduated was taught in English.  However, any applicant who subsequently earned a post-graduate degree with an emphasis in structural engineering from an accredited educational institution in the United States or its territories shall not be subject to this requirement.

7)         In lieu of the documentation specified in subsections (a)(1) and (2), an applicant may submit a current NCEES Record.

b)         The Division may, in individual cases, upon the recommendation of the Board, waive a portion of the examination requirements after consideration of the quality of an applicant's structural engineering education and experience, including whether he or she has graduated from an approved program, has achieved special honors or awards, has had numerous articles published in professional journals, has participated in the writing of textbooks relating to structural engineering, and any other attribute the Board accepts as evidence that the applicant has outstanding and proven ability in the practice of structural engineering.

c)         In order to provide background in structural engineering experience, an applicant licensed as a structural engineer in another state or territory and who has met all previously stated requirements may be requested to appear before the Board for an oral interview at which questions will be asked to determine the applicant's qualifications and knowledge of structural engineering.  Specifically, questions may explore the applicant's knowledge concerning the design of concrete, structural steel, timber, masonry and foundations and analysis procedures, design codes, materials and recommended practices for design and construction.

d)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation, or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience, is questioned by the Division or the Board because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given or a need for clarification, the applicant seeking a license may be requested to:

1)         Provide information as may be necessary;

2)         Appear for oral interviews before the Board; and/or

3)         If licensed prior to January 1, 1997, upon review of the educational requirements, have his or her education evaluated at his or her expense as set forth in subsection (a)(5).

e)         The Division shall examine each endorsement application to determine whether the qualifications of the applicant, at the time of original or subsequent licensure, were substantially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State.  After review of the application, the Division shall either issue a license by endorsement to the applicant or notify the applicant of the reasons for the deferral or denial of the application.  An applicant not qualified for licensure by endorsement shall automatically be reviewed under the provisions of Section 1480.140.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 946, effective January 5, 2023)