AUGUST 2013 MEETING
Wednesday, August 14, 2013 (1.0 PDH)

WORKSHOP

Ethics

Speaker: David Howell, P.E., Director of Licensing for the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, Tel. 512-440-7723.

David Howell is the Director of Licensing for the Texas Board of Professional Engineers.  He has over 20 years of engineering experience working for the State of Texas, five of them with the Board. As the Director of the Licensing Division, he oversees the review of all PE applications, Firm registrations, EIT certifications and renewals in the State of Texas.  The Licensing division reviews more than 2,500 PE applications per year and handles the renewals for close to 54,000 licensed Texas PEs and approximately 8,400 registered engineering Firms. The Licensing division also coordinates the exams for more than 6,900 examinees each year.  David earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas, El Paso.  Prior to coming to the Board, his work was primarily in the field of environmental engineering.

WORKSHOP SUMMARY

To a very engaged crowd of about 80 attendees, David Howell presented a one-hour seminar on ethics designed to meet the Texas Board of Professional Engineers' yearly one-hour of ethics required to maintain a P.E. license.
David reviewed a number of items of importance to practicing professional engineers. He noted that the Texas Board of Professional Engineers has passed Sunset Review and touched on a number of new legislation that impacts engineers. Some of the important changes are:

• Maximum penalties for infractions has been increased from $3000 to $5000
• Background checks and fingerprinting will mandatory for all new applicants and first renewal for all active license holders effective January 01, 2014
• Computer based testing will be in 2014
• Online ethics training is available that meets the continuing education requirements of the TBPE
• Other legislation that may affect the Texas Engineering Practice Act may be viewed at http://engineers.texas.gov/legislature83.html

During his presentation David presented statistical information including:

• Engineers are high on the public perception list of honest professionals.
• He also stated that the purpose of the state board is to protect the public and not the member engineers.
• He reinforced the requirement for professional engineers to meet three criteria needed to practice within their area of competence: experience, education, and examination.
• Information was provided that showed most enforcement actions against engineers by the board are related to ethics rather than technical competence.

David then went on to present some very informative scenarios that tested the attendees knowledge of Ethics and the Texas Engineering Practice Act including:

• Sealing plans
• Procuring contracts
• Continuing education
• Confidentiality
• Supervision and delegation
• Firm registration
• Professionalism

To download a copy of David Howell’s presentation slides, click here

To view David Howell's and other previous FPA Ethics Presentations, click on the links below

August 2012 - Ethics
August 2011 - Ethics
August 2010 - Ethics
August 2009 - Ethics

                
David Howell presented a one-hour seminar on ethics designed to meet the Texas Board of Professional Engineers' yearly one-hour of ethics required to maintain a P.E. license.

To view David Howell's previous FPA Presentations, click on the link below

August 2011 - Ethics