Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects


Please Note

We are a service company that can help you file with the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects. We are not associated with this nor any other government agency. We offer paid services and software to help you file. You are not required to purchase our service to file - you may file directly with this agency without using our service.


Contact Information

Physical address:
215 Centennial Mall South, Ste. 400
Lincoln, NE 68508

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 95165
Lincoln, NE 68509-5165

Phone: (402) 471-2021
Fax: (402) 471-0787

Web: Home Name search Forms
Email: nbea.office@nebraska.gov

Licenses

We track the following licenses with the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects in order to provide compliance services to our clients. As a client, you see this and other reference data in License Manager in-line with your licenses.

A laptop placed on a desk with our License Manager software on display

Nebraska Architect License

Agency:Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in Nebraska for the first time.

Form:

Application for Initial Licensure of an Architect 

Instructions:

The requirements for initial licensure as an architect in Nebraska are: 

  • A degree from either a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited program, OR meet the NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) Education Standard:
    Completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), formerly known as the Intern Development Program (IDP), OR its equivalent as determined and verified by NCARB;
  • Passage of all sections of the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE): and
  • Passage of an exam on the Nebraska statutes and rules. (This will be sent to the applicant upon completion of the ARE).
  • ​If you have passed the ARE in another jurisdiction but are looking to obtain your initial license in Nebraska, you will need to complete an Architect Initial License Application after meeting the above requirements.

 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$100

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in Nebraska.

Instructions:

To be eligible for licensure by comity in Nebraska, you must have:

  • Graduated from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited programs OR met the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) Education Standard; ​To determine if your program is NAAB or CACB-accredited, search NAAB’s and CACB's database of accredited programs.
  • If your program is not NAAB or CACB-accredited, you must have your education evaluated by EESA-NCARB to determine if it meets the NCARB Education Standards. The report must be submitted directly to the Nebraska Board, and any deficiencies identified must be corrected or removed by the Board. For more information, refer to Rule 3.2.1.2 of the Board's Rules and Regulations (Title 110, NAC). 
  • Passed the ARE exam;
  • Completed the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or its equivalent as determined by NCARB.
  • Be licensed in good standing in at least one other jurisdiction recognized by the Board.
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in Nebraska and need to renew their license.

Agency Fee:

$80

Due:

Biennially by December 31. Licensees whose last name begins with the letter A-K renew during odd-numbered years and licensees whose last name begins with the letter L-Z renew during even-numbered years.

Nebraska Certificate of Authorization (Architecture/Engineering)

Agency:Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
Law:

NE R.S. § 81-3436

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a Nebraska licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Nebraska.
  • The architect and/or professional engineer must regularly perform professional services for the organization.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a Nebraska licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Nebraska.
  • The architect and/or professional engineer must regularly perform professional services for the organization.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a Nebraska licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Nebraska.
  • The architect and/or professional engineer must regularly perform professional services for the organization.
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Certificate of Authorization

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Tiered fee structure by number of licensees:

  • 1-5: $100
  • 6-10: $200
  • 11-49: $300
  • 50+: $400
Turnaround:

Conditionally within one week of receipt, and firmly after the board meeting following the submission of the application. Board meetings take place every month.

Notes:

Please note the fee is based upon the total number of licensed architects and professional engineers regularly performing services for the organization, not simply the number of Nebraska licensees employed.

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a Nebraska licensed engineer and/or architect to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Nebraska.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Nebraska licensed engineer and/or architect to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Nebraska.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File an Application for Certificate of Authorization with the Board of Engineers and Architects.
  2. File entity formation documents with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File an Application for Certificate of Authorization with the Board of Engineers and Architects.
  2. File entity formation documents with the Nebraska Secretary of State.
Required Attachments:
  • List of officers including address, phone number, and Nebraska license number
  • List of members of the entity's governing body including address, phone number, and area of practice (if any)

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal forms are mailed a month prior to expiration.

Instructions:

Online

Agency Fee:

Tiered fee structure by number of licensees:

  • 1-5: $50
  • 6-10: $150
  • 11-49: $250
  • 50+: $350
Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Notes:

A renewal notice is sent to the organization at least one month prior to the expiration date.

Please note the fee is based upon the total number of licensed architects and professional engineers regularly performing services for the organization, not simply the number of Nebraska licensees employed.

Required Attachments:
  • List of officers and members of the firm including addresses and license numbers
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Amendment

Form:

Change to Certification of Authorization

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Reinstatement

Notes:

Licenses expired for less than 1 year can renew with no late fees, but licenses expired for more than 1 year cannot be reinstated and the licensee must apply for a new license.

Supplemental Reporting
Application for Electronic Access of Records (Foreign Corporations)

Agency:Nebraska Secretary of State
Form:

Application for Electronic Access of Records

Filing Method:

Mail

Due:

Due annually

Nebraska Engineer Intern Certificate

Agency:Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Engineer Intern Enrollment Application

Agency Fee:

$30

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Nebraska Professional Engineer License

Agency:Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Architects and professional engineers are responsible for providing adequate security over their seal and signature wherever it appears, regardless of whether the seal and signature is produced electronically or by other means.

110 NAC Ch. 6.1.8

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The seal used by an architect or professional engineer shall be legible, whether an embossing, computer generated, or other type of seal. In the absence of legibility, the seal is invalid.

No seal shall be valid unless signed across the face of the seal with the architect’s or professional engineer’s name and the date on which the material was signed.

110 NAC Ch. 6.1.3

Initial Registration

Form:

PE Exam Application

Agency Fee:

$100

Before you Apply:
  • The requirements for initial licensure as a professional engineer in Nebraska are:
    • A degree from an EAC/ABET or CEAB-accredited engineering program OR meeting the NCEES Engineering Education Standard;
    • Passage of the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam, including the Structural Engineering (SE) Exam;
    • At least four years of progressive engineering experience gained after a four-year engineering program or equivalent; and
    • Passage of an exam on the Nebraska E&A Act and Board's Rules and Regulations.
  • If you have passed the PE in another jurisdiction but are looking to obtain your initial license in Nebraska, you will need to submit an Engineer Initial Licensure Application after meeting the above requirements.
Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your official transcripts or other documents issued directly by the granting institution of higher education, or its authorized agent, verifying your graduation from an EAC/ABET- or CEAB-accredited engineering program is required to be sent directly to the Board. Electronic transcripts may be sent to nbea.office@nebraska.gov
  • All references must complete an “Engineer Reference” form and submit it directly to the Board
  • Please attach any additional sheets for Description of Work section. Include your name, employment dates and position title on each additional sheet. 

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Professional Engineer License Comity Application

Instructions:

It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all required applications, documents, and fees to the Board.

Complete and submit the Engineer License Application either online or by paper along with the applicable filing fee;

Have verification of your exam(s) passage, including the discipline of your PE Exam, and your current license sent directly to the Nebraska board from the issuing jurisdiction(s). The license verification may be submitted electronically. If not, a paper verification can be found here;

f the licensing jurisdiction does not license by discipline or have a record of the PE exam discipline, verification of discipline of practice may be provided by the affidavit of an individual with knowledge of the applicant’s discipline of practice. The affidavit cannot be used to verify practice in the structural discipline. An applicant must have taken sixteen hours of structural exams or have been licensed as a Professional Structural Engineer (not just a Professional Engineer practicing in the structural discipline) for at least fifteen years in order to qualify for a structural license. 

Have official verification of graduation from an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program sent directly to the Nebraska board from the granting institution. If you do not hold an EAC/ABET-accredited degree, have NCEES Credentials Evaluation send a copy of its report directly to the Nebraska Board.

Upon receipt of your application, an exam on the Nebraska E&A Act and Board’s Rules and Regulations will be sent to you. This must be sent back to the Board and successfully passed prior to your license being issued.

Any information requested on the application with respect to education, experience, or references may be provided by submitting an NCEES Council Record.

Once all the above has been received, your application will be reviewed. If you are designated as Model Law Engineer (MLE) on your NCEES Record, and there are no issues (i.e. disciplinary actions) that the Board must review first, you may be issued a conditional license administratively by Board staff pending formal Board approval. All other applications must go to the Board for its review and approval prior to the license being issued.

A conditional license may be withdrawn by the Board if it determines the applicant does not qualify for licensure for any reason.
If this occurs, the conditional license expires at 11:59 pm on the date the licensee is notified of such Board action.

In Nebraska, licenses are discipline-specific based on the PE exam discipline. However, licensees can practice in – and seal documents related to – any discipline of engineering in which the individual has the training, education, and experience.

Filing Method:

Mail or online 

Agency Fee:

$150

Required Attachments:
  • You must have your exam and current state of licensure verification(s) forwarded directly to the Nebraska Board. Use the Verification of Licensure and Examination of an Engineer attached to the end of this application. NCEES Account/Record holders do not need to complete this section if such verification is listed on your NCEES account. 
  • All references must complete an “Engineer Reference” form and submit it directly to the Board.
  • NCEES Record Holders: Provide all work history not included in your record, with your current at a minimum.
  • All other applicants: Record your complete work history, beginning after college graduation and concluding with your present employment. You must account for the entire time period from graduation until now, including periods of unemployment, volunteer work, non-engineering work, and military experience.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$80

Due:

Biennially by December 31. Licensees with last names beginning with A through K must renew their license in odd-numbered years. Those with last names beginning with letters L through Z must renew their license in even-numbered years.

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