Letter from ACEC/Michigan Opposing House Bill 4913 Regarding Professional Engineer Licensure Standards

Summary

A letter dated October 28, 2025 from the executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/Michigan) to Chair Mike Hoadley and the Committee on Economic Competitiveness of the Michigan House of Representatives, opposing House Bill 4913. The letter describes the bill as amending the Occupational Code (MCL 339.2004) to allow equivalents to the baccalaureate degree in engineering for professional engineer licensure, and states it was introduced on September 11, 2025. It argues that ABET-accredited education is essential to public safety and that Michigan's current requirements align with the NCEES Model Law, and that broadening equivalents would complicate reciprocity across states. It asks the Committee not to advance HB 4913 and is copied to Speaker Matt Hall and House Rules Committee Chair Bill G. Schuette.

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Full text

AMERICAN COUNCIL O EERING COMPANIES
of Michigan

October 28, 2025

The Honorable Mike Hoadley, Chair
Committee on Economic Competitiveness
Michigan House of Representatives

P.O. Box 30014

Lansing, MI 48909-7514

Re: HB 4913

Dear Chair Hoadley and Honorable Members of the Committee on Economic
Competitiveness:

On behalf of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan
(ACEC/Michigan), | write to express our strong opposition to House Bill 4913. As the
organization representing hundreds of engineering firms and thousands of licensed
professional engineers committed to maintaining excellence in engineering practice, we
urge the Committee to reject this legislation, which would undermine educational
standards, professional competence, and the safety of Michigan’s infrastructure and
communities.

House Bill 4913 seeks to amend the Occupational Code (MCL 339.2004) by introducing
equivalents to the required baccalaureate degree in engineering for licensure as a
professional engineer. While the bill preserves other requirements and good moral
character, expanding educational options could lead to inconsistencies in training—
prioritizing accessibility over the standardized preparation essential for public protection.
Introduced on September 11, 2025, and currently pending before your committee, this
proposal disregards the foundational role of accredited education in ensuring engineers
are competent, qualified and equipped to deliver safe, reliable designs.

Public Safety and Professional Oversight at Risk

Baccalaureate degrees from programs recognized by the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET) provide comprehensive training in technical skills,
ethics, and safety principles critical to engineering. These programs ensure graduates can

ACEC Michigan | 530 W. Ionia Street, Suite D | Lansing, MI 48933
P:517.332.2066 | F:517.332.4333 | acecmi.org
competently address complex challenges in infrastructure—such as bridges, airports,
roads, water/wastewater systems, and energy projects—that directly impact public health
and welfare. Allowing equivalents risks variability in foundational knowledge, potentially
resulting in inadequate preparation and increased errors in practice, which could lead to
structural failures, public health risks, environmental hazards, or costly rework.

The House Fiscal Agency’s analysis notes an indeterminate fiscal impact, suggesting
potential revenue from more licensees but overlooking long-term consequences, such as
heightened litigation or safety incidents stemming from less-prepared professionals. Our
member firms, which oversee Michigan’s critical infrastructure, understand that ABET-
accredited education is vital to upholding standards that have protected residents for
generations and should be a baseline for preparedness for licensure.

Alignment with National Standards

Michigan’s current requirements align with the National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Model Law, which mandates an ABET-accredited
bachelor’s degree as the minimum standard path to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure to
ensure uniform competence. Most states follow this model, requiring ABET accreditation
with limited equivalents. Equivalents are typically engineering degrees from non-ABET
accredited programs. Broadening equivalents in Michigan to allow an alternative to an
engineering degree would misalign the state with these norms, complicating reciprocity for
engineers practicing across state lines and potentially lowering the bar for entry into a
profession where mistakes carry high stakes.

Firm licensure or Certificates of Authorization (COAs), required in 40 states, are often tied
to these education standards, emphasizing the importance of licensed responsible charge.

Broader Professional Perspectives

NCEES and other engineering bodies emphasize the importance of obtaining engineering
degrees for public safety, as they guarantee exposure to core curricula in mathematics,
sciences, and engineering principles—complemented by ethical training. While
equivalents may aim to address perceived workforce shortages, they risk eroding
confidence in the PE credential. Weakening education requirements could lead to gaps in
critical knowledge necessary to solve real-world problems and produce safe, reliable
designs. ACEC/Michigan urges preserving Michigan’s alignment with national practices to
help ensure the health, safety and welfare of the public.
We respectfully request that the Committee not advance HB 4913. We are available to
provide further testimony or additional information at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Ron Brenke, PE, Executive Director
ACEC/Michigan

530 W. lonia Street, Suite D
Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 332-2066
rbrenk ecmi.or

cc: The Honorable Matt Hall, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives
The Honorable Bill G. Schuette, Chair, House Rules Committee

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