Code of Massachusetts Regulations 250 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
250 CMR — Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
The 250 CMR chapter of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations governs:
Professional Engineers
Professional Land Surveyors
Engineers‑in‑Training (EIT)
Land Surveyors‑in‑Training (LSIT)
licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Its purpose is to protect public safety and welfare by regulating who may practice engineering and land surveying, and by defining standards of competence, ethics, and professional conduct.
1. Regulatory Authority and Purpose
250 CMR implements the laws enacted by the Massachusetts Legislature (primarily Mass. General Laws, chapter 112, §§ 81A–81GG) that:
Require licensure to practice engineering or land surveying
Establish education and experience standards
Set examination criteria
Define professional conduct expectations
Provide disciplinary powers for violations
The Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (“the Board”) administers and enforces 250 CMR.
2. Who Must Comply with 250 CMR
A. Licensed Professionals
Persons practicing or offering to practice:
Professional Engineering
Land Surveying
in Massachusetts must be licensed by the Board in the appropriate category.
B. Title Protection
Under 250 CMR, it is unlawful for anyone to use titles such as:
Professional Engineer
Registered Professional Engineer
Land Surveyor
Professional Land Surveyor
Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT)
Land Surveyor‑in‑Training (LSIT)
unless properly licensed or certified.
3. Definitions (250 CMR § 1.00)
Key terms defined include:
Practice of Professional Engineering:
The application of engineering principles to design, supervise, evaluate, or direct construction, products, machines, systems, or processes, requiring engineering education and experience.
Practice of Land Surveying:
Measuring and mapping land boundaries and features, preparing maps, plats, descriptions, and reports.
Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT):
A designation for individuals who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and are progressing toward licensure.
Land Surveyor‑in‑Training (LSIT):
A designation for individuals who have passed the Fundamentals of Surveying exam.
4. Licensure Requirements
250 CMR prescribes separate licensure paths for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors.
A. Professional Engineers
Education
Applicants must have:
A minimum of an engineering degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET);
OR equivalent academic credentials approved by the Board.
Experience
A specified number of years of progressive engineering experience, verified through references.
Examinations
Successful passage of:
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
The FE exam is typically taken before graduation or soon after; passing it yields EIT status.
Application
Applicants submit:
Proof of education
Work experience documentation
Exam results
Application fee
The Board reviews credentials and issues a license upon meeting all criteria.
B. Professional Land Surveyors
Education
A degree in surveying, geomatics, surveying engineering, or related field may be required; the Board evaluates equivalency.
Experience
Progressive responsible land surveying experience under the supervision of a licensed land surveyor.
Examinations
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam
Passing the FS yields LSIT status.
Application
As with engineers, applicants submit credentials, experience verification, exam results, and fees.
5. Licensure by Comity (Endorsement)
Applicants already licensed in other states may seek Massachusetts licensure without repeating all requirements, provided:
Their credentials are substantially equivalent,
Their home state’s licensing standards meet or exceed Massachusetts requirements,
They are in good professional standing.
The Board evaluates each request individually.
6. Continuing Professional Competency (CPC)
To renew an active license, both engineers and surveyors must:
Complete a specified number of continuing education or professional development hours per renewal period;
Ensure that courses are relevant to engineering or surveying practice;
Retain records of coursework for Board audit.
Failure to meet CPC requirements can result in license renewal denial or administrative sanctions.
7. Professional Conduct and Ethics (250 CMR § 11.00)
250 CMR outlines standards of professional behavior. Key principles include:
A. Competence
Licensees must only practice in areas where they are competent by education, training, and experience.
B. Truthful Representation
Professionals must not:
Misrepresent qualifications
Falsify credentials or experience
Engage in deceptive advertising
C. Public Welfare Priority
Protect public health, safety, and welfare in all professional activities.
D. Conflict of Interest
Licensees must disclose and avoid conflicts between personal interest and professional duties.
E. Record Keeping
Maintain adequate project records and ensure documents are accurate.
F. Seals and Signatures
Professional documents (plans, reports) must be:
Dated
Signed
Sealed with the Board‑issued professional seal
This attests to the licensee’s responsibility for the work.
8. Disciplinary Authority and Enforcement (250 CMR § 9.00)
The Board may investigate complaints and impose discipline for violations of law or regulation, including:
Unlicensed practice
Fraud, dishonesty, or misrepresentation
Gross negligence or incompetence
Violation of CPC requirements
Ethical violations
Possible Sanctions
Sanctions may include:
Reprimand
Fines
License suspension
License revocation
Probation with conditions
Required remediation or education
Licensees charged with violations are entitled to:
Notice of allegations
A hearing
Opportunity to present evidence
Due process protections
Decisions may be appealed through the Massachusetts administrative and judicial process.
9. Administrative Procedures
A. Application Review
The Board reviews applications and may request additional information.
B. Records and Reporting
Licensees must update contact information and report changes, including:
Criminal convictions
Disciplinary actions in other jurisdictions
Changes in business status
C. Renewal
Licenses must be renewed at regular intervals (usually biennially), with:
Renewal fee payment
CPC compliance attestation
Failure to renew timely can result in inactive status or reinstatement requirements.
10. Practical Implications
For Practitioners
Only licensed individuals may practice and use protected titles.
Licenses carry professional and ethical obligations.
Compliance with CPC ensures continuing competence.
For the Public
Consumers can expect that licensed professionals meet minimum standards.
Enforcement mechanisms provide remedies for misconduct.
11. Summary
250 CMR provides the regulatory framework for:
Licensing professional engineers and land surveyors
Defining qualifications, exams, and experience standards
Requiring continuing professional competency
Setting ethical and conduct standards
Enforcing discipline to protect public safety
This regulatory chapter ensures that those offering engineering and surveying services in Massachusetts are qualified, accountable, ethical, and competent.
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