My one-year term as Chair of CASE started in May at the ACEC Spring Convention in Washington DC. Now halfway through my term, I have had a lot of time to dwell on the challenges facing our profession. While my nomination and election were not exactly contested, here is a brief version of what my campaign platform would have been had I needed one.
Issues surrounding the rollout of the new Computer Based Test (CBT) PE Structural Exam, needed for SE licensure, have been documented within these pages, such as here (https://www.structuremag.org/article/what-in-the-world-is-going-on-with-the-new-computer-based-structural-exam/) and here (https://www.structuremag.org/article/big-changes-in-se-exam-are-a-big-concern/), NCEES needs to communicate more openly with the professional community and work with organizations like CASE, SEI, and NCSEA to review the data and address unintended impacts. Upholding high standards also means being accountable and transparent about how those standards are measured. While I am hopeful that the changes they plan to implement in the spring of 2026 will allow for increased pass rates, only time will tell if they are impactful enough. In the meantime, readers are encouraged to reach out to their state licensing board to voice their opinions. Share your perspective, lend your expertise, and take part in the discussions ahead. With the licensing boards engaged, we are more likely to see the impactful changes that our profession needs.
The structural engineering sector is confronting a significant workforce challenge that threatens both productivity and innovation. For example, the ASCE reports that the U.S. needs approximately 25,000 new civil engineers each year just to replace retirees—and this figure does not fully account for the surge in demand from major infrastructure initiatives. Meanwhile, the broader engineering-workforce outlook shows demand for engineering skills is projected to grow by about 13% from 2023 to 2031, with an estimated 186,000 openings per year in architecture and engineering occupations combined. Many experienced professionals are nearing retirement, creating a widening skills gap that younger engineers are not filling quickly enough; in 2023 only 298 bachelor’s degrees were awarded in structural engineering specifically. These combined factors—accelerating demand, a limited influx of new entrants, and an aging workforce—result in firms turning away work, increasing project delays, and elevating pressure on existing staff. To help combat these issues, our senior leaders must foster growth in our next generation. We can do this by actively engaging in knowledge sharing, whether through professional associations, conferences, or online platforms and serving as stewards of our profession.
While climate change is a charged topic these days, there is no doubt that it is impacting our practices and elevating our risk. As an example, the court in Conservation Law Foundation v. ExxonMobil Corp. stated “… ‘good engineering practices’ include consideration of foreseeable severe weather events, including any caused by alleged climate change.” How are practicing engineers to design to this standard? Historically, we have relied on codes to prescribe the requirements of a given design. Because many codes are based on past data rather than future projections, an engineer who designs only to meet code may not be designing to what some clients, regulators, or courts might consider reasonable best practice under changed climate conditions. (I am confident that our colleagues at ASCE and other code making bodies are studying recent events, but surely they do not have a crystal ball.) In response to this growing risk, engineers should collaborate with legal counsel and insurers to update contracts, explicitly defining how climate-related risks are considered, allocated, or disclosed to clients. Professional associations can strengthen the industry’s position by developing guidance, training, and model language to help practitioners align with the evolving standard of care. At the individual level, engineers must stay current with climate science, code development, and liability trends, treating continuing education on resilience and sustainability as essential—not optional.
Our industry is also facing other legal challenges from courts and politicians alike. For example, in my home state of Pennsylvania, the state Supreme Court is currently hearing an appeal in Clearfield County v. TransSystems et al. which could have significant impacts on the Statue of Repose. The County (Clearfield County) filed a civil complaint in January 2023 against the architect (and structural engineering successors) and contractors involved in the construction of its county jail alleging a construction defect: specifically that a required bond-beam under the roof deck was missing, which became evident during a 2021 renovation and cost the County an additional ~$4 million. The trial court ruled that the County’s action is time-barred by the Pennsylvania statute of repose (12 years) because the original construction was completed in 1981 and the lawsuit was filed 42 years later. The county’s attorney raised a pretty obscure legal provision called nullum tempus, essentially claiming that, since the project is considered a public work, no expiration on the claim should apply. While many practitioners in Pennsylvania are watching this case closely, all practicing engineers need to be watchful for similarly challenging litigation and legislative activity in the jurisdictions where they work.
The structural engineering profession stands at a pivotal moment. Licensure difficulties, workforce development, climate change, and a shifting legal environment each represent profound challenges.
Ultimately, the future of the profession lies in expanding beyond the technical to embrace leadership, advocacy, and creativity. Structural engineers are not just builders of towers and bridges; we are custodians of public safety, sustainability, and resilience. By confronting these critical issues head-on, the profession can continue to provide the backbone of a thriving and sustainable built environment. ■
About the Author
Anthony LoCicero, PE, LEED AP, Assoc. DBIA, is a project manager with Burns Engineering. He serves as chair elect of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Coalition of American Structural Engineers (CASE).