1. CSCE 431: Licensing and Software Engineering Code of Ethics

2. Professional Engineer License
Professional Engineering (PE) license
Can put “P.E.” after your name
Cannot legally call yourself an “engineer” without a PE
Cannot engage in “practice of engineering” without a PE
“the performance of or an offer or attempt to perform any public or private service or creative work, the adequate performance of which requires engineering education, training, and experience in applying special knowledge or judgment of the mathematical, physical, or engineering sciences to that service or creative work”
A crime to practice engineering without a PE
Exemption for most people working for private corporations, esp. in electronics, computers, software
Safety-critical tasks eventually fall under licensing
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

3. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
PE License (cont.)
National Society of Professional Engineers (
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (SCEES) (
Develops and administers exams
Governed by state laws
State licensure boards
Texas Board of Professional Engineers (
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

4. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Licensing Process
Earn 4-year engineering degree from ABET-accredited university
Pass Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Covers engineering fundamentals
One test for all engineers
Taken during senior year or soon after graduation
Become engineer-in-training (EIT)
Complete 4 years of progressive engineering experience under a PE
Keep journal of engineering work – verified by supervisor
Engineering MS/PhD partially counts in most states
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

5. Licensing Process (cont.)
3 confidential references from PEs who are familiar with your work record
Pass Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
8 hour open-book exam in your area of practice
Software Engineering Principles and Practice PE exam
Offered first in April 2013 in Texas and several other states
Mac Lively and other TAMU faculty worked on the development of a PE in Software Engineering
Covers Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK)
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

6. Licensing Process (cont.)
Software Engineering PE Exam
Requirements 17.5%
Design 13.75%
Construction 11.25%
Testing 12.5%
Maintenance 7.5%
Configuration Management 7.5%
Engineering Processes 7.5%
Quality Assurance 7.5%
Safety, Security, and Privacy 15%
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

7. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Maintaining License
Maintain a PE requires maintaining competence in engineering practice
Practicing as an engineer
Continuing education
Can obtain license in other states
Must submit engineering record, references, exam results to that state licensure board
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

8. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
What Does a PE Do?
Only a PE may prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans and drawings to a public authority for approval, or seal engineering work for public and private clients
PEs are responsible for the lives affected by their work and must hold themselves to high ethical standards of practice
A PE is a legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of work, be they principals or employees
In many federal, state, and municipal agencies, certain governmental engineering positions, particularly those considered higher level and responsible positions, must be filled by a PE
Many states require engineering faculty to hold a PE
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

9. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
The Seal
Seal and sign designs
Can use electronic version
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

10. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
Profession: The act of taking the vows of a particular community
Profess: To act or admit freely
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

11. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
What is moral?
What is ethical?
What is legal?
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

12. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
Personal conduct
Courtesy
Appearance (clothing, grooming,…)
Behavior (respect,…)
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

13. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
Ownership
Of ideas IP
Publications and citations
Talks and lectures
Of objects
Software
Products
Work results
Data
Methods
Art
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

14. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
Trustworthiness
Safekeeping of privileged information and knowledge (trade secrets, classified information,…)
Respect for contracts and agreements (NDA,…)
Giving credit where it is due (crediting others contributions even if not obvious or known,…)
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

15. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
Contribute to society and human well-being (create value!)
Avoid harm to others
Fairness and non-discrimination
Respect privacy
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

16. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
ACM’s Code of Conduct, Moral:
Contribute to society and human well-being
Avoid harm to others
Be honest and trustworthy
Be fair and take action not to discriminate
Honor property rights (copyrights, patents)
Give proper credit for Intellectual property
Respect privacy
Honor confidentiality
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

17. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
Engineering Ethics
More Specific, Professional:
Strive to achieve highest quality, effectiveness
Acquire and maintain professional competence
Know and respect existing laws of profession
Accept and provide professional review
Honor contracts, agreements
Access computing resources only when authorized
Similar Code of conduct for IEEE
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

18. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
ACM/IEEE-CS Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
Software engineers shall commit themselves to making the analysis, specification, design, development, testing and maintenance of software a beneficial and respected profession
In accordance with their commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the public, software engineers shall adhere to the following Eight Principles
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

19. SE Ethics Principles (1)
PUBLIC - Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest
CLIENT AND EMPLOYER - Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest
PRODUCT - Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible
JUDGMENT - Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

20. SE Ethics Principles (2)
MANAGEMENT - Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance
PROFESSION - Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest
COLLEAGUES - Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues
SELF - Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics

21. CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics
My Prediction
A PE will be required for safety-critical software
As Software Engineering PE becomes available in more states
Legal risk mitigation will drive companies to use PE supervision of embedded SW development
If a company was not engaged in best practices and a bad thing happened, they are at great financial risk
Example
Toyota sudden acceleration
Did not use well-known SW safety practices
They will be paying billions in legal settlements
CSCE 431 Licensing and SE Code of Ethics