"Can I see your license please?" No, you didn't pull over a speeding driver. You selected an engineering firm.

After awarding a contract to a consultant, you should ask for their Certificate of Authorization to provide professional engineering services. As of January 1, 2001, a new law requires all consultants to have this certificate, which is obtained from the New York State Education Department.

The certificate lists the firm's name, a certificate number, and expiration date. A certificate is valid for two years.

This application and renewal process allows for the detection of illegal services and the identification of organizations that are not in compliance with the law. Clients that check their consultant's Certificate of Authorization insure that the professional engineering services they procure are being lawfully provided.

As of July 20, 2000, over 400 companies have been denied a Certificate of Authorization either because they were not authorized to provide engineering services or because they were not in compliance with some aspect of the law. Is your consultant one of them?

For more information, contact Kelly Norris, Executive Director, NYS Society of Professional Engineers, at (518) 283-7490 or the NYS Education Department at (518) 474-8225.