ACOPNE Board Certification

Board Certification

Professional certification offered through the Academy ensures that coastal, ocean, port and navigation engineers have specialized knowledge and skills in their field of practice. Once your education, experience and expertise has been vetted by a panel, you are granted the one of the four certifications offered:

• D.CE - Diplomate, Coastal Engineering
• D.OE - Diplomate, Ocean Engineering
• D.PE - Diplomate, Port Engineering
• D.NE - Diplomate, Navigation Engineering

Differentiate yourself from your peers by applying for your certification. To maintain the certification, you are required to earn at least twenty professional development hours (PDHs) per year to stay up-to-date on new technologies and trends.

Why is Board Certification Important?

Board Certification within ACOPNE was created in 2009 to recognize engineers who have an advanced degree of knowledge and expertise in the specialized fields of coastal, ocean, port and navigation engineering. These individuals, who are endorsed with this Board Certification, are actively engaged in this professional practice, have obtained a baccalaureate degree in engineering, a master's degree (or over twenty-five years’ experience) and a professional engineer license. With these skills and accomplishments, Board Certified engineer is one of the highest designations available and is recognized as a respected and credible professional within the field of civil engineering.

Benefits of ACOPNE Diplomate Board Certification

The ACOPNE's Diplomate Board Certifications are the highest level of advanced post-license certification offered in the civil engineering profession for professional engineers (P.E.) and are accredited certification programs by the Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB).

• Diplomate Board Certification gives you recognition as a leader in the coastal, ocean, port and navigation engineering profession.
• Diplomate Board Certification is a recognition beyond P.E. license recognized by clients, employers, peers and the public.
• Diplomate Board Certification demonstrates mastery of a specialty(s) within the broad disciplines of civil engineering and commitment to stay up to date on new technological innovations.
• Diplomate Board Certification demonstrates a strong commitment to professionalism through ethics and continuing professional development requirements.
• Diplomate Board Certification adheres to and supports mission to elevate the level of standards in civil engineering.
• Board Certified Diplomates in ASCE’s Academies are qualified for a Diplomate Professional Liability credit. This credit is an exclusive Diplomate discount on your ASCE professional liability insurance that could range from 5 to 7.5%.
• Salary surveys revealed that becoming board certified in a specialty can provide a salary increase.
• Diplomate Board Certifications are beginning to be preferred or required in RFPs and employment hiring and promotions consideration.

Additional Benefit to Becoming a Diplomate 

Your dedication to the Academies of ASCE qualifies you for a Diplomate Professional Liability credit. This credit is an exclusive Diplomate discount on your ASCE professional liability insurance that could range from 5 to 7.5%. In many cases, the value of this discount alone may exceed your application and recertification costs.

ASCE’s Insurance Brokers with Lloyds of London recognize the value of Board Certification, knowing the Diplomate has demonstrated the mastery and use of a specialized body of knowledge, superior experience, strong ethics, and have a commitment to lifelong learning. 

While our underwriters have the final decision on providing insurance after proper evaluation of your firm and its history, we will work with you to make sure you receive a fair premium and the premium credit that celebrates your expertise, strong ethics, and commitment to excellence. For more information, contact an ASCE Professional Liability Specialist at 800.650.2723.

*The ACOPNE does not discriminate among applicants based on age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, or marital status.*

**In addition, ACOPNE maintains the confidentiality of each applicant’s examination results, recertification information, and any other information on file unless authorized to release the information by the candidate/certificant or if required by law.**