Board Certified Experts

What is a Board Certified Diplomate?

A Diplomate is a Board Certified Professional and is considered one of the highest designations in the field, with less than 200 engineers achieving the status of Diplomate within the Academy. A Board Certified Engineer has had at least twelve years of progressive experience after earning their first engineering degree and has achieved a master's degree (or have graduated with an engineering degree prior to 1986). A Board Certified maritime engineer has demonstrated advanced knowledge in at least one of the four areas of civil engineering. An engineer becomes a Diplomate through achieving advanced experience, licensure, and education, as well as passing a board examination. Although, with enough experience, the exam will be waived.

The Academy has three different types of Diplomates: regular, retired, and Distinguished. 

• Regular Diplomates must meet all the requirements of a Diplomate be active in the profession.  They need to renew their certification annually and are required to pay the full recertification fee and earn, on average, 20 PDHs per year.
• Retired Diplomates are those who are no longer active in the profession.  Retired Diplomates pay a lower recertification fee and aren’t required to obtain any PDHs. 
• Distinguished Diplomates are only nominated by ACOPNE Board members.  However, anyone may contact ACOPNE staff if they have a nomination, which can be then forwarded to the Board for consideration.  Distinguished Diplomates are individuals who have made a significant contribution to the profession and generally do not meet all the requirements of a regular Diplomate, although they may.  Distinguished Diplomates do not pay any fees and are not required to obtain any PDHs, nor are they required to renew their certification.

View or Download the ACOPNE Diplomate Directory (as of 1/1/15)