[SystemSafety] Licensing software engineers - care to take a test?

[Les Chambers]

Hi

There is a developing trend towards licensing software engineers, especially
where they perform work on systems that affect the property, health and
safety of the public at large. In the US, software engineers can be
certified by State licensing boards if they have an accredited bachelor's
degree in software engineering or equivalent, four to six years practical
experience and can pass a multiple-choice test.

I have included a summary of what's happening in the US below.

Is anyone aware of similar testing initiatives elsewhere in the world?

 

Intrigued as to how you could possibly judge someone's competence to build a
life-critical system with a multiple-choice test, I downloaded some sample
questions. Given the conversation we recently had on V&V - would anyone care
to test their arm on the right answer (as per the IEEE)?

Cheers

Les

 

----------- Software Engineering Licensure test question ---------------

107. Requirements verification techniques include:

(A) Formal inspections (e.g., Fagan inspections), requirements reviews with
customers,

peer reviews, structured walkthroughs

(B) Project management reviews, requirements reviews with customers, peer
reviews,

structured walkthroughs

(C) Formal inspections (e.g., Fagan inspections), requirements reviews with
customers,

debugging, structured walkthroughs

(D) Formal inspections (e.g., Fagan inspections), critical design review,
peer reviews,

quality assurance reviews

 

 

 

---------- Licensing in the USA ------------------

In the U.S.A. the Software Engineering Licensing Consortium (SELC) is the
driving force behind SE licensure. SEs can be licenced if they have an
accredited bachelor's degree in software engineering or equivalent, four to
six years practical experience and can pass a test. The test specification
is available at:

http://cdn1.ncees.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Exam-specifications_PE-Softw
are-Apr-2013.pdf

SELC comprises members of the IEEE-USA Licensure and Registration Committee
and the IEEE Computer Society, along with the National Council of Examiners
for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the National Society of Professional
Engineers and the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. 

The test is developed by IEEE representatives and administered by NCEES.
Refer:

http://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/

The test is offered by U.S. State licensing boards which have the ultimate
authority over requirements in their jurisdiction. Each state may choose to
either use the test or offer alternative paths to licensure, such as
qualifying for "grandfathering" - qualification based on demonstrated
experience in the field.

As of November 2013, thirty U.S. states required licensure for software
engineers working on safety critical systems as well as those offering their
services directly to the public. 

Further details, including links to a study guide and sample test questions
are provided at:

http://www.todaysengineer.org/2012/Oct/software-engineering-licensure.asp

 

 

-------------------------------------------------
Les Chambers
Director
Chambers & Associates Pty Ltd
 <http://www.chambers.com.au> www.chambers.com.au

Blog:  <http://www.systemsengineeringblog.com/>
www.systemsengineeringblog.com

Twitter:  <http://www.twitter.com/chambersles> @ChambersLes
M: 0412 648 992
Intl M: +61 412 648 992
Ph: +61 7 3870 4199
Fax: +61 7 3870 4220
 <mailto:les at chambers.com.au> les at chambers.com.au
-------------------------------------------------

 

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