Engineering Ethics in Missouri: Real PE Disciplinary Cases and What They Teach Us

Written by: Jordan Ellis

As a licensed professional engineer, I understand how important it is to maintain the integrity of our profession. Every license comes with a responsibility to uphold public trust, protect health and safety, and follow the legal and ethical standards set by the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and Professional Landscape Architects.

This article reviews recent disciplinary actions issued by the Missouri PE Board. By examining actual cases and identifying patterns, we can better understand the kinds of violations that occur – and more importantly, how to avoid them. Whether the issue is practicing with an expired license or failing to disclose prior disciplinary history, these cases serve as clear reminders of what’s at stake for our careers and for the public we serve.

Check out my article What are the Most Common Ethics Violations for Professional Engineers.

Ethics Course for Missouri Engineers

Real PE Violations in Missouri

The Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and Landscape Architects has taken disciplinary action against engineers for a range of violations. Below are summaries of real cases that illustrate the types of issues the Board routinely addresses.

• Practicing Without a License: Several engineers were found to have continued offering or performing engineering services after their licenses had expired or lapsed. In most cases, this led to a formal reprimand, fines ranging from $250 to $1,500, and in some instances, required continuing education or probation terms.
• Failure to Report Prior Discipline or Criminal Convictions: Some licensees failed to disclose disciplinary actions imposed by other states or failed to report felony convictions during the application or renewal process. These omissions were treated seriously by the Board, resulting in license suspensions, reprimands, and monetary penalties.
• Unprofessional Conduct and Misrepresentation: In one case, an engineer provided false or misleading information to the Board during a license application review. This resulted in revocation of the license and a prohibition against future reinstatement.

This Wyoming board action subsequently led to two separate disciplinary cases in another jurisdiction when the engineer and his firm failed to disclose it on their West Virginia renewal applications. Engineers holding multi-state licenses should be aware that a disciplinary action here can have ripple effects, as shown in these WV PE board disciplinary actions resulting from non-disclosure.

These examples show that even administrative oversights or incomplete disclosures can lead to disciplinary consequences.

Types of Violations and How Often They Occur

Reviewing disciplinary actions from the Missouri Board reveals several patterns. The majority of violations fall into just a few categories, many of which stem from administrative oversights that could have been prevented with better diligence.

Most Common Violation Types

Violation Type	Number of Cases	Typical Penalty	Fine Range
Practicing Without a License	6	Reprimand, CE requirement, fine	$250 – $1,500
Failure to Report Out-of-State Discipline	2	Reprimand, CE requirement, fine	$500 – $1,000
Felony Conviction	2	License suspension, reprimand, fine	$500 – $2,000
Misrepresentation to the Board	1	Revocation, no reinstatement permitted	$0 (non-monetary)
Criminal Background Check Issues	1	Denied license	$0

The importance of this disclosure question is underscored by multiple cases where engineers were sanctioned for not reporting prior discipline from the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.

Practicing without a valid license was by far the most common issue, often discovered during audits or complaint investigations. The Board takes these violations seriously, even when unintentional, to ensure the integrity of the profession and protection of public safety.

What Were the Penalties?

The Missouri Board has a range of disciplinary tools at its disposal, and the consequences for violations vary depending on the severity and nature of the misconduct. Across the reviewed cases, the most common penalties included formal reprimands, civil penalties (fines), continuing education requirements, and in more serious cases, suspension or revocation of licensure.

Common Penalties Issued

1. Formal Reprimands: These appeared in nearly every case. A reprimand becomes part of the engineer’s permanent record and may affect future licensure in other states.
2. Fines: Most fines ranged from $250 to $1,500, with higher amounts reserved for repeated or more egregious violations.
3. Continuing Education Requirements: Several engineers were required to complete specific ethics or licensing-related CE courses as part of the board’s corrective action.
4. Suspensions and Revocations: In cases involving felony convictions or deception toward the Board, the penalties were more severe—either a suspension or complete license revocation.
5. License Denials: For applicants with serious criminal histories or misrepresentations on applications, the Board denied licensure entirely.
6. How to Stay Compliant as a Missouri PE
   
    A checklist to avoid mistakes that lead to disciplinary action.
7. Full Case Summary Table
   
    A detailed list of all reviewed violations, including case numbers, actions, and penalties.
8. Conclusion
   
    The importance of ethical practice and how small missteps can have big consequences.

An engineer disciplined by the Nebraska Board was subsequently sanctioned again for failing to disclose that action on his West Virginia PE license renewal.

How to Stay Compliant as a Missouri PE

Avoiding disciplinary action is straightforward when you follow the state’s licensing rules and maintain good habits. Here’s a compliance checklist to help you stay in good standing:

• Renew Your License on Time
  
  Missouri PE licenses expire every two years on December 31, depending on your initial licensure year. Schedule a reminder well before the deadline.
• Complete 30 PDH Every Biennial Cycle
  
  You must earn 30 professional development hours (PDH) every two years, with up to 15 hours carried over. Keep organized records of course titles, dates, providers, and hours in case of audit.
• Respond Promptly to Board Communications
  
  Ignoring correspondence—such as audit notices or inquiries—is a common path to discipline. Always reply within the stated deadline.
• Use Your Seal Only When Licensed
  
  Applying your professional engineer seal while your license or firm permit is expired is a frequent violation. Only seal projects when both your personal license and company registration are active.
• Disclose Disciplinary Actions from Other States
  
  Missouri law requires reporting any discipline or license issues in other jurisdictions. Non-disclosure can result in additional penalties.
• Be Accurate on Applications and Renewals
  
  Avoid misrepresenting qualifications, licensure status, or PDH credits. The Board can impose fines or revoke licensing for false statements.
• Stop Engineering Practice if Your License Lapses
  
  Even a brief lapse can be a violation. If your license has expired, cease providing professional services until you renew.
• Ensure Firm Compliance
  
  Both your personal licensure and your firm’s Certificate of Authority must be active when practicing or supervising engineering work. Verify your firm’s status annually.

Full Case Summary Table

Case Number	Summary of Violation	Penalty	Fine
PE-8150	Practiced engineering while license was expired.	Reprimand	$500
PE-28979	Misrepresented licensure status on professional documents.	Reprimand + CE requirement	$1,000
PE-23080 (2006)	Practiced without a firm Certificate of Authority.	Reprimand	$1,000
PE-23080 (2004)	Failed to obtain Certificate of Authority for firm.	Reprimand	$1,000
PE-2007032756	Failed to complete PDH and misrepresented compliance during renewal.	Reprimand + CE completion required	$1,500
PE-2020018187	Misused PE seal while license was expired.	Reprimand	$750
PE-030251	Practiced engineering during lapsed license period.	Reprimand	$500
PE-18041	Signed/sealed documents after license expiration.	Reprimand	$500
PE-2006024908	Continued engineering practice without active license.	Reprimand	$750
PE-16546	Practiced engineering without a Certificate of Authority.	Reprimand + CE requirement	$1,000
PE-15700	Failed to disclose discipline from another jurisdiction.	Reprimand	$1,000
PE-2008006307	Practiced engineering without a license in Missouri.	Reprimand + Cease/Desist order	$1,000

Conclusion

Missouri’s PE board actions show that even small compliance lapses can lead to fines and public discipline. Most violations, like expired licenses or firm issues, are avoidable. Staying current with licensure requirements and following board rules helps engineers avoid costly mistakes and maintain public trust.