New Jersey PE Disciplinary Actions: Real Cases and Lessons for Professional Engineers

Written by: Jordan Ellis

As a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey, I understand how much weight our license carries, not just legally, but ethically and professionally. The title “PE” signifies trust, responsibility, and a commitment to protecting public health, safety, and welfare. But that trust can be quickly eroded when even a single engineer falls short of the standards set by our profession.

In this article, I’m reviewing recent New Jersey PE disciplinary actions released by the State Board. These cases range from administrative oversights to serious ethical breaches. Whether it’s practicing on an expired license or misusing a professional seal, each violation carries real consequences – fines, public reprimands, mandatory ethics training, and sometimes even license revocation.

My goal is to share what happened, highlight common pitfalls, and offer practical guidance so we can all continue to uphold the integrity of our profession.

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

Ethics Course for New Jersey Engineers

Why Ethics and Compliance Matter for Professional Engineers

As engineers, we aren’t just solving technical problems – we’re making decisions that affect people’s lives, environments, and communities. That’s why ethics and regulatory compliance aren’t just checkboxes for licensure; they’re foundational to our work. The public, our clients, and regulatory bodies all depend on us to act with integrity, competence, and transparency.

Even seemingly minor lapses, like missing a license renewal deadline or failing to update a business address, can lead to disciplinary actions. These missteps may not stem from malicious intent, but the consequences can still be serious. A public reprimand or fine may feel manageable, but the long-term reputational damage and disruption to practice can be far more costly.

By maintaining professional standards, we protect not just our license, but the trust that allows us to practice as engineers in the first place.

Real Examples of New Jersey Disciplinary Actions

To better understand the types of violations that can lead to disciplinary action, let’s look at a few real cases from recent New Jersey Board decisions. These examples offer insight into what went wrong, what penalties were assessed, and how similar issues can be avoided.

Case Example 1: Unlicensed Practice During Lapsed License
 One engineer continued to practice engineering after their license had lapsed due to missing the renewal deadline. The Board determined that this constituted unlicensed practice and issued a $2,500 fine along with a formal reprimand. The lesson here is straightforward: ensure your license is current before performing any engineering services.

Case Example 2: Failure to Notify the Board of Disciplinary Action in Another State
 In another case, a professional engineer failed to report disciplinary action taken against their license in a different state. New Jersey regulations require licensees to report such actions within 30 days. The oversight resulted in a $1,500 fine and a reprimand. Engineers practicing in multiple states must stay diligent in keeping each board informed.

Case Example 3: Incomplete Continuing Education Documentation
 A licensee was audited and could not produce adequate documentation to support their continuing education claims. This resulted in a $1,000 fine. Keeping thorough, organized CE records is essential, especially since audits can happen at any time.

Failing to disclose discipline from another state on a renewal application is a serious violation that has resulted in penalties in New Jersey and is the subject of numerous West Virginia engineering disciplinary cases. Issues with Continuing Education compliance, from simple deficiencies to falsely certifying completion, are taken seriously by the Board, a focus that is even more pronounced in Nevada’s recent PE enforcement actions.

These examples reflect common pitfalls, missed deadlines, documentation issues, and communication lapses. Each case emphasizes the importance of staying organized, informed, and responsive to board requirements. Avoiding these issues not only protects your license but also upholds the professional standards of the engineering community.

Full List of New Jersey PE Disciplinary Actions Reviewed

To better understand the scope and nature of disciplinary enforcement in New Jersey, I reviewed eleven recent public disciplinary cases issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. These cases span a variety of violations, including practicing on an expired license, failure to provide responsible charge, and misrepresentation.

The table below summarizes each case with a brief description of the violation, the penalties imposed, and any monetary fines. Reviewing these real-world examples is one of the most effective ways to recognize patterns of misconduct—and to avoid making similar mistakes in your own practice.

Note: All cases involve licensed professional engineers and are based on publicly available documents issued by the New Jersey Board.

New Jersey PE Disciplinary Actions (Summary of 11 Cases)

Case Number	Summary of Violation	Sanction(s)	Fine
20240417_24GE03828600	Misrepresented qualifications in bid submission (used PE title without an active license)	Reprimand, ethics course, CE audit	$2,500
20230831_24GE04215500	Practiced engineering without an active license	Reprimand, ethics course, CE audit	$2,500
20220523_24GE02702800	Submitted signed/sealed documents while license was expired	Reprimand, ethics course	$2,500
20211104_24GE04495600	Failed to properly seal documents in accordance with state regs	Reprimand, ethics course	$2,500
20201110_24GE03527300	Failed to complete required CE hours	$500 fine, CE audit	$500
2019125_24GE02504100	Practiced engineering while license was expired	Reprimand, ethics course	$2,500
20190612_24GE03204100	Failed to disclose out-of-state disciplinary action	Reprimand, ethics course	$2,500
20193430_24GE05024100	Failed to complete CE hours and falsely certified CE compliance	Reprimand, ethics course, $1,000 fine	$1,000
20190422_24GE03943000	Fraudulently used another licensee’s seal	License revoked, cease and desist	None stated
20190321_24GE02039300	Signed/stamped plans while license was expired	Reprimand, ethics course	$2,500
20190204_24GE04193300	Practiced engineering on expired license; failed CE	Reprimand, ethics course, $500 CE penalty	$500

The fraudulent use of another licensee’s seal is one of the most severe forms of professional misconduct, an offense treated with similar gravity in Kentucky PE board cases, where such acts of forgery led to license revocation and permanent injunctions.

Penalties and Fine Ranges in New Jersey

When a professional engineer violates board rules, the consequences can go beyond a simple reprimand. The New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors imposes a range of penalties depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Financial Penalties
 Fines in recent disciplinary actions have ranged from $500 to $2,500, with the most common fines falling between $1,000 and $1,500. These penalties are intended to reflect the seriousness of the violation and act as a deterrent to future noncompliance.

Reprimands and Suspensions
 Most violations result in a formal public reprimand, which becomes part of the licensee’s permanent record. In more serious cases, particularly those involving unlicensed practice, fraudulent behavior, or failure to cooperate with audits, the Board may impose a license suspension. Even if a suspension is stayed or served with conditions, it can significantly damage a professional’s reputation and career opportunities.

Reputational Damage
 Disciplinary actions are public records. Being named in a board order can impact how clients, employers, and peers view your professional integrity. The reputational cost often exceeds the financial penalty and serves as a powerful reminder of why compliance and ethics must remain a priority.

Summary of New Jersey PE Disciplinary Violations

Violation Type	Number of Cases	Typical Sanction	Fine Range
Failure to respond to audit / CE documentation issue	4	Reprimand, civil penalty	$1,500 – $2,500
Practicing on an expired license	2	Reprimand, civil penalty	$1,000 – $3,500
Misrepresentation / Fraudulent document	1	Revocation, civil penalty	$5,000
Unauthorized firm practice / unlicensed entity	2	Reprimand, civil penalty	$2,500 – $3,000
Failure to notify board of discipline elsewhere	2	Reprimand, civil penalty	$2,500 – $3,000

 

How to Stay Compliant as a New Jersey PE

Avoiding disciplinary action starts with understanding your responsibilities and following a few key best practices. Based on recent cases, here’s a practical checklist every licensed engineer in New Jersey should follow:

• Renew Your License on Time
  
  Failure to maintain an active license is one of the most common violations. Set reminders and renew before the deadline to avoid unnecessary penalties.
• Complete and Document Your Continuing Education (CE)
  
  Always meet the CE requirements for each renewal cycle and retain your documentation. If selected for an audit, you must provide proof of completion.
• Respond to Board Inquiries and Audits Promptly
  
  Ignoring communications from the board can escalate a minor issue into a major one. Always reply in a timely and professional manner.
• Avoid Practicing Without a Valid License
  
  Practicing engineering – even briefly – without a valid license is a serious violation. Make sure your license is active and in good standing before taking on any work.
• Be Accurate and Honest on All Applications
  
  Misrepresenting your qualifications, experience, or CE credits can result in severe disciplinary action. Double-check all submissions for accuracy.
• Report Out-of-State Disciplinary Actions
  
  If you are disciplined in another jurisdiction, you are required to report it to the New Jersey board. Failing to do so may lead to additional sanctions.

Conclusion

Disciplinary actions like these are a clear reminder of our responsibility as licensed engineers. Even small lapses can lead to serious consequences. Staying current with license requirements, reporting changes promptly, and practicing ethically are essential to maintaining the trust placed in our profession.