American Academy of Environmental Engineers
Encyclopedia
The American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) is a society of professional engineers who have demonstrated special expertise in environmental engineering
beyond that normally required for professional practice, in a process similar to what is required for medical and other professional specialty certifications.
In addition to education, experience and professional licensure
, Board-Certified Environmental Engineers must have passed written and oral examinations and reviews by an admission panel of the Academy. The Academy's certification program is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards.
The Academy was founded in 1955 for the principal purpose of serving the public by improving the practice, elevating the standards, and advancing public recognition of environmental engineering through a program of specialty certification of qualified engineers.
The Academy began in 1952, when a group of sanitary engineers
working in the public health
and defense
communities expressed concern about the requirements for professional practice. This led to the creation of the Committee for the Advancement of Sanitary Engineering of the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE). Later, the Joint Committee for the Advancement of Sanitary Engineering was formed, composed of the ASCE, the American Public Health Association
, the American Society for Engineering Education
, the American Water Works Association
and the Water Pollution Control Federation
. With the sponsorship and support of these five organizations, the American Sanitary Engineering Intersociety Board was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
on October 21, 1955. Certified sanitary engineers were identified as Diplomates (now also known as Board Certified Environmental Engineers) of the American Academy of Sanitary Engineers, and were listed on a roster with the names of each member and their specialties as recognized by the Board. Other organizations joining as sponsors included the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
in 1957 and the Air Pollution
Control Association in 1962.
In 1966 the name of the Board was changed to the "Environmental Engineering Intersociety Board" (EEIB) and the name of the Roster from the "American Academy of Sanitary Engineers" to the "American Academy of Environmental Engineers" (AAEE). A year later, in 1967, the Board of Trustees changed the American Academy of Environmental Engineers from just a Roster of certified engineers to an organization with its own rights, bylaws and officers. This new organization was charged with working cooperatively with the EEIB in the advancement of all aspects of environmental engineering. The American Public Works Association joined as a sponsor of these organizations in 1969. The AAEE and the EEIB were merged into one organization in 1973. In 1976 the National Society of Professional Engineers became a sponsor of the Academy and it was followed by the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors in 1977, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1981 and the Solid Waste Association of North America in 1988.
Requirements for board certification include a baccalaureate or higher degree in engineering from an accredited university, licensure as a professional engineer, and not less than eight years of professional engineering experience, plus an examination on the practice of environmental engineering. Currently, AAEE issues the following professional certifications: Air Pollution Control, Environmental Sustainability, General Environmental Engineering, Hazardous Waste Management, Industrial Hygiene Engineering, Radiation Protection Engineering, Solid Waste Management and Water Supply/Wastewater Engineering.
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment , to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites...
beyond that normally required for professional practice, in a process similar to what is required for medical and other professional specialty certifications.
In addition to education, experience and professional licensure
Licensure
Licensure refers to the granting of a license, which gives a "permission to practice." Such licenses are usually issued in order to regulate some activity that is deemed to be dangerous or a threat to the person or the public or which involves a high level of specialized skill...
, Board-Certified Environmental Engineers must have passed written and oral examinations and reviews by an admission panel of the Academy. The Academy's certification program is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards.
The Academy was founded in 1955 for the principal purpose of serving the public by improving the practice, elevating the standards, and advancing public recognition of environmental engineering through a program of specialty certification of qualified engineers.
The Academy began in 1952, when a group of sanitary engineers
Sanitary engineering
Sanitary engineering is the application of engineering methods to improve sanitation of human communities, primarily by providing the removal and disposal of human waste, and in addition to the supply of safe potable water. Initially in the mid 19th century, the discipline concentrated on the...
working in the public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and defense
Defense industry
The defense industry, also called the military industry, comprises government and commercial industry involved in research, development, production, and service of military materiel, equipment and facilities...
communities expressed concern about the requirements for professional practice. This led to the creation of the Committee for the Advancement of Sanitary Engineering of the American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers
The American Society of Civil Engineers is a professional body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE's vision is to have engineers positioned as global leaders who strive toward...
(ASCE). Later, the Joint Committee for the Advancement of Sanitary Engineering was formed, composed of the ASCE, the American Public Health Association
American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association is Washington, D.C.-based professional organization for public health professionals in the United States. Founded in 1872 by Dr. Stephen Smith, APHA has more than 30,000 members worldwide...
, the American Society for Engineering Education
American Society for Engineering Education
The American Society for Engineering Education is a non-profit member association, founded in 1893, dedicated to promoting and improving engineering and engineering technology education....
, the American Water Works Association
American Water Works Association
American Water Works Association was established as an international non-profit professional organization dedicated to the improvement of water quality and supply. Founded in 1881, it claims a membership of around 56,000 members worldwide as of 2010.AWWA has become the largest organization of...
and the Water Pollution Control Federation
Water Environment Federation
The Water Environment Federation is an organization of engineers and industry related to wastewater, water, and water reuse. WEF, founded in 1928, was formerly known as the "Federation of Sewage Works Associations" and the "Water Pollution Control Federation ." WEF members include experts and...
. With the sponsorship and support of these five organizations, the American Sanitary Engineering Intersociety Board was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
on October 21, 1955. Certified sanitary engineers were identified as Diplomates (now also known as Board Certified Environmental Engineers) of the American Academy of Sanitary Engineers, and were listed on a roster with the names of each member and their specialties as recognized by the Board. Other organizations joining as sponsors included the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers is a professional organization for chemical engineers.AIChE was established in 1908 with the purpose of establishing chemical engineers as a profession independent from chemists and mechanical engineers.As of 2010, AIChE had over 40,000 members,...
in 1957 and the Air Pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
Control Association in 1962.
In 1966 the name of the Board was changed to the "Environmental Engineering Intersociety Board" (EEIB) and the name of the Roster from the "American Academy of Sanitary Engineers" to the "American Academy of Environmental Engineers" (AAEE). A year later, in 1967, the Board of Trustees changed the American Academy of Environmental Engineers from just a Roster of certified engineers to an organization with its own rights, bylaws and officers. This new organization was charged with working cooperatively with the EEIB in the advancement of all aspects of environmental engineering. The American Public Works Association joined as a sponsor of these organizations in 1969. The AAEE and the EEIB were merged into one organization in 1973. In 1976 the National Society of Professional Engineers became a sponsor of the Academy and it was followed by the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors in 1977, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1981 and the Solid Waste Association of North America in 1988.
Requirements for board certification include a baccalaureate or higher degree in engineering from an accredited university, licensure as a professional engineer, and not less than eight years of professional engineering experience, plus an examination on the practice of environmental engineering. Currently, AAEE issues the following professional certifications: Air Pollution Control, Environmental Sustainability, General Environmental Engineering, Hazardous Waste Management, Industrial Hygiene Engineering, Radiation Protection Engineering, Solid Waste Management and Water Supply/Wastewater Engineering.