The engineer of record is the licensed professional designated as responsible for specified engineering work under project documents or applicable requirements.
Definition
The engineer of record is the licensed professional designated as responsible for the engineering work identified in project documents or applicable requirements. The precise role depends on jurisdiction, contract terms, project delivery method, and the work assigned. It may not include every specialty component, delegated design item, or construction activity. For a firm owner, defining the role helps set scope, review paths, client communications, and professional responsibility boundaries. Firms and project teams may use the title differently, so the documents should identify the work covered and how it relates to other design roles. The designation does not by itself establish responsibility for all project decisions or guarantee that every element has been reviewed. Nor is it a substitute for required professional licensure or project specific agreements. Relevant professional resources include NSPE.
How owners use it
- Name the work covered by the engineer of record role in agreements and project documents.
- Map review and coordination responsibilities where delegated design or specialty components are involved.
- If 4 disciplines each identify 1 designated engineer of record, then 4 × 1 = 4 role assignments to document.
