The Board protects the public by regulating professional engineering in Maine.
Professional engineering is defined in Maine law as "any professional service, such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design or responsible supervision of construction in connection with any public or private utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, works or projects, wherein the public welfare or the safeguarding of life, health or property is concerned or involved, when such professional service requires the application of engineering principles and data." 32 M.R.S.A. §1251(3).
Some types of projects do not require a professional engineer. Those can be found here: 32 M.R.S.A. §1255
How to File a Complaint
"Any person may register a complaint of fraud, deceit, gross negligence, incompetency or misconduct against any licensed professional engineer or any engineer-intern. These complaints must be in writing, signed by the individual making the complaint and filed with the board." 32 M.R.S. §1356.
A complaint must be signed, and should be sent to:
State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers
Attn: Complaint Officer
92 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0092
Include as much information as you have, such as the name of the person or company and the location or address of the project. If you have any documents, please send a copy with the complaint. Make sure you keep a copy of anything you send to the Board.
What happens once a Complaint is filed
- The Board receives a signed complaint and supporting documents.
- A copy of the complaint is sent to the licensee for a written response.
- The response is reviewed by the Complaint Committee:
- Complaint Officer (a member of the Board)
- Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Board
- Executive Director of the Board
- A copy of the response is sent to the person who filed the complaint.
- The Complaint Committee may continue to investigate.
- When the Complaint Committee has reviewed the evidence, they prepare the complaint for presentation to the Board.
- The Complaint Officer presents the complaint to the Board in a public meeting.
- The complainant and the licensee are notified of the meeting and can attend as members of the public.
- Members of the public do not speak in the Board meeting.
- After the presentation, the Board may:
- Dismiss the complaint for lack of evidence of a violation
- Stay the proceeding pending further Board action
- Proceed with disciplinary action
- If the Board proceeds with disciplinary action, it can:
- Make a settlement offer
- Order an informational conference
- Schedule an adjudicatory hearing
- An informational conference or adjudicatory hearing are open to the public.
- A hearing is the due process required by statute and the constitution prior to taking action against a licensee, including imposing conditions, sanctions or discipline.
- Results of Board actions pertaining to complaints are mailed to the individuals involved, including the complainant and the licensee.
- Results of board discipline are public records. The Board reports discipline in its newsletter and posts to the NCEES Enforcement Exchange.