Committee backs bill creating ABET‑pathway to PE licensure, cites $80,000 fiscal note

The Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee moved SB 2447 forward on April 17. Senator Powers, sponsor, described the bill as a workforce measure that "creates a structured pathway for graduates of ABET accredited engineering technology programs to become licensed professional engineers while maintaining all existing testing and experience requirements."

Powers said the bill brings Tennessee into conformity with nearly 40 other states and noted support from the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers. The sponsor reported a positive fiscal note of approximately $80,000 in year one, which the committee recorded in its discussion.

There was limited discussion and no amendments in committee; the clerk recorded the committee's recommendation to pass SB 2447 to the calendar.

Next steps: SB 2447 will be placed on the Senate calendar for further consideration.