CPE Vs ARM – How Can You Define An Engineer?

The arm vs. CPOU argument is often used to argue that CPOU or Certification of Practicing Engineers, which requires an engineer to undergo a formal education and training before becoming an engineer, is not as important or beneficial as the ARM, which requires no formal training, only that an engineer has passed his examination. Arm vs CPOU advocates often argue that CPOU should be required because the certification process has been broken down and the benefits of having an engineering license are no longer as relevant as they once were.

One benefit of having an engineering license is the fact that engineers have the legal authority to make decisions that directly affect the safety of the public. These decisions can include changes to roads or buildings, the placement and design of structures and dams, and many other factors. Engineers also have the legal power to approve or reject any project for consideration and to take any action necessary to ensure the safety and protection of the public while the project is under construction or operation. In some cases, it is also possible to obtain a CPE when you are operating an engineering firm or as part of a construction company.

The arguments presented by Arm vs CPOU supporters suggest that the certification and education requirements of ARM are not as important that they were when the exam was first administered in the 1930’s. As the exam has been updated to reflect current technology and engineering practice, there has been little change in the quality and safety of engineers who pass the exam.

Critics of ARM also argue that the licensing exam is time-consuming and often confusing, especially since the exam is not available online. The exam can take up to six months to complete and in some cases an engineer must actually attend an actual exam in person, which can be extremely uncomfortable.

Proponents of CPE argue that CPE does not require the same level of education as a professional engineering license. They argue that it is simply a matter of passing the practical examination and that, while there may be little or no difference between an engineer with a CPE and an engineer with a professional engineering license, it is certainly true that a CPE does allow an engineer the opportunity to pursue a career in the construction industry.

There are also problems with the assumption that an engineer will be able to work at the highest levels of a company if he or she has not passed an ARM. The practical examination does not provide all of the information about what it takes to be a good engineer, so an engineer who has not passed the exam is at a disadvantage for jobs that require engineering knowledge, such as a position with an engineering consulting firm or a position working for an infrastructure project or construction firm.

Some of the arguments made against CPE and the arguments that support ARM are also not entirely fair, as it is difficult to accurately assess how much education or training an engineer must have in order to become an engineer. Many engineers can take courses that will train them in both engineering and computer science, but without a thorough understanding of the concepts used to design and evaluate a project.

To truly determine whether the CPE should be required by an engineer depends largely on what one wishes to achieve in their career. Whether or not the exam can ensure a professional engineer continues to have access to the top level of engineering positions in the future depends largely on the individual.