Membership levels

The levels of membership in the Academy are Member, Senior Member and Fellow, dependent upon experience and recommendations. At all levels, candidature for membership requires demonstration of actual experience in forensic engineering,including testimony under oath subject to cross examination. Recommendations are required from practicing attorneys or senior claims managers familiar with the candidate’s forensic experience. Copies of current professional engineering registrations, NSPE and technical membership are required.

For those persons interested in forensic engineering who are ineligible for membership in NAFE, the following affiliations are available: Correspondent, International Affiliate and Student Affiliate.

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
Three levels of membership in the National Academy of Forensic Engineers are available - Fellow, Senior Member and Member. To gain membership and be entitled to use the NAFE designation, an applicant must:

Be a registered professional engineer.

Hold an appropriate level of membership in a national engineering technical society.

Hold membership in the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Have engineering experience of at least:

    20 years for Fellow status
    12 years for Senior Member status
      5 years for Member status.

Have experience in the practice of forensic engineering of at least:

    15 years for Fellow status
      5 years for Senior Member status
      2 years for Member status.

Have experience in case preparation as a forensic engineer of at least:

    50 cases for Fellow status
    10 cases for Senior Member status
      2 cases for Member status.

Have experience in actual courtroom testimony as an engineering expert of at least:

    10 cases for Fellow status
      5 cases for Senior Member status
      2 cases for Member status.

Provide acceptable detailed references from attorneys, claims managers or NAFE members who have first-hand knowledge of the practice and qualifications of the candidate. Requirements are:

      5 references for Fellow status
      3 references for Senior Member status
      2 references for Member status

AFFILIATIONS
    For those persons interested in forensic engineering who are ineligible for membership in NAFE, the following affiliations are available:

CORRESPONDENT
    Available to lawyers, claims personnel and other persons having an interest in forensic engineering, including engineers not meeting the qualifications for Academy membership. Correspondents are eligible to receive a copy of Academy publications, a copy of the NAFE directory, will have the use of NAFE sample Contract Documents, may become eligible to participate in the NAFE1 Yahoo Discussion Group, and may attend and participate in NAFE meetings and seminars.

INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATE
    Available to practicing forensic engineers residing outside the United States of America who hold membership in recognized engineering societies of their country and whose credentials are acceptable to the NAFE Admissions Committee. International affiliates are eligible to receive a copy of Academy publications, a copy of the NAFE Directory, are eligible to participate in the NAFE1 Yahoo Discussion Group, and may attend and participate in NAFE meetings and seminars.

STUDENT AFFILIATE
    Available to engineering undergraduate or graduate students who are student members of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and who also are student members of recognized technical societies. Student affiliates are eligible to receive the Journals of the Academy and appropriate member notices and literature (except the Academy Directory) and may attend NAFE meetings and seminars.