WHAT IS THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF FORENSIC ENGINEERS?
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The National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE ®) is a professional organization formed in 1982 to advance the art and skill of engineers who serve as engineering consultants to members of the legal profession and as expert witnesses in courts of law, arbitration proceedings and administrative adjudication proceedings.
 

NAFE was formed to identify and bring together professional engineers having qualifications and expertise as practicing forensic engineers to further their continuing education and promote high standards of professional ethics and excellence of practice.
 

To qualify for membership, a candidate must have appropriate engineering education and experience in practice, including actual experience in forensic engineering. In addition, the candidate must provide acceptable detailed references from attorneys, senior claims managers or NAFE members who are personally familiar with his or her forensic practice and experience.
 

The National Academy of Forensic Engineers is formally affiliated with the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and has adopted the NSPE Code of Ethics.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF FORENSIC ENGINEERS?

The National Academy of Forensic Engineers seeks to lead in the ethical practice of forensic engineering by fostering competent, independent and unbiased application of engineering principles within the jurisprudence system.

BOARD CERTIFICATION
The NAFE is a founding (charter) member of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB). The CESB was formed by national engineering technical and professional societies, the state examining boards who license professional engineers and the accreditation board which governs the university engineering curricula.

All of the members of NAFE are Board Certified Diplomates of the CESB through the NAFE.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
The services that NAFE members receive include:
Listing in the NAFE Directory, which is distributed to major bar associations, insurance groups, engineering societies and others.    
    A copy of the NAFE Directory.
    A subscription to The Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, which publishes papers by NAFE Members on a variety of issues of concern to practicing forensic engineers.    
    The NAFE Newsletter and special mailings with current information of particular interest to forensic engineers.
    Special (low cost) insurance program for forensic engineers available to NAFE members.
    Information on NAFE seminars, held at least semi-annually.        
    NAFE seminars provide an opportunity to meet directly with other forensic engineering practitioners and receive counsel and advice from Academy officers, and members.

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 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 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.
 

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