Board Certified Experts

What is a Board Certified Diplomate?

A Diplomate is a Board Certified Professional.  The designation is considered one of the highest in the field.  About 700 engineers have achieved the status of Diplomate within the Academy. A Board Certified Engineer has had at least ten years of progressive experience after earning their first engineering degree and has achieved a master's degree (or has had extensive experience - at least 30 years). A Board Certified water resources engineer has demonstrated advanced knowledge in at least one of the areas of the Body of Knowledge (BoK) in water resources engineering. An engineer becomes a Diplomate through achieving advanced experience, licensure, and education, as well as passing a board examination. Although, with enough experience, the exam can be waived.

The Academy has three different types of Diplomates: regular, retired, and Honorary. 

• Regular Diplomates must meet all the requirements of a Diplomate be active in the profession.  They need to renew their certification annually and are required to pay the full recertification fee and earn, on average, 20 PDHs per year.
• Retired Diplomates are those who are no longer active in the profession.  Retired Diplomates pay a lower recertification fee and aren’t required to obtain any PDHs. 
• Honorary Diplomates are only nominated by AAWRE Board members.  However, anyone may contact AAWRE staff if they have a nomination, which can be then forwarded to the Board for consideration.  Honorary Diplomates are individuals who have made a significant contribution to the profession and generally do not meet all the requirements of a regular Diplomate, although they may.  Honorary Diplomates do not pay any fees and are not required to obtain any PDHs, nor are they required to renew their certification.