The American Society of Power Engineers, Inc. (ASOPE) is an independent third party licensing agency whose objective is to establish standards and a formal structured level of competence for national recognition of the power engineer.
ASOPE is not a labor organization and is not affiliated with any other organizations. ASOPE recognizes and promotes other organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Association Power Engineers, National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, International code committee and governmental regulatory agencies such as Environmental Protection Agency and OSHA.
What IS ASOPE?
ASOPE performs the following major functions:
1. Establishes and maintains uniform qualification standards for the profession of Power Engineers.
2. Promotes safety in the operation of power generating equipment.
3. Encourages the enforcement and compliance to all codes, laws, and acts assuring the protection of health, life and property, i.e., the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Public Law 91-596, and the accepted engineering practice standards of the ICC International Mechanical Code, ASME and NFPA.
4. Assists licensing agencies to determine the competence of professional Power Engineers through investigations and examinations that test the qualifications of candidates for licenses issued under the rules of ASOPE.
5. Assists States and Municipalities to establish power engineer licensing agencies and to act as a clearinghouse to facilitate reciprocity between licensing agencies.
6. Maintains a registry of all authorized ASOPE examination agencies and examiners.
7. Develops and keeps current uniform terms and definitions, updating terminology and eliminating obsolete terms.
8. Promotes the education of Power Engineers.
9. Publishes a standard curriculum for education and guideline for study requirements.
10. Acts as an advisor to educational entities engaged in teaching power engineering and technology to promote the education of the Power Engineer
History
ASOPE was conceived and organized by engineers and professionals who were and are members of other licensing agencies. These persons realize the necessity of maintaining a purely third party agency, that is not affiliated with any labor organization or other organization to avoid a conflict of interest.
These persons recognized the need for improved professional standards and testing methods that help provide competency in the diverse field of Power Engineering and help assist individuals seeking to advance in the profession of Power Engineering.
These persons realized the Power Engineer today is a person who practices the profession of Power Engineering in a more diverse field than the previous traditional boiler or steam engine operator. The Power Engineer Today may be charged with facility or building operation and maintenance including boiler and boiler auxiliary equipment operation and maintenance including HVAC, refrigeration, water, steam, air, and electrical systems and controls.
The Power Engineer may also operate maintain power boilers, turbines and generators that are connected to a grid for electrical power and co-generation of steam and electric.
While the basic principles of power engineering are the same, the magnitude of the application of varies significantly between facility and power plant operation and maintenance
ASOPE Power Engineer License Competency Program
The ASOPE Competency program was designed for persons working in the diverse profession of Power Engineering. The ASOPE competency program is open to anyone in the profession of power engineering. Participation in the competency program is voluntary.
The ASOPE program provides an individual with the means of measures designed to advance in all matters related to the safe, efficient management of energy.
The program objective is to provide the recognition and promotion of high professional standards in the field of Power Engineering demonstrated through competency testing.
Training and Examination
ASOPE is not a training provider. ASOPE will provide standardized curriculum and also act as an advisor to educational entities engaged in teaching power engineering and technology to promote the education of a Power Engineer. ASOPE may contract training with a training entity that agrees to base training on ASOPE approved curriculum.
Only ASOPE approved examiners or proctors may administer examinations. A Proctor does not need to be a licensed power engineer. The person may be a professional such as a teacher, librarian, supervisor, or clergy. Both the National ASOPE office and Regional Examination Agency must approve a person to be an examiner or proctor. Application can be made via the National or Regional office. ASOPE requires all examination administrators to enter into an Examiner/Proctor Agreement. Training and assistance for an examiner/proctor is also available through ASOPE.
Only ASOPE approved and authorized Training Organizations and Examination Agencies may use the American Society of Power Engineers name, logo and/or trademark. Please contact ASOPE or view their web page at www.asope.org to find ASOPE approved training providers. If you desire to become a approved training provider, please contact the National ASOPE office.
What is the ASOPE License Program?
The American Society of Engineers has three license program categories. The first is the Main Power Engineer Competency license program, the second is the Supplementary Power Engineer Competency license program and the last is The Hobbyist and Specialty Power Engineer Competency license program.
What is the ASOPE Main Power Engineer Competency License Program ?
The ASOPE Main Power Engineer Competency license program consists of Facilities, Power Plant and Combustion Turbine simple and combined cycle classifications.
“A person who is looking to start their career in the Power Engineering profession may start at the Facility Operating Engineer 3rd Class level, which is designed as an entry point for the person with minimal experience. As the person gains experience, they can continue to progress to Facility Operating Engineer First Class. If the person desires to progress further in the profession of Power Engineering, they may cross over to the classification of Power Plant Operating Engineer at the Facility Operating Engineer First Class level. The person may elect to use the experience gained as a Facility Operating Engineer Second Class to cross over to the classification of Power Plant Operating Engineer 3rd class.
If a person proves they meet the qualification for a particular classification and grade of license the person may take the examination for that classification and grade with out taking the lower grade examination for the classification. It is possible a person may also start their career in Combustion Turbines. This part of the program is designed for entry level to start at the Simple Cycle Combustion Turbine Operating Engineer 3rd class and progress through the various steps of the simple cycle and combined cycle combustion turbine program. A person could use their experience gained as a Simple Cycle CT Plant Operating Engineer second class to cross over to Combined Cycle CT Plant Operating Engineer Third Class.
What is the ASOPE Supplementary Power Engineer Competency License Program?
The ASOPE Power Engineer Supplementary Competency License Program consists of the classifications of Refrigeration, Diesel and Hydro. These license classifications are not used for progression in the Main Competency license program but have their own separate progression and are used also as supplements to the Main Power Engineer Competency license program.
What is the Hobbyist and Specialty Power Engineer Competency License Program?
The ASOPE Hobbyist and Specialty Power Engineer Competency License Program is designed for the Power Engineer operating and maintaining Traction Engines, Vintage Engines and Locomotive Engines. Each of theses power engineering licenses are stand alone for each classification and are not used for progression in the Main Competency or the Supplementary Competency License Programs.
This program also recognizes the power engineer who throughout his or her career worked to promote the profession of the Power Engineer.
I have a license from another organization or agency will ASOPE recognize the license?
ASOPE uses a set of rigid guidelines to maintain the high standards of their competency program. ASOPE will evaluate a particular licensing authority’s program such as a federal, state or local governmental entity to determine if the license program meets the ASOPE standards. In many situations the ASOPE competency standards are greater. To determine if your program meets the requirements, please contact the National ASOPE office
|
