Membership Requirements

Membership Dues and guidelines relating to TCEL Full Membership Eligibility

Each Full Member Firm has one vote in matters before TCEL and meetings are held annually.  At the present time, each firm is required to pay a one-time initiation fee of $100.00, with annual membership dues assessed based on $40.00 per employee include all Texas-based engineers, scientists, and related technical staff, not to include administrative staff – accounting, legal, human resources, and similar. Current minimum and maximum annual dues, which are reviewed on an annual basis, are $500.00 and $2,500.00. 

1. All engineering services provided by Member Firms must be under the direction and supervision of a professional engineer licensed in the State of Texas. The licensed engineer in responsible charge must be a full-time employee of the Member Firm. The Member Firm’s testing and inspection activities shall be accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity assessment -- Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection, ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, or AASHTO R 18 Standard Recommended Practice for Establishing and Implementing a Quality System for Construction Materials Testing Laboratories.  The construction materials testing laboratory shall also be accredited to the requirements of ASTM Standard E329.
   
   
2. The firm must be registered in Texas to perform engineering services and operate under the Laws of The State of Texas.
   
   
3. More than 75 percent of the Member Firm’s business must be for the public, rather than for special interest having part or whole ownership of the firm. It must not be affiliated with any academic or governmental institution, nor with any outside interest of manufacturing companies, nor any trade group in any manner, which might affect its capacity to maintain its independence. Further, it shall not, directly, or indirectly, endorse, certify, advertise, or otherwise promote the sales or public acceptance of any product or services offered by any company with which the firm is legally and/or financially associated.
   
   
4. Member Firms must have at least two years of proven business financial stability and professional experience under the existing ownership at the time of application for membership.
   
5. Member Firms shall not own or be owned in whole or in part by another eligible non-member firm conducting business in the State of Texas.
   
6. Member Firms shall support TCEL’s endorsed programs, published manuals of practice, and any professional standards applicable to the discipline for which it offers services. Member Firms must maintain all legally required licenses, certificates, and registrations in the discipline of services it provides. Its President, or designated officer, must agree to abide by and be governed by TCEL’s by-laws.
   

Associate Member Requirements and Dues

1. An Associate shall comply with the requirements of Article III, Sections 2. a.1 and 2.a.4, Section 2.c, and Article VII of the TCEL Bylaws – listed below for reference:

2. Associates shall have no vote, nor shall any of their representatives be eligible to hold elected office in TCEL but may serve on or chair any committee.

3. Years of Service:  The Associate shall have at least two years of proven business financial stability and professional experience under the existing ownership at the time of application for associate membership.

4. A firm or individual employed by a firm that would otherwise meet the requirements of Membership for a Member Firm or solely performs services offered by a Member Firm are not eligible to be an Associate Member. Member Firms or individuals employed by a Member Firm are not eligible for Associate Membership (by way of Firm or Individual categories).

5. Annual Dues for a firm or individual who qualifies for Associate Membership will be:  

• • Individual    $100.00
  • Texas Firm    $250.00
  • Large Firm with Office in Texas    $500.00