FCC Replaces Professional Engineer Regulation with Qualified Engineer Standard
Unanimous vote eases broadband data collection rules.
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously Thursday to ease broadband data collection requirements by replacing the professional engineer certification requirement with a more relaxed qualified engineer standard.
Mandated under the 2020 Broadband DATA Act, the P.E. certification requirement required providers to have their biannual BDC filings certified by a professional engineer or someone with a B.S. in engineering and direct knowledge of the network.
However, many broadband groupts, including USTelecom, NCTA, CTIA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expressed frustration about the difficulty and cost of finding licensed professional engineers with specific broadband expertise.
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In response, the FCC granted waivers to providers, allowing them to bypass the rule.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended the decision, stating, the FCC aims to eliminate rules like the P.E. requirement, that have “never actually gone into effect or been applied.”
The new rule states that BDC filings must be certified by a qualified engineer, defined as someone “familiar with the design of the network and has a minimum number of years of experience.”
Commissioner Olivia Trusty, the FCC’s newest member, supported the revision.
“Unfortunately, the current rule requiring certified professional engineers to sign providers’ biannual BDC filings is both unworkable and impractical,” she stated. “Thankfully today’s item removes that unnecessary regulatory burden that could prevent the Commission from receiving timely accurate broadband availability data. And, replaces it with a more flexible approach that has been shown to work for providers.”
Trusty emphasized that the rule change will allow for more timely and cost-efficient broadband mapping.
The change has been applauded by advocacy organizations, including the Competitive Carriers Association – a trade association that represents U.S. wireless providers.
“CCA thanks the FCC for acting to reduce regulatory burdens on broadband providers by eliminating the PE certification requirement for BDC filings,” CCA President and CEO Tim Donovan stated.
The revised rule aligned with the FCC’s March “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative, which seeks to eliminate unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
