National PE Day was launched by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 2016 to celebrate and raise public awareness of the contributions of licensed professional engineers in the United States.

The idea for Professional Engineers Day started with Tim Austin, PE, a professional engineer from Kansas who served as president of NSPE in 2015–16. Austin believed attention should be paid to NSPE's core principle which says "Being a licensed professional engineer means more than just holding a certificate and possessing technical competence. It is a commitment to hold the public health, safety, and welfare above all other considerations.” 

National PE Day is held the first Wednesday in August.

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