Membership
Advance Your Practice in Forensic Engineering
Join a national community of engineers who apply technical expertise to investigations, disputes, litigation, and public-safety matters. NAFE membership provides professional recognition, advanced education, peer connections, and opportunities to contribute to the forensic engineering profession.
Get Started:
NAFE Membership May Be Right for You If You:
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Perform engineering investigations or failure analysis
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Support litigation, insurance, regulatory, or dispute-related matters
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Provide expert opinions, reports, or testimony
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Want to strengthen your forensic engineering credentials
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Value advanced technical education and peer relationships
Not sure which membership level fits your experience? Review the eligibility requirements or contact us for guidance.
Benefits of Membership
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Credentials - Build professional distinction through NAFE membership and certification. Qualified members may pursue recognition as a Board Certified Diplomate in Forensic Engineering.
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Learning - Earn continuing education through NAFE conferences, seminars, case-based presentations, webinars, and other professional programs held throughout the year.
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Community - Connect with experienced forensic engineers through the online member directory, NAFE1 Discussion Group, conferences, and mentoring program. Exchange ideas, seek advice, and build relationships with professionals across engineering disciplines.
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Publications -Receive online access to every paper published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers since 1984. Members may also submit work for peer review and contribute as published authors to the advancement of forensic engineering practice.
Find the Membership Level That Fits Your Experience
Fellow — $350/year
Senior members meeting the Academy’s highest experience and service criteria. For highly experienced forensic engineers with significant casework, testimony, publication, and NAFE service.
Senior Member — $300/year
For established forensic engineers with substantial professional, case, and courtroom experience.
Member — $250/year
For licensed professional engineers with qualifying forensic engineering and expert-witness experience.
Associate Member — $225/year
For engineers and related professionals building experience in forensic engineering.
Affiliate — $150/year
For professionals connected to or interested in forensic engineering who do not qualify for another membership level.
Student Affiliate — $50/year
For students interested in learning about forensic engineering and connecting with practitioners.
Not sure which level fits?
Review the full eligibility requirements or talk with a NAFE member before applying.
Membership Requirements
To qualify for full membership, a candidate must be a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and must be a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.). The candidate must have appropriate engineering education and experience in practice, including actual experience in forensic engineering. In addition, the candidate must provide acceptable detailed references from attorneys, senior claims managers or NAFE members who are personally familiar with his or her forensic practice and experience. Forensic engineers working towards the requirements of full membership may qualify to become an Associate of NAFE.
NAFE Members keep track of their continuing education and report their data to NAFE each year. A minimum of 100 hours accumulated over the past five years is required to maintain good standing. Seminars, training, self-study, publishing engineering articles and books, and NAFE leadership activities all qualify for credit.
For those persons new to NAFE or who are not yet eligible for full membership or Associate grade, Affiliate and Student Affiliate levels are available. See the Membership Matrix for Details.
Benefits of Board Certification
NAFE Members, Senior Members, and Fellows are recognized as Board Certified Diplomates in Forensic Engineering and may use the DFE designation after their names.
Board certification through NAFE reflects demonstrated experience, professional qualifications, and achievement in forensic engineering. NAFE’s certification program is recognized through the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), an organization established by engineering technical and professional societies, professional licensing boards, and engineering accreditation representatives.
Associate Members, Affiliates, and Student Affiliates are not Board Certified Diplomates and may not use the DFE designation.
Join the National Academy of Forensic Engineers for the 2027 Winter Conference, January 15–17, 2027, at the 