Legal Definitions - board of examiners

A board of examiners is a formal committee or group of individuals appointed to evaluate the qualifications, competence, or knowledge of candidates seeking a specific license, certification, academic degree, or professional standing. These boards are typically responsible for setting examination standards, administering tests, reviewing applications, and making decisions regarding eligibility.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept:

• Example 1: State Medical Licensing Board

  Imagine a recent medical school graduate who wants to practice medicine in a particular state. Before they can treat patients, they must pass a rigorous examination and meet specific criteria set by the state's medical licensing board. This board acts as a board of examiners, assessing the graduate's medical knowledge, clinical skills, and ethical understanding to ensure they are competent and safe to practice medicine. They review the candidate's academic records, administer written and practical exams, and ultimately decide whether to grant a medical license.

• Example 2: Professional Engineering Certification Body

  A civil engineer with several years of experience wants to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) to sign off on major construction projects. They apply to a national or state professional engineering board, which functions as a board of examiners. This board evaluates their educational background, verifies their work experience, and administers comprehensive exams covering engineering principles and professional practice. Their role is to ensure that only qualified and competent engineers receive the PE designation, thereby protecting public safety and welfare.

• Example 3: University Doctoral Committee

  A university student has completed their extensive research and written their doctoral dissertation. To earn their Ph.D., they must defend their thesis before a committee of professors, often referred to as a doctoral committee or a board of examiners. This committee critically reviews the student's research, questions their methodology and findings, and assesses their understanding of the subject matter. Their collective decision determines whether the student's work meets the high academic standards required for a doctoral degree.