Join ACEC Minnesota
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ACEC Minnesota represents the business interests of consulting engineering firms across the state. Membership gives your firm a seat at the table on procurement policy, transportation and water funding, professional licensure, and the regulatory decisions that set the terms your firm competes under.
Two paths lead in. Firms that practice consulting engineering apply for member firm membership. Organizations that serve the industry without practicing consulting engineering apply for affiliate membership. Start with the path that fits your organization.
Choose Your Path
For consulting engineering firms
Member Firm
For firms that practice consulting engineering in Minnesota. Member firm status carries voting rights, eligibility for Board and committee leadership, and membership in the national American Council of Engineering Companies.
Review the eligibility requirements below first.
For organizations that serve the industry
Affiliate Member
For suppliers, subconsultants, technology providers, and professional service firms in law, accounting, insurance, staffing, and finance. Affiliate membership puts your company in front of decision-makers at member firms through North Star Engineer, our website, and year-round events.
Compare tiers, then apply.
Eligibility
Membership is open to any firm that meets all four requirements below.
- Maintain an office in Minnesota.
- Employ at least one principal licensed as a Professional Engineer by the State of Minnesota.
- Practice under an organizational arrangement that does not involve a conflict of interest and does not subordinate independent professional judgment to other considerations.
- Practice consulting engineering in accordance with Minnesota Administrative Rules, Chapter 1805, Rules of Professional Conduct.
If your organization does not meet all four, affiliate membership is the right category. Go to Affiliate Membership.
Membership is firm-wide
ACEC Minnesota does not sell individual memberships. Your firm joins, and every employee of that firm becomes a member with full access to events at member rates, committees and forums, the member portal, and all member communications.
Not sure whether your firm already belongs? Check the member directory, or email us at membership@acecmn.org and we will confirm your firm’s status and set up your account.
What Member Firm Membership Delivers
Advocacy
We lobby Congress, the Legislature, state agencies, and regional and local government on procurement integrity, infrastructure funding, contract terms, and the regulatory decisions that govern how your firm does business.
Agency and client access
Direct working relationships with MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council, cities, counties, and allied organizations through committees, forums, and events.
Industry intelligence
Ongoing reporting on business, legal, regulatory, and professional developments through North Star Engineer and The (Almost) Daily Brief, plus access to ACEC Research Institute studies.
Education and leadership development
Cost-effective programming for continuing education and professional development, including the Emerging Leaders and Leadership Development programs.
Recognition
Eligibility for the Engineering Excellence Awards, Firm of the Year, Emerging Leader, Lifetime Achievement, and Distinguished Service, plus Foundation scholarship and workforce programs.
The Trusts
Membership includes access to the ACEC Business Insurance, Life/Health Insurance, and Retirement Trusts.
The full list is on the Membership Overview page.
How to Apply
1
Confirm eligibility
Check your firm against the four requirements above. If you are unsure, email us before you apply.
2
Submit the application
You provide firm details and a primary contact. Staff reviews the application for completeness and follows up on anything missing.
3
Verification and activation
Staff verifies your firm against the four published requirements. Any firm that meets them qualifies. We then invoice your dues, and membership activates once payment clears.
Questions before you apply? Email us at membership@acecmn.org.
Common Questions
Can I join as an individual?
No. Membership is held by the firm. If your employer is a member, you are already a member and only need a portal account. Email us to have one set up.
What do dues cost?
Member firm dues are assessed at the firm level and scale with firm size. Email us for an estimate for your firm.
How long does it take?
Staff verifies eligibility against the four published requirements. A complete application clears quickly. There is no waiting period and no vote on your application.
Our firm has offices in several states. Does that matter?
You need at least one Minnesota office and one Minnesota-licensed principal. ACEC Minnesota membership covers your Minnesota operations. Other states are served by their own councils.
We do not meet the firm requirements. What are our options?
Apply for affiliate membership. It is built for organizations that serve the consulting engineering industry without practicing it.
Want to talk it through before you apply? Email us and we will walk through eligibility and dues with you.