Are you ready to accept the Obligation of an Engineer?
The Order of the Engineer was established in the United States to inspire pride and responsibility in the engineering profession, bridge the gap between academic training and professional experience, and present to the public a visible symbol identifying engineers.
The first ceremony took place on June 4, 1970, at Cleveland State University. Since then, similar ceremonies have been held across the United States, inviting graduates and registered engineers to accept the Obligation of the Engineer and receive a stainless steel ring. These ceremonies are organized by Links, the local sections of the Order.
The Order is not a membership organization—there are no meetings to attend or dues to pay. Instead, it fosters a lifelong commitment to the unity of purpose and the honoring of one’s pledge.
The Obligation of the Engineer is a creed similar to the Hippocratic Oath, traditionally taken by medical graduates. It sets forth an ethical code and incorporates elements of the Canon of Ethics from major engineering societies. By voluntarily accepting the Obligation, initiates a pledge to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession and serve humanity by responsibly utilizing Earth’s precious resources.
The Obligation is also reminiscent of the Canadian “Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer,” which originated in 1926. That ceremony, featuring a wrought iron ring, a secret ritual, and an oath authorized by Rudyard Kipling, remains exclusive to Canada due to copyright and other constraints. The Order of the Engineer in the United States, established in 1970, adopted the premise of the Ritual. For more information, visit: http://www.order-of-the-engineer.org.
If your answer to the question above is “YES,” and you are graduating with an engineering degree this semester or are a faculty member or alum who has not yet taken the Obligation, you are invited to participate. For additional details, refer to the FAQ section below or contact Debbie Jones at djones@eng.ufl.edu.
Order of the Engineer: Summer 2026
Venue: Virtual/ZOOM
Ceremony Date: August 3, 7 PM to 8 PM.
Registration: The cost to register is $25. The link to register will be accessible from this webpage starting on July 20. Registration will be open from July 20-24 but will be limited to the first 250 registrants. There will not be a waitlist for this event.
Ring Sizing Sessions: Because this is a virtual ceremony, in-person ring sizing sessions will not be offered. Participants will be responsible for providing their ring size on the registration form at the time of sign-up.
Order of the Engineer: Fall 2026
Venue: J. W. Reitz Grand Ballroom
Ceremony Date: Saturday, December 12, 11 AM to 1 PM. Light pastries and coffee will be available for participants and their guests from 10 AM to 11 AM.
Registration: The cost to register is $25. The link to register will be accessible from this webpage starting on November 2. Registration will be open from November 2-6 but will be limited to the first 250 registrants. There will not be a waitlist for this event.
Ring Sizing Sessions: Ring Sizing Sessions are mandatory for all current HWCOE students. HWCOE faculty and alumni participating in the ceremony will be responsible for providing their ring size at the time of registration. Ring Sizing Sessions for current students will take place in Weil Hall 200, November 16-19. Times for these sessions will be announced when registration opens.
Guests: Limit of 2 guests per student participant. This limit will be strictly enforced due to limited venue capacity. Requests for additional guests cannot be accommodated.
- Graduating Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering undergraduate for the current semester.
- Current Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering faculty
- Alumni of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
Business professional attire is recommended. The Order of the Engineer ceremony is a public event emphasizing the professionalism of engineering. Photos may be taken and used in local newspapers, UF publications, and UF websites.
No. All participants must attend the full ceremony and take the oath to receive the ring and become a member of the Order of the Engineer.
To ensure a comfortable experience for all, seating is limited to two guests per student.
Registration for the Summer ceremony will open on July 20, 2026.
Link to register: TBD
The Engineer’s Ring in the United States is a stainless steel ring, worn on the fifth finger of the working hand by engineers who have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer in a Ring Ceremony.
To determine ring size, current students are required to attend an on-campus ring sizing session. Faculty and alumni may obtain their ring size by visiting a local jeweler or measuring their finger independently using this courtesy ring sizing chart.