There is little dispute that the current geotechnical design process could be improved significantly by integrating the various design components (loads, soil parameters, calculation models, and factors of safety) in a more logical and self-consistent way. Reliability-based design (RBD) is the only methodology available to date that can ensure self-consistency from both physical and probabilistic requirements and is compatible with the theoretical basis underlying structural design. A comparison of structural and geotechnical LRFD developments in North America was undertaken to re-focus on the necessity of using RBD to address basic design issues, as opposed to the prevailing emphasis on resistance factors. The importance of addressing various RBD issues specific to geotechnical engineering in a robust manner was illustrated with reference to a rigorous RBD study sponsored by EPRI.