What is a PE?

Home Licensure What is a PE?

To a client, it means you've got the credentials to earn their trust. To an employer, it signals
your ability to take on a higher level of responsibility. Among your colleagues, it demands
respect. To yourself, it's a symbol of pride and measure of your own hard-won achievement.

To become licensed, engineers must complete a four-year college degree, work under a
Professional Engineer for at least four years, pass two intensive competency exams and earn
a license from their state's licensure board. Then, to retain their licenses, PEs must
continually maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers.

Yet the results are well worth the effort. By combining their specialized skills with their high
standards for ethics and quality assurance, PEs help make us healthier, keep us safer and
allow all of us to live better lives than ever before.

A century ago, anyone could work as an engineer without proof of competency. In order to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the first engineering licensure law was enacted
in 1907 in Wyoming. Now every state regulates the practice of engineering to ensure public
safety by granting only Professional Engineers (PEs) the authority to sign and seal
engineering plans and offer their services to the public.

To use the PE seal, engineers must complete several steps to ensure their competency.

Earn a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited engineering program

Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Complete four years of progressive engineering experience under a PE
Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam

What makes a PE different from an engineer?

PEs must also continuously demonstrate their competency and maintain and improve their
skills by fulfilling continuing education requirements depending on the state in which they
are licensed.

Only a licensed engineer may prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans
and drawings to a public authority for approval, or seal engineering work for public
and private clients.
PEs shoulder the responsibility for not only their work, but also for the lives affected
by that work and must hold themselves to high ethical standards of practice.
Licensure for a consulting engineer or a private practitioner is not something that is
merely desirable; it is a legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of
work, be they principals or employees.
Licensure for engineers in government has become increasingly significant. In many
federal, state, and municipal agencies, certain governmental engineering positions,
particularly those considered higher level and responsible positions, must be filled by
licensed professional engineers.
Many states require that individuals teaching engineering must also be licensed.
Exemptions to state laws are under attack, and in the future, those in education, as

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well as industry and government, may need to be licensed to practice. Also, licensure
helps educators prepare students for their future in engineering.

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Why Get Licensed?
"Basically being a PE means that you are at the top of your game, top of your profession.
They don't just hand that out to anybody." -- Randal E. Riebel, P.E.

Licensure is the mark of a professional. It's a standard recognized by employers and their
clients, by governments and by the public as an assurance of dedication, skill and quality.

There are many powerful reasons both professional and personal for earning and
maintaining a PE license. Only a licensed engineer, for instance, may prepare, sign, seal and
submit engineering plans and drawings to an public authority for approval, or to seal
engineering work for public and private clients.

For consulting engineers and private practitioners, licensure is a virtual necessity. In fact, it is
a legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of work, be they principals or
employees.

More and more with each passing day, government agencies, educational institutions and
private industries are requiring that they hire and contract only with licensed professional
engineers. This is a trend that is almost certain to continue in the future.

Today, no matter what career path a professional engineer chooses, a successful, ongoing
career virtually requires PE licensure.

Just as the CPA defines the accountant, and a law license defines the lawyer, the PE
license tells the public that you have mastered the critical elements of your profession. It
demonstrates your commitment to the highest standardsof engineering practice. It's also proof
of your ability to offer engineering services directly to the public - something only a licensed
PE can do. The PE after your name is an advantage that will open doors for the rest of your
life.

Five Reasons to Get Licensed

1. Prestige: PEs are respected by the public and are seen in the same light as licensed
professionals in other fields. PEs are also held in high esteem by their peers within the
engineering community, who see the PE as part of an elite group.
2. Career Development: Employers are impressed with engineers who have their PE
license. Licensure not only enhances your stature, it shows commitment to the
profession and demonstrates heightened leadership and management skills. Licensure
is also a necessity for rising to increased levels of authority and responsibility.
3. Authority: Only PEs can sign and seal engineering drawings; and only PEs can be in
responsible charge of a firm in private practice or serve as a fully qualified expert
witness. Also, many government agencies and educational institutions are
emphasizing licensure among their engineers as well.
4. Flexibility: Have a PE license opens up your career options. You can become a
specialist, or establish your own business. It also protects you during industry
downsizing or outsourcing. The PE license allows you to go as far as your initiative
and talent will take you.

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 5. Money: Studies have shown that most PEs earn higher pay throughout their business
careers. Having your PE allows expanded opportunities beyond a company structure -
as an independent consultant for example.

Advantages of Licensure
Home Licensure Why Get Licensed Advantages of Licensure

Licensure, first of all, is the mark of a professional. The licensure process demands an extra
measure of competence and dedication. While not all engineers find licensure mandatory for
their chosen career paths, the PE initials after their names can provide many advantages.

Employers in all disciplines indicate that they find licensed professional engineer employees
to be more dedicated, with enhanced leadership and management skills. These employers
look to licensure in evaluating the advancement potential of employees.

Licensed engineers also achieve an enhanced status in the eyes of the public, which equates
the engineer with professionals licensed in other fields.

Licensure is an indicator of dedication to integrity, hard work, and creativity, and an

assurance that the individual engineer has passed at least a minimum screen of competence.
Of course, licensure is just a starting point for professional growth and development, and
participation in professional activities is part of the ongoing activities of a true professional.

Regardless of the career path you choose to take, there are a number of practical
considerations concerning licensure of which you should be aware:

Only a licensed engineer may prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans and
drawings to a public authority for approval, or seal engineering work for public and private
clients.
Licensure for individuals who wish to pursue a career as a consulting engineer or a private
practitioner is not something that is merely desirable; it is a legal requirement for those who
are in responsible charge of work, be they principals or employees.
Licensure for engineers in government has become increasingly significant. Many federal,
state, and municipal agencies require that certain governmental engineering positions,
particularly those considered higher level and responsible positions, be filled only by
licensed professional engineers.
For those considering a career in education, many states have been increasingly requiring
that those individuals teaching engineering must be licensed. Exemptions to state laws are
under attack, and in the future, those in education, as well as industry and government, may
need to be licensed to practice. Also, licensure helps educators prepare students for their
future in engineering.
With the growing complexity and the increasing diversity of modern construction processes
and techniques, the engineer in construction must readily be able to communicate and
exchange ideas and views with other licensed design engineers.

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 For those pursuing careers in industry, licensure has recently taken on increased meaning
with heightened public attention concerning product safety, environmental issues, and
design defects. Employers have found it advantageous to identify to the courts and the
public those employees who have met at least a minimum level of competence.
Engineers in the military must have the credentials to stay with the service in the face of
downsizing or to make the transition to the private sector.
The scope of engineering practice is constantly changing, and engineering activities that may
be exempt today may eventually shift into a practice area that one day requires a license (for
example, research and development may find practical application in the facilities
design/construction process, requiring the practitioner to be licensed).
State engineering boards are increasingly seeking and obtaining the authority to impose civil
penalties against unlicensed individuals who unlawfully engage in the practice of
engineering.
Engineers must adapt to a rapidly changing workplace-restructuring, downsizing,
outsourcing, privatization, and re-engineering. Engineers should prepare to make the
transition into a consulting relationship with former employers and clients in the event of a
corporate outsourcing and respond if their corporation decides to bring design and
engineering services in-house. Only by becoming licensed can an engineer perform the
broad scope of engineering services within an area of competence as defined under state
law.

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How To Get Licensed
Home Licensure How To Get Licensed

Becoming licensed as a professional engineer is a well-earned honor, as well as an indication

to employers and clients of the skills you bring to your work. That's why NSPE helps
candidates throughout the entire licensure process, in every way we can.

Though the specific requirements for licensure can differ from state to state, licensure
candidates follow the same basic steps throughout the U.S. and its territories:

Step 1: Become an Engineer Intern

If you're a graduate from an engineering program approved by your state's licensure board,
you can become classified as an "engineer intern" or "engineer-in-training" by successfully
completing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Achieving EI or EIT status signals
that you have mastered the fundamental requirements and taken the first step toward earning
your PE licensure.

NSPE offers a range of FE exam preparation and review resources for EI and EIT candidates.

Step 2: Gain professional experience

All states require that candidates complete four years of qualifying engineering experience,
typically under the supervision of a professional engineer. In many cases, your school can
guide you to engineering jobs in your area, or you can take advantage of NSPE's Career
Center and search for the right opportunity on our Job Board.

Step 3: Learn your state's licensure requirement

Each state (as well as the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories) has its own licensure
board, administering its own exam and required qualifications. To find out more about your
state's licensure requirements, visit the Web site of your state licensing board state-by-state
summary.

Step 4: Prepare for and take the PE exam

In most cases, the final step in attaining licensure is successfully completing the Principles
and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in your state.

As a service to members, NSPE has evaluated a wide range of exam review and
preparation courses in all media from in-person study to online and self-study courses. Take a
moment to browse through our catalog to find the option that's right for you.

For additional information, please visit our Licensure FAQ page.

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Maintaining a License
Home Licensure Maintaining a License

For dedicated professional engineers, earning a PE license is just the beginning. Many state
licensing boards require that PEs maintain and improve their skills through continuing
education courses and other opportunities for professional development.

NSPE State-by-State Summary of Continuing Education Requirements for Professional

Engineers

NSPE has put together a chart of the state continuing education requirements for professional
engineers (Updated: April 25, 2016). To find out about licensure requirements, dates and
locations of licensure exams, contact your state/territory licensure board.

Licensure Issues

NSPE-NAFE Joint Position on Forensic Engineering

Labor Organizations and an Engineer's Obligation to the Public
Licensure and Qualifications for Practice
Engineering Faculty Licensure
Engineering Continuing Professional Competency
Engineering Technology
Early Taking of the PE Exam
Licensure of Returning Veterans

Web Seminars

Develop and hone your professional skills without leaving your own workstation by
participating in NSPE's upcoming and archived Web seminars. Set aside just 90 minutes in
your workday to gain insight on today's hottest topics from the field's most knowledgeable
leaders. Learn more.

Independent Study

Whether you choose to study online, by DVD, or in print, NSPE and its partners provide you
with a rich selection of independent study options that explore topics from every corner of the
engineering spectrum, helping you keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. Learn more.

Events

From NSPE's must-attend Professional Engineers Conference to popular state and local
events, online forums, and industry-wide roundtable meetings, NSPE membership provides
you with a range of opportunities to meet, learn, and network with other professional
engineers both in your area and from across the country. Learn more.

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NSPE Protects Your PE License
Home Licensure NSPE Protects Your PE License

A professional engineer is obligated to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Since 1934, NSPE has served as an advocate for licensed professional engineers across the
nation and assists them in upholding the duty of protecting the public. The Society also
supports members and state societies to combat efforts to devalue engineering licensure and
to expand the role of licensed engineers to improve public safety.

9/16/2015

NSPE Warns: Proposed Model Code Could Increase Litigation Against PEs

An effort by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations to address climate change

and infrastructure resiliency could create negative consequences for professional engineers,
says NSPE.

NSPE believes that the WFEOs Model Code of Practice document is, at its core, a
thoughtful document on an important issue: how to address the increasing challenges posed
by climate change to infrastructure resiliency. However, the standards and provisions within
the draft document could establish a new standard of care for professional engineers that far
exceeds the existing duties and responsibilities of the professional engineer.

The Society is urging the American Association of Engineering Societies representative to

the WFEO to recommend that the document be modified to address the provisions that will
expose professional engineers to potential increased claims and litigation.

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Licensure FAQs
Home Licensure Resources Licensure FAQs

Questions

Does NSPE license PEs?

In general, what are the requirements for licensure as a professional engineer?
Who accredits the engineering progam?
Who prepares the licensure examination?
When can I take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination?
What happens if I pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam?
When can I take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination and what does it
mean when I pass it?
Are there other ways of qualifying to take the examination other than through an approved
engineering degree?
Who would pass upon my application to determine if I meet the necessary requirements?
Why is an examination required if I already have a degree?
Is licensure good only in the state granting the license, or is it recognized elsewhere?
What is the attitude of employers toward engineering licensure?
How and where can I prepare for the examinations?
How much will licensure cost me?
How do I go about it?

Answers

Does NSPE license PEs?

NSPE does not license PEs. Licensing authority and requirements for PEs falls under the
jurisdiction of the licensing board for the state, district, or country in which an engineer
practices. The national organization that represents the state boards is the National Council of
Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

In general, what are the requirements for licensure as a professional engineer?

The language and specific provisions of state engineering licensure laws vary from state to
state, but virtually every state law outlines a four-step process under which an applicant who
has (1) a four-year engineering degree in a program approved by the state engineering
licensure board, (2) four years of qualifying engineering experience, and who successfully
completes (3) the eight-hour Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination, and (4) the
eight- hour Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination will be licensed as a
professional engineer.

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Who accredits the engineering progam?

State licensing boards typically approve engineering programs accredited by the
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), and the Canadian

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Accreditation Board (CAD), but may approve others as having equal standing. State board
approval of an engineering educational program is often based on ABET accreditation.

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Who prepares the licensure examination?

The two written examinations are prepared by the National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). All states use the examinations prepared by the
NCEES.

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When can I take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination?

Almost all states now permit engineering graduates to take the first part of the exam covering
the fundamentals of engineering at the time of or several months before graduation from an
engineering curriculum approved by the state board. A few states permit individuals without
degrees who have four or more years of engineering experience to take the fundamentals of
engineering examination. However, the number of states permitting non-degreed individuals
to take the FE examination is dwindling.

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What happens if I pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam?

Passing this exam legally certifies the candidate as an "engineer in training" (EIT), or an
"engineer intern" (EI).

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When can I take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination and what does
it mean when I pass it?
Generally four more years of experience are required before the EIT or EI is permitted to sit
for the PE exam. Passing the PE exam qualifies the candidate as a licensed professional
engineer.

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Are there other ways of qualifying to take the examination other than through an approved
engineering degree?
Each state has a different method of weighing unapproved engineering study, four-year
engineering technology programs, four-year study in a science related to engineering,
graduate study in engineering, the teaching of engineering, and engineering experience. In
addition, each state has its own rule regarding licensure through long-established practice,
licensure by eminence, and licensure without examination. You should consult each state's
rules for its individual requirements.

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Who would pass upon my application to determine if I meet the necessary requirements?
Each application for licensure is evaluated by the state engineering licensure board. The state
statutes set forth the basic requirements for licensure and delegates to the board the authority

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to determine if the applicant meets the established requirements. In those states having a rule
which permits licensure through long-established practice, by eminence, or without
examination, the state board also determines from the application and interview whether or
not the applicant must take an examination -- either both parts or only the principles and
practice portion. Engineering licensure boards are composed of licensed professional
engineers with proven ability and experience. Thus, applicants are assured that members of
the profession evaluate their qualifications, rather than individuals unfamiliar with
engineering activities. Some states also have lay members on their licensure boards, but these
public members generally do not participate in evaluation activities.

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Why is an examination required if I already have a degree?

It has generally been recognized that a degree in and of itself may not be sufficient to
demonstrate the desired level of professional competency. There are fundamental differences
between success in a formal education program and the ability to practice a profession
involving the public health, safety, and welfare. This distinction has been recognized and
accepted by the other professions, such as law and medicine, which also require examinations
for a state license to practice. A licensure examination tests more than technical knowledge,
although that is a large part of it. It also involves an understanding of ethics, professional
concepts, and the application of principles to practice. Finally, an examination prescribes the
same standard for all, regardless of educational background, extent of schooling, and
experience.

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Is licensure good only in the state granting the license, or is it recognized elsewhere?
A professional engineer must meet the engineering licensure requirements in each state in
which the professional engineer seeks to practice. Practically all states, however, provide for
licensure by comity if a professional engineer is already licensed in another state, with
requirements at least equal to the those in the state in which licensure is being sought. As a
general rule, a professional engineer who has (1) an approved four-year engineering degree,
(2) four years of qualifying engineering experience, and who successfully completes (3) the
eight-hour Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination and (4) the eight-hour Principles
and Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination will be able to get licensed in virtually every
state without difficulty.

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What is the attitude of employers toward engineering licensure?

There is probably no employer of engineers today who wouldn't like to have all qualified
engineering employees become licensed. Engineering licensure constitutes an integral part of
the program of professional development of many companies; so much so, in fact, that many
progressive companies have specific policies encouraging licensure and providing concrete
assistance to engineers taking their first steps toward licensure. Examples of such assistance
being offered by several employers include making available information on licensure
requirements and procedures; assistance in the preparing and filing of application forms;
payment by the company of the required fees; and sponsorship of review courses.

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How and where can I prepare for the examinations?
Many firms, as part of their programs of assistance to engineers seeking licensure, sponsor
comprehensive review courses on basic engineering subjects. In addition, many local
chapters of the state societies of professional engineers sponsor review courses several times
a year, and some engineering schools also provide assistance along these lines. NSPE also
sponsors an excellent PE Review Refresher Correspondence Course. Also, ask your employer
or local NSPE chapter when and where the next review course will be held.

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How much will licensure cost me?

You should check with your state board for the exact fees which vary from state to state.
Usually the applicant must pay an initial fee which is submitted with the exam application
and an additional fee upon successful completion of the licensure procedure. For EI or EIT
certification, the total fee is generally anywhere between $10 and $100, depending upon the
state. There is a nominal annual renewal fee which varies according to the state in which you
are licensed. The value of licensure can't be computed on a dollar and cents basis. The
greatest value of licensure is intrinsic -- that sense of pride, confidence, and achievement
which comes with admission into a legally recognized profession.

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How do I go about it?

The procedures for obtaining licensure are not complex. If your employer has an assistance
program, you can probably get helpful information on requirements, application forms, and
preparation for the examination. However, the most accurate and complete source of
information regarding licensure is your state engineering licensure board. You should be
aware that most states require that applications be submitted well in advance of, the April and
October test dates. NSPE publishes a complete list of the state engineering licensure boards,
which includes all boards' addresses, telephone numbers, and individuals to contact. Finally,
NSPE's state-by-state summary of the requirements for engineering licensure mentioned
earlier is an excellent source of information concerning the rules and procedures for obtaining
licensure. Remember, it won't ever get easier to become licensed than it is now. State
requirements will get more stringent and the time lapse between getting your degree and
taking the exam will grow. So don't hesitate; don't delay; pursue licensure now!

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