Licensure
for Engineers
By:
Dr. Soliman Khudeira, PE, SE
Engineering
Licensure
One of the
most important decisions you can make early in your engineering career is to
place yourself on a professional course and become licensed as a professional engineer
(P.E.). Many jurisdictions require
engineers to be licensed in order to practice. These requirements and high
standards help protect the public’s safety and welfare.
Licensure
demonstrates accomplishment of the high standards of professionalism to which
the engineering profession subscribes.
Licensure is a designation that sets you apart from other engineers,
enhances your career potential, and frees you to make important career
decisions such as starting your own business or consulting. Note that only
licensed professionals are allowed to offer their services to the public and
sign and seal plans for the public
Regardless
of the career path you choose to take, consider that what is standard and
accepted today in the engineering field may not be the same in the future.
While today various practice areas have been granted exemption from licensure,
these exemptions vary among jurisdictions, and there is no guarantee that these
exemptions are permanent. In fact, many jurisdictions are actively working to
eliminate some exemptions.
Obtaining a
professional license enhances your potential for salary increases and
promotions. Make your decision today and follow the path to licensure. This
path will lead you to higher wages, a wider range of career opportunities, and
a higher level of respect and credibility among your engineering peers.
Benefits
of a License
•Demonstrates
that you’ve accomplished a recognized standard
•Sets you
apart from others in your profession
•Provides
career options and opportunities that might not have been available otherwise
•Serves as a
protection of public health, safety, and welfare
Situations
where a Licensed will be Needed
Consider the
following situations that you are likely to encounter in a career spanning a
lifetime:
•You change
places of employment.
•Your
company decides to bring design and engineering services in-house
•You decide
to start your own company
•You decide
to be a consultant.
How
to Get Licensed
It varies
slightly among states, but in general, there is a four-step process required to
obtain engineering licensure:
Step 1: Graduation
The first
step is graduating from an ABET-accredited engineering program at a college or
university. ABET stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology,
the nationally recognized accrediting organization for engineering and
technology curricula.
Step 2: FE Exam
The first
exam in the licensure process is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE). This exam
is offered in April and October every year. Most students take the exam right
before graduation or soon after while the technical information they’ve studied
is still fresh in their minds. Once you pass the exam, you are classified as an
intern, also known as Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training
(EIT). See www.aaaea.org web site for
the 2008 EIT class schedule
Step 3: Work Experience
After
passing the FE exam, you will continue your journey toward professional
licensure by gaining engineering experience. Many jurisdictions have specific
requirements about the type of experience you need to gain. Most require that
you gain experience under the supervision of someone who is already licensed,
and that your experience involve increasing levels of responsibility. Once you
begin work, contact your licensing board to find out what experience is needed
and talk with professional engineers in your company to find out how you can
gain this experience.
Step 4: PE Exam
Once you
have gained the appropriate experience required, you can take the second exam
in the licensure process, the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). This
exam is given in a variety of engineering disciplines. Most disciplines are offered
in both April and October, but some are offered only in October.
After
completing all the steps in the engineering licensure process—education,
experience, and examinations—you are eligible for licensure by your licensing
board. Once you are granted licensure,
you may use
the distinguished designation “professional engineer,” or P.E.
Special
Requirements for Foreign Graduates
You may be
instructed to have your education credentials evaluated by the “Center for
Professional Engineering Education Services” or another evaluation
service. See www.aaaea.org website for
more information about this requirement
Source: National Council of Examiners for Engineers
and Surveyors (www.ncees.org)