Engineering is one profession that offers a licensing process to ensure competency in practice. Professional engineering certification in the United States is administered by state licensing boards, and the general requirements for each step may vary.
Licenses are generally valid for one state, but often the engineer can apply for licensure in other states using his existing license. Some states have additional requirements that must be met before licensure can be granted. An engineer who is licensed can use the title Professional Engineer, and can add the letters “PE” after his name as a title.
In most states, an unlicensed person cannot refer to themselves as a practicing engineer without holding professional licensure.
Why is Professional Engineering Certification Necessary?
Engineers who have received a professional license have the authority to sign off on design documents, including studies, blueprints, and analyses, essentially taking legal responsibility for the quality of the work. The majority of professional engineers are in the civil and mechanical disciplines, primarily because of the public safety involved in their relevant design tasks.
Before the institution of professional licensure, there was no requirements for who could create design documents, and safety of designs was questioned. By earning the professional engineer title, an engineer has demonstrated competency in his field, and the title can give his customers confidence in his abilities.
Professional Engineering Certification Requirements
To qualify to begin the licensure process, an engineer must have a four-year degree in an engineering discipline from a university program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Most states follow a two-step licensing process.
- First, engineers are required to pass a Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. This is a daylong exam that consists of one session of general engineering questions and a second session of engineering questions specific to the engineer’s division, such as mechanical engineering or civil engineering. After passing this test, the engineer is considered an “engineer in training” or EIT, so this test is often called the EIT exam.
- After a period of professional experience dictated by the state, the EIT can compile a professional engineering license application. This consists of a compilation of engineering experience, recommendations from professional engineers, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. The PE exam is a daylong test that focuses specifically on the engineer’s division.
The EIT and PE exams are standardized and administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), so all engineers in all states take the same tests. Each state has different requirements for maintaining certification. For example, some states require specific levels of continuing education as part of their renewal process. According to NSPE, this can include online courses, conferences or seminars, and independent study options.
Professional engineering certification ensures that engineering designs are reviewed and accepted by qualified practicing engineers, ensuring the quality and safety of those designs.
Susan Kristoff - Susan Kristoff is mechanical engineer by trade, but has a diverse set of professional and personal interests. The glue that binds all of ...
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