Recap of presentation by Dave Blume on PE Licensure and tips to study for the exam.

1. PE Licensure
Information Session
October 29, 2020

2. PRESENTATION
OUTLINE
- Participating
organizations intro
- The Path to PE
Licensure by Dave
Blume
- Intro Panelists
- Q & A Session
- Raffle

3. INTRO OF
PARTICIPATING
ORGANIZATIONS

4. Engineers Without Borders – Minnesota Professional Chapter
EWB-USA builds a better world through engineering
projects that empower communities to meet their
basic human needs and equip leaders to solve the
world’s most pressing challenges.
Current projects include:
Rio Azul, Guatemala High School
Aldea Patzac, Guatemala Elementary School
Santa Rosa, Peru Clean Accessible Water
Minneapolis Housing Energy Audit
Wisconsin Library Restoration
Website: ewb-mn.org
Contact: information@ewb-mn.org
www.facebook.com/EWB.MN VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
ENERGY AUDIT, RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
GRANT WRITING
WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
FUNDRAISING AND FINANCE

5. Engineering Alliance of Minnesota
Engineering Alliance Minnesota, formerly the MN Society of Professional Engineers, safeguards
Minnesota’s engineering community by 1) Preserving the power and prestige of the PE license as a
standard for qualified practice that protects the public; 2) Protecting the careers of engineers by offering
accessible, relevant and affordable continuing education; and 3) Bringing together the future of the
engineering industry by leading a collaborative effort with others in the STEM community to provide long-
term solutions to workforce development challenges.
Upcoming Events include:
MN Mathcounts
Changing Speed Limits in Minnesota Seminar
Industry 4.0 Seminar
Monthly Programs for all Engineering Disciplines
Website: www.engineeringalliancemn.org
Contact: registration@engineeringalliancemn.org
Become a Member:
https://www.engineeringalliancemn.org/general/custom.asp?page=JoinorRenew

6. National Society of Black Engineers Twin Cities Professionals
NSBE-TCPC
Mission
“to increase the number of culturally
responsible Black engineers who excel
academically, succeed professionally,
and positively impact the community.”
Key Programs
• Professional Development Workshops
• Collegiate Mentorship Program
• 5-For-5 Initiative
Website: nsbetcpc.org
Instagram: @nsbetcpc
Contact: president@nsbetcpc.org

7. Minnesota Structural Engineers Association – Young Member Group
The goal of Young Member Group of the Minnesota
Structural Engineers Association (MNSEA YMG) is to assist
young engineers as they build their careers in the structural
engineering profession. We do this by offering training,
networking, leadership and community outreach
opportunities to our members.
Recent and upcoming Events include:
- Pillsbury Hall Virtual Site Tour - June
- National Online Trivia Night – August
- SIMPSON Strong-Tie FRP Event - Oct 27th
- Lower Landing Virtual Site Tour – November
- First Year of Your Career Presentations - December
Website: http://www.mn-sea.org/ymg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mnsea-ymg/
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/MNSEAYMG/
Contact: mnsea.ymg@gmail.com

8. Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Twin Cities Professional Chapter
The SHPE Twin Cities Professional Chapter (SHPE-TC) is a non-profit that has served the Twin Cities
for over 25 years by promoting personal and professional growth and increasing educational
opportunities. Our vision is to change lives by empowering our local Hispanic/Latinx community to
realize its fullest potential and impact the Twin Cities through STEM awareness, access, support and
development.
Website: http://www.shpetwincities.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shpetc
Instagram: mnsea.ymg@gmail.com
Contact: vicepresident@shpetwincities.org
Key Programs:
- Professional development, networking, and community
outreach events for our members.
- Scholarships and mentoring support to local Hispanic
college and high school students pursuing STEM careers.
- Annual Noche de Ciencias events to inspire STEM in local
high schools

9. THE PATH TO
LICENSURE
By Dave Blume

10. Engineering
Architecture
Geology
Soil Science
Landscape
Architecture
Land Surveying
Interior
Design
A
E
L
S
L
A
G
I
D

11. A
E
L
S
L
A
G
I
D
THE PATH TO
ENGINEERING
LICENSURE

12. Your Presenter
 Dave Blume, PE
Dave serves on the Board’s Executive Committee as
Secretary. He has worked in the electrical engineering
industry for more than 25 years. As the Electrical
Department Head and Chief Electrical Engineer at Gausman
& Moore, Dave leads projects in the government, military,
healthcare, educational, institutional, commercial and
industrial sectors. He has been a partner in the firm since
2009. Dave also served in the US Air Force for 12 years,
flying the F-4. This background as a fighter pilot allowed him
to develop a solution-oriented, decisive leadership style,
particularly on the 100+ projects he’s completed with the
US Army Corps of Engineers.

13. Overview
 About the Board
 Licensure: It’s Value to You and the Public
 The Licensure Process:
Education
Examination
Experience
THE PATH TO LICENSURE

14. Board Mission
 AELSLAGID regulates the professions and enforces
the statutes and rules in order to protect
the health, safety and welfare of the public.
#1 JOB:
PROTECT THE
PUBLIC

15. Board Mission
 Licensed engineers have met and continue to
maintain certain competencies:
Meet the education, examination and experience
standards for licensure or certification
Maintain their records in good standing
Follow a code of professional conduct
PUBLIC
PROTECTION

16. Make-up of the Board
 21 Board Members
3 Architects
5 professional Engineers
2 Land Surveyors
2 Landscape Architects
1 professional Geologist
1 professional
soil scientist
2 certified
Interior Designers
5 public members

17. The Work of the Board
 Promulgate Rules
 Enforce Statutes and
Rules (Disciplinary Action)
 Evaluate candidates against the
requirements for licensure and
approve applications for licensure

18. A Short History of Licensure
 Before registration/licensing anyone could work as an
engineer without proof of competency. Most with any
credibility were in the military
 1818 (England) – Institute of Civil Engineers formed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_Council
 1847 (England) – Institute of Mechanical Engineers
formed
 1871 (England) – Institute of Electrical Engineers
formed
 1897 (England) – first engineering qualification exam
administered

19. A Short History of Licensure
 1907 - Wyoming became the first state to require engineering
registration prompted by faulty irrigation design
 1920 - National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
(NCEES) was formed to address a need for a national council to
help improve uniformity of laws and to promote mobility of
licensure (uniform basis of examination and registration)
throughout the country https://ncees.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/11/NCEES-history-web.pdf
 1925 - National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) formed to
protect engineers from unqualified practitioners, build recognition
for engineers, and stand against unethical practices and inadequate
compensation
 1932 – Adoption of Model Law for registration by NCEES
 1950 - All states require licensing

20. A Short History of Licensure
 1955 - First multi-state common exam administered in
eight states
 1956 - American Council of Engineering Companies
(ACEC) formed representing engineering firms and
business practices rather than individuals
 1996 - First multiple choice exams administered
 2014 - First Computer Based Test (CBT) administered
for the Fundaments of Engineering (FE)
 2017 - First CBT administered for the Principles and
Practices of Engineering (PE)

21. What Licensure
Means for You
 Do you know what you’ll do
when you graduate?
 Where do you see yourself
in five years?
 What about 10 years?
20 or 30?

22. What Licensure
Means for You
 What do hiring firms look
for?
 How can you stand out as
having the knowledge,
skills, and experience
employers want?

23. What Licensure
Means for the Public
 Has the education,
experience, and technical
knowledge for the job
 Has an obligation to
safeguard the public

24. State Law and
Engineering Practice
 If you are not licensed you can’t call
yourself a “professional engineer” or
use the abbreviation “PE” or imply
you are one/are licensed.
 By statute, some state agencies
require plans and reports be
specified/signed by a licensed
professional engineer
 Firms bidding on public works
projects may be required to have a
professional engineer in “responsible
charge” of a project.

25. A PE License Is A Valuable Asset
 In a stack of resumes, yours stands out
 You typically earn more than peers without a PE
 Flexible career path/advancement
 You belong to a licensed profession
 You serve the public–not just your employer
 The public is safeguarded from incompetent or
unethical practice

26. Types of PE Licenses
 Agricultural and Biological Engineering
 Architectural Engineering
 Chemical
 Civil: Construction
 Civil: Geotechnical
 Civil: Structural
 Civil: Transportation
 Civil: Water Resources and Environmental
 Structural
 Control Systems
 Electrical and Computer: Power
 Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering
 Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications

27. Types of PE Licenses
 Environmental
 Fire Protection
 Industrial and Systems
 Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration
 Mechanical: Machine Design and Materials
 Mechanical: Thermal and Fluid Systems
 Metallurgical and Materials
 Mining and Mineral Processing
 Naval Architecture and Marine
 Nuclear
 Petroleum
 Structural

28. The Licensing Process
 Board oversees
 Requirements can vary;
Minnesota generally
consistent with other states
(NCEES guidelines and
exams)—but always check
 Comity—Ability to gain
licensure in additional states

29. Getting Licensed
The 3 E’s of Licensure:
 Education
 Experience
 Examination

30. Getting Licensed
The 3 E’s of Licensure:
 Education
A four-year EAC-ABET accredited degree

31. Getting Licensed
The 3 E’s of Licensure:
 Education
 Experience
The equivalent of four full-time years, earned
before sitting for the PE exam (with rule
change, you can now sit prior to completing
experience)

32. Getting Licensed
The 3 E’s of Licensure:
 Education
 Experience
 Examination
Fundamentals of Engineering
Principles and Practice of Engineering
 Apply to Minnesota Board to sit for these exams
 Exams administered by NCEES

33.  Education
Get an engineering degree from an
EAC/ABET accredited program
 Bachelor’s or master’s (or both)
 College engineering program

34.  Experience
Some states require direct
supervision by a PE
Four years, progressive

35.  Examination
Pass the FE exam in your senior year
of college (or shortly after
graduation)
Pass the PE exam in your
engineering discipline

36. FE Exam:
The Fundamentals
 Fundamentals:
What you learned in college
 Computer-based exams
 Offered year-round at approved
testing centers

37. FE Exam:
The Fundamentals
 Administered by NCEES
EAC-ABET accredited
degree: Apply direct to
NCEES (after passing,
apply to Board for EIT).
No EAC-ABET
accredited degree
(and other special
circumstances):
Apply to the Board
 See mn.gov/aelslagid/engineering.html

38. FE Exam:
Administration
 6-hour exam appointment, which
includes
Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
Tutorial (8 minutes)
Exam (5 hours and 20 minutes)
Scheduled break (25 minutes)
Brief survey
 Check with NCEES for current
length

39. FE Exam: FAQs
 What’s the exam day like?
http://www.youtube.com/user/nceesmedia
 What references can I bring?
FE Supplied Reference Handbook
 What do I use for scratch work?
Scratch booklet provided
 What’s the NCEES Examinee Guide?
official guide to policies and procedures
 Are practice exams available?
 When will I receive my results?

40. PE Exam:
Administration
 Approved testing centers
 Year-round paper and CBT
 9-hour exam appointment (except
for structural), which includes
Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
Tutorial (8 minutes)
Exam (8 hours)
Scheduled break (50 minutes)
Brief survey
 Structural is two 9-hour days
 Check with NCEES for current
length

41. PE Exam:
Principles and Practice
 Reflects real-world practice
 Tests for minimal competency
 Developed by licensed engineers
 Open-book: reference materials
permitted for paper test, provided
electronically for CBT
 Specifications and exam prep
materials available at ncees.org

42. Exam Particulars
 FE Exam (CBT) Registration Fee $175
 PE Exam (CBT) Registration Fee $375
 PE Exam (Paper) Registration Fee $350
 SE Exam (Paper) Registration Fee $500
 CBT exams are available all year but availability is
based on testing center scheduling
 Paper exams are offered once or twice per year in
April (February deadline) and/or October (August)
 Check with NCEES for current prices and schedules

43. A
E
L
S
L
A
G
I
D

44. Continuing Education
 24 professional development hours (PDH)
Maximum 12 carryover overs
 2 of 24 hours must be ethics
NO carryover ethics allowed
 Ethics hours must be earned
during the biennium to
which they are applied

45. Renewal Window
 Licenses expire every even numbered year
 Current licenses expire June 30, 2022
(regardless of date issued)
 Window opens generally in April
 Disciplinary action taken
against you must be
reported on renewal

46. Continuing Education Audit
 In accordance with Minnesota Statute § 326.107,
subdivision 1 (2016), all licensees and certificate
holders are required to certify having completed
24 professional development hours (PDH) of
continuing education, of which two must be
dedicated to professional ethics, per biennial
renewal except for the carryover permitted. As
part of the continuing education program, the
Board conducts audits of licensees to ensure
compliance.

47. Rejected CE Classes
 First Aid
 CPR
 AED Certification
 Employee Right to
Know
 Ergonomics
 AWAIR
 Bloodborne
Pathogens
 Fire Emergency
 Energy Authority
Matrix
 US Employment Law
for Supervisors
 Florida Law and Rules

48. Connect with the Board
 Website
News, Applications, Deadlines
 Applying? “Get Licensed”
 Already licensed? “Manage License”
Get Board updates via email:
mn.gov/aelslagid/subscribe.html
 Social Media
facebook.com/mn.aelslagid
twitter @mnaelslagid
linkedin.com/company/mnaelslagid

49. Other States
 THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT IN EVERY STATE
 Some states allow you to take the PE exam prior to
getting the required experience (Decoupling)
 THE RULES IN EVERY STATE ARE DIFFERENT
 Minnesota no longer requires that you get the
experience before taking the exam
 EVERY STATE HAS DIFFERENT RULES

50. INTRO OF
PANELISTS

51. INTRO OF
PANELISTS
• Brittany Jaramillo, PE
• Years of experience: 7
• Michaud Cooley Erickson –
Mechanical-Electrical
Engineering Firm
• Senior Associate
• Mechanical

52. INTRO OF
PANELISTS
• Kevin Vazquez, PE
• Years of experience: 13
• Meyer Borgman Johnson,
Inc. - Structural Engineering
Firm
• Senior Structural Project
Manager
• Civil-Structural

53. INTRO OF
PANELISTS
• Jacob Hexum, PE
• Years of experience: 5 yrs
• Black & Veatch -
Engineering Firm
• Project Engineer
• Civil-Structural

54. INTRO OF
PANELISTS
• Ndaga S. Mwakabuta,
Ph.D., P.E., SMIEEE
• Years of experience: 20+ yrs
• Cummins Inc.
• Technical Advisor
• Electrical – Generator Sets
Designs

55. Q & A
SESSION

56. RAFFLE

57. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

58. FOLLOW UP
PLEASE VISIT THE LINKEDIN PAGE OF
THE ENGINEERING ALLIANCE
MINNESOTA (MN NSPE) TO CONNECT
WITH PEERS AND FIND OTHER
RESOURCES:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/
engineeringalliancemn/
www.engineeringalliancemn.org

59. REFERENCE
WEBSITES
MINNESOTA BOARD OF AELSLAGID
https://mn.gov/aelslagid/engineering.html
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF EXAMINERS FOR ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING (NCEES)
https://ncees.org/licensure/
YOUTUBE VIDEOS BY NCEES
https://www.youtube.com/user/NCEESMedia
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (NSPE)
https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/what-pe

60. STUDY
MATERIAL
• Recommended Study References:
• NCEES Exam Specifications
(what is on the test)
• http://ncees.org/engineering/
pe/
• Civil Engineering Reference
Manual (CERM) - PPI
• Sample exams – NCEES and
PPI
• Other PPI materials: Practice
Problems, Six Minute Solutions
(example problems)
• Online practice problems
• Civil Engineering Dictionary

61. • PE Review Courses:
• Engineering Alliance
Minnesota (formerly
MnSPE)
• MGEC
• PPI
• ASCE
• U of M, contact Joe Labuz,
jlabuz@umn.edu
• School of PE
• Engineering Education &
Training (EET)
• Advanced Engineering
Institute (AEI)
STUDY
COURSES