Learning Objective: Examine the methods and reasoning for obtaining the Professional Engineer License A professional engineer (P.E.) is a person who is licensed to practice engineering in a particular state or U.S. territory after meeting all the requirements of the law. This seminar will give you the information you need to obtain the professional licensure and an understanding of the responsibilities that must be fulfilled to keep it. At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: a. Understand the reasoning behind being a Licensed Professional Engineer. b. Identify the procedures for completing the Licensed Professional Engineer registration process. c. Identify the responsibilities for maintaining the Professional Engineer License. d. Outline the Principles of Standard Care.

1. Dermawan
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean
massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam
felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim.
Licensure as a Professional
Engineer - Its Value and the
Steps to Take

2. Panel
Charles A. Boaz, Jr.
Command Engineer
Training and Doctrine
Command, US Army
Aknesha Baruti, PMP
General Manager,
Mission Avionics
Harris
Dr. Charles Johnson-
Bey
Director, Engineering &
Technology, Cyber
Innovations
Lockheed Martin
2

3. Learning Objective
Learning Objective: Examine the methods and reasoning for obtaining the
Professional Engineer License
A professional engineer (P.E.) is a person who is licensed to practice
engineering in a particular state or U.S. territory after meeting all the
requirements of the law. This seminar will give you the information you need
to obtain the professional licensure and an understanding of the
responsibilities that must be fulfilled to keep it.
At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
 Understand the reasoning behind being a Licensed Professional Engineer.
 Identify the procedures for completing the Licensed Professional Engineer
registration process.
 Identify the responsibilities for maintaining the Professional Engineer
License.
 Outline the Principles of Standard Care
3

4. Why be a PE?
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
4

5. PE vs. Engineer
PEs must 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.
 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. Also, licensure helps educators prepare students for their future
in engineering.
5

6. PE vs. Engineer
PEs must 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.
 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. Also, licensure helps educators prepare students for their future
in engineering.
6

7. Why Get Licensed?
 PEs are respected by the public and are seen in the same light as licensed
professionals in other fields.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
7

8. How to get Licensed? Step 1
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.
8

9. How to get Licensed? Step 2
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.
Qualifying Engineering Experience
 The experience should be from a major branch of engineering in which
the candidate claims proficiency.
 The experience must be supervised.
 The experience must be of a high quality, requiring the candidate to
develop technical skill and initiative in the application of engineering
principles and sound judgment in reviewing such applications by others.
 The experience must be broad enough in scope to provide the candidate
with a reasonably well-rounded exposure to many facets of engineering.
 The experience must progress from relatively simple tasks with less
responsibility to work of greater complexity involving higher levels of
responsibility. 9

10. How to get Licensed? Step 3
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 licensing boards, 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.
10

11. How to get Licensed? Step 4
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.
PE exams are offered for the following disciplines:
• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Architectural
• Chemical
• Civil: Construction
• Civil: Geotechnical
• Civil: Structural
• Civil: Transportation
• Civil: Water Resources and Environmental
• Control Systems
• Electrical and Computer: Computer
Engineering
• Electrical and Computer: Electrical and
Electronics
• Electrical and Computer: Power
• Environmental
• Fire Protection
• Industrial
• Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration
• Mechanical: Mechanical Systems and
Materials
• Mechanical: Thermal and Fluids
Systems
• Metallurgical and Materials
• Mining and Mineral Processing
• Naval Architecture and Marine
• Nuclear
• Petroleum
• Software
• Structural 11

12. Maintaininga License
Many state licensing boards require that PEs maintain and improve their skills
through continuing education courses and other opportunities for
professional development.
12

13. 13

14. References
https://www.nspe.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_and_licensure_in_engineering/
https://ncees.org/licensure/
14