PE Exam Requirements: What You’ll Need

Want to take your engineering career to the next level? Becoming a licensed professional engineer is a huge step, and I’m here to help you understand exactly what it takes. It’s a path that proves your smarts and skills, opening up doors to bigger projects and more responsibility.

Think about this: In fact, in 2022, there were about 931,640 active PE licenses across the U.S., held by roughly 494,000 individual engineers. That shows just how many pros are out there, and you can absolutely join them.

This guide will break down the PE exam requirements, from your education to the actual exams, all in a friendly, easy-to-digest way. Let’s get you ready to become a licensed PE!

Key Takeaways

• Three Core Requirements: Becoming a licensed professional engineer requires an accredited engineering degree, relevant progressive engineering experience, and passing the FE and PE exams.
• ABET Accreditation is Key: An ABET-accredited engineering program provides the most straightforward path to professional engineering licensure, making you eligible in all U.S. states.
• Experience Matters: You’ll need substantial, documented engineering work, usually four years under a licensed PE.
• Two Exams to Conquer: The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is typically taken early, while the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam is taken after gaining experience and is discipline-specific.
• State Rules Vary: Always check with your specific state licensing board for unique requirements like additional state exams, background checks, continuing education, and how they handle licensure across states.

The Three Basic Categories of PE Licensure

So, what does it take to become a licensed professional engineer? Most states follow a pretty similar path, which usually involves three basic categories:

1. Education: You’ll need an accredited engineering degree.
2. Experience: You’ll need to gain some solid, progressive engineering experience.
3. Exams: You’ll need to pass two important engineering examinations: the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.

While these are the core requirements, I want you to remember that each state has its own licensing board and specific laws. It’s always a good idea to check with the state licensing board where you plan to practice engineering for their exact rules. Let’s dive into each of these steps.

Education: Your Foundation for a Professional Engineering Career

Your journey to becoming a professional engineer usually starts with your college-level engineering education. The type of engineering degree you have plays a big role in the PE exam requirements.

The Gold Standard: ABET-Accredited Engineering Programs

When we talk about an accredited engineering degree, we’re usually talking about one from an ABET-accredited engineering program. ABET stands for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. They’re the gold standard for accrediting college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.

Why is ABET accreditation so important?

A bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program makes you eligible to become a licensed professional engineer in all U.S. states and territories. It means your engineering education has met rigorous quality standards.

It’s helpful to understand the difference between engineering and engineering technology degrees, as ABET accredits both but with different focuses:

• Engineering Programs: These typically focus on the “why” and “how” behind engineering principles, emphasizing theory and conceptual design. You’ll dive deep into advanced math, like multiple semesters of calculus and calculus-based science.
• Engineering Technology Programs: These focus more on the “doing” and “application,” emphasizing practical implementation. While still strong in math, they lean more into applied calculus, algebra, and trigonometry, preparing you for roles in construction, manufacturing, and technical services.

Graduates from four-year ABET-accredited engineering technology programs are eligible for professional engineering licensure in many states, though not all. This is why checking with your specific state licensing board is so important.

What if Your Degree Isn’t ABET-Accredited?

Don’t worry if your engineering degree isn’t from an ABET-accredited program or if you have a non-accredited degree. It doesn’t mean your dream of becoming a licensed professional engineer is over! It just means your path might look a little different.

Many state boards have pathways for those with non-accredited degrees, sometimes requiring:

• Academic Credentials Evaluation: You might need to have your foreign degree or non-accredited U.S. degree evaluated to see how it stacks up against ABET standards. Organizations like NCEES offer this service.
• More Experience: Often, you’ll need more years of progressive engineering experience than someone with an ABET-accredited degree.
• Specific Coursework: Some states, like Texas, have specific requirements for hours in math beyond trigonometry (like calculus and differential equations) and engineering sciences (like mechanics, thermodynamics, and circuits), even if your overall degree isn’t ABET-accredited. This applies to various degree combinations, including those with a bachelor’s in science and a graduate degree in engineering.

Speaking of graduate degrees, having a master’s or doctorate in engineering can sometimes reduce the amount of required engineering experience. Still, it generally doesn’t bypass the need for an accredited bachelor’s foundation or its equivalent. It’s a definite plus for your engineering career!

Experience: Gaining Progressive Engineering Experience

Once you’ve got your engineering degree, the next big step is gaining the right kind of work history. This isn’t just any engineering work; it’s got to be “progressive engineering experience.”

What does “progressive” mean?

It means your experience should show an increasing level of complexity and responsibility in your engineering work. You’re not just doing the same tasks year after year; you’re growing, learning, and taking on more challenging roles.

Most state licensing boards require about four years of qualifying engineering experience under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer after you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree.

If you have a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in engineering, some states may allow you to count a portion of that graduate study towards your experience requirement.

For example, a master’s degree might reduce the experience needed by one year and a Ph.D. by two years, but this varies by state.

What Counts as “Qualifying” Experience?

Qualifying engineering experience means you’re actively applying engineering principles and complex engineering knowledge to solve problems. This includes things like:

• Design: Creating plans for systems, structures, or processes.
• Analysis: Evaluating existing designs, data, or systems.
• Testing: Developing and conducting tests, interpreting results.
• Supervision: Overseeing engineering projects or other engineers.
• Research & Development: Innovating and advancing engineering techniques.

It’s all about work that requires judgment, independent thought, and technical competence rather than just routine tasks.

The Importance of “Responsible Charge”

A key concept you’ll encounter is “responsible charge.” This means you’re in direct control and personal oversight of the engineering decisions and activities critical to a project.

The licensed professional engineer supervising your experience has to be actively involved and knowledgeable about the project’s technical details and decisions. Even when tasks are delegated, the ultimate responsibility for the work’s safety and integrity rests with the supervising PE.

When it comes to documenting your work history for your PE license application, you’ll need to provide detailed descriptions of your projects, your specific roles, and the engineering principles you applied. You’ll also need professional references, usually other licensed PEs who can vouch for your engineering experience and technical competence.

Exams: Conquering the FE and PE Examinations

Now for the exams! You’ll typically need to pass two major engineering examinations: the FE exam and the PE exam. Both are developed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and are computer-based tests.

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam

The FE exam is usually your first hurdle. Many engineers take the FE exam while they’re still in college or shortly after graduation. Passing this exam often qualifies you as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineer Intern (EI), which is usually a prerequisite for gaining your required engineering experience.

• Format: It’s a 110-question, computer-based exam lasting 5 hours and 20 minutes (plus a bit of time for a nondisclosure agreement, tutorial, and a break).
• Content: The FE exam tests broad engineering knowledge across various subjects typically covered in a bachelor’s degree program. There are seven different FE exams tailored to specific disciplines: Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Electrical and Computer, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. You pick the one that best matches your engineering degree.
• Cost: The NCEES exam fee is currently $225.

The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam

The PE exam is the big one. You’ll typically take the PE exam after you’ve accumulated your required years of progressive engineering experience, usually four years post-graduation. This exam tests your competency in a specific engineering discipline and your ability to practice engineering safely and ethically.

• Format: Most PE exams are computer-based. Some are offered year-round, while others (less common disciplines) are offered once a year, typically in October.
• Content: There are more than 20 different PE exams, each for a different engineering discipline. This includes popular ones like Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer, Mechanical, and Chemical Engineering, among many others. The exam tests your ability to apply engineering principles to practical scenarios within your chosen field.

• Cost: The NCEES exam fee for the PE exam is typically $400.
• Pass Rates: The PE exam can be challenging! Here’s a look at some recent first-time pass rates for 2022-2023:

These numbers aren’t meant to scare you, but they do show that serious preparation is key to passing the PE exam.

State-Specific Requirements and Variations

While the basic categories of education, experience, and exams are universal, I can’t stress enough that the specific PE exam requirements and the overall professional engineering licensure process vary from state to state. Your state licensing board is the ultimate authority.

Here are a few examples of how things can differ:

Additional State-Specific Exams

Some states have their own unique exams in addition to the NCEES FE and PE exams.

• Texas Ethics of Engineering Exam: If you’re looking to get your PE license in Texas, you’ll need to pass the Texas Ethics of Engineering exam. This is an open-book test that covers the Texas Engineering Practice Act and the Board Rules. It’s usually taken along with your license application.
• California Seismic and Surveying Exams: Civil engineers in California, for example, have an extra hurdle. They must pass the California Civil Seismic Principles and Engineering Surveying exams. These are specific to California’s unique geological and legal landscape.

References and Background Checks

Almost all states require professional references to support your application. These are usually licensed PEs who can vouch for your character and the quality of your engineering work and experience. The number of references can vary.

Many states also require a background check as part of the licensure process. This is a legal requirement to ensure that licensed PEs uphold public safety and ethical standards.

State boards consider criminal histories, but they generally use their judgment rather than automatically denying licensure. They’ll look at things like the nature of the crime, how long ago it happened, and if it relates to engineering duties. Honesty and full disclosure are critical here.

Continuing Education and Renewals

Once you become a licensed professional engineer, the journey doesn’t end! You’ll need to maintain your professional engineering license through continuing education. Most states require a certain number of professional development hours (PDH) or continuing education units (CEU) to keep your license active. This ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest engineering knowledge and practices.

For example, many states require 15 PDH units per year or 30 PDH units over a two-year renewal period. These hours can often be earned through workshops, seminars, online courses, or even self-study.

Fees and Costs

Beyond the NCEES exam fees, you’ll also encounter state-specific application and renewal fees. These can vary widely. Here’s a general idea, using Texas as an example:

Note: These are examples, and fees can change. Always check with the specific state licensing board.

Across the U.S., state application fees for a PE license can range from around $50 to over $300, and annual or biennial renewal fees typically fall within a similar range.

Licensure Across States: Reciprocity and Comity

So, what if you’re a licensed PE in one state and want to practice engineering in another? You won’t have to go through the whole process again from scratch thanks to concepts like reciprocity, comity, and endorsement.

• Reciprocity: This is the easiest path, where one state automatically recognizes another’s license. True automatic reciprocity is pretty rare.
• Comity: This is more common. It’s not automatic, but your application will be reviewed based on your existing license, education, and experience. If your original state’s requirements were similar to or tougher than the new state’s, your exam requirements might be waived. You’ll still need to apply, provide documentation, and possibly pass state-specific exams.
• Endorsement: This happens when there’s no direct agreement, but the licensing requirements between states are very similar, and your experience meets the mark.

Most states offer some form of comity, meaning you can get the same professional engineering license in a new state without repeating the FE and PE exams, as long as your qualifications meet their standards. The NCEES Record system can really streamline this by keeping all your credentials in one verified place.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it: the ins and outs of the PE exam requirements. It’s a journey that demands dedication and hard work, from earning an accredited engineering degree and gaining progressive engineering experience to passing the FE and PE exams.

Remember, while the core steps are universal, each state’s licensing board has its own set of rules, so always do your homework for the specific state where you want to practice engineering.

If you follow these steps, prepare diligently for your exams, and gain valuable engineering work experience, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a licensed professional engineer.

It’s a rewarding path that will serve your engineering career well and allow you to make a tangible difference in the world around you.

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