Construction experience to qualify for PE? 2

[Jestergold]

My new job comes with a lot of pressure to get your PE License. I have spent the past 12 years working for construction companies in varying positions - project engineer, project manager, inspector, estimator. I do have a degree in Civil Eng. Tech.

My problem is this... To take the FE and the PE in CT (both of which I need to take), I need to have "qualifying experience" (4 years for the FE, and 7 for the PE).

My experience in the past runs the gamut in construction, but I'm worried that my past isn't going to cover me on getting my PE. Any one out there get their PE with most of their experience from being in construction? What kinds of experience in that field would help me qualify?

 

[sam74]

I started out surveying for about 9 or 10 months and then 12 or 18 months inspecting along the way. It all should count and it is invaluable experience that most degreed folks don't get these days. So you should have a leg up on most degreed and licensed folks in the office already.

I believe you are supposed to show progressive experience. I imagine you started off at something small and worked your way up to project engineer and project manager. Just detail your experiences as such and I don't imagine you should have a problem. In my state the only hang up might be your CE technology degree but I know of neighboring states that have no problem with it.

 

[TheTick]

Wisconsin has a list of what qualifies as experience toward a PE. The list is pretty specific. I assume there is such a list in the CT requirements.

 

[metengr]

Any one out there get their PE with most of their experience from being in construction? What kinds of experience in that field would help me qualify?

Here is a simple tip; contact your State Board that regulates PE licenses. They have the final say.

 

[Jestergold]

Connecticut's Record requires me to fill out a Record of Experience. It states, "Qualifying experience is only that work experience related to Engineering or Land Surveying." I don't know if it gets more vague than that. I have asked others in my company and they give me catch phrases to use. Thanks goes out to TheTick - I found the Wisconsin list and it is very helpful.

Sam74 - my state does have issues with a degree in Technology. Don't get me started on that one - I think it is absolutely crazy that all the states are different.

Can some one out there tell me what the difference is between the Civil degree and the Civil Tech. degree?

 

[Lion06]

Here is the biggest difference (don't let anyone else on the board try to tell you that the degree is second tier - it isn't).
While it is true that one of the differences between an "engineering" degree and an "engineering technology" degree is that ABET doesn't require an ET degree to take calculus beyond calc I (or differential equations) and doesn't require calc-based physics, many that I know of (including mine) required calc I & II (I also took calc III and diff. eq.), and calc-based physics.
The biggest difference between the two degrees is this........ A Civil Engineering degree requires competence in 4 disciplines, a Civil Engineering Technology degree only requires a competence in 1 or 2 disciplines (I can't remember which, but I think it is 2). While the degree is not as broad, you are better equipped in your area of focus than most coming out with undergrad CE degree only (Most CE programs allow the students to take at most about 4 classes in their area of interest in order to satisfy all of the other discipline requirements). The previous statement is assuming it is a 4 year degree (BS) and not an associates.

I have a BS in Structural Engineering Technology and I also think the way the boards view these degrees as second class is ridiculous. I have many more structural classes than any CE with undergrad degree only that I have met.

 

[Senselessticker]

Most states require that the Tech degree be ABET accredited. ABET has a seperate accredidation prociess for engineering degrees and engr. tech degrees.

You'll need references of course (usually PE's).

But most importantly, you will probably really need to buckle down and prepare well for the FE as some of the material on the FE may not have been covered in the same depth when compared to an engr. degree.

Good luck!!

 

[JStephen]

Some things to keep in mind: One is that engineering experience doesn't have to be rocket science. Secondly, if state law requires a PE license to do a particular job, then that job ought to qualify as PE experience. Thirdly, not every PE spends 100% of his working time doing only PE things. Fourth, you tend to associate a PE requirement with design, but PE-qualifying work is not limited to design.

You might consider in the different aspects of your work, if you were to open a consultancy, and do that same job for somebody, would you be violating licensing laws?

Take a close look at your state's laws, their definition of "engineering", etc. Don't exaggerate your work, but don't sell yourself short, either.

 

[JStephen]

Just googling around a bit, but I find in the CT state law, section 20-299, Definitions, that professional engineering involves
"any professional service such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design or responsible supervision of construction, in connection with any public or privately-owned structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, works or projects in which the public welfare or the safeguarding of life, public health or property is concerned or involved"

 

[Jestergold]

Thank you StructuralEIT for the explanation. You are correct in that I took a ton of Structural classes and only three or four classes in Environmental. I, like you, took calc up through diff eq's as well and if I remember correctly, it was required to take three levels of calc as well. What is funny is that many of my classes that were considered Civil back then, would now be considered Environmental.

JStephen - you must be an expert googler - I've been looking all week and never found that! It is very helpful and I will have to reflect on my past jobs to put it in perspective. It has been many years and many different jobs.

As for studying - yes, Senselessticker, I will need to study hard. I graduated in 1996 and haven't spent much time thinking about Chemistry or Biology. Of course, I will need to board to accept my application first!

 

[bridgebuster]

Jestergold:

In the late 80's to early 90's I worked in Connecticut as a resident engineer on several bridge projects (already had my PE plus 10 years of design experience). Several of my DOT counterparts were PE's and they spent their entire careers in construction. Don't be discouraged.

Keep in mind, it's important that you describe your experience in detail. On a number of occasions when I've signed someone's application (people who worked in design and/or construction) I found that they skimp on details, which I add or have the applicant add.

Some aspects of construction don't count in all states: reviewing schedules; preparing payments; routine inspection. Reviewing catalog cuts can either way. Things that usually count are: reviewing contractor calculations; shop drawing review for conformance with the contract; survey calculations for things such as deck elevations, roadway alignment and grade.

 

[JStephen]

Just a side note- in most states there is a Law that creates the PE board, requires people to have a license, etc. And then that board makes Rules that govern the details. On the CT board site, for some reason, they have a link to the Rules, but not to the Law, and that's what I looked up- I found the state link to online laws, and searched them for "professional engineer".

 

[msquared48]

Jestergold:

I have not seen it mentioned in the posts above, but in Washington, to get the PE, you must work under the supervision of a PE of the same discipline you intend to be qualified for. That could be a problem for you according to what you didn't mention in your initial post.

As previously mentioned though, it is best to check it out with your local board.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[Jestergold]

The application is filled out and on it's way. I listed every thing I've done in the past 10 years, including my experience in co-op positions. Now, all I can do is wait and see. Wish me luck... If all else fails, I will be taking the EIT in Massachussettes - where the regulations aren't quite so stringent and the deadline isn't until March.

Thanks for all the suggestions... I'll let you know how it goes.

-Jestergold

 

[Lion06]

Jestergold-
What state are you in? I know a pretty good number of states (including Pennsylvania) have the same requirements for FE and PE test taking and registration for both engineering and engineering technology degrees. The bottom line is that you won't need any experience to take the FE as long as your engineering technology degree is ABET accredited and is a 4 yr degree. Once you have the FE, you will need 4 years under a PE. I believe some states allow that experience to take place prior to passing the FE, but PA does not - they don't start teh 4 yr clock until you pass the FE.

 

[Jestergold]

I'm in CT. They don't specify that experience starts after the FE. I took the FE in PA (missed it by 1 point) when I was still in school. Because I spent the rest of my time working for contractors in a different state, I never thought I would be going for my PE. Well, I work for a consultant now, and to advance my career, I need it. Every time I think of that, I hear my college professor in the back of my head say - "I warned you to do this long ago."

In any case, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.