Gaining PE status while living abroad

[ooox]

Hi All,

My partner and I are planning to move to the US in the next 2 years, probably California where she is from (I am a UK citizen). We met with an Immigration Lawyer a few months ago to see what our options were in terms of obtaining a visa/Green Card to work in the US. Following that meeting, it became apparent to me that my best chance of qualifying for a visa would be if I had a job offer. I've had a look through the job vacancies in various AE firms, and most require PE status or near PE status. So, my questions are:

1. Do you think it is possible to study for the PE exam abroad and sit the exam (either abroad or in the US)?
2. Is there a minimum period of engineering experience in the US required before sitting the exam? I have Chartered Engineer status through the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK) and Institution of Structural Engineers(UK) so will this taken be into account?
3. What can I do NOW to enhance my chances of gaining employment with an AE firm?

Many thanks for your help.

Nineninenine

 

[woodman88]

This is the link to the California Board of Engineers

http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/.

If you may be moving to California it would be best to contact them about what they would require or allow.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[cvg]

requirements are generally (in order):
a) Enginerring degree from ABET acredited school
b) pass exam to become "engineer in training"
c) several years qualifying experience
d) pass second exam to become registered
e) in california there are additional tests related to seismic and surveying
f) some states also require additional tests to become a registered structural engineer

If you work in manufacturing / industry, you may not need to be licensed

http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/flowchart_for_pe.pdf

 

[woodman88]

There is no degree requirement for taking the EIT. But it is easiest IMHO just before or after getting your degree. Your degree also does not have to be ABET and you can take the PE exam without a degree. You will just need more work experience.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[connectegr]

woodman88
Which states allow PE without degree? That was an option many years ago, with additional work experience, as you mentioned. But, I think most states have removed this option.

nineninenine
I have several friends with UK engineering degree. Your education can be accedited. The first step is completing your FE (EIT) exam. The next hurdle will be obtaining the required experience working under a registered engineer in your home US state. Since your first PE license must be in your home state, that may be significant obstacle living abroad.

Another option may be continuing your education in the US. A masters degree can be counted toward your work experience. I know this is done frequently with immigrant students, but I am not familiar with the requirements.

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

 

[JStephen]

Pick the state, read through the rules carefully, contact the state board with any questions. Unfortunately, the rules vary from state to state.

 

[woodman88]

Per this website

http://community.nspe.org/blogs/licensing/archive/2010/01/04/table.aspx

these are the following states that do and the number of years of experience required. As they note on the website this information may not be completely correct and you would have to check each state yourself to be sure.

California 6
Georgia 15
North Carolina 12
North Dakota 12
New Hampshire 25
New York 12
Pennsylvania 12
Wisconsin 4 to 12

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[charliealphabravo]

The other advantage to taking your EIT prior to graduation is that many states will then begin counting your engineering work experience. I took the EIT early and was then able to count my 3 coop tours as experience as well as a year of a masters program.

If ABET accreditation is not needed than that is news to me. Perhaps you only need to demonstrate the equivalency of your foreign education, but this will not be a guaranteed thing without the ABET.

I do know that only one of your degree programs has to be ABET accredited in order to get the benefits. In other words a 1 year ABET masters program is just as good as a 4 year ABET bachelors program.