Getting an SE License 2

[PEFLWI]

I am a PE in two states and the company I work for provides equipment and structural supports for the utility industry all over the country. I am interested in becoming an SE. In the past states required both the Structures I and Structures II test. I understand that each state is different, but that most states now require a 16 hour test to get an SE license. Is that correct? I have passed the Structures I test in 2001. Does that mean I am still required to take the full 16 hour test? If I take the test for one state, do other states recognize this? For example, I was considering getting an Illinois SE. Would California recognize this or do they require additional testing?

 

[JAE]

Not sure about current rules in CA but the Structural II is no longer offered I believe.
So you would have to take and pasds the current 16 hour structural exam to get licensed in Illinois.

Check out Eng-Tips Forum's Policies here:
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[XLSTL]

16 hours - two days SE exam provided by NCEES and accepted by most States as I understood.

 

[JedClampett]

I'm pretty sure California is not going to accept any inferior (defined as any other state) state's registration. If you want to get an SE in California, go west young man! Of course, if you're a woman, this will have to be restated.

 

[KootK]

All of the SE states now require the 16 hr exam and accept no substitutes. And you can take the exam anywhere. I took mine abroad and it was accepted by Washington and California without difficulty. California will of course expect you to be a CE for three years before become an SE. And that will require passing their two state specific exams.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[Ingenuity]

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but curious why California has its own examinations for SE...is gravity or the laws of nature somehow different in Ca?

 

[KootK]

With the advent of the 16 hr exam, their SE requirements are no longer any different. Rather, it's their CE requirements that are. Considering the importance that earthquake engineering plays in the design of California's infrastructure, it has been deemed sensible for civil engineers to be somewhat versed in seismic issues.

In the past, CA SE testing requirements were much more stringent. To me that seems natural given the frequency with which earthquakes affect people's lives on the west coast. And, while the gap is closing, there has historically been a pretty serious gap in seismic engineering competence between the west coast and the rest of the country.

I personally applaud California's initiative in this realm. They take their structural engineering seriously, they take their licensing seriously, and they take inspection seriously. I'd be fine with California's approach being adopted by all jurisdictions.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[woodman88]

For California I think the national test is required plus you will
"In addition, the applicant must pass the California Civil exams in Seismic Principles and on
Engineering Surveying, which are given as two additional 2½-hour computer base tested
(CBT) exams."

For a SE
"Obtain at least three references who are authorized to use the title "Structural
Engineer" by having passed the Western Zone Structural Engineer Examination and who have personal knowledge of the applicant's qualifying work experience. See Question 26, part c for information on how to obtain suitable references. These three references, taken together, must verify three full years (36 months) of responsible charge experience. Responsible charge experience does not begin until licensure as a professional or civil engineer has been obtained (in California the date used is that of the last part of the exam by which the applicant obtained his or her license. See Question 22, part d.)"

This information and more is available from the attach link under the "FAQs regarding Engineering Certification/Licensure Requirements"

http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml

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.

 

[SteelPE]

This may be a stupid question....

Previously you were required by your jurisdiction to pass the Structural I exam and obtain a PE. That exam is no longer used and your state probably requires new structural PE applicants to pass the 16 hour exam. Now, to get a license in another state you are required to pass the 16 hour exam which you take and unfortunately don't pass (you're a little rusty). What happens to your original license? Are you no longer a PE?

I have never found the answer to this question (although I haven't look too hard).

 

[JedClampett]

SteelPE, that's the reason I never:
1) Ask for my scores
2) Try for states where I might have to take another exam.

 

[KootK]

Definitely still a PE.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[SteelPE]

Jed,

Thanks for the reply. I have been very nervous about going out and getting more licenses for the reason I listed above. As a sole proprietor loosing my license (for whatever reason) would be devastating.

So have you applied for licenses in other states since they implemented the new exam? I haven't needed to but I am just wondering if you have and if the process was difficult or not.

KootK

Do you have any proof that you are still a PE? Is this something you have dealt with personally.... or know someone who has?

 

[KootK]

I do not have any "proof" SteelPE. My statement was based on:

1) My opinion that it would be utterly absurd to be going around un-licensing existing PE's because they stumbled on some new fangled SE exam.

2) The fact that, historically, there's been a long standing and, as far as I know, utterly uninterrupted tradition of "grandfathering" when it comes to PE/SE licensing.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[msquared48]

For some of us, the term is "great-grandfathering".

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[woodman88]

You could always call or e-mail your state engineering board and ask them. Be should to get the rule section they are answering by.

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.

 

[RWW0002]

The odd thing about California/Illinois is that while both require the 16 hr test for a SE license, California requires you to be a licensed civil engineer prior to applying for the SE. This is all well and good if you start your licensing procedure in in Calif. where you can sit for the CE after two years then work towards the SE afterwards. However, someone gaining licensure in Illinois can test and obtain an SE without ever having a civil PE. Therefore someone can pass the more rigorous SE test and obtain license in Ill., have years upon years of structural engineering experience, and still have to go back and sit for the Civil PE test in Calif. prior to obtaining an SE license. It seems backwards to me that, after establishing competency based on a more difficult standard, you are forced to go back and pass an "easier" test designed for relatively green engineers.

To make matters worse, other states are looking at CA as a model when considering instituting SE licensure laws(requiring a civil PE prior to the SE). For a state going from no SE requirements to a California-based SE model, you would up the required testing hours to practice structural engineering from 8 hrs (for Civil PE only) to 24 hrs (Civil PE + SE) overnight. (All while grandfathering in all practicing structural engineers with nothing but a signed affidavit of course..)

 

[woodman88]

Well in California a CE can design anything but public schools and hospitals. Per the attached info.

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.

 

[RFreund]

Since we're on the subject, how are those California exams?

"In addition, the applicant must pass the California Civil exams in Seismic Principles and on
Engineering Surveying, which are given as two additional 2½-hour computer base tested
(CBT) exams."



EIT

http://www.HowToEngineer.com

 

[woodman88]

Well when I took it and per another engineer who took last year, the seismic is okay buy the surveying is very hard for a PE. Few PE's do enough surveying to have enough current knowledge to pass it easily.

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]

as a non-structural, civil engineer - I found the surveying special exam to be a cakewalk and the seismic was tough (just 7% pass rate). but that was 20 years ago