How do I get to become an SE? 2

[imsengr]

Here's my situation. I have my Civil PE[/color red], registered in 3 states, based in GA. My boss has thrown me a challenge: Get the SE in 2 tries. Unfortunately, I am not very informed about how to get an SE, what exams to take, and can I get registration in different states (by comity?). I currently work as a structural engineer doing design in light gauge steel.

1. What exams do I have to take to get an SE? Initially, I thought I had to choose between PE Struct. I (80 multiple-choice questions) and PE Struct. II (essay-type questions). Now I hear that you have to take both exams! Is this true? Do I have to pass SE I before I can attempt SE II? Know any good websites to check out this info.

2. I realize not all states have the SE. I am not even sure whether GA has it, but I read that IL and CA definitely has it. What are the states that have the SE? I will presumably still be based in GA but my work will require stamping drawings in IL and CA. If I get my SE in GA, can I be registered in IL and CA? In the case of CA, do I need to sit for additional exams to get my CA PE before being allowed to get my CA SE?

3. Do I really need an SE? With my PE, I can stamp structural drawings in GA. Presumably, I can stamp structural drawings in FL and NY, too, if I were registered there? I am not so sure about IL and CA, though and my company will have work coming out of IL soon.

4. Is there such a requirement (in any state) requiring an aspiring SE to sit and pass the PE first?

5. What are the best references to prepare for the SE? Be as comprehensive as possible, but list the most important ones first. Are there any references that are absolutely essential?

6. How much time to spend on preparations? 3 months? 6? How do I divide time between reading and digesting material and actually working problems? 50/50? 70/30?

7. What are the subject areas that I should concentrate on to get a good chance of passing? Would it be different for CA, or some other state, for instance? Seismic?

Appreciate advice and information from all of you taking, who have passed the SE, practising SE's or those who have some opinion on this topic. Thanks in advance.

 

[metengr]

Answers to questions 1-4;
Contact your State Board in GA for information on SE licensing rules and requirements. IL has separate boards that regulate SE and PE licenses. In other words, you have a separate board that regulates SE licenses and you have to apply and meet their specific requirements, and there is a separate board for PE licenses. IL also has rules that govern the practice of SE - totally separate and unique from PE. I know about IL because I live and have a PE from that state.

 

[JAE]

metengr is essentially correct, you need to first check with your Georgia Engineering board - or simply check their website for their rules.

Most states do not have an SE per se. Some have an "essential" SE, like Illinois, where you cannot practice structural engineering without it (a PE isn't good enough). Other states have SE's, such as California, where you don't need the SE for most buildings (a PE would work in Civil as long as structural is your area of experise, but SE's are required for tall buildings, schools, hospitals, etc.)

Your questions:

1. For Illinois, you have to take the SE-1 first and then the SE-2. The board that governs them can tell you more. Simply call them for clarification of Illinois, or other states rules. California has its own rules for the SE and I believe you have to have some California SE references as well.

2. See above - also, in California, to get the PE, you have to take and pass a 5 hour exam that includes 2 1/2 hours of seismic and 2 1/2 hours of surveying (its a Civil PE). Each state has its own rules -

3. In Georgia you can seal structural drawings as a PE as long as structural engineering is your area of expertise. You are bound, in all states, to only seal designs for which you have direct supervision and have the necessary qualifications to do the design.

4. Again each state has its own rules. Illinois is the only state I know that requires the SE to do structural. The PE exam doesn't count - must have the SE-1 and SE-2.

5. There are many study guides out there in the market - check first with NCEES on their website.

6. Study time totally depends on you and what you already know. NCEES has practice exams that will give you an idea of how much to study.

7. The subject areas that I recall from the SE-1 and SE-2 included basic designs using steel, wood, concrete, and masonry. Some truss analysis, some knowledge of prestressed concrete, and some bridge questions were included as well. Knowledge of the model building codes is a must (I think they base it on the IBC now).

 

[crossframe]

In addition to above, ask you boss to clarify his request. Are you going to stamp structural plans in GA, or rather in other specific States? This will make all the difference in how you proceed.

California requires 3 years of experience under a licensed SE, then a 16-hour exam. All this is after you obtain the PE. If you're trying to get a CA PE in Civil, you'll be required to take CA's surveying and seismic exams. The bright side is that the Civil PE would do just fine for most structures in CA. The SE license is required for schools, hospitals, and building over 160 feet in Los Angeles County. Also, California will not grant a SE license by comity for a IL SE license.

In other states, you can get a structural license with a Civil PE, provided you can demonstrate adequate structural experience.

So, to make a short answer long, find out the ultimate goal, then act accordingly.

 

[whyun]

Like others already mentioned, in order to obtain the California PE in Civil, you must take the 2 1/2 hours of Seismic and Surveying exam.

The 16 hour Structural Exam in California has changed in its format starting last year, I believe. It is still 16 hours but divided into 8 hour "National portion" and 8 hour "California specific" portion. You can pass one portion at a time. Prior to this change, you either pass or fail on the entire 16 hour exam.

Having the California SE will make it extremely easy for you to apply for other state's PE or SE by reciprocity. Although each state's requirements vary, you can obtain license from Arizona, Nevada and Washington without taking their exams.

Exam preparation time is different for different people but in my experience, 3 months is good. Anything more than that will burn you out. 1 or 2 hours a day, for 3 or 4 days a week should be enough until the week before the exam.

California portion of the SE exam is based on the 1997 UBC and 2001 CBC. Focus on Chapter 16, especially the seismic portion.

For study guides, try the ICC site which will lead you to the bookstore. There are many books out there but ones by Alan Williams seems to be popular.

Good luck.

 

[JAE]

whyun - sounds like you are in the CA region. How difficult is the 5 hour Seismic/Surveying exam to get the PE? I've been urged in the past to get the PE there (I'm an SE in Illinois and PE in many other states - w/SE-1 and SE-2 both passed)...but I've balked at taking the CA exam more because of the dang surveying part - I've seen a study guide for it and - wow - it really tapped my old memory of surveying stuff from school. I've been practicing structural engineering for 20+ years and have very little surveying experience.

 

[whyun]

JAE,

I heard that the seismic and surveying portions are entirely multiple choice now. Pass rates for each had traditionally been around 30 to 35%.

Most practicing structural engineers would have had very little surveying experience but with the surveying knowledge from schools (get out your old text books) and trigonometry/geometry from high school, it shouldn't be too difficult.

I don't know of any non-California licensed engineers' experiences in obtaining California licenses but I heard it isn't such an easy process. Good luck to you.

Once, I encountered a Ph.D. who wanted to apply for the P.E. exam just to realize California Board would require him to first take the EIT exam. It's tough out here!

Cheers

 

[JAE]

whyun - thanks,

Just an example of a question on the practice exam booklet that scared the daylights out of me:

A line of magnetic bearing of N 12deg 32min E and a magnetic declination of 5 deg E is observed today. What was its magnetic bearing 100 years ago if the magnetic declination at that time was 2 deg E?

(A) N12deg32minE
(B) N14deg32minE
(C) N15deg52minE
(D) N19deg32minE

 

[GregLocock]

There's only two possible answers to that, even if you don't know anything about bearings and compasses. How odd.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[VoyageofDiscovery]

JAE,

Shouldn't D be N9degs32minE.

Or maybe I don't know anything I'm talking about.

Regards

VOD

 

[JAE]

The book has 19 deg. not 9.

The answer given was (C).

 

[GregLocock]

That would have been my guess, based on 5-2=3, and either declination is irrelevant, in which case th answer would be 12, or 12+/-3, the only one which fits is 15.

So, how many of their questions reduce to 50/50 even with NO knowledge of the subject?


Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[VoyageofDiscovery]

C says 52mins????

 

[JAE]

The book definitely has 52' shown but the answer is apparently 32'.

The answer information was:

The true bearing fo the line today is
N12deg32'E + 05deg00'E = N17deg32'E

The magnetic bearing of the line 100 years ago was
N17deg32'E - 02deg00'E = N15deg32'E

So their answer doesn't match (C) - and yes, it appears to be 32' and not 52' per the book (error in the book apparently)....see, I told you it scared me.

 

[whyun]

Gee... I didn't even READ the question to even attempt to understand what it was asking. I'm sure if I put my mind to it, I can make some sense out of it. It isn't worth it anymore.... LOL

Going back to pass rate... It has traditionally been around 30% every year. I guarantee you its NOT your "chance" of passing. If you can make the cut, you can pass in your first try. For others, they never will.