How to get a SE license

[Shu Jiang PEng SE]

I got my bachelor and Master degrees in China, and got another Master degree in Canada. The major are mining, structural mechanics and civil engineering respectively. I passed the NCEES SE (building) exams in 2011 and am planning to apply for a SE license. However, I have to make two things happened first.

One is passing NCEES credential evaluation, evaluation requires applicant provide course descriptions, and the course descriptions has to be either prepare by the university or certified by the university. No university provide that services.

Two is meeting design experience requirements. To be qualified, the applicant has to design (4) Seismic design category "D" structure. I am in Ontario and we do not design that kind of structures.

what should I do to get the license?

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I assume it's the state board requiring all this, I'd appeal to the board with alternative ways of demonstrating competency. Designing for seismic design category D and above is specifically a requirement of the 16-hour SE exam. Do they take that into consideration?

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[Shu Jiang PEng SE]

Thanks, TehMightyEngineer.


I passed the 16 hours SE exams and 8 hour PE civil 4 years ago. I still could not find a way to get a SE license. I love structure design and ANALYSIS very much and think getting a SE license is a proof of structural engineer competency. And idea in detail how to appeal with alternative demonstration?

 

[IRstuff]

The converse is that you can take the SE license somewhere else, where seismic is required, and you'd have essentially gotten a free ride of skipping the seismic design requirement.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I commend you for passing the SE exam as I agree that it reflects someone who is passionate about structural engineering. Email or call the state board you're trying to apply to and see if they can help you. If you're just looking for the prestige of having a few more letters after your name and don't need a specific state, then I'd check on the various SE states and see which one will be the least restrictive for your situation.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[Shu Jiang PEng SE]

Thanks, TehMightyEngineer.

It will be highly appreciated if you can give me some tips on which state is less restrictive.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I'd have to check each states rules but Nebraska was fairly unrestrictive last I checked. They only have a title restriction on SE I believe but it's enough to qualify in my mind as having an "SE" license.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[Shu Jiang PEng SE]

Thanks. TehMightyEngineer. I will let you know my progress. Anyway I am preparing my course descriptions by myself for the NCEES credential evaluation.

 

[Ingenuity]

I passed the 16 hours SE exams and 8 hour PE civil

jiang46602,

So NCEES let you sit for the SE and PE exams WITHOUT credential evaluation and design experience requirements?

I thought such credential evaluation and design experience requirements came first, then that gave you a path to proceed with SE examinations, then upon passing, SE status.

 

[Shu Jiang PEng SE]

To Ingenuity.

I do not know what the situation is now. I passed the all exams before end of 2011. I had enough work experiences in both China and Canada before I wrote the exams, and I was not asked to do the credential evaluation then.

 

[RobertHale]

Can I ask what jurisdiction is asking you to meet that design experience requirement.
I will say that I have worked with engineers that experienced a "non-trivial" amount of discrimination (be it deserved or undeserved) because of their foreign education.

Robert Hale, PE

 

[Shu Jiang PEng SE]

To RobertHale

I got an PE license with Michigan in 2012. Now I am considering to apply for a SE license since I passes NCEES 16 hours exams. I found that most states requires credential evaluation and SDC D structure design experiences. I am in Ontario Canada now and some states even told me I need to have some American work experiences.