Is it worth it to get a PE license? 27

[jadyn137]

Really… how worth is it to get licensed? All it says is you can take a test very, very quickly (at least in California). Is it really the mark of a professional? I do professional level work already, but don't really get any credit for it. I see my bosses just tearing their hair out on a daily basis regarding project troubles. But since they have the stamp, they have responsible charge. I ask myself: "Why should I want a PE if that's what happens? Is the extra pay and 'prestige' worth it?" I have to say an unequivocal no. How does a "P.E." after your name dictate to anyone what level of dedication you have? I have heard the terms such as advanced leadership and management skills, higher dedication, integrity, and creativity connected with getting a license. Personally, I think that is a load because I am more dedicated and infinitely more creative than most so-called professionals in my division. But, since I didn't pass a test that is more a measure of problem solving speed than that of problem solving skill, I am not allowed the label "P.E." You can keep it. You can keep your project problems, I will just estimate your project to within 3% of the lowest bid, write up your special provisions and provide plans that are clear and consistent with all the other documents. Why would any boss want to lose an employee who can do that for the "noble" cause of getting a P.E. license? So I can get a job higher up in the company and get bleeding ulcers and migraine headaches from dealing with the project problems? Or go to another company and get problems there?
For those of you who are doubters, I have taken the CA PE exam four times, but still have not passed the seismic portion because I am just not fast enough. I did practice exams, and finished with an average time of 3 hours with 70 percent correct. You're allowed 2 hours for the exam. Therefore, you see the dilemma. I can do the work, but not quickly. When the test becomes more of a test of skill than of speed, I might try again. But until then, I have given up on it. Besides if I were to take it again and pass, I would do what I could to not let anyone know that I passed it. They might expect more out of me than the 110 percent than I already give in my job.

 

[HgTX]

To back up a couple of topics, the PE exam questions used to have a lot more to do with the kind of engineering problems one might solve as an engineer. There were a bunch of questions to choose from, one picked a subset that reflected one's knowledge, and the test was hand-graded.

Now most of the exams have moved to a machine-gradable multiple-choice format where nothing of depth can really be asked. I believe it has lost value.

I'm glad I went through it because the the review of all the other subfields I'd forgotten for the morning portion was good for me. If I ever take the Structual I or II exam, I'll have to go through a LOT of studying, and that will be good for me too.

But for me the most important part of the licensing process was the 12-page summary of experience I had to write up. It was a real struggle for me because the system is geared toward designers and I'm not a designer. I hated every minute of it. But looking back on it, it was valuable. I'm told other states don't have this, that a simple 1-page resume will do. In Texas the extensive experience summary is left over from the days when there was no exam and licensure was based entirely on the experience.

Hg