Marketing for Engineering services without a P.E.?

[batman2010]

I am an electrical engineer 5 months away from taking the P.E. exam in the state of NY, then I have to wait another 3 months to get the result so I am looking for at least 8 months before I can start a consulting business in engineering. I am enthusiastic and ready to grab business now and am not planning to waste another year doing nothing. I know i can't provide engineering services before getting my P.E. so I thought of many different solution and came up with one:
Starting an engineering marketing business that finds you the right engineer for your job needs, and since i am in the market and know a lot of good professional engineers I can get the job to one of them for now that specializes in that field and work with him, so I will be marketing for my firm while issuing drawings under another firm. In a year from now once I get my license I would allready have client base. Is this legal???

 

[JAE]

You would want to check with your state (NY) board of engineers to see. Each state has its own provisions regarding marketing services, holding yourself out as an engineer, etc.

For example, in Nevada, you cannot even market your services unless you are already licensed. Even if your license is pending board approval you can't market.

Your situation may be a bit different as you are marketing other firms and hoping they will use you (under their PE wing) for the services.

This seems counter-productive in that you would be introducing your future clients to your future competitors.

 

[zdas04]

batman,
It looks like you have a pretty good handle on the requirements. One thing to keep in mind, cities and counties that issue business licenses ask for a P.E. certificate for any business that has the word "Engineering" in its name.

My guess is that if you can come up with a name that doesn't push that hot button, the rest of your plan will probably pass scrutiny. If you check with your board (and you should), you need to have a business plan made up to show them something in writing before just talking to them and relying on them actually answering the question you are asking.

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

http://www.muleshoe-eng.com

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

"It is always a poor idea to ask your Bridge Club for medical advice or a collection of geek engineers for legal advice"

 

[batman2010]

Jae thank you for your input, my view was that I am not offering my engineering services , instead I am offering to locate the right people that offer engineering services. It is still better than to market for other firms since clients are only seeing my website, my phone number, my fax, they contact me so I am the one they know and trust then I introduce a professional engineer where i only have their names listed on my website along with the projects they have done in the past, so clients need to contact me first. and maybe you are right It is better if i check with the State.