Order of Lincensing Exams for SE

[KootK]

I'm a little confused when it comes to the best way to appoach my licensing exams. I've read several threads on this issue but haven't been able to find an answer to my specific question.

I plan to become as well licensed as I can as a structural engineer (SE I, SE II, eventually California stuff...) I currently only have the FE under my belt. My plan was to take the SE I in this fall and then SE II next spring.

I've read on the NCEES site that some states require you to take the Civil PE, Structural I, and then Structural II in order to be licensed as an SE. Also, the information that I read seemed to imply that it was important in those states to have taken the civil PE BEFORE doing SE I & SE II.

Can anyone confirm or refute my interpretation on that? Will I be shooting myself in the foot by bypassing the Civil PE? If that is indeed the case, does anyone know which states work that way?

On a separate issue, I read something that seemed to say that you need 32 yrs experience to be a PE in Nebraska? It's gotta be a misprint or something...

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Much depends on each state's requirements, suggest that you go to this web site and go thru each state, one by one:

http://ppi2pass.com/catalog/servlet/MyPpi_pg_allboards.html

 

[RockEngineer]

Look at the rules in the state that you plan on getting your license in first. The other states usually grant their license based on your already having the license and you don't have to take the test. The major exceptions are some of the western states such as California which require you to take the seismic and California special portions of the test even if you are licensed in other states.

 

[Qshake]

I like many I suppose took the exam for registered professional engineer first. Following that I sat for the SE-I and II in one fell swoop. I didn't do this because of any rules or regulations but mere common sense.

In many, certainly most, states, it is still morally, ethically and most important legal to practice structural engineering with only a PE registration. That said, you will be able to extend your practice many fold by just doing that.

Based on the paperwork that I filled out for the SE license, it appeared to me that it was scrutinized more. Or simply the perception that it was. Nonetheless, when you're able to put your PE registration on the application it seems to help the qualifications.

So following the PE exam I followed up with the SE I and II and have now covered the remaining states with specific licensing which I believe presently stands at 5.

I recently heard that Nebraska has implemented some new requirement for SEs, but I am unsure what exactly it is. I do know that it isn't 32 years of experience. That probably pertains to the "grandfather" clause.

Good Luck

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[JAE]

Nebraska doesn't have anything pertaining to SE status other than to recognize you as a structural engineer if you pass the SE-1 and SE-2. All PE's can do all structures as long as structural is their area of expertise. The SE designation doesn't allow you to do any work that a PE couldn't do.

I understand that the SE-1 exam is essentially considered equivalent to the PE exam.

BUT - the PE exam doesn't always substitute for the SE-1 exam (Illinois does not allow you to get your SE via the PE exam - you must take SE-1 and SE-2).

Other than Illinois and California - I'm not aware of any state that requires both the SE-1/2 AND the PE exam. In fact, many states allow you to become licensed as a PE if you ONLY take the SE-1 exam.

 

[ghghghgh]

Another caveat, make sure your undergradute coursework fullfills the SE requirements. Although I was licensed in another state and had sealed structural plans, upon moving to Illinois the Board wouldn't even let me sit for the SE I & II because my technical in-major electives were transportation, not structural in nature. I had to get 4 more years exp, or 9 more hours of undergrad structural coursework.

 

[haynewp]

I don't think you have to take the Civil PE to be a licensed SE in Illinois:



"a) The examination for licensure as a structural engineer shall be divided into 3 parts.

1) Fundamentals of Engineering. This examination shall be 8 hours in duration and shall consist of problems or other examining techniques designed to evaluate the applicant's knowledge of the basic and engineering sciences and related subjects normally considered as the fundamentals of engineering.

2) Structural I Examination. This examination shall be 8 hours in duration and shall consist of problems or other examining techniques relating to designs in or to the practice of structural engineering as described in Section 5 of the Act.

3) Structural II Examination. This examination shall be 8 hours in duration and shall consist of problems or other examining techniques relating to designs in structural engineering, including seismic design. Such problems may include, but not be limited to, bridges, buildings, foundations, and seismic and lateral forces."

I don't know why any state would require you to take the Civil PE WITH the SE1 and SE2 to be a licensed Structural Engineer.

 

[CSEllc]

Each state's requirements are different as you can see reading some of the posts. The best rthing to do is check with your state and the states you want to become registered in.

I know that I have been praciting structural engineering for nearly 20 years I took the civil PE exams. I won't be able to become registered in Illinois unless I take the SE exams. (20 years ago the SE exam was not offerd in my state....It still really isn't offered......since we don't have SE's just PE's.) So just because you are registered in one state it doesn't necessarily mean you can become registerd elsewhere......most yes but some no.

 

[JAE]

That's correct, - In Illinois, I tried to apply as an engineer in the structural field some years ago. I had already taken the fundamentals exam and the PE exam in Texas, but not the SE-1 and SE-2.

Illinois would not accept the PE exam, I had to take the SE-1 and SE-2 and then apply, which I did, and then was licensed as an SE.

In other states, you can take the SE-1 (and not the PE exam) and get licensed as a PE.

 

[bjb]

I took the SE1 exam in Pennsylvania, and this was sufficient to become licensed as a professional engineer in that state. I then moved back to New York State, and applied for my PE license in NY which I did receive. New York did not require me to take the civil PE exam, I just had to document my experience, out-of-state license, that I had passed the EIT and SE1 exams, and give them a whole lot of money.

I don't think you need to take the civil PE exam if you plan on later taking the SE1 and 2 exams, but that might not be true in all states. I think it makes no sense for a structural engineer to be forced to take the civil PE.

Regarding the SE2, which I am thinking about taking, can anyone recommend good study materials for it? My practice is limited to building structures, so I would need help with bridges. When I took the SE1 exam I got hit with a segmental post-tensioned concrete box girder for a bridge question which was way outside of my experience base.

 

[ghghghgh]

FHWA has some publications for examples on the seismic design of bridges. They are expensive, but good.
Identifier #'s SA-97-006 through SA-97-012
You can call (301) 577-0818 for a complete list of all of their publications.

Also, HDR, in coordination with AISC, published some design examples of steel bridges. You may try AISC's bookstore for those.

 

[TFL]

i believe they have redone the SE2 exam. you know chose a building or bridge track. i don't think you are allowed to answer both types of questions. check out NCEES.org

 

[Grizzman]

There is no broadly encompassing "PE" exam. the Principals and practices exam is seperated into disciplines. If you take the stuctural I, you are awarded the title of PE. In states that grant an SE title (NC does not), You'll have to pass the structural II exam as well. I did meet a fellow when I sat who had his PE under the civil test, and in trying to attain his SE in some mid western state, they required him to take the structural exams. He did note that 10 years of structural experience would have excluded him from the testing requirements though.