PE Exam Application - References

[MDGroup]

As part of the application for the PE exam (ohio), I must provide 5 references, 3 of which must be from PEs.

I have been working as a ME for 2 small companies in the 6 years since graduation (and also had 2 co-ops during college). In all of the different co-workers, customers, suppliers, ... that I have worked with, I have not come across any PEs that can attest to my abilities as an Engineer. This has prevented me from being able to apply for the PE exam.

Does anyone have any good suggestions on ways to meet / develop a relationship with some PEs in order to satisfy this requirement?

The application asks for 'Business relationship to applicant'; so I assume I can't meet with someone for an hour or so discussing my engineering career and now use them as a reference?

I appreciate any suggestions you may have.

Thanks,
Lou

 

[MiketheEngineer]

You do have a problem.... I beleive you also need to work under the "supervision" of an engineer for four years to sit for the exam.....at least in most states....

Have you worked with any consulting engineers, customers, vendors, or NSPE or ASCE engineers, etc. who can attest to your skills.

Bottom line - you may have to get a new job...

Also - call the board and see if they have any suggestions.

 

[civilperson]

Your professors may have PEs and be willing to write a reference. Most references come from the supervisors in a job context, you may need to switch jobs.

 

[MDGroup]

Mike/Civil,
I appreciate the comments.

1) I am not willing to get a new job in order to fuflill this requirement. I really like where I am currently at, and that isn't an option at this time.

2) 1 of my professor's was a PE whom I will contact if I get to that point, but I am still in need of 2 more.

Anyone else have suggestions?

 

[geekEE]

Check the specific rules for your state. In California, for example, you're allowed to use engineers that are exempt from licensure as references.

 

[jpankask]

Yes, you should check with your state board. In my state, if you worked in an exempt industry, without working directly for a PE, there was another form I had to fill out explaining that my industry was exempt, etc. My direct supervisors still had to verify my experience. I still had 3 PE references from my college coop but all of my experience after graduation was without PE reference. If you can explain to the board that you only know one or two PE's, work in an exempt industry and have your direct supervisors attest to your experience, it may still be possible to sit for the exam. Also, check out some of the people from your past experience. Some people may be a PE and not advertise that fact. Try to lookup people you know in the database and see if you get any hits. Good luck and let us know how it comes out.

 

[COEngineeer]

When I did mine I only had 1 PE, 1 PG, and 1 EIT They accepted my application and let me take the exam. They rather see more references for different experience than 3 PE references for the same experience(for example if you just started a new job 6 months ago and you get 3 references from the new job).

http://www.swijetty.com

Sea Water Intake and Jetty Construction

 

[jistre]

I'm dealing with this right now. I'm trying to sit for the October exam. I have the required 3 PEs that vouched for me, but I've worked with only two of them at my current job, but I've only been here a year. My previous job was the lion's share of my experience, but there was no PE, though my position was in product design, so I got experience through the school of hard knocks. Even though I had the three PEs vouching for me, the board wanted a fourth to vouch for the time I was with my previous company. I had to write a letter explaining that I did not have the P.E. available at my last company, though my supervisor there was in engineering and able to give me a glowing recommendation as to my abilities. They are considering my case, and I'm currently in limbo while they decide my fate.

Hopefully, they'll allow me to sit, but even if they decide not to, the point stands that these boards are willing to consider each applicant's on a case by case basis as needed and even if you don't strictly meet the printed requirements, you may be able to prove to them that you're prepared enough to sit for the exam.

The worst thing that'll happen if you apply is they say no, you lose the application fee, and you have to get more experience that's verifiable to get a seal. The worst that'll happen if you don't is that you keep your money, you get told nothing, and you find out years down the road that you may have been able to sit much earlier.

I rolled the dice.

 

[MTPipeliner]

In my state, engineers and surveyors are licensed by the same board. I had my required 3 PE references, but I also had a PLS reference.

If you know any licensed surveyors they may be a good reference if they are licensed by the same board in your state. I know it's not the same as a PE reference, but at least they are a licensed professional not just some guy off the street.

Good luck