PE References

[VTChunk]

I'm an industrial engineer from Virginia who has been out in industry for almost 4 years. Before I graduated, I took the EF exam and passed. I've been waiting to get enough experience to sit for the PE exam(Virginia requires a 4-year degree + 4 years of experience), and now I'm starting to prepare for the exam. I started to fill out the application to take the exam and realized I need 3 references from 3 licensed PE's. Obviously in the industrial engineering field there aren't many PE's, and I haven't worked with one yet in either of my two jobs I've had since graduation.
My question for you guys is, How do I meet and work with licensed PE's who will eventually give me the references I need to sit for the PE exam?
Before you tell me there's no benefit to getting my PE(especially in my field), I'm going to go through with it for two reasons: 1. As a refresher, 2. In case I go into consulting in the future.

Thanks, Andy

 

[sundale]

I would contact the VA PE Board and explain that your four years of progressive engineering experience was obtained in an industry exempt from PE licensure and see what they have to say. The PE reference is preferably a supervisor or coworker, but it could be any PE that knows of your engineering work and personal character.

I know a lady who was literally a rocket scientist who could only obtain one PE reference, because aerospace engineering is essentially exempt from PE licensure. She discussed her situation with the CO PE Board and they let her sit for the ME PE exam with this single PE reference and she passed.

Good luck in the process and kudos for trying to obtain a PE license in an exempt industry.

 

[vc66]

Get in touch with your state board. They're the only ones who will give you an answer that's not worthless.

V

 

[KENAT]

As above contact your board.

I faced similar issues, compounded by my education being abroad and have put EIT/FE/PE on the far back burner for the forseable.

If you do need up ending some kind of references but don't have to have worked with them, some kind of industry society can be a good hunting ground.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484

 

[COEngineeer]

Just fill it out. The worse thing they can do is say no. When I did mine, I only had one reference from a PE and I only worked for him for a year and they let me take the exam.

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

 

[JamesBarlow]

Working in an exempt industry, as many of us do, it's not easy to even meet another PE, let alone work for one who write a reference.

The boards seem to understand this and will give a good amount of leeway for letting an individual get their references.

I would suggest joining your local NSPE chapter to meet some PE's and go from there. In my case one of my references was guy who lived next door to my father in law and was at my wedding. I talked with him on the phone for a bit and he agreed to give me a reference. I'm Mechanical and he is a Civil Engineer but the board still accepted it.

 

[vc66]

JamesBarlow-

If you don't mind me asking, what state are you located in?

V

 

[PilotPM]

Check vendors who call on you, also. It's rare, but if you have collaborated with a supplier where the contact was a PE and had an opportunity to see your decision making skills in action, I'm sure he/she would be glad to give you a reference. As an aside, any reference you do establish, make sure you build a rapport and stay in touch. You might just find yourself reaffirming experience while applying to another state years from now.

 

[JamesBarlow]

I'm in PA.

 

[FACS]

I went through the same thing 7-years ago. Exactly the same thing. I was fine on the FE, and had plenty of experience, but I needed those refs from PEs. 20 years experience, and I didn't even know a PE in my field. I even came in here, on Eng-tips to look for advice, exactly as you are now.

I called the board, and they told me to join a support group of PE's, and work with them until they could give me references.

The whole thing was a pile of garbage, talk about a good-old-boys network.

I gave up and bought my own business.

Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[VTChunk]

FACS, thats exactly what the board representative told me as well. I know I have a professor who was certified so I'll probably try to take him out to lunch and get a reference...then apply with only one reference.

Thanks, Andy

 

[ShaggyPE]

I had the same situation as COEngineer. No problems... I'm in California.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist

 

[JamesBarlow]

It's always important to remember that for every PE registered in a state they will be collecting fees so the Boards have an incentive to get people licensed.

 

[VTChunk]

UPDATE: I did submit an application with only 1 reference, however I received word back from the Virginia DPOR that it's "incomplete". They did give me a small window to find two more references though. I'll try to dig up a couple more.

Andy

 

[salmon2]

Just wondering, is this electronic forum a network for guys who need references to network with other people?