PE vs. SE Licencing Question

[MindofBarca]

All,

I am a recent grad student with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering. I have passed my EIT exam and I am currently working under a structural engineer. My question is moving forward with my licenses and exams, is it even worth it to take my PE exam? I currently live in the state of Illinois and my goal is to pass the SE exam. It seems like the majority of projects we work on require a structural engineers stamp in the state of Illinois, so the PE license does not seem to be of much value in the structural field. Maybe the PE in Illinois is more for transportation/enviro engineers?

Some insight or knowledge would be great. Thanks in advance.

jReck

 

[Bagman2524]

Not sure, but you may need PE to get license/stamp in other states.

 

[JedClampett]

A lot of states don't have the SE and don't understand it. Reciprocity might be a problem. Even NCEES seems have some issues with it. It doesn't seem to fit into any of their slots very easy.
I was in your situation a long time ago. I had an SE, but didn't know what the future would bring. I paid the money, took the PE, failed it, took it again, and passed it. It's worked out well. As bagman said, there are some states who think the SE is not equivalent and believe me, you don't want to do a lot of explaining to the State Board staff of any state.

 

[IsaacStructural]

I'm in Illinois and have both. I recommend you get them both. In Illinois you are allowed to take the PE exam prior to getting your 4 years experience, so you can actually take the PE exam soon after graduating. I found the PE to be much easier than the SE exam. Some Structural people would have good chance of passing the PE exam after finishing school. Much of the material is about having good engineering intuition and senses.

As others have noted, the PE is better for reciprocity in many locations. Who knows, you might move to another state. Even if you stay in Illinois, sooner or later you'll get a project in Indiana, Wisconsin or another adjacent state. I think it is good that your ultimate goal is the SE, I'd say use the PE as a stepping stone towards it.

Licensed Structural Engineer and Licensed Professional Engineer (Illinois)

 

[JAE]

Hold on - if you take the PE exam in Illinois prior to the 4 years of experience, you may run the risk of not getting reciprocity in other states that DO require 4 years of experience BEFORE you take the PE.

They get picky on things like that.

If you are in Illinois, pass the 16 hour SE exam, you should have no problems getting PE or SE licenses in other states.

 

[WildIrishman]

Something to keep in mind is that all States follow their own licensing standard and requirements, so you will need to check with each individually for what they require. This can get very confusing trying to keep up. While several States have an SE designated license it may not be required for the design of all structures. For example, in California a Civil PE is sufficient to seal most projects under 4 stories, except in certain uses. However, a Civil PE, in addition to further testing, is required to become a California SE. Prior to the two day exam now required for an SE, the SE I was sufficient to get a PE in pretty much every state. I don't agree with Jed's comment about states not understanding the SE. Rather the boards just have not yet found a reason to make the change. Not to mention powerful lobbying from older practitioners who oppose the change.

So what does this mean? It means there is no right answer to this. If you skip the PE and go straight for the SE you should be able to get licensed, even as just a PE in most states I would expect. Although there is no guarantee. There is a push in Structural circles to get SE licensure in every state, but that is a while off. The original thinking for the change in the exams is that it was a three step progression: EIT, PE, SE. (Hence why the PE should be "easier" than the SE.)

My suggestion is take the PE, then the SE the next testing session. It will cover all of you bases. If you think you are ready for the SE, the PE should be easy.

Licensed as PE in NC & SC, SE in IL & NV

 

[msquared48]

Even though I have my civil and structural in Washington State, in order to get licensed as a structural in California, I would have to take a limited one day Civil test in Sacramento, then the Structural would be by comity.

Strange since I do no Civil Engineering outside of Washington, but that's the law in California.

Personally, I would take the PE. It will not be a black mark against you ever, but not taking it could be.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[JAE]

I think you are wasting your time with the PE - unless you want to practice for the SE and have several hundred dollars to burn.