Possible change in licensure process--early exam? 1

[rholder98]

At the August meeting of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, the Board elected to consider the possibility of allowing EITs to take the PE exam at any time after graduation, provided they have already taken the FE. They would still have to wait the minimum of four years to gain experience before getting licensed, but could have the exam out of the way early.

My questions are: 1) Are there any other state boards that allow you to take the PE exam early? and 2) What are your thoughts? I think I am opposed to the change, but I'm not sure why.

 

[JAE]

Wow, this is amazing. When I was in Texas and got my PE, the state wouldn't let you take the test UNLESS you were already a PE via their method of only considering experience and education.

Now they've swung the whole way over and would let you take the test early.

Advantage to the would-be engineer as they get to take the test earlier, get it over with, while they are still young and good at tests.

Advantage Texas - more fees as more failures mean more re-takes.

Disadvantage would-be engineers in that they may not then match other states when trying to get comity licensure as many states require that you mimic their requirements.

 

[BJC]

Texas for a long time required only refernces for a PE. they finally changed and added the test because few (if any ) states would grant comity. Sounds like they are going back to the same situation.

 

[metengr]

Actually, this makes no sense. The Principles and Practice examination should test both principles AND practice for PE licensure. How in the world would you write test questions to validate a candidate’s practical experience in handling engineering problems if they took the PE exam right out of school, after passing the FE exam???

I would bet that the Board would allow ONLY those candidates that have prior engineering work experience to take the FE exam concurrent with the PE exam (as most states allow). Recent graduates with no engineering work experience could not possibly take the PE exam and pass it.

 

[rholder98]

A point I omitted is that applicants would only get one chance to take the test early. If they fail the first time, they would have to wait until the four year minimum experience requirement had been met to try again.

That point notwithstanding, I agree. I don't feel the exam would accurately measure the engineering abilities of a fresh graduate--only his/her study skills and test-taking ability.

The Board should be opening this issue up for discussion shortly. I think the majority of engineers would rather keep the current requirements, so this will likely be voted down.

 

[BoeingJets]

I would be in favor of applicants taking the PE exam early but believe it would be beneficial to have at least 2 years of work experience. How soon do you think that TX will decide whether or not to allow the PE Exam early? rholder98 - when you said that the Board will open up the issue for discussion do they only want input from PE's, or can EIT's comment as well? I can't apply until October 2007 but am eager to get the test out of the way sooner rather than later.

 

[GregLocock]

I am struggling to see any real advantage to allowing early test taking. No doubt if I had taken an exam straight out of uni I would have been more likely to pass, even if it was a whole new field.

From the few exam questions I have seen there is little there that would make it easier for a more experienced engineer to pass, except in their direct area of expertise.



Cheers

Greg Locock

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

 

[kchayfie]

Frequent posts on the subject of how and when to study for and take the exam make reference to fitting in the hours of study into the work/life balance equation. If you know you're going to be e.g. moving house, getting married, parent to a screaming baby around the time you become eligible to take the exam but right now you have all the time in the world to study, I think you'd want to get the exam out of the way. If the questions could be re-angled so that the inexperienced would struggle to pass, I think it would be a good idea to offer greater flexibility.

 

[rholder98]

The Board is now accepting comments on this issue until October 15. If you are interested, please visit

http://www.tbpe.state.tx.us

to find out how to express your opinion.