S.E. Exam

[EmpiricalEngineer]

I’m at that stage in my career that I’m thinking about the potential of taking the SE exam. However, I keep seeing the requirement (which is similar to the PE) that you must have 4 years working directly under a SE to get your SE’s license. if I don’t work with any SE’s can I not actually receive an SE license even if I passed the exam? I’m sure I could still take the exam if I wanted, but then would I not be able to do anything with it?

 

[TheDW]

Varies by state. California does it the say you're saying. If you haven't worked with any SE's, you can pay the board to have a sit down interview with a few SE's and go over some projects you have worked on so they can get a feel for your knowledge.

Georgia doesn't care if you haven't ever met another SE.

 

[WARose]

I'm a SE in Illinois. And non-Illinois SEs were on my reference list. So like the other poster was saying, it varies by state.

 

[dauwerda]

I'm an SE in multiple states (not CA or WA). California is the only one I have run into with that particular requirement. I believe Washington had some requirement where your experience had to include designing a structure in seismic Design Catergory D with a height over 100 ft tall or something (it's been a few years I might be remembering that incorrectly). The five or so other states I have an SE in fell in line with the "Model Law Structural Engineer" requirements of the NCEES and did not have extra requirements like CA and WA.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Have you worked with any PE's that later went on to get their SE's. They could be your reference.

When I got my license, my references were my old boss from my previous job. And, a friend who was familiar with my work. I might have had another reference too. Not sure.

Also, I've heard of people making contact with other SE's at the local SEA meetings and having them be their references. I didn't need that, but I know others have done that.

 

[brb_SE]

Look at what the state requires. Illinois, for example, says you must have work under the supervision of a person "legally practicing" structural engineering. If you're located in a state that does not have a separate license or designation for structural engineers, your experience under a licensed PE who meets that state's requirements to practice structural engineering would be acceptable. California does require work under licensed SE's, but not necessarily CA SE's. Washington is similar.

I would strongly caution against using references who do not meet the state's criteria, including substantial knowledge of the applicant's abilities. States do check on these things, and both of you could end up in hot water with disciplinary marks on your record.

(This is an educated opinion - I'm a former licensing board member.)