SE/PE license issue

[jake1ryan]

I'm a licensed SE and hold an active license in 12 states. When I was eligible to sit for the exam, they did not offer the SE1 (PE) and SE2 (SE) anymore. I passed the 16-hour SE exam. I have applied for 3 states (Oregon, Washington, and California) and have been denied an SE license by comity based on the fact I do not have a standing PE license in each state. I know CA has it's own 5-hour state specific test, but even aside from that, all three states require a standing PE license. The return letter i received states that I need to have passed an 8-hour PE exam (other than the SE 16-hour exam) to become a licensed PE in each state.

Has anyone else had this issue? I'm not interested in a Civil PE license in each state, but they are requiring I go back and take the 8-hour Civil PE and then become licensed in the state as a PE before they will consider SE by comity. That just seems backwards and I thought the whole point of the 16-hour SE was to eliminate the whole PE/SE issue.

 

[delagina]

Even before the 16-hr exam, CA require CivilPE and a few years experience after CivilPE before you can be eligible for CA-SE exam. CA never had the SE1(PE) and SE2(PE). Each state has their own procedure and yeah it's not good. Many states don't even have SE. If you passed the 16-hr you are still considered PE.

I'm happy with my CivilPE and can get comity in all states I believe as PE.

 

[mike20793]

This is has been an issue in western states. There is a move from the NCEES (pushed by the NSPE) to make the PE a requirement for the SE license in all states. It happens in a few other states, but seems to be an issue primarily out west.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

You'll have the same problem in NJ from what I've read on here. I too am in the same boat where I took the SE exam figuring that it would let me skip the PE exam. For the most part it has but I know I would run into the issue in a few states. I'm just hoping I can avoid the states that wont play ball before I retire... Only 30 more years to go.

You would think that an extensive 16 hour exam would be more than sufficient to get a PE license if you're a structural engineer but nooooo.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[Antnyt23]

This amazes me and puts me in the same boat. I didn't realize this was even an issue out there.... why would they make you sit additionally for the Civil PE after passing the more difficult.... longer.... more expensive SE exam? Not to mention for those pursuing the SE exam only are required to pass both to even become licensed if they go that route.

So in essence those states require Structural Engineers to pass 24 hours of examinations if I'm understanding correctly (and of course California has additional requirements). They should probably get more stringent with all the other disciplines if you ask me.

At a minimum they should allow you to be licensed professional engineer in those states.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Huh? That sounds odd to me. I suspect that they're not requiring you to sit for the PE exam, but are first requiring that you obtain a PE by comity in CA.

There is more to getting a california PE than just the SE1 exam. There is a 2.5 hr seismic exam, a 2.5 hour surveying exam and a take home exam on various CA legal / procedural stuff.

You can't have an SE exam in California without having already having a California PE.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Full disclosure, it has been many years since I took my exams. So, I claim no definitive knowledge of what you need to do.

My belief is that the PE is a still the main "practice" act, whereas the SE is still only a "title" act. Meaning that the PE is required legally first. Then the SE is a title that you can use, but has less legal weight behind it. Some jurisdictions (OSHPD, DSA, et cetera) will require an SE license for their projects. But, most of the legal requirements relate to the PE, not the SE.

 

[azcats]

Also many years ago - but I had passed the SE1 & SE2 and was a licensed SE in AZ and needed to get my CA PE (not SE). I had to sit for the 8 hour civil PE exam along with seismic and surveying exams JoshPlum noted.

Memorable event from the PE exam was when, several hours into the exam, the guy next to me was escorted out for not having an approved calculator.

 

[jake1ryan]

Sorry, I've been on vacation and forgot to check back!

Thanks all for the replies. It definitely is a problem more in the western states as most of my licenses are midwest and east. It sounds like I'll have to go back and take the Civil PE exam, even though I primarily work on vertical structures (where the SE should suffice). It seems crazy that we need 24 hours of exams (and then the additional 5 hours in CA).

JoshPlum, I actually signed up for the CA state-specific 5-hour Civil exam and was told that I needed to be a PE. I attempted to obtain the PE by comity and with only the 16-hour SE, they denied me and told me I had to sit for the 8-hour Civil PE. I tried Oregon and they told me the same.