Structural 2 Exam or not? 1

[bigmig]

What are the benefits of having passed the structural 2 exam? I just took the PE and felt like it went really good and am counting some chickens before they hatch, BUT, does anyone have any suggestions as to why or why not they would recommend taking the SE-2?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Did you take the SE I exam?? I think you need to do that to take SE II

The SE II will give you a Structural Engineers Licnese (SE) which is required in a few states. Illinois is one and CA if you want to design certain and/or larger structures.

I live 20 miles from IL but cannot design a simpe I-beam. Go figure??

 

[JAE]

SE-2 does give you an SE in Illinois, but not in California - they have their own rules about that.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Yes - CA does have a few other rules - like a seismic test and surveying test - I think

 

[sundale]

The SE1 and SE2 exams will be obsolete by the April 2011 exam date. There will be a single NCEES 16 hour structural exam after that.

If you only have passed the SE1, then you will probably have to take the new 2 day structural exam for structural engineering practice sometime in your career.

Hopefully those folks that have passed the old SE1 and SE2 format exams will be "grandfathered in" based on the new exam structure...

http://www.ncees.org/news/index.php?release_id=47

 

[crossframe]

In California, the seismic and surveying exams are required for the PE (in Civil). For the SE license, you need an additional 3 years of experience after the PE, presumably under a licensed SE in California in order to sit for the 16-hour Structural Exam. (Western States Structural exam?)

If memory serves, the SE is necessary in California only for high occupancy/critical structures (hospitals, prisons, etc.) and buildings over 160 feet tall in Los Angeles County.

I have heard, but never confirmed, that the original SE requirement in California was political in nature.

States like Illinois require the SE1 and SE2 for anything structural. In most states, the common license seems to be PE, even for "strucural" engineering.

Differences like these are why comity is used rather than reciprocity for subsequent state licenses.

After April 2011, I would imagine that anyone currently authorized to practice as a structural engineer (little "s") would be grandfathered, whether it be a PE, Illinois-type SE, or California-type SE.

 

[swivel63]

does that mean i would be able to be a practising SE without the SE3?

 

[crossframe]

Depends on the state.

 

[EQguys]

I would assume that the 16-hour exam will have four 4-hour parts to it, with each part focusing on different aspects of structural engineering like say Bridges, Buildings, Lateral Loads, Other structures etc.

"Does the man make the journey or does the journey make the man" - Mark Twain

 

[WillisV]

No need to assume - they have the full breakdown here:

http://www.ncees.org/exams/professional/pe_structural_exam.php

 

[UcfSE]

Take the SE2 and show your employer you're willing to do more work than required to enhance yourself professionally.

 

[peinma]

Is it possible to take the SE2 exam if your state does not require it? Not sure how to go about taking the SE2 short of applying in a state that does require it.

 

[swivel63]

yea. but what i'm reading from that page......all you have to do to practice ANYWHERE (western states in particular) is to pass this 16 hour exam. are they going to forgo the state specific structural exams now?

 

[crossframe]

Not unless the state boards agree to that or the 10th amendment is rescinded...

 

[woodengineer]

Question: I am licensed in 32 states as a PE after passing the structural 1 exam (7 years ago.) Recently, a colleague informed me that since I am a grand fathered structural engineer in Utah, I can put "SE" after my name. Although I may have the SE designation in Utah, I have been debating to wait until I pass the structural 2 exam before I change my business cards. According to the Utah board, I should have SE after my name, although I live on the east coast. Utah recently changed the requirements for the state to requiring both the structural 1 and 2 exams be passed for the SE license but a number of structural engineers without the structural 2 exam have been grandfathered.

woodengineer

 

[bigmig]

Woodengineer,

When you say "a number of structural engineers without the structural 2 exam have been grandfathered" are you talking from personal experience with people you know or do you have a link to some specifics regarding Utah's position on grandfathering?

It seems like it would be pretty clear cut. either you are are you are not an SE depending on certain qualifications as described the state of question.

If having a PE prior to satisfying new SE-2 requirements means you are an SE.... I just would like to see where you are getting that.

 

[woodengineer]

Utah Senate Bill 200 had provisions which exempted applicants for licensure as a professional structural engineer from examination requirements under certain circumstances, until January 1, 2009.

http://le.utah.gov/~2008/bills/sbillenr/sb0200.htm

...(e) have successfully completed three years of licensed professional engineering experience established by rule by the division in collaboration with the board, except that prior to January 1, 2009, an applicant for licensure may submit a signed affidavit in a form prescribed by the division stating that the applicant is currently engaged in the practice of structural engineering...

This has been well publicized.


woodengineer

 

[UcfSE]

peinma, look for an application for additional licensure from your state. The SE2 should be in there.

 

[swivel63]

i called up georgia and just asked if i could take it. they just wanted a letter from me formally asking.