Taking S.E. Exam in Texas

[PEN1460]

I haven't really found a good answer on the topic so I thought I would try here.

As of now, Texas does not recognize S.E.'s. Or in other words, if I take the 16 hour exam and pass, I will only get my P.E. license. New Mexico, on the other hands, will give you a S.E. designation.

NCEES is the organization that proctors the exams. So the PE exam I take in Texas is the same as the one in New Mexico, however, each state has different requirements on how the exams are graded and passing requirements.

So through comity, I can obtain my license in New Mexico as a P.E., does it still work for the S.E.?

when I took the P.E. exam, there were a handful of people taking the S.E. exam. If each state has different requirements on how to grade the exams, why were people taking the S.E. exam if all they're going to get is a P.E. in Texas?

 

[phamENG]

Typically, comity laws require that the state in which you earned your license has equal or better requirements than the state to which you're applying. For example: I was first registered in Virginia, a non-SE state. When I applied for comity in North Carolina, it was granted because NC has the same rules - non-SE state, same experience reqs, etc. If I were to apply for comity in Illinois (an SE state), it would not be granted because my state's laws aren't as strict.

On the flip side of that, if somebody from Illinois who passed the SE and was an SE in Illinois were to apply for comity in Virginia, I believe it would be granted because the SE is above and beyond the required qualifications. Their Virginia credential would be a PE, though, since Virginia doesn't have SEs.

Some people do it to maximize their ability to get credentials in other states, some do it for the challenge, and others do it to expand their resume (the SE is a harder exam).

 

[RPMG]

A New Mexico SE can apply for a Texas PE through reciprocity.

A Texas PE may apply for a New Mexico PE, but may not apply for a New Mexico SE, through reciprocity.

I chose to get the SE from out of state because it distinguishes me apart from other engineers. However, it was a horrible process. I took an online class, and the professors did things wrong. Textbooks had lots of errors. And when you take the test, it's a bit of chance. The test prioritizes little things like how many concrete cylinders need to be broke, and doesn't focus on methods like diaphragm analysis.

Since then, I have worked as a delegated designer on a couple projects where the EOR's had made errors in attaching the diaphragm to cold form shear/braced walls, and I attribute that to studying for the SE.

 

[dauwerda]

...however, each state has different requirements on how the exams are graded and passing requirements.

This is not correct (anymore). The NCEES grades the tests and determines the cut score and releases the results (acceptable/unacceptable) to the state boards for each individual. Each board does still have its own rules for when you can take the test (some let you do it right out of school, before having the required experience), and may put tighter restrictions on resources allowed during the test than the NCEES does.

Some states allow you to become a licensed PE if you have passed the 16 hour SE exam, others do not (you must pass the PE exam). California requires that you be a licensed civil engineer (PE) for 3 years before you can apply to be a SE and also requires that in addition to the Civil PE exam you also pass their own state specific seismic and surveying exams as part of the application process to becoming a licensed civil engineer.

In general, it doesn't matter where you take the test(s) (FE, PE, SE), they will be accepted by all of the state licensing boards.

 

[r13]

I don't know the benefits of taking SE exam and practice in a state that do not require that credential.

I saw it quite often in this forum somebody introduce themselves as "Structural Engineer", note that is a violation of Illinois licensing board, without passing the SE exam, one can't call himself "Structural Engineer", also no matter how experienced he is, his work must under the supervision of a licensed engineer (signoff). The rule create incentive for many to take on the exam, which does need one to deal with diaphragms, and sometimes rare materials, such as glass in railing, or curtain wall applications.

But, I don't think CA will accept IL SE without add'l requirement. Since the regional concerns are quite different.

 

[PEN1460]

Thank you all for your insight. It seems everything that is being discussed makes sense to me. So would taking the SE in Texas (which doesnt recognize SE) help me if I was applying for licensure in a state like Illinois where you HAVE to be an SE to do anything? Assuming I meet all other requirements.

 

[r13]

PENG1460,

I don't think IL will accept without stipulations, the license board will likely want to verify the exam you took is an equivalent to its own. But, best way is go to the licensing board to find out.

Link

 

[dauwerda]

Yes, Illinois will recognize the SE exam if you take it in Texas. Once you pass the exam and meet all of Illinois's other requirements you can apply for licensure there (Illinois does not grant any SE licenses by comity).

 

[JStephen]

I believe it's in some of the state rules that you have to get licensed in your home state first- check if that's the case. If so, you don't have a choice about which state to get licensed in, if you live in Texas, start in Texas.
I was thinking in California, you had to pass both the CE and the SE tests for a SE- not sure if any other states are like that.
On any of these questions, a direct specific inquiry to the state board should clear it up.