Taking the Professional Engineer (PE) Exam

[mpeck1982]

Does anybody know if you can take the PE exam with 8 years or more of engineering experience? I got my BS of mech. Engineering from an ABET credited university and I never did take my EIT in my younger years.

 

[zelgar]

Check with your State boards. I think most still require you to take the EIT/FE exam before the PE, but different States have different requiremetns.

 

[Maui]

It depends on the state you are in and how you attempt to meet their minimum requirements to sit for the exam. For example, if you live in NY and have a BS degree in engineering from an accredited University with four solid years of work experience under your belt, then you can qualify to sit for the PE exam (that is, after you pass the EIT). Or, if you don't have an engineering degree from an accredited school, you can qualify for the exam based on experience. I think in NY twelve years worth of experience is required. Although I have a Ph.D. in Materials Science, my degree did not count toward qualifying to sit for the exam because it didn't say "engineering" in the title. But it was granted by the Mechanical Engineering Department at an accredited University. The Board didn't care - in their eyes my degree was worthless.

Maui

http://www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com

 

[steellion]

I recommend taking the FE exam first, even if your state does not require the EIT before sitting for the PE. A lot of states require the FE BEFORE the PE, and if you go out of order, they will make you take the PE again to obtain a license by comity in that state.

 

[ShaggyPE]

Some states even require 4 years experience AFTER passing the EIT before you can sit for the PE exam. Depends on state. For another good source on PE Exam prep (and EIT) go to

http://www.engineer-boards.com

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

 

[Gymmeh]

Get an NCEES record so you can (quickly) get reciprocity with other states. Having your BSME, EIT, PE and four years of "qualifying Engineering" work, will streamline the process.

Keep a very good log of the work you do which deals with major codes like API, ASME, PIP, etc. This will be VERY help on your applications. Note the duration of the project, relevant standards, and your contributions.

Make ever effort possible to work with other P.E.'s so you can have them as references for your applications. They are required for an NCEES record.

Best of luck to you.

 

[jmbelectrical]

My state requires the following in order to sit for the PE exam:

1. 4 years of experience obtained after graduation with an ABET-accredited engineering degree
2. Passing the FE/EIT exam

I have heard of instances in my state in which people who satisfied the educational and experience requirements took the FE/EIT exam *and* the PE exam back-to-back on a weekend. Should you fail the FE/EIT exam and pass the PE exam, you would have to do it all over again - regardless of the fact that you passed the PE exam. I would not recommend this approach if it applies to you.

 

[weldstan]

It is only possible if the State issuing the PE License permits. My State does not after 8 years but does after 12. I had 28 years experience before taking the exam (without taking the EIT) and I could also have "grandfathered" in. I have also worked in States that changed their requirements, including "grandfathering" requirements every several years.

 

[metengr]

You are much better off to take the EIT and PE exams versus trying to opt out of the EIT, and taking the PE. If you want to practice engineering in other States, not taking the EIT will prove to be a problematic.

 

[MikePAMechEng]

I have a similar situation. I have 8 years of experience, but only took took the FE last year. In PA, the experience has to come after the EIT certificate. I also have an MS which would count for 1 year of experience, but the PA application says it only counts if you get the degree after you get the EIT. My plan is to take the PE test in Ohio which doesn't require the experience be after the FE, and then get an NCEES record and get comity in PA. Has anyone successfully done this?

 

[fegenbush]

There are states which will deny a comity license if you do not meet their requirements. Whether a particular state (or board) will approve a particular applicant based on these grounds is difficult to predict.

 

[Gymmeh]

fegenbush,

I have definitely seen a very experienced SE/PE in NYS get their reciprocity denied for no understandable reason from a southern state. I joke, it must be someone still fighting the civil war...

 

[Maui]

Funny, I earned my PE license in New York back in 2004 and was subsequently licensed in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Wisconsin through comity. I never had a problem.

Maui

http://www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com

 

[IRstuff]

Yeah, but none of those states qualifies as "southern" ;-)

TTFN
faq731-376

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[Maui]

IR, you have a valid point there.

http://www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com

 

[Noway2]

My state, North Carolina, will allow you to take the PE without the EIT / FE with 20 years or more of engineering related work experience, at least four of which must have been under the supervision of a PE. I am 3.5 years into the four year part and have roughly 19 years of work experience. My goal is to go for the PE in about another year or so.