Professional Engineering Licensure is administered by the states (and territories); therefore, each state has the right to set the qualification bases and the selection criteria for professional engineers. Each state (and territory) varies, but in general, a four-step process is required to obtain engineering licensure.

Step 1: Graduation

The first step is graduating from an ABET-accredited engineering program at a college or university (but, see Step 2). ABET stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the nationally recognized accrediting organization for engineering and technology curricula. The Engineering Department's curriculum at Calvin College is ABET accredited and aims to maintain that accreditation.

Step 2: FE Exam

The first exam in the licensure process is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), formerly called the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Exam. This national exam is offered in April and October every year. Most students take the FE exam right before graduation or soon afterwards, when the detailed technical information is fresh; of course, you may take the FE exam later in life. Once you pass the FE exam, you are classified as an intern, also known as an Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training.

Please refer to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) at www.ncees.org for suggested study materials. Other materials are available from the libraries, engineering societies, web pages, and bookstores.

Step 3: Work Experience

After passing the FE exam, you will continue your journey toward professional licensure by gaining engineering experience. Many jurisdictions have specific requirements about the overall internship term and the type of experience you need to gain. Most require that you gain experience under the supervision of someone who is already licensed, and that your experience involve increasing levels of responsibility. As you initiate your working career, contact your licensing board to find out what experience is needed and talk with your management and professional engineers in your company to find out how you can gain this experience. Many states make special allowances for graduate study and academic teaching; investigate these allowances if you take one of these paths.

The keys to a successful internship period is usually your substantial engineering work for which you were responsible October 25, 2005 3:52 PM
Step 4: PE Exam

Once you have gained the required experience, you can take the second exam in the licensure process, the Principles and Practice of Engineering. This exam is given in a variety of engineering disciplines. Most disciplines are offered in both April and October, but some are offered only in October.

Please refer tOctober 25, 2005 3:52 PMat www.ncees.org for suggested study materials. Other materials are available from the libraries, engineering societies, web pages, and bookstores.
October 25, 2005 3:52 PM engineering licensure process-education, experience, and examinations-you are eligible for licensure by your licensing board . Upon paying, and maintaining your payments, of license board fees by at least one state, you are granted licensure and you may use the distinguished designation "professional engineer" or P.E. (but, not PE). You will be granted the right, or obligation, to obtain a seal to validate work that you do or take as your responsibility. Authorization to practice as a professional engineer in a state or territory must be granted by that state or territory before you practice.



MODIFIED FROM: National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) at www.ncees.org
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