The Road To Becoming A Licensed Engineer
Licensing is necessary for an engineer to prove they maintain
the expected level of professional competency. A degree alone is
not enough. Practicing as an engineer involves important safety
and public health issues. For this reason, licensing is required
as proof that the individual understands the concepts, their
applications and the code of ethics behind working as an
engineer.
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
(NCEES) governs the licensure of engineers. They prepare all the
engineering licensing exams, regardless of the state the exam is
taken in.
There are many advantages to becoming a licensed engineer. For
one, only a licensed engineer may use the initials P.E. after
their name (Professional Engineer). In addition, only a licensed
engineer may use the title "engineer" to the public and become a
private practitioner.
As you probably already recognize, with the uncertainties in
this day and age, the more credentials you have, the better your
chances of finding employment are. Therefore, becoming a
licensed engineer only makes sense.
To summarize the steps to gaining your Professional Engineers
License, most states require the completion of an engineering
degree and the passing of an 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering
exam. Upon completion of the degree and the passing of the FE
Exam, you will qualify for the EIT certificate.
Once you complete the engineering experience requirements
(usually 4 years of experience is required) and an 8-hour
Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam in the your
specialty, you will qualify for official certification as a
Professional Engineer and may use the initials P.E. after your
name.
So once you graduate, make sure you start the licensing process
(if you have not already done so) by gaining the pre-license
certificate known as the Engineers in Training (EIT)
certificate. Then begin gaining your experience. Be sure to tell
your employer that you plan to become a licensed engineer. They
will usually be happy to ensure that your work experience meets
the criteria for licensing.