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The profession regulates itself by setting standards
for professional engineers, and by law, many jurisdictions
require engineers to be licensed in order to practice.
These requirements and standards help protect the public's
safety and welfare. A license tells employers and the
public that you possess a certain degree of competence
in your field, and can give you an edge when applying
for many jobs.
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Only
a licensed engineer may prepare, sign and submit
engineering plans and drawings to a public authority
for approval, or seal engineering work for public
and private clients. |
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Consulting
engineers and those in private practice who are
responsible for engineering work - whether principals
or employees - are legally required to be licensed. |
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Many
federal, state, and municipal agencies require that
certain governmental engineers, particularly those
in higher level positions, be licensed. |
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An
increasing number of states are requiring teachers
of engineering to be licensed. |
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With
heightened public awareness concerning product safety
and environmental issues, licensure has recently
taken on increased meaning in private industry.
Employers have found it advantageous to identify
to the courts and the public those engineers who
have met at least a minimum level of competence. |
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State
engineering boards are increasingly seeking and
obtaining the authority to impose civil penalties
against unlicensed individuals who unlawfully engage
in the practice of engineering. |
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Engineers
faced with workplace restructuring, downsizing,
outsourcing and privatization may find themselves
looking for work in a variety of fields, often acting
as consultants to former employers. Becoming licensed
can allow you to perform a broad scope of engineering
services within an area of competence as defined
under state law. |
Procedures
vary slightly for each state and territory, but in general,
there is a four-step process required to obtain engineering
licensure:
| STEP
1: |
Graduation
from an ABET-accredited engineering program at a
college or university. ABET stands for Accreditation
Board for Engineering and Technology, the nationally
recognized accrediting organization for engineering
and technology curricula. |
| STEP
2: |
FE
Exam. The first exam in the licensure process
is the Fundamentals
of Engineering (FE), offered in April and October
each year. Most students take the exam right before
graduation or soon after while the technical information
they've studied is still fresh in their minds. Once
you pass the exam, you are classified as an intern,
also known as Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training
(EIT). |
| 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 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. Once you begin work, contact
your licensing
board to find out what experience is needed
and talk with professional engineers in your company
to find out how you can gain this experience. |
| STEP
4: |
PE
Exam. Once you have gained the appropriate experience
required, you can take the second exam in the licensure
process, the Principles
and Practice of Engineering (PE). 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. |
After
completing all the steps in the engineering licensure
process-education, experience, and examinations-you
are eligible for licensure by your licensing
board. Once you are granted licensure, you may use
the distinguished designation "Professional Engineer,"
or P.E.
Visit the ASME
PE Exam Review Center for support materials and
learning opportunities tohelp you prepare for the FE
and PE Examinations.
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