Passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam is an important milestone, but it is only one part of becoming a licensed Professional Engineer.
Many engineers understand the basic FE-to-PE pathway but still have questions about PE exam eligibility, the best time to take the exam, state-board approval, multi-state licensing, and the career value of earning a PE license.
In Episode 04 of the ShaiLearning FE-to-PE Licensure Webinar Series, I explained how these parts of the process connect and what engineers should consider as they move toward licensure.
What is the PE Exam?
The PE exam is designed to test a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline. NCEES develops and administers PE examinations, but engineering licenses are issued by individual state and territorial licensing boards.
NCEES describes the PE exam as being designed for engineers who have gained approximately four years of post-college engineering experience. However, the sequence of examination and experience requirements varies by jurisdiction.
Some boards allow candidates to take the PE exam before completing the required professional experience, while others require board approval or additional documentation. If you are a candidate, it is highly recommended to always verify eligibility with the board where you intend to become licensed. You can do this by calling your preferred state board directly, and they will provide additional specific information.
What Do PE Exam Pass Rates Mean?
Published pass rates provide useful context, but they should not be interpreted as an individual candidate’s probability of success.
Pass rates vary by engineering discipline, examination administration, and whether a candidate is taking the exam for the first time or repeating it. They also do not reveal a universal passing score.
Your preparation strategy, understanding of the examination specifications, technical experience, time management, and familiarity with the approved reference materials remain important.
Passing the Exam is Not the Same as Becoming Licensed
Most engineers misunderstand this stage of the journey, and I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago. It is important to know that passing the PE exam does not automatically make someone a licensed Professional Engineer.
An applicant must still satisfy the applicable licensing board’s requirements. These may include education, acceptable engineering experience, professional references, application forms, fees, and background or disciplinary disclosures.
The applicant should not represent themselves as a licensed PE until the appropriate board has officially approved the application and issued the license.
Multi-State Licensing: Comity and Reciprocity
Engineers who want to practice in another state generally apply for licensure by comity.
Under comity, the second licensing board evaluates an engineer’s existing license, education, examinations, experience, references, and disciplinary history. The board then determines whether the applicant satisfies its requirements.
The word “reciprocity” is often used informally, but a PE license issued by one state does not automatically authorize an engineer to practice in every other state.
An NCEES Record can help organize and transmit verified information when applying in additional jurisdictions. However, each board retains authority over licensing decisions and may require a separate application, fee, or additional documentation.
How Can a PE License Support Career Growth?
The value of a PE license is not limited to adding two letters after your name.
Depending on the position and jurisdiction, licensure may support opportunities involving responsible charge, consulting, technical leadership, client representation, regulatory submissions, and signing and sealing engineering documents.
It is worth knowing that licensure does not guarantee a promotion or salary increase. Its financial value depends on your discipline, industry, location, experience, employer, and responsibilities. However, it can remove barriers when an opportunity requires or prefers a licensed engineer.
Watch Episode 04 in Parts: 1 to 6
Whether you are a graduate engineer, EIT, internationally educated engineer, or experienced professional, this webinar will help you understand how the PE exam connects to licensure, multi-state practice, and long-term career growth.
I have divided the full recorded video into parts 1 to 6 so that you can watch them separately.
Who can take the PE Exam?
The PE Exam Sweet Spot
Passing does not mean licensed
Comity versus reciprocity
Do PEs Earn more?
PE Licensure and Q&A Session
Additional information
Watch the complete video here.
Feel free to leave me comments or questions. I will personally respond to them.
For additional information, review the official NCEES PE Exam and NCEES Records Program pages.
This is Episode 04 of the five-part ShaiLearning FE-to-PE Licensure Webinar Series.
