How do I become a professional engineer in US? 10 Points

Question

I live in NY and I found out that first I need have my graduation diploma approved in order to take the FE Exam. Then after gaining working experience I have to take the PE Exam.

The issue is that I don't remeber all the material for the FE Exam since I finished college a very long time ago and I already have years of working experience in my country and in US. (In US about 2-3 years)

Is there a way I can take only the PE Exam and not the FE Exam, Maybe by going to a graduate school for an year??

Best Answer 10 Points.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Sorry.  The master's degree is only good to off-set some of the work experience.  You'll need to pass the FE (a.k.a. EIT) exam.

In the United States, registration or licensure of Professional Engineers is performed by the individual states. Each registration or license is valid only in the state in which it is granted. Many Professional Engineers maintain licenses in several states for this reason, and comity between states can make it easy to obtain a license in one state based on licensure in another state without going through the full application process.  The licensing procedure varies but the general process is:

1.  Graduate with a degree from an accredited four-year university program in engineering.

2.  Complete a standard Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) written examination, which tests applicants on breadth of understanding of basic engineering principles, and optionally some elements of an engineering specialty. Completion of the first two steps typically qualifies for certification in the U.S. as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT), sometimes also called an Engineer Intern (EI).

3.  Accumulate a certain amount of engineering experience under the supervision of a P.E. In most states the requirement is four years, but in others the requirement is lower.

4.  Complete a written Principles and Practice in Engineering ('PE') examination, testing the applicant's knowledge and skills in a chosen engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, civil, for example), as well as engineering ethics.

Degree requirements in the United States are evolving. The NCEES model licensure law requires a minimum of a master of science degree in engineering or a bachelor of science degree with additional equivalent graduate level work.  This has received strong support from civil engineers.

There is a fairly large range in exam pass rates for these exams (FE and PE), but the pass rate for repeat test takers is significantly lower.

In a few states it is still possible for an individual to bypass Step 1, and apply to take the registration examinations as long as a P.E. will sponsor the applicant, and work experience can be substituted for academic experience. The years of experience may also vary; for instance, in California it is possible to take a Principles and Practice in Engineering examination with only two years of experience after a bachelor's degree, or one year of experience after graduate school. In Nevada, college graduates are eligible to take the Principles and Practice exam immediately after graduation and passing the EIT, before acquiring the required experience.  Some states also have state-specific examinations, most notably California where there is a state-specific structural engineering exam and two additional exams in land surveying and earthquake engineering for civil engineering candidates.

Answer 2

The FE can be waived if you have an advanced degree or many years of experience.  You have to check with the NY licensing board to see what qualifies.  I'd honestly be surprised if a Masters was considered enough to waive the right.

There are courses to study for the FE.  You could take one of those instead.

Answer 3

no way around the rules.  I'm a grandfathered PE in Texas and I needed a PE in OH, the national board wouldn' even waive the FE for me.  My degree required 146 hours to top it off, the same as a Masters, without a diseration.