Road to becoming a
Professional Engineer
Presented by:
Johann F. Szautner, P.E.,P.L.S.
P.S.P.E. Lehigh Valley Chapter President
What is a Professional Engineer ?
• A Professional Engineer ( P.E.) is a person
who is licensed to practice engineering in
a particular state after meeting all the
requirements of the law. To practice in
multiple states, the P.E. must be licensed
in each state in which he or she wishes
to practice.
Legal Requirements
• All states have registration laws,
regulating the practice of engineering
• Most states prohibit persons who are not
registered PE’s from:
- advertising, using a business card, or
otherwise indicating to the public that the
are an engineer
- assuming the title of engineer
- practicing engineering
• Exemptions for Industrial Practice
Get Licensed
Get Ahead
Open the doors to your future
Professional License equals:
• Greater Authority
• Enhanced Career Development
• Higher Pay
• Expanded Career Options
• Prestige
Economy:
The ever changing tide...
• Restructuring, downsizing, outsourcing
• Stay marketable, assure yourself
flexibility.
• Get licensed.
As a Professional Engineer…..
• Laid off from industry, become their
consultant
• Plateaued with employer, start your firm
• Stuck in non-tenured academia track,
become a consultant
• Not taken seriously as construction
engineer, gain credibility
• Challenged as a governmental engineer
by private consultants, level the playing
field
Cape diem, get your license
• Take your Fundamentals of Engineering
exam, as soon as you can
• Take your Professional Engineer exam, as
soon as you can
ACT 367, the Law
• Complete two or more years of an
accredited engineering program and you
may sit for the E.I.T. Receive certificate
after graduation.
• Complete four years of engineering
work after graduation and you may sit for
the Professional Engineer exam, if you
have your E.I.T.
• Cultivate references, you need five, two
of which have to be Professional
Engineers
What is an “accredited” degree?
• Ascertain that your college’s engineering
degree program is accredited by the
Engineering Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology.
• If you do not have a degree accredited
by EAC/ABET additional experience may
be necessary.
The FE or E.I.T. exam format
two four-hour sessions administered in a single day
• The morning session includes 120
multiple-choice questions, worth one
point each
• The afternoon session includes 60
multiple choice questions, worth two
points each
The FE or E.I.T. exam format
the morning session
• Chemistry (9%)
• Fluid Mechanics (7%)
• Computers (5%)
• Materials Science(7%)
• Dynamics (8%)
• Mathematics (20%)
• Electr. Circuits (10%)
• Mat. Mechanics(7%)
• Eng. Economics (4%) • Statics (10%)
• Ethics (4%)
• Thermodynamics(9%)
The FE or E.I.T. exam format
the afternoon session, take one of seven tests
• Chemical
• Mechanical
• Civil
• Industrial
• Electrical
• General
• Environmental
Exam dates
• 2003 - April 12th & October 25th
• 2004 - April 17th & October 30th
• 2005 - April 16th & October 29th
The P.E. exam format
two four-hour sessions administered in a single day
• The morning session is a “breadth”
exam, which consists of 40 questions
drawn from all five areas of civil
engineering
• The afternoon session is a “depth”
exam,which consists of 40 questions of
the module selected from the five areas
of civil engineering
The P.E. exam format
areas of civil engineering
• Environmental
• Geotechnical
• Structural
• Transportation
• Water Resources
Exam dates
• 2003 - April 11th & October 24th
• 2004 - April 16th & October 29th
• 2005 - April 15th & October 28th
Here it is !
Professional Engineer Status
• Licensure is the the mark of a
professional. Ethical standards,
continuing education, and professional
competency are expected. P.E. after your
name indicates you have met the
standards and can be respected as a
professional.
Can you become licensed nationally?
• No. Just as with other professions, the
requirements for licensure are left with
states. However, most state laws are
similar to the NCEE’s model law and
generally permit registration by “comity”.
Benefits
• Can prepare, sign and seal engineering
work products
• Can become a project manager, director,
associate, partner and owner
• can earn more $$$
Benefits Review
• Can prepare, sign and seal engineering
work products - work independently,
receive recognition, create a reputation
• Can become a project manager, director,
associate, partner and owner - choose
your field of expertise, gain experience in
responsible charge, become a business
person
• can earn more $$$ - Area salary surveys
show an average 30% differential among
engineers with comparable experience
Median Income of Engineers
$90,000
$80,000
$70,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
PE,
Forensic
PE,
Environ.
PE
Not
Licensed
$0
EIT
$10,000
Why Should You Get Licensed?
• To prepare yourself for an ever-changing
environment of job opportunities
• To prosper with them by staying
marketable
• To maximize your professional growth
and independence
Web site Resources
• www.nspe.org
• www.pspe.org
• www.ncees.org
• www.ppi2pass.com