01 Definition of PE/EIT and their Exams
Description
This article is from the PE and EIT Exams FAQ, by Ron Graham ecaxron@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov with numerous contributions by others.
01 Definition of PE/EIT and their Exams
Legend (PE and EIT Exams)
EIT = Engineer in Training
FE = Fundamentals of Engineering
LPI = Licensed Private Investigator
NCEES = National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
NSPE = National Society of Professional Engineers
PE = Professional Engineer
PP = Principles and Practices
Term definitions (PE and EIT Exams)
Certification = The process which documents expertise. It is comprised
of work experience and examinations. It is maintained by
evidence of continuing education. [Suhar]
Registration = That which enables one to practice as an "engineer."
Registration is obtained by proof of work experience,
references from other engineers (mostly themselves
registered) and by passing examinations. [Black]
A Professional Engineer (PE) is one who has met the requirements of a
state (province) to be licensed to offer engineering services to the
public, and who has paid dues to purchase and maintain that license.
This license may be independent of the degree(s) held by the licensee,
although it takes longer (sometimes much longer) for a nondegreed
individual to get what a licensing board considers appropriate experience.
[Mullins, Lumos]
For exact requirements in your state write your state's Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors and request an
application packet. Also, contact the NCEES in Clemson, SC for
information on the exams and their new file service. [Venable, Henn]
NCEES has tables available which list requirements for licensing by
state. [Lumos]
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
1820 Seneca Creek Road
PO Box 1686
Clemson SC 29633-1686
(803) 654-6824
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
This is the first step toward obtaining the PE license. Successful
completion leads to the designation of Engineer in Training (EIT).
Some states require an application to take this exam -- check in yours.
o It is standardized nationally.
o It is given in each state on the same day. [Chu]
o It covers material common to most engineering disciplines.
- circuits - fluid mechanics
- thermodynamics - solid mechanics
- mechanics/statics - materials science
- mathematics - chemistry
o It is eight hours long, in two four-hour segments.
You get a lunch break in-between. ;-) [Chu]
o It is multiple choice. [Mullins] For now. [Lumos]
o It is closed-book, although a reference book is included. [Chu]
Those who complete the FE Exam are required to have four years of
experience by the time the state receives the scores. Since the
college years count, many applicants take the exam late in their
senior years.
Principles and Practices (PP) Exam
This is it -- the exam that gets the PE license.
o It is standardized nationally,
- but states decide on passing score.
- and some states have specific disciplinary sections:
o CA -- seismic design (Civils)
o FL -- high winds
o NJ -- environmental
o WI -- "barrier-free" design
NCEES no longer offers a combined test. [Lumos]
o It covers mini-design problems of the type encountered
in upper-level undergraduate design classes.
o It consists of two segments, with applicants choosing to solve
a subset of the problems available in each. [Moskalik]
The PP Exam requires a long application with details of work experience
and (usually five) letters of reference (in most states, at least three
of the references must themselves be licensed PEs). The NCEES packet
says references should
o reflect the character and diversity of the applicant's experience
o be personally acquainted with the applicant's professional
reputation and technical ability.
Every time you apply for a PE, you need new letters of reference, although
you can use the same people over again. [Henn]
Those who complete the PP Exam are required to have eight years of
experience by the time the state receives the scores. The undergraduate
years count for four, and advanced degrees for two -- so even with a PhD
you would have to add two years of work experience to qualify. [Mullins]
Here are some of the differences between states:
o Some states do not recognize licenses granted in other states.
They may require re-examination, even from license-holders in
other states. Reciprocity, in which re-examination is waived,
generally requires what NCEES considers as a passing score.
o Some states may not recognize individual specializations.
o Some states grant licenses routinely to (say) holders of PhDs.
o Exam fees may vary greatly.
The NCEES now maintains (for a fee) a file of references, exam scores
and experience for licensees. You might check with them for details.
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