One of the most important decisions you can make in your career is to earn your professional engineer's licensure. By obtaining the required college education, engineering experience, and your professional engineering licensure, you will be able to lawfully perform a broad scope of engineering services.
Consulting: Only a P.E. may prepare, sign and seal engineering plans and specifications for submission to a public authority for approval.
Promotions: Many government and industry employers require licensure for senior engineering positions.
Opportunity: Employers want engineers who show strong commitment to the future by becoming licensed.
Security: As laws change and international agreements are adopted, a P.E. licensure may become a necessity. Your status as a licensed P.E. will provide you with a maximum level of professional flexibility while earning you the
How?
Follow these steps to Licensure:
1. Engineering Degree: Most boards, including Oklahoma's, require a bachelor's degree from a four-year program that has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). In Oklahoma, other "related science" degrees may be approved.
2. FE Examination: The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination is administered each year in April and October. College students with 90 hours towards their engineering or related science degree can take the test prior to graduation. Application forms are available on this Web site. We strongly encourage all engineering students to take the fe examination as soon as you are qualified. Once you have passed the FE examination and graduate, you may be certified as an Engineer Intern.
The FE examination is an eight-hour, multiple choice test with problems covering the following three areas: Science: General chemistry and physics. (Life science, Earth science, advanced chemistry and advanced physics may also be included.) Mathematics: Differential and integral calculus and differential equations. (Probability and statistics, linear algebra, numerical analysis and advanced calculus may also be included.) Engineering Science: Creative applications of science and mathematics. (Mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical and electronic circuits, material science and transport phenomena may also be included.) Candidates may use a NCEES supplied reference handbook to assist them. Other than the handbook, only pencils and Board approved calculators are allowed in the examination room. Scores are scaled on the basis of 100 points.
For more information concerning the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, you may go to the Web site of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) located at http://www.ncees.org/exams/fundamentals/.
3. Engineering Experience: You must complete four years of progressive engineering work experience (or, six years for an approved related science degree) following your date of degree, prior to applying for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination. This work experience must be completed prior to applying for the exam and must be approved and verifiable by the Board.
4. PE Examination: In most cases, applicants may take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination after completing the required engineering experience.
PE Exam candidates must complete an eight-hour multiple choice test in one of the following engineering disciplines. Examination disciplines offered in April and October are: Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Structural I, and Structural II. Additional Examinations offered in October are: Agricultural, Control Systems, Fire Protection, Industrial, Manufacturing, Metallurgical, Mining/Minerals, Nuclear, and Petroleum. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering is offered in April only.
Consulting: Only a P.E. may prepare, sign and seal engineering plans and specifications for submission to a public authority for approval.