What is a Professional Engineer?

A professional engineer is an engineer certified by a state board of registration to practice engineering. In North Carolina, the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS) is responsible for licensing qualified applicants. The NCBELS states that, “In order to be licensed to practice in North Carolina, an individual, in addition to paying the required fees, must be of good character and reputation, must satisfactorily pass the examinations administered by the Board and must submit evidence of education, and a specific record of progressive work of a nature and level acceptable to the Board.

Other states have similar boards that certify engineers. Generally there is a reciprocity agreement between states which allows licensed engineers in one state to apply for, and receive, certification in another state.

Why should one become a Professional Engineer?

Many engineering jobs require a PE license. You will probably need a license if you work as an engineering consultant, testify as an expert witness, are involved in patent work, are a senior engineer involved in work that is concerned with public safety, or if you advertise to provide engineering services. Being a Professional Engineer has always been an important distinction and enhances one's career options. Though you may never need to be registered for “legal” reasons, many companies require engineers to have their PE to be eligible for engineering management positions.

On the average, PE's make significantly more money than unlicensed engineers. Even if your first job doesn't require a PE license, you may need it later in your career. In today's economic environment it pays to be in a position to have several different jobs in your professional career. One of these may require licensure as a Professional Engineer. You may be competing for a job with others who have a PE license or are on a professional engineering track. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first step toward licensure, and it is best to take this exam in the last semester of your senior year. By passing the FE exam, you earn a certificate certifying that you are an “Engineer in Training.” This can be a convincing entry on your resume.

It is highly unlikely that a job requiring a PE license will be outsourced overseas.

The College of Engineering believes that professional registration is an important goal for engineering graduates, with passing the FE Exam the first step towards that goal. The College offers a formal review course to help prepare graduating seniors for the exam.

How does one become a Professional Engineer?

There are four steps to become a licensed Professional Engineer:

•  graduate from an ABET accredited engineering program

•  pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

•  work as an engineer for four years

•  pass the Professional Engineering(PE) exam (you cannot take the PE exam without first passing the FE exam)

NCSU engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the PE exam are offered twice annually on the NCSU campus. Engineering experience must be certified by the NCBELS.

There will never be a better time for taking the FE exam than the final semester of your senior year when the fundamentals of engineering are still fresh in your mind. The passing rate for seniors is close to 85%. Those who take it later have a passing rate considerably below 45% and normally spend many hours trying to relearn material they once knew. If you are a graduating senior, take it now. But prepare yourself by taking E 490, the FE exam preparation course. The FE exam may be the most difficult exam you have ever taken. You should not take this exam unless you have taken at least 75% of the courses in your major. Even with this background, you must prepare.