Licensing
 Becoming a licensed
professional engineer (PE) is an option that can lead to career
advancement and flexibility. Not all engineers need it, but all states
require licensing of engineers whose work may affect life, health, or
property, or those who work in service to the public. A growing number of
states in the United States have mandatory continuing education
requirements. Also, the trend is toward more mandatory continuing
education requirements to keep your license up to date. Most countries in
the world require the licensing of engineers. If you are interested in
practicing internationally, the importance of the PE license increases.
 Fundamentals
of Engineering Exam
Students
are urged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during their
senior year. Passing the FE exam is necessary to qualify for PE licensing
several years later. The FE exam is an eight-hour supplied reference
examination: 120 one-point questions in the four-hour morning session and
60 two-point questions in the four hour afternoon session. This
examination is normally given to undergraduates during the senior year.
The morning session is common to all disciplines. The afternoon session is
administered in the following five disciplines: Chemical, Civil,
Electrical, Industrial, and Mechanical with a general engineering section
for all remaining disciplines. Study guides and additional information
about the exams are available from NCEES.
Process
Although there are different ways to become licensed, as a student
attending a four-year engineering school, you can begin the process while
still an undergraduate. Waiting ten or more years may be more difficult
and pose a much greater challenge. You must pass two exams given by
the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
You may take the first exam, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), in your
senior year. If you pass this exam and you attend an ABET-accredited
school, you are classified as an Engineer In Training (EIT). After at
least four years of engineering work experience, you may take the second
exam, Principles and Practices of Engineering. If you are successful, you
are then licensed as a professional engineer. If you are a student
outside of the United States, check with your university and national
professional association.
Electrical
Professional Engineering (PE) Examination
The PE examination is
developed with problems that will require a variety of approaches and
methodologies including design, analysis, application and operations. Some
problems may require knowledge of engineering economics. Examinees select
and work eight (8) problems out of twenty-four (24), subject to local
board rules. These specifications have been in effect since the October,
1991 examination. Check the NCEES website
regarding specifics and changes in policies and content of the exams.
The 24 questions cover the following topic areas:
- Fundamental
Design of Generation Systems
- Final Design
and Application of Generation Systems
- Fundamental
Design of Transmission and Distribution Systems
- Final Design
and Applications of Transmission and Distribution Systems
- Final Design
and Applications of Rotating Systems
- Motors and
generators.
- Final Design
and Applications of Instrumentation
- Final Design
and Applications of Lighting Protection and Grounding
- Design of
Control Systems
- Design of
Electronic Devices
- Applications of
Electronic Devices
- Design of
Instrumentation Applications of Instrumentation
- Design of
Digital Systems
- Design of
Computer Systems Applications of Computer Systems
- Design of
Communication Systems
- Applications of
Communication Systems
- Design of
Biomedical Systems
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by
IEEE and the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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