Introduction

In today’s ever-changing civil engineering career market, the future is uncertain. To be a fully-compensated engineer, one must have a professional engineering license in their state of practice. The decision to seek a career in engineering, a civil engineer PE license is an important one. One must consider the health, safety, and welfare of people. The civil engineer considers various factors including transportation and utility systems, highway and roadways, bridges, buildings and structures, dams, water-borne systems, wastewater treatment works and more. Thus, civil engineers are referred to as specialists who work with structures.

A professional engineering (PE) license is required for eligibility for a position with the local governing authority for the state where it was issued. A civil engineer work for the federal government, state and local government, or private developers is limited without this license. The professional license also serves as evidence to the public of the engineering P.E.’s unique expertise in his/her particular field of choice.

To prepare and pass an examination, one must complete four academic years of a university engineering program in civil engineering and have at least five years of work experience. Civil Engineers must understand what is going on around them to provide safe solutions. They must know the topography, the climate and soils, and what the impact on the environment. They must know how to protect people using sound engineering practices.

Civil engineers are employed by local, state, and federal governments, private developers, architects, and construction companies. As an civil engineer with a PE license, you will earn a more competitive salary than those without a license. Your employment opportunities could be in any city or town of your choice throughout the U.S or abroad.

Engineers employed in civil engineering often work in different fields and industries; the level of work can include everything from construction to transportation engineering. Civil engineers are employed by local, state, federal, and independent government agencies; utility companies; private developers; homeowners associations; real estate agents; architects and construction managers. Civil engineers may also be employed as consultants, where organizations may hire them to perform a specific technical task on an ongoing project. Most civil engineering firms employ several employees, with the largest employing more than 100 people.

Civil engineers must communicate clearly with clients and co-workers, usually in writing and sometimes orally. They are sometimes required to present engineering ideas to clients or other engineers. Civil engineers must understand the principles of their field and their applications. They need to know the various materials used and relevant codes, standards, and regulations concerning construction. Civil engineers may perform field investigations and surveys, gather data using a variety of instruments, and travel to other locations to acquire information. They create engineering designs and present them through documents (e.g., drawings, documents) in various media (e.g., computer drafting programs). In some cases, they may also be accountable for verifying the specifications of their plans or designs with clients or people associated with the project.

Why Get a License? A Civil Engineer PE License Guide

Credibility: Your expertise and credibility as an architect, engineer, or construction professional make a significant impact on the success of your designs. So having a P.E. license is a fast way to establish an image of a skilled professional. However, just saying the letters P.E. in short after your name as quickly as you can does not guarantee your status, although you’ll have the ability to act more authoritatively than usual. However, many people have invested profoundly in the education and background checks required to earn a P.E. license.

Reputation: A professional engineering (P.E.) license certifies to the public that the person can provide engineering services in a particular field of practice. The public and private entities that employ licensed engineers will have confidence in the work they do. They are usually more qualified than those who are not licensed to undertake any task given by their clients or employers.

Design capabilities: Having a P.E. license will ensure that the engineer can provide engineering services in a particular field of practice. The public and private entities that employ licensed engineers will have confidence in the work they do. They are usually more qualified than those not licensed to undertake any task given by their clients or employers because their design capabilities and knowledge enable them to be efficient, thorough, and competent engineers.

Flexibility: As a P.E., you have the option to work in any state of your own choice. The other advantage is that the license is valid in any state. As a P.E., you will be able to take advantage of job opportunities anywhere in the U.S. and can start your own business anywhere at any time.

Authority: As an engineer with a P.E. license, you will have authority and prestige. You can sign and seal drawings, documents and plans. You can order materials, supplies, and equipment. You can employ a team of people to assist you in your projects. Your salary will be more competitive than those without a license.

Career value: Civil engineers are in demand. With a civil engineer’s license, you can have numerous job opportunities. The salary is also competitive compared to those without a license, who must look for other jobs. Click here to learn more about the benefits of a P.E. license.

P.E. Exam & Board Certification (Process and The Basics of It)

PE Civil exam

The Principles of Engineering (P.E.) exam is an aptitude test for engineers who have been engaged professionally for a minimum of four years in their chosen engineering discipline. The PE Civil exam will become computer-based and be administered year-round at Pearson VUE test centers in 2022. The Exam contains 80 questions with an appointment time of nine hours which include:

• Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
• Tutorial (8 minutes) Exam (8 hours)
• Exam (8 hours)
• Scheduled break (50 minutes)

For more information, kindly visit the NCEES YouTube channel.

A $375 NCEES exam fee will be paid directly to NCEES. You may want to submit a separate application and pay a fee as part of the approval process to qualify for a seat on the NCEES exam, depending on the decision of your local licensing board. Some other licensing boards may also require you to file an additional application and pay a fee on their end. Before registering for a P.E. exam, familiarize yourself with your state’s licensing board’s registration process.

NCEES Engineering Exam Registration

Only engineers authorized by the state professional licensing board are licensed as professional engineers in the United States. These boards grant P.E. licenses upon meeting education, significant experience, and exams. Visit the NCEES registration website to choose your state, territory, or foreign entity to review your registration process before registering for an upcoming exam.

Pros and Value Over Time

Similar to other career fields, professional engineer licensure shows that an individual is highly skilled in their field of work. Several possible benefits come with becoming licensed as a P.E. in civil engineering, as stated by many of the Professional Engineers.

• Career: Having a P.E. license provides opportunities for advancement and promotion. Typically, civil engineers choose to become a P.E. for the opportunities that it offers them. Civil engineers with PE license can take on leadership roles in their field of expertise and help manage various projects.

• Education: As a civil engineer, you can continue your education throughout your career in the field. A P.E. license will allow you to differentiate yourself from the most knowledgeable and qualified engineers in your field.

• Challenges: You can take on challenges and create effective solutions to improve design services. Your ability to implement engineering projects successfully and effectively will depend on the effective use of your P.E. license.

• Value Over Time: This allows license holders to use the phrase “P.E.” after thier name in most states. Increases income potential by offering the ability to bid on projects not open to unlicensed engineers. Potentially opens up the opportunity for higher-level work and supervises engineers, technicians, and scientists at a firm or government agency. Increases professional opportunities, such as participating on project teams in many public and private organizations.

Conclusion

A P.E. license is the most sought-after proof of a professional engineer’s credentials. To attain your civil engineer PE license, you must have acquired appropriate training, presented the relevant credentials, and passed a set of exams. Additionally, you need to go through the required licensing process.

The P.E. license is valid for professional engineering practice in public and private sectors across the United States. As a P.E., you can obtain employment as an engineer in almost any state, although they may direct you to get a license in that state or territory before practicing there.

Applicants must fulfill the specific academic requirements of each of the several states and jurisdictions to qualify for their P.E. license and should seek advice regarding state-specific application requirements from their local licensing board. The P.E. exam itself is another way of proving your credentials, so if you are not yet licensed, you should focus on studying and writing the Exam.

“By having a P.E. license, you can have a lot more job opportunities in the engineering field.”