Foo - Registered Professional Engineers

You know, a lot of members and posters to this forum are engineers.

I wonder how many of you have your Professional Engineer (P.E.) licenses?

In this case, being a Registered Professional Engineer doesn't mean you simply get PAID to do engineering work.

You have to graduate from an accredited engineering university, take the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, work in industry under another PE for a specified time (usually four years), and take the PE exam for your discipline. There are other ways to earn a PE, but this is the most common.

With a PE, your state recognizes that you have the skills to be an independant engineering consultant, serve as an expert witness on court, sign off on building drawings, etc. You get a cool newsletter every quarter listing all the PE's that have been disciplined for malpractice. :(

I'm guessing a lot of you Civil Engineers have "P.E." after your name. They are a bit rarer in other disciplines.

Eubi, P.E.
Mechanical Engineer M26779

I do. 5 states.

Wow. I'm always on the lookout for a good PE to sign off on my drawings. Too bad you're so far from me.

Wow. I'm always on the lookout for a good PE to sign off on my drawings. Too bad you're so far from me.

heh, you know better than that:)

I passed the EIT and SIT, but never did much CE work after college... so never qualified for a PE.

sorry to temporarily hijack the thread, but I am considering buying an historic building that is about 150 years old. Any idea what kind of engineer would inspect such a structure and report on it's condition? Any idea how much such an inspection would cost?

Wolfpack, PE
Civil Engineering

Not a P.E., because I didn't graduate a formal engineering background.
Does regular membership to SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) with technical experience in lieu of a CMfgE count?

I do. 5 states.

Don't suppose you do any expert witness consulting, do you?

Don't suppose you do any expert witness consulting, do you?

Thought about it, what expertise would be required?

Thought about it, what expertise would be required?

I don't have anything in particular at this point, but these things are always coming up. Sometimes its mechanical operation, sometimes oil platform safety. It really varies from case to case, but I'm always on the lookout for solid consultants.

I don't have anything in particular at this point, but these things are always coming up. Sometimes its mechanical operation, sometimes oil platform safety. It really varies from case to case, but I'm always on the lookout for solid consultants.

Nah, I do traffic. I have done hurricane damage inspections, but after the last 2 years, I don't want to do that anymore.

Nah, I do traffic. I have done hurricane damage inspections, but after the last 2 years, I don't want to do that anymore.

Any accident reconstruction?

Any accident reconstruction?

I need to take a class, I have never actually done one.

Well, doesn't sound like our fields intersect. Too bad. It's always nice to be able to present an expert who literally is a part-time consultant and not some paid mouthpiece who has a huge footprint on either the plaintiff or defense side of the bar.

Well, doesn't sound like our fields intersect. Too bad. It's always nice to be able to present an expert who literally is a part-time consultant and not some paid mouthpiece who has a huge footprint on either the plaintiff or defense side of the bar.

heh, not really how that would work, either. I do work for a consulting firm, so it's not like I am really free to persue outside projects....

I am still occasionally getting called up for hurricane related stuff. Not fun.:(

No degree only too much experience, awards and various other things. I am not certified in anything (though perhaps certifiable at times)

Hasn't held me back for sure.

The license is simply the noose they hang you with in the lawsuit.

sorry to temporarily hijack the thread, but I am considering buying an historic building that is about 150 years old. Any idea what kind of engineer would inspect such a structure and report on it's condition? Any idea how much such an inspection would cost?

PE in Civil and also a Structural Engineer. The licenses can be a benefit and a liability. They gain you credibility in the profession and typically (or should) lead to higher pay and upward mobility. Regarding the liability issue, you can become a "target" in the event anything goes wrong, even when it is clear the engineer was not at fault.

Civil Engineering is a very broad discipline. You can have civil engineers with expertise in structural engineering, land surveying, hydraulics, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, traffic engineering, construction management, etc... and I'm probably even missing a few specialties.

Now, back to your question about the building purchase. It really depends on what you want to do with it. If you plan to continue and maintain its present use/occupancy, the building code does not require you to do anything. However, if you intend to use it for something that it was not previously permitted for, then you'll have to upgrade the building to meet ALL of the current building code requirements. And that typically means seismic/structural upgrades, exiting/egress upgrades, etc... In that case you should be dealing with a design team (architect, civil/structural engineer, etc...). In other words... BIG BUCKS!!!

If you're just trying to get an assessment of the building's current structural condition, you could contact a structural engineer (or civil engineer specializing in structures) and find out. But, just like any and all projects, estimates vary so you should get a few quotes. But, shooting from the hip, I'd guess anywhere around a few hundred to several thousand bucks for such a report. I know that's a wide range but its dependent on many things (i.e. size, complexity, condition, availability of as-built drawings and specifications, etc...).

It would probably be helpful if you contact your local building department to find out what other requirements they would impose at that level.

Sorry to be so long winded but hope this helps :)

The license is simply the noose they hang you with in the lawsuit.

Exactly! They always need a scapegoat...

2 years into my EIT, can write my EIT exam whenever i want. I still have 4 engineering experience reports to write and the exam before i get my P.Eng.


free_pizza E.I.T

jtnmb77-PE Civil Eng.

Do you guys wear your rings?

wedding ring

Is this something very specific to Civil Engineering? I am EE and I have never heard of a PE in what we do..

Is this something very specific to Civil Engineering? I am EE and I have never heard of a PE in what we do..

It is generally more important for a civil than others. Industry uses a lot of ME, EE, ChE, IE and does not usually require registration. It is called the "Industrial Exemption".

In order to offer your services as a Professional Egineer, you must be registered in your state. In any system that has been designed and built, someone stamped it. EE, ME, CE, whatever.

http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/massachusetts.php

Shoulda listened to my dad and become a P.E.; I might be registered today. Nope, I did things my way.

I went to a NAAB accredited 5-year architecture school, Woodbury University where I earned my Bachelor of Architecture degree and graduated *** Laude.

I've completed my internship and have recorded 8+ years of work experience under licensed architects.

I have also taken and passed 8 of 9 licensing exams (A.R.E.) and am awaiting authorization to retest for the ninth exam. Upon passing and because I live and work in the great state of California, I can apply for the California Supplemental Exam (oral boards) and hope I passed that. Did I mention that the exams do not allow for anything more than a non-programmable calculator? No books, no texts, nothing allowed in but a pencil and scratch paper (the test is computerized, however).

As a designer in this profession, I'm familiar with civil, structural, mechanical (including HVAC, water and wastewater systems) and electrical engineering. I am also versed in aesthetics. I do not pretend to know everything thing there is to know about the various aspects of each engineering discipline, but I do know how they work with respect to the typology I design, and I respect engineers that can bring their expertise to the design solution.

I can't wait until I finally earn the right to call myself by my professional title. :)

Okay, here's a joke I've heard many a time.

Architects build targets, Engineers build targeting systems.

Architects and dogs are licensed, Engineers and Sex offenders are registered. :D

For CA PE registration...

http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/

trsidn, just curious... you mention that you occasionally do hurricane related work. I'd be curious to know about the reconstruction efforts from a local engineer's perspective. Are you just busy beyond belief with a backlog up the wazoo? Are there a lot of out of state engineers participating in the reconstruction? Just curious... thanks!

Architects build targets, Engineers build targeting systems.

Architects and dogs are licensed, Engineers and Sex offenders are registered. :D

Hehe, I always heard ME's make weapons, CE's make targets.

interesting about the reg vs licensed..:/ typical.

My **** is bigger than your ****?...

Not an engineer at all, just find the thread a little humourous

For CA PE registration...

http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/

trsidn, just curious... you mention that you occasionally do hurricane related work. I'd be curious to know about the reconstruction efforts from a local engineer's perspective. Are you just busy beyond belief with a backlog up the wazoo? Are there a lot of out of state engineers participating in the reconstruction? Just curious... thanks!

Much of "reconstruction" is tied up in court.
Insurance companies do not want to pay, homeowners don't know what the final requirements are, etc.

Much of my work now is traffic related north of New Orleans, and in the suburbs. People that had money and means got out. Those that did not are still in limbo. Much of New Orleans proper is still in bad shape.

Much of "reconstruction" is tied up in court.
Insurance companies do not want to pay, homeowners don't know what the final requirements are, etc.

Much of my work now is traffic related north of New Orleans, and in the suburbs. People that had money and means got out. Those that did not are still in limbo. Much of New Orleans proper is still in bad shape.

Thank you again for the insight.

Although I haven't completed my EE, I intend to end up with a PE. There are quite a lot of EEPE's in the Utility Industry for the earlier poster.

My **** is bigger than your ****?...

Not an engineer at all, just find the thread a little humourous

It's actually a liability thing, not so much an ego thing. A lot of projects or companies require a professional signoff on designs, especially those that affect safety. Even though most of the work may be done by unlicensed engineers and drafters, a professional may be required to review their work and approve it before it gets built.

Since so much of what civil engineers do relates to structural integrity, water quality, etc, the PE is a very common hiring requirement in that field.

The downside is if you sign off for something and it kills someone, the **** is coming your way.


I passed the FE and got my EIT two years ago. I haven't talked much to my boss about the PE, but I believe he's licensed, so I can probably count those towards my mentored experience.

PE in Mining, real hard rock mining, not that data stuff. Among several jobs here and overseas I was involved in disaster and body recovery at the Wilberg coal mine, only a few miles from the current disaster in Utah. Did a little flood control, bridge and road design work for a while. A mining PE was more of a generalist. I needed to know enough in several areas to know if the specialist PE my employer hired to do detail work was stringing us along.

As far as the exams the numbers and calculations stuff was in the E.I.T. test. The PE test was more of an overview of general principles. It was a walk over with an HP35 and a table of the elements.

I passed the FE and got my EIT two years ago. I haven't talked much to my boss about the PE, but I believe he's licensed, so I can probably count those towards my mentored experience.

iamlucky13, check your state's regulations, but you can probably use the recommendation of your engineering management to qualify you for the mentoring period, even if they are not licensed. I'm talking about a Mechanical PE; for a Civil PE, they have to be licensed.

(Shoot, I would sign you off based on some of the advice you have given on this forum :D)

I was the only PE in my company at the time, and letters from the Engineering Manager and VP of Engineering worked here in CA.

...now I sign off on the PE candidates at my company.

In CA, to get a Civil PE, on has to also pass a special siesmic knowledge test, in addition to the PE exam.

Also, it's important to note that one can be a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NPSE) without actually holding a PE. I worked with a gentleman that thought membership in this society qualified him to put "PE" after his name.

http://www.nspe.org/membership/me1-desc.asp

I'm not slamming the NSPE, I'm just making a clarification.

...and thank you for educating Maelstrom. I considered his comment a troll (which is uncharacteristic for him), and your response was excellent.

But he brings up a point, why did I get a P.E.? I don't need it for work. Maybe it is an ego thing. I have always been proud of my academic achievements, but what's wrong with that? I found the PE review class to be very good. I actually finally understood Thermo after that review, and made connections with professors at the college I wanted to attend. The relatively short class was good practice before going back to school get my Masters (Oh no! ANOTHER academic achievment!).

Also, I am a firm believer in having a plan "B". If I ever get laid off tomorrow, I can be Eubi Engineering Consultants within a week.




As far as the exams the numbers and calculations stuff was in the E.I.T. test. The PE test was more of an overview of general principles. It was a walk over with an HP35 and a table of the elements.

Wow. The Mechanical PE I took was eight hours, eight problems, of specific mechanical analysis and calculation. Although I enjoyed taking the test, I wouldn't consider it a walk in the park. As I recall, we had 69% pass the year I took it (Yeah, I know, 69...har, har).

Although I remember one calculation that involved a gear train. It mostly concerned gear tooth and power analysis, but I found one part to be humorous. You had to select the efficiency of the drive train (they experimented with a few having multiple guess problems the year I took it). They gave you bearing frictions, gear efficiencies, lube viscosity, and several other red herrings. But only one answer was less than 100%!

Yeah, the PE was an 8 hour exam. Not what I would call fun. It also was not a general overview. May not have been the hardest test I ever took, but it was up there. It was an ordeal more than anything.

I pretty much DO need it for work. I certainly wouldn't have done for fun.
But yes, if need be, I can be trsidn consulting engineers pronto.