3 answers
priscilla
Student
New York Mills, New York
1
Question
2 answers
Elizabeth Thesing
Engineering
13
Answers
Springfield, Ohio
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Priscilla!
Depending on what type of engineering you are looking at going into, you may not need to pursue a PE license after college. It can be helpful for some types of engineering but is not a requirement to work as an engineer for many professions.
You would first want to complete a Bachelors degree in a field of engineering. Look into what specific type of engineering interests you and follow up on the curriculum for that field. If you have a very specific interest, you may need to follow up a Bachelors with a Masters or even a PhD to perform the type of work you are interested in! But for many engineers, that isn't a requirement or at least isn't right away in their career.
If you do find in your research that a PE license or additional accreditation is required to continue to progress in your field, you can go back to school or take training/classes to obtain that. I believe the PE test cannot be taken until 5 years after your Bachelors, but since I personally haven't taken the test, I'm not 100% certain on that! I've been able to take training to add to my skills without going back to college, and then recertify that training as required.
There are a lot of options for you, but again, I encourage you to determine what field of engineering you want to pursue and look up specifics for that type of engineering!
Depending on what type of engineering you are looking at going into, you may not need to pursue a PE license after college. It can be helpful for some types of engineering but is not a requirement to work as an engineer for many professions.
You would first want to complete a Bachelors degree in a field of engineering. Look into what specific type of engineering interests you and follow up on the curriculum for that field. If you have a very specific interest, you may need to follow up a Bachelors with a Masters or even a PhD to perform the type of work you are interested in! But for many engineers, that isn't a requirement or at least isn't right away in their career.
If you do find in your research that a PE license or additional accreditation is required to continue to progress in your field, you can go back to school or take training/classes to obtain that. I believe the PE test cannot be taken until 5 years after your Bachelors, but since I personally haven't taken the test, I'm not 100% certain on that! I've been able to take training to add to my skills without going back to college, and then recertify that training as required.
There are a lot of options for you, but again, I encourage you to determine what field of engineering you want to pursue and look up specifics for that type of engineering!
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
88
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Priscilla. Kudos to you for knowing what you like and what you want to do in your career. Getting an engineering degree is the first step forward. Getting a Professional Engineer's (P.E.) license is a great follow-on. Each state has it's own licensing agency and requirements to qualify as a P.E. As a new engineer, you can take a test and qualify as "Engineer-in-Training." In my state, the requirement was to have three years' experience before you could take the P.E. test. Along with the test that demonstrates your knowledge of engineering practice, you have to answer questions about your business ethics and public safety with respect to the work you do.
As stated in another reply, you do not absolutely need a P.E. license to be employed in most engineering endeavors. But, for most state or civil positions, such as highway engineering or public construction works, it is very desirable and/or necessary. There is an irony here: the engineer that designs the highway must be a P.E., but the engineer who designs the automobile that travels on it is not required to be registered.
Good luck in your pursit of an engineering career, Priscilla.
As stated in another reply, you do not absolutely need a P.E. license to be employed in most engineering endeavors. But, for most state or civil positions, such as highway engineering or public construction works, it is very desirable and/or necessary. There is an irony here: the engineer that designs the highway must be a P.E., but the engineer who designs the automobile that travels on it is not required to be registered.
Good luck in your pursit of an engineering career, Priscilla.