Proposed Changes in Requirements to Take the Principles and
Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination

If you or your employer feels that having a PE license is an important component of an engineer’s career, you need to know about an important change being recommended for eligibility to take the PE examination.

The Model Law of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) has been revised to require an MS degree or equivalent in addition to the current requirements of graduating from a four-year, ABET-accredited engineering program, four years experience and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.  State legislatures and licensing boards are being urged to adopt this change as early as 2012 so that it can be implemented in 2020.

The revision, commonly referred to as the Master’s or Equivalent requirement, formerly referred to as B.S.+30, will have a tremendous impact on engineering education and the engineering profession.  The Position Statement, prepared by the ASME and endorsed by the organizations shown, provides reasons why the revision should not be implemented.

If having a PE license is important to you, we encourage you to become informed of your state or jurisdiction licensing board’s position on the model law.  Students and early career engineers, in particular, should think ahead in time about the consequences when you may need a license to be employed and discover that you have the degree and experience but lack the 30 acceptable units of credit.  Employers should also be concerned about their ability to pay for these credits and hire PE’s.

Make your opinions known to NCEES, your state or jurisdiction’s licensing board and to the appropriate committees of your state legislature.  Also, make your managers aware of the proposed changes.  Finally, if you are a member of other engineering societies, discuss the issue in your meetings.  All PE’s need to become aware of the recommended change.

LicensingThatWorks.org was created for members of the engineering community to share information and collaborate on the need to maintain the current educational requirements.  The Partnering Organizations, whose logos are shown on this page, coordinate resources, participate in Coalitions and share information.

This website is meant to serve as a resource, providing a means for common support and interaction to individuals with an interest to individuals with an interest or involvement in maintaining the current requirements of the professional engineering licensing process.

For additional information, contact Dave Soukup, P.E., Managing Director, Centers, ASME.