Professional licensing for technology students

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Professional licensing for technology students

• Prepared by Captain Tim Johnson, PE
• Associate Professor
• Wentworth Institute of Technology

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Reason for licensing

• Increased complexity of systems has necessitated
  the need to separate competent engineers from
  inexperienced and untrained personnel for the
  safety of the public.
• Recognized professional stature and adherence to
  ethical standards.
• Membership in professional engineering societies
  promote continuing education, engineering ideals,
  fraternity, and community service.

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Comparison of professions

• A Doctor
• Has a Hippocratic Oath.
• Is involved with health issues.
• Spends years studying.
• The State gives a medical license if they can
  pass their board exam.
• Can belong to a medical society.
• Can add MD to their name.

• A Professional Engineer
• Upholds a code of ethics.
• Is involved with design issues.
• Spends years studying.
• The State gives them an engineers license if they
  can pass the FE/PE exams.
• Can belong to an engineering society.
• Can add PE to their name.

1. A Lawyer
2. Upholds a code of ethics.
3. Is involved with legal issues.
4. Spends years studying.
5. The State gives them a license to practice law if
   they pass the bar exam.
6. Can belong to a legal society.
7. Can add Esq. to their name.

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What is the process for licensing?

• Its a two phase process involving education and
  experience. Each State has slightly different
  rules so check locally.
• If you have graduated (or are about to) from an
  undergraduate engineering program (or related
  sciences) at an ABET accredited engineering
  college, your submission of a transcript enables
  you to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
  exam.
• The experience is a reprisal with documentation
  and supervisor verification of your engineering
  work record for a minimum four-year period after
  the FE exam and before taking the Professional
  Engineer (PE) exam.
• Technology students need an additional four years
  of experience before they can take the PE exam.

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Path to PE flow chart
4-yr engineering graduate
Engineer in Training (EIT)
FE exam
4 years work
PE exam
PE
4-yr technology graduate
FE exam
4 years work
PE exam
PE
4 years work
EIT
Short cut to getting a PE for both engineering
and technology graduates
Engineering graduate degree
4-yr college graduate
PE exam
PE
FE exam
3 years work
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In summary

• Students wishing to obtain a PE license can
  accelerate the process by obtaining a graduate
  degree in an accredited engineering program.
  Taking courses part-time at night and working is
  difficult but the board requires one less year to
  sit for the PE exam. Obtaining a graduate degree
  makes passing the exams easier because you are
  that much more knowledgeable. Your resume will
  make you look like a triple threat having a PE
  license, an advanced degree, and experience.

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Sources

• www.mass.gov Consumer Affairs and Business
  regulation website links to the Board of
  Registration of Professional Engineers and
  Professional Land Surveyors website. There you
  will find links to the statutes and regulations
  that address licensing of professional engineers.

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M. G. L. references

• ABET Undergraduate Engineering Degree Criteria
  Policy advisory summary of General Laws, CMR 250
  and paragraph 22 of the application for
  Professional Engineer.
• Chapter 112Section 81J (1) (b) (c)
• Chapter 112Section 81J (3) (a) (b)