Transcript Professional licensing for technology students

Professional licensing for
technology students
Prepared by Captain Tim Johnson, PE
Associate Professor
Wentworth Institute of Technology
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.
Comparison of professions
1.
A Doctor…
1.
Has a Hippocratic
Oath.
2.
Is involved with
health issues.
3.
Spends years
studying.
4.
The State gives a
medical license if
they can pass their
board exam.
5.
Can belong to a
medical society.
6.
Can add MD to
their name.
A Lawyer…
1. Upholds a code of
ethics.
2. Is involved with legal
issues.
3. Spends years
studying.
4. The State gives them a
license to practice law
if they pass the bar
exam.
5. Can belong to a legal
society.
6. Can add Esq. to their
name.
A Professional Engineer
1.
Upholds a code of
ethics.
2.
Is involved with design
issues.
3.
Spends years studying.
4.
The State gives them an
engineers license if they
can pass the FE/PE
exams.
5.
Can belong to an
engineering society.
6.
Can add PE to their
name.
What is the process for licensing?




It’s 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.
Path to PE flow chart
4-yr engineering
graduate
FE exam
4-yr technology
graduate
FE
exam
Engineer in
Training
(EIT)
4 years
work
4 years
work
EIT
4 years
work
PE exam
PE
PE
exam
PE
Short cut to getting a PE for both engineering and technology graduates
4-yr college
graduate
FE
exam
Engineering
graduate
degree
3 years
work
PE exam
PE
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.
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.
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 112:Section 81J (1) (b) & (c)
 Chapter 112:Section 81J (3) (a) & (b)
