<p>My son intends to major in Civil Engineering. He resides in CA and definitely plans to return to work here after graduating college. We are wondering how going to an out-of-state school, most likely University of Arizona, would impact passing the PE exam in CA. We understand that the licensing is different between the two states. What we are wondering is if he passes the Az testing, how likely would he be prepared to also pass the CA test i.e. do state universities highly tailor their programs of study to their state’s issues or are they more generic wherein this would not be too much of an issue.</p>
<p>I think if you get a PE license in one state, it more or less is recognized in all other states; that is, you can use the postnomial every where you go. Thus, I would assume that the test are similar in nature, just like how driving tests are similar across state lines.</p>
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<p>Yikes, folks, please don’t post if you’re not sure of your answer. This is WRONG, especially when it comes to the California Civil PE!!</p>
<p>My husband has been licensed in Maine as a civil engineer since 1989. When he wanted to become a civil PE in California, he had to take a surveying test (yes, surveying!) and a seismic test. He also had to be interviewed by 3 CA PEs.</p>
<p>Requirements may have changed some, but the CA PE website still states: “Civil and Structural applicants applying for comity (reciprocity) in the State of California must comply with the above final filing dates as they are required by law to take and pass special California state-specific examinations.”</p>
<p>NOTE!! To become a “Structural Engineer,” you have to take even more tests. My husband has already taken the Structural I and II exams, and has to take the Structural III exam in October. These exams are pretty tough. It’s not too surprising, considering that seismic design is so critical in California.</p>
<p>OP, if your son wants to practice in CA, he needs to make sure he checks into CA’s rules and see if he should take additional classes in surveying and seismic design. I went to school in Texas. I assumed I would practice there, so I didn’t take a seismic design class. Then we moved to Maine, where we DO have to take seismic forces into account. Oops! I had to learn a lot on my own. Doable, but I wish I’d studied it in college.</p>
<p>MTA: Other states also have special requirements. Massachusetts requires that you submit drawings and calculations that are scrutinized carefully. There is a national clearinghouse that will keep all your educational and experience records for you, and send out the info to whatever states you need (for a fee, of course). But the engineer still has to fulfill all the extra rules each state sets.</p>
<p>Maintaining PE licenses is also a challenge. Some states (including CA, surprisingly) just ask you to send them a check every couple of years. Other states require you to obtain continuing education credits (Maine is 30 hours every two years). Some states (NY and Florida) are ridiculously strict about what classes they will accept. And every state is on a different cycle, so when you’re registered in 10+ states, it’s a big job to keep all the requirements straight. And expensive!</p>
<p>Thanks, MaineLonghorn. Things are more making sense. We have noticed that the surveying and seismic classes here in CA can be followed up with a licensing test that students take after completing those classes. We just hadn’t realized, until now, that it’s done that way in anticipation of the need for PE certification. I note that Az does not require those two specialty tests with their PE certification, but checking the U of Az course catalog they offer classes in both. I am guessing that’s a plus, but will make sure we ask specific questions before going forward with enrollment.</p>
<p>otc, that’s interesting that the students can take those licensing tests right away! You can’t take the general PE test until you’ve gotten several years of experience.</p>
<p>Accredited schools should have the classes your son needs. It’s great you and he are planning ahead!</p>
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As long as the school’s accredited it’s ok. You just need EIT and two years of work experience and referrals from CA Civil PEs.</p>
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As you have noticed, CA Civil PE has seismic and surveying part, but this does not mean the school’s curriculum is tailored to it. For example, ucla does not require surveying classes whereas cal poly does.</p>
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Wasn’t aware of this and never heard of this unless they changed the rules like really recently…</p>
<p>Reading the comments from both of you makes me wonder is we misinterpretted information given on when you take the tests for the specialty licensing. I’m now thinking that maybe it meant that people already having the PE can come to these CA Universities, take these classes and test immediately. I’ll will have him ask.</p>
<p>Another question…
Do employers in CA not favor graduates from another state, like Az? That would be a huge negative. It seems to me that if that’s the case, then going to a Cal State; Long Beach, San Diego, Chico, etc. would be better than going out of state. Would you agree?</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up, rheidzan, on being sure the schools offer both classes.</p>
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<p>I know that in Nevada you can take the exam right off the bat. Once you get enough qualifying experience, if you’ve passed the exam, you can get your license. Varies from state to state…</p>
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<p>I did my undergrad in Houston, my grad work in Illinois, and my first job out of the grad school was in California. If you’re already licensed in another state and you’d have a hard time bringing in your license to practice in California, it might be a setback, but if you’re a young engineer starting from scratch… A graduate engineer is a graduate engineer is a graduate engineer. Your individual attributes are going to matter far more than the location you hail from when you’re applying for jobs.</p>
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State licensing boards don’t care if an engineering degree was earned in-state or out-of-state. The only thing they care about is ABET accreditation. If you have an ABET degree (in any engineering discipline), you automatically meet the education requirement for PE licensure in every state.
The biggest difference is that California requires two supplemental 2.5-hour PE exams, on seismic and surveying issues.
To become licensed in AZ, he would have to pass the NCEES 8-hour FE exam and the NCEES 8-hour Civil PE exam. These exams are used nationally, including in CA. If he passes them in AZ, then CA should accept the AZ results.</p>
<p>The principal difference, as stated above, is the two CA supplemental exams. But these tests are difficult for everyone, regardless of where they went to school. Most people prepare for them using commercial study guides and/or exam prep classes (which are often, but not always, offered at universities). You can pass the surveying and seismic exams with the help of the professional exam prep services, regardless of whether or not you studied these particular topics in college. Obviously it is helpful if you had some exposure to these topics in school, but this is not essential.</p>
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If you are a Civil PE in another state, then presumably you have already passed the NCEES FE and PE exams. If so, then you can apply for licensure by comity in California. If your previous education, experience, and exam results are acceptable to the CA Board, then you can become a CA PE by passing the two CA supplemental exams. </p>
<p>As stated above, most people would buy study guides and/or take review courses before attempting these exams. An out-of-stater would have to come to CA to take the exams. An out-of-stater who wanted a review class would probably also have to come to CA (although it wouldn’t surprise me if there are online exam prep courses by now).</p>
<p>You all have been great. My son and I have a much better understanding now. Thank you so much!</p>