I have a Russian immigrant engineer in my adult ESL class right now in MD. He’s got some kind of semi-technical job (electrician’s assistant??), but wants to work in his field. He is a legal permanent resident, so there is no problem with the legal employment.
Any suggestions on what he should do to get licensed in the US? He is in the MD suburbs of DC, so could conceivably also work in VA.
Licensed? He needs to take the PE exams.
But there are engineering jobs that do not require a PE.
This from my husband…who is an engineer.
This fellow would need a PE for any work with the public that requires That he have a PE stamp.
But he could work in an engineering situation under supervision without a PE.
@MaineLonghorn your thoughts?
Have you all heard anything about the prep courses for the PE exams at Kaplan (or another test prep company)? Or is it better for the student just to self-study? This gentleman is a mid-career professional.
If he wants a Professional Engineer (PE) license, the following may be of interest:
https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/pe/
http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/APELS/
PE licensing is typical for civil engineers; it is less common for other types of engineers, though others may want or need PE licenses for work on infrastructure used by the general public.
As others have mentioned, PEs are required for civil (and structural) engineers and maybe industrial engineers. Other disciplines it’s more of a nice thing to have vs requirement
The typical track for obtaining a PE is to graduate from a ABET accredited program from a university, pass the FE/EIT, have 4 years of direct experience under a licensed professional in your discipline, then pass the PE exam. There are other tracks and each state has their own requirements. The links provided above for MD and VA would have those spelled out, but usually it involves having more years of experience. But as I stated above, the experience must be in your field and working under a licensed professional.
The PE (at least in VA) is given 2x a year - in April/October (I think) but the application is due several months beforehand. The application requires letters of reference from 3 licensed professionals plus another person to verify your work experience.
Once you do pass the PE, it is only good for that state. However, some states have agreements where you only need to fill out some paperwork and pay a fee to get the license. NC/VA are this way. I’d assume that MD/DC/VA are also this way, but I don’t know for sure. Other states might make you take a class (i.e. designing for earthquakes if you wanted to work in CA. At least that’s what we were told 20+ years ago.) and some might possibly make you sit for a whole different test.
As far as studying for the PE, I really don’t know. It’s been > 20 years since I sat for it (Studying with a newborn & working full time. Horrible period of my life!) Good luck to him!
The links that @ucbalumnus and @ClassicMom98 's post spell out everything well. I think the educational requirement may be a hangup. Maryland’s site does state, “The Board will automatically accept ABET accredited programs from international institutions.” Otherwise, more years of experience will be required, so it will be a long process.
I took a local study course before taking the PE exam in Maine. It definitely helped. One of the concrete mix problems we studied was ON the test, word for word!
Contacting the state board would be the most helpful. Someone can walk him through all the requirements in his case.
I’m confused about Electrician’s Assistant and wanting info regarding Engineering. The two aren’t the same in H’s line of Engineering.
If some sort of Professional Engineer the advice on here is valid and reciprocity agreements might help. If some sort of Electrician I’d be wanting info from the local Electrical Union or similar.
I gather that he’s WORKING as an electrical assistant but wants to practice engineering.
Ah, yes. I can see it that way as I go back and reread. Fuzzy brain this morning!
Hopefully reciprocity will work for him.
My DH has worked with engineers educated in Russia. Depending on where…and when…this person might be in a good place to secure an engineering job. He would be entry level here…but that’s OK. My DH is an EE. But he does quite a bit of work that requires a PE stamp (government work, for example). However, the other EEs in his department don’t all have PE stamps (but are working towards this).
@happymomof1 what kind of engineering does he want to do? Has he applied for any jobs? Is language use still a barrier right now?
There’s no reciprocity internationally.
Another difficulty he may encounter is designing with imperial units rather than metric. Ugh.
We’re working on a metric project now. Gosh, it’s so nice to use 30 mm rather than 1 3/16"!!! It’s hard enough going from imperial to metric, though. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to go from metric to imperial.
@thumper1 - Unfortunately, I can’t remember his specific professional field (mechanical? industrial?). To the best of my knowledge, he hasn’t applied for any engineering work yet. Most likely because of lack of confidence about the English, but also probably because of lack of professional contacts. I’ve requested that the College and Career Coach specifically address professional networking when that person visits our class in June. Most of this bunch are professionals, and none are working directly in their career fields. From his age, I expect that this student has 20+ years of professional experience. His English is very good for conversation, and his reading comprehension is good. He does more work outside of class than a lot of the other students in the program. He is in the last course available for workforce English and should be enrolling in a more academic/pre-professional course by the fall term. Really smart and charming guy.
Is the FE exam a necessary step before the PE exam? Is it possible to skip the FE and go straight to the PE? Or is that state or field specific?
@MaineLonghorn - OMG! I hadn’t thought about the need to switch from metric to imperial. One more point to add to the notes I’m making about this.
@Creekland - The last Russian engineer I had in class was working as an automechanic. Wish I’d got his business card. 
If the guy is an EE there are many jobs for EE’s that don’t require being a PE. My H is an EE and does both hardware and software though now he is director of engineering for his company and H does not have a PE license. It really depends on the kinds of jobs this person is going for.
Many engineering jobs outside of civil engineering and infrastructure work do not require a PE license.
Thanks so much everyone!!
Not needing a license for many jobs is the excellent news for this guy. I think he’s been moving slowly on the professional career thing because he thought that the license was necessary for all engineering jobs.
@happymomof1 It’s definitely not required for most disciplines. My Dad worked his whole career as an aerospace/mechanical engineer and never got his PE. My brother and BIL are both mechanical & electrical engineers without PEs making very good salaries. I, OTOH, am a civil and must have it to have any kind of non-entry level job.
If he is a civil engineer, then he would probably be required to pass the FE/EIT exam first. I believe there is a way around it, but it required something like 20 years of practical experience.
So far our S has been working in the fed govt with his EE degree and no PE since he got his BEE in 5/2010. He’s only now planning to test to become a PE because he has enough work experience and feels it hay he a useful thing to have.
If he needs the PE, he can’t skip the FE portion. This is usually taken at the end of an ABET accredited college course of study. But…one can still do the FE (and then PE), but I believe they need five years of work experience to take the FE…@mainelonghorn…is that correct?
But as noted…for many engineering jobs, he won’t need a PE license at all. It all depends on the kind of work he does.
I think getting the job folks involved is a great idea.
I believe that different states may have different requirements, so he would need to check. Maybe he won’t need the license, anyway!
That is what I hope!