Any person who wants to provide engineering services in the State of California must first obtain a license as a Professional Engineer from the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors & Geologists. The Board was created under the Department of Consumer Affairs and is tasked with establishing license requirements, managing the application process and enacting rules regarding the conduct of license holders. Candidates must complete a certain level of education and/or experience, as well as pass examinations. The Board has also passed regulations regarding the status of license holders who intend to retire.

Obtaining a license

General

The Board has enacted regulations related to how a Professional Engineer can obtain a license as such. Candidates must complete a designated amount of education and experience requirements, or a combination of the two disciplines. In addition, applicants must pass examinations and submit an application in order to receive the proper credentials.

Education and Training

The Professional Engineer licensing track begins with educational and/or training requirements. The Board has mandated that candidates complete three or more years of education at an accredited institution of higher learning in an approved engineering field. Applicants can also meet the Board requirements by obtaining three or more years of engineering experience. Alternatively, candidates can satisfy the Board’s mandates with a combination of education and experience totaling three years.

Examinations

After completing the Board requirements for education and/or training, candidates for a Professional Engineer license must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam as administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Upon passing the FE test, candidates must apply to the Board for certification as an Engineer in Training (EIT).

EIT Experience

Once becoming credentialed as an EIT, candidates must then engage in six years of professional level, Board-approved experience in the specialty area of engineering that they are seeking licensure. The work must be on a full time, 40 hour a week basis. The EIT experience requirement may be obtained by educational credits, either through an undergraduate degree in engineering at an accredited institution or post-graduate education.

After completing all training, examinations and meeting the EIT experience levels, candidates must submit an application to the Board in order to obtain a license as a Professional Engineer. When sending in the application, candidates must also have completed the Take-Home Examination on California engineering laws and the rules of the Board. This exam is available on the Board’s website and the answer sheet must be included with the application.

Maintaining a license

Renewal

The renewal date of Professional Engineer license holders is established according to the date their application was approved by the Board, which is based upon a quarterly system. Approximately 4-8 weeks after approval, first time licensees will receive their renewal notice. Professional Engineers can submit their renewal applications and fees online or via mail. Upon renewal, licenses are valid for two years from the date of renewal and the cost to renew is $125. The penalty for delinquency is 50% of the renewal fee in effect at the time the license expires.

Disciplinary actions

The Board handles all matters involving licensee discipline for misconduct, including practicing in the field of engineering without a valid Professional Engineer’s license. The Board has also enacted a Code of Professional Conduct, which must be adhered to by all license holders. Penalties for violation of the Board’s rules include censure, probation or revocation of license.

Retired license status

License holders may elect to have their status with the Board designated as “Retired” if they’re no longer active as a Professional Engineer and don’t want to pay full license renewal fees. It’s important to understand that candidates cannot perform any services falling under Board regulations that qualify as engineering. In addition, it’s crucial to note that the only way to reinstate a retired license is to re-take and pass the examination. Maintaining status as retired allows qualifying candidates to use certain titles, such as “Retired Professional Engineer” or “Professional Engineer, Retired.”