In order to provide services as a Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado, individuals must first obtain a license from the State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. An agency within the Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Board is tasked with handling license applications, rulemaking on licensee practices and disciplinary matters for misconduct. Applicants seeking their Professional Engineer license must meet the requirements designated by the Board, and then follow regulations regarding license renewal. While there are no current requirements for continuing education, a proposal to do so has been submitted for consideration.

Obtaining a license

General

Candidates seeking a license as Professional Engineer must complete a combination of educational, experience and examination requirements, depending on their qualifications.

Professional Engineer License by Graduation, Experience and Examination

Candidates must complete one of the following tracks:

• While enrolled as an Engineer Intern, applicant must complete engineering curriculum of 4 years, plus 8 years of progressive engineering experience (part of which is educational). The candidate must also pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam if not an Engineering Intern. Upon completion of all graduation and experience requirements, applicants must sit for and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam.
• While enrolled as an Engineer Intern, applicant must complete engineering technology curriculum of 4 years, plus 10 years of progressive engineering experience (part of which is educational). The candidate must also pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam if not an Engineering Intern. Upon completion of all graduation and experience requirements, applicants must sit for and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam.
• Candidates may also qualify if they graduate from an engineering related science curriculum or of at least 4 years. The Engineering Intern requirement is waived, but these individuals must have 20 or more years of progressive engineering experience. Upon completion of all graduation and experience requirements, applicants must sit for and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam.

Professional Engineer License by Experience and Examination Only

While enrolled as an Engineer Intern, applicant must 12 years of progressive engineering experience (part of which may be educational). Upon completion of all experience requirements, applicants must sit for and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam.

Requirements for Engineer Intern

In order to meet the above requirements, some candidates must earn status as an Engineer Intern. The Board has established mandates, which combine graduation from a Board-approved curriculum, experience in progressive engineering and passing the requisite exams (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and/or Principles and Practice of Engineering).

Licensure by Endorsement

Candidates for a Professional Engineer license can apply for Licensure by Endorsement if they possess a valid license in good standing in another state. The issuing state must have current requirements equivalent to those in the State of Colorado or equivalent at the time of issuance of credentials.

Maintaining a license

Renewal

Anyone holding a Professional Engineer license must renew their registration every two years, by October 31 of odd numbered years. Currently, there are no continuing education requirements that must be completed before applying for license renewal. License holders may submit their renewal application and processing fees online or via mail, and renewals start approximately 6 weeks before the license expiration date.

Proposal for Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements

In 2013, the Colorado Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers filed a request to require Professional Engineers to self-certify their completion of 24 hours of continuing education in order to renew their license every two years. The Board is required to analyze the effectiveness of such a proposal before recommending that the state legislature enact a law regarding such. The Board’s analysis centers on whether the requirement of continuing education would serve to protect the public. After conducting an investigation into the requirements of 39 other states, the Board declined to recommend continuing education to the legislature. Therefore, license holders do not need to complete educational hours before renewing their license.