In order to provide engineering services in the State of Wisconsin must first obtain a Professional Engineer license from the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors. An agency within the Department of Safety & Professional Services, the Board is tasked with handling license applications, rulemaking regarding licensee practices and handing down discipline for misconduct. Applicants seeking their Professional Engineer license must meet the requirements designated by the Board, and then follow requisites for renewal and continuing education. However, certain candidates are eligible to receive a continuing education requirements waiver under certain circumstances.

Obtaining a license

General

Candidates seeking a license as Professional Engineer must first qualify under the educational and experience requirements established by the Board, and then pass a two part engineering examination.

Educational and experience requirements

Applicants for Professional Engineer license can satisfy the educational and experience requirements in one of two ways.

1. Graduating from an accredited, Board-approved engineering program with satisfactory standing, which curriculum shall not be less than four years. In addition, candidates must also engage in four additional years of experience practicing as an engineer in a character satisfactory to the Board. There must be supporting documentation showing that the applicant is competent to be providing engineering services in a professional capacity.
2. Graduating from a Board-approved technical college in engineering-related coursework of not less than two years, plus six years of engineering experience as designated in #1 above.

The Board will only accept education transcripts from NCEES accredited evaluations

Examinations

In addition to the educational and experience requirements, applicants for a Professional Engineers license must also pass examinations covering engineering fundamentals and practices. The exams are administered by a third party agency and must be arranged through Professional Credential Services (PCS).

• Fundamentals of Engineering: Candidates must be at least a senior in an accredited B.S. engineering program in order to be eligible to take the FE test. No Board application is necessary to take the exam.
• Principals and Practices of Engineering: In order to take the PE examination, candidates must meet the following requirements:
• Satisfy one of the education and experience requirements listed above
• Submit an application to the Board requesting permission to take the PE exam, with supporting documentation that establishes eligibility, experience and includes references.

Only official transcripts will be accepted and the application must include a $75 processing fee. Applications must be approved before candidates are eligible to take the PE test.

Licensure by comity

Candidates for a Professional Engineer license can apply for registration in Wisconsin if they possess a valid, unexpired registration in another state that has similar registration requirements. Applicants must have passed both the FE and PE examinations and have at least eight years of professional engineering experience.

Maintaining a license

Renewal

Anyone holding a Professional Engineer license must renew their registration every two years, by July 31 of even numbered years. There is a fee of $83 to renew or $107 if the renewal application is filed after the due date. Starting with the 2014 renewal cycle, the Board has established continuing education requirements. Renewals can be filed online or submitted by first class mail.

Continuing education requirements

In order to renew a Professional Engineer license starting in 2014, license holder must compete 30 hours of Board-approved Professional Development Hours or the equivalent in education units. The 30 hours of engineering related coursework must include at least two hours on the topic of professional ethics. In addition, there is a requirement that at least 13 PDHs take place in an in-classroom or online classroom environment where license holders can communicate with other classmates and the instructor.

Disciplinary actions

The Board regulates all matters related to conduct of Professional Engineer licensees via the Rules of Professional Conduct, which cover such topics as professional obligations, conflicts of interest and unauthorized practice. License holders found to violated the Board regulations are subject to discipline, including license suspension and revocation.

Continuing education requirements waiver

Licensees can request a waiver of the continuing education requirements based on extreme hardship or retirement under rules established by the Board.

For Extreme Hardship Requests, applicants must:

• Complete all renewal forms and pay the required fees; and,
• Submit a letter to the Board giving the details related to the request, along with any supporting documentation (i.e., a physician’s note).

For Retirement Requests, applicants must:

• Complete all renewal forms and pay the required fees;
• Submit a letter to the Board indicating that they have required from practicing as a Professional Engineer and are no longer receiving payment for such services; and,
• Include a fully-executed Affidavit of Non-Practice form with the letter.