Licensure Prep for Civil Engineers: Why It Matters

People rely on the work of civil engineers every day, from driving over bridges to drinking public water to conducting business in public buildings. If engineers make any mistakes, the consequences could be devastating. The public places a tremendous amount of trust in the work of civil engineers, so they must be professionally licensed to ensure they’re qualified to produce engineering plans and submit them to public authorities.¹

This article will explore the benefits of civil engineering and why licensure is a critical step for career advancement.

What Is Civil Engineering Licensure?

Each state has its own requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing. While many of the requirements overlap, some are state-specific. In all states, you need to meet educational, work experience, and examination requirements.¹

The first exam you have to pass is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. You don’t need work experience to take the FE exam. You can even take it before you complete your undergraduate degree, often in your final year of study. The FE exam lasts for six hours and is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Once you pass it and finish your degree, you’ll be certified as an Engineer in Training (EIT) or Engineering Intern (EI), depending on the state. This step is required for all practicing engineers.¹

Once you’re certified as an EIT or EI, you can begin your work experience. States vary, but four years under a licensed engineer is a typical work experience requirement. After you’ve met the work requirement, you can take the second required exam, the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). The PE exam consists of 80 questions and has an eight-hour time limit. You’ll be tested on your area of specialization, such as construction, geotechnical, structural, transportation, or water resources and environmental.²

You don’t have to have your license to work as a civil engineer, but you do need it to provide services directly to the public. You also need it to sign off on projects and supervise the work of EITs or EIs.³

Why Licensure Matters for Careers in Civil Engineering

You need a license to advance in your career as a civil engineer. Without one, you’ll be limited in the scope of work you can perform. A PE license grants you the following career benefits:

Legal Authority

Only licensed engineers can sign and seal projects. When you legally sign and seal a project, you certify that the work was performed under your authority, and that it was completed to the highest standards of competence, safety, and professional ethics.⁴

You’ll be able to expand your professional opportunities after you become licensed because you’ll have more autonomy. Since you can supervise the work of junior engineers, you’ll be qualified to take on leadership roles, making you more valuable to employers. A PE license will qualify you to offer your services directly to the public, so you can start your own firm if you choose to pursue independent practice.

A license will also increase your earning potential. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, licensed engineers earn an average of approximately $140,000 yearly, $42,000 more than their unlicensed counterparts.⁵

Civil Engineering’s Role in Public Safety and Infrastructure

Licensed engineers are bound by ethical standards to consider the health and safety of the public as their top priority when making professional decisions. The ethical obligations of an engineer are included in the licensing process, and engineers must agree to uphold them to become licensed.⁶

Many public and infrastructure projects require the oversight of a professional engineer. These include roads, bridges, dams, and water treatment facilities. Signing and sealing these projects serves as formal assurance to the public. It’s a guarantee that the person who designed them was qualified and performed the work with the excellence and quality required to ensure public safety. When you sign off on a project as a PE, you’re legally certifying that it complies with all applicable regulations and that all required safety tests have been performed. You’re accepting responsibility for the performance, safety, and compliance of the project.⁷

How Degree Programs Prepare Students for Licensure

An accredited degree program will help prepare you to become a licensed engineer. The coursework you study is designed to align with the topics covered on the FE and PE exams. Many universities have programs in place to help you study for the FE exam, which you’ll take shortly before or after graduation.

Experienced faculty members and alumni can help you prepare for the exam and offer valuable insights into what to expect when you take it. An accredited program will also qualify you to work as an EIT or EI after you pass the FE exam, a necessary step in licensing.

Your degree program might also offer a study group or class to help you prepare for the exam. You’ll be surrounded by peers who will take the exam around the same time as you, making it easy to form study groups.

Build a Better World as a Licensed Civil Engineer

A BS in Civil Engineering from Bradley University will lay the foundation for your career as a licensed engineer. Our rigorous curriculum covers core topics such as fluid mechanics, geotechnical engineering, and structural analysis. You’ll be able to choose electives in your areas of specialization, such as surface water hydrology, advanced soil mechanics, and structural dynamics.

Our faculty are experts in their fields and are dedicated to your success. You can take advantage of our extensive support system, including a large alumni network and partnerships with today’s most innovative companies. Our program is online and asynchronous, so you can work at your own pace from any location. Reach out to one of our admissions outreach advisors today to learn more.