Engineering Licensure for the FE Civil Exam
NCEES FE Civil spec: Ethics and Professional Practice, C. Licensure. FE Reference Handbook: Ethics and Professional Practice chapter, licensure and the Model Law.
Passing the FE exam is the first formal step toward a Professional Engineer (PE) license, so it is fitting that the exam tests what licensure is for and how it works. Questions cover the path to licensure, the role of state boards, the meaning of a seal and practice across state lines.
What the NCEES spec covers
Ethics section C, "Licensure", covers the purpose of licensing laws, the education, experience and exam requirements, the duties of licensees, sealing documents, responsible charge, comity, and board discipline. The NCEES Model Law and Model Rules are the reference points, although each state writes its own law.
Key concepts
- Purpose. Licensure laws exist to protect the public health, safety and welfare, not to protect engineers' incomes or professional societies.
- Typical path. An accredited engineering degree, passing the FE exam (becoming an Engineer Intern or Engineer in Training), several years of progressive experience under licensed engineers (commonly four), then passing the PE exam.
- State boards issue licenses, set rules, investigate complaints and discipline licensees with reprimands, fines, suspension or revocation.
- Seal and signature. A licensee seals only documents prepared by them or under their responsible charge, and only in their area of competence. Sealing someone else's work after a quick review is not allowed.
- Responsible charge means direct control and personal supervision of the engineering work.
- Comity is how a licensed engineer gets a license in another state, usually by applying to that state's board, often with an NCEES Record. A license from one state does not by itself allow practice in another.
- Continuing education. Many states require professional development hours to renew a license.
Where it is in the FE Reference Handbook
The Ethics and Professional Practice chapter includes excerpts of the NCEES Model Law (definitions, qualifications and board powers) and Model Rules (rules of professional conduct and sealing). Search it for "seal" or "responsible charge" to find the relevant passages.
Worked scenario
Maria is a PE licensed in State A with ten years of structural experience. A client asks her to (1) design a parking structure in State B, and (2) seal the electrical drawings for the same project, prepared by an outside consultant she has never worked with. What should she do?
- Practice in State B. Before offering or performing engineering services there, she must obtain a license in State B, typically by comity. Her State A license does not cover it.
- Electrical drawings. She should decline to seal them. The work is outside her competence and was not prepared under her responsible charge. The electrical engineer of record should seal them.
- Structural design. Once licensed in State B, she may design and seal the structural drawings that she or her staff prepare under her direct supervision.
How it shows up on the exam
Licensure questions are usually direct: the purpose of licensing laws, the order of steps to become a PE, what a seal certifies, or what an engineer must do before working in another state. When unsure, choose the answer that best protects the public and keeps the engineer within their competence and jurisdiction. Remember that each state board sets its own detailed rules, so the exam tests the principles shared by all of them as expressed in the NCEES Model Law and Model Rules.
Common mistakes
- Choosing "to protect the profession" as the purpose of licensure.
- Assuming a PE license is valid nationwide.
- Thinking a PE may seal work they reviewed but did not supervise.
- Confusing passing the FE exam (an intern designation) with being licensed to practice.
- Forgetting that boards can discipline licensees for misconduct, not just for incompetence.
Background on the exam itself is on the FE Civil prep home page and the FE Civil topics guide.
Practice Problems
Try these from the free PolyCalc FE Civil problem bank. Each one has a full worked solution.
- A PE licensed in State A is hired for a project in State B. Before offering engineering services in State B, the engineer must generally: See the worked solution or practice the Ethics & Professional Practice deck
- The typical path to PE licensure in most U.S. jurisdictions is: See the worked solution or practice the Ethics & Professional Practice deck
- The primary purpose of state engineering licensure laws is to: See the worked solution or practice the Ethics & Professional Practice deck
- A structural PE is asked to seal electrical drawings the engineer did not prepare and is not qualified to evaluate. The engineer should: See the worked solution or practice the Ethics & Professional Practice deck
- A PE is asked to seal a set of drawings prepared by an unlicensed designer at another firm. The PE did not supervise the work. The PE should: See the worked solution or practice the Ethics & Professional Practice deck
Related Calculators and Examples
- Ethics and professional practice practice deck
- Codes of ethics lesson
- FE Civil exam topics guide
- Free FE Civil practice problems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of engineering licensure?
To protect the public health, safety and welfare by making sure people who practice engineering are qualified. It is not intended to protect engineers or limit competition.
Can a PE practice in any state?
No. Licenses are issued by individual states and territories. To practice in another state, an engineer generally applies there by comity, often using an NCEES Record to speed the process.
What does it mean to seal engineering documents?
Sealing certifies that the documents were prepared by the licensee or under their responsible charge and are within their competence. A PE should never seal work they did not prepare or supervise.