The Importance of Professional Engineer (P.E.) Licensure for Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineers

The title, “Professional Engineer,” is often associated with civil or structural engineers — and seldom with electrical, electronic and computer engineers.  One reason can be attributed to educational institutions, where their professors, other higher educators and graduating seniors make most civil and structural engineers aware of licensing’s importance. Most civil and structural engineering professors, along with their Ph.D., would have their engineering license as well — allowing them to use the P.E. designation (P.E. is state-specific licensure).

Electrical, electronics and computer professionals rarely come across literature on engineering licensure as an important career pathway. One reason might be because companies that largely employ professionals in these disciplines often cite the “industry exemption,” so as to not be required to staff Professional Engineers. However, as increased use of technology affects the public-at-large, discussions on “industry exemption” have gained momentum — as lawmakers and industry experts question whether such an exemption should be re-visited, to ensure society’s health, safety and welfare.

Inarguably the question becomes:  What is the value of engineering licensure to electrical, electronic and computer engineers?

First, let’s discuss the IEEE-USA policy position statement on The Use of the Title “Engineer” (IEEE-USA Position adopted, 22-Nov-2019), which states that:

1. Individuals who have graduated with an engineering degree from an ABET/EAC accredited program of engineering education should not be prohibited from using the title “Engineer.”
2. The protected titles, “Professional Engineer,” “Licensed Engineer,” “Registered Engineer,” and variations thereof, should be reserved for those technical professionals whose education and experience qualify them to practice in a manner that protects public health, safety and welfare — and who have been licensed to practice engineering by a jurisdiction.

Society has a broader view of what an engineer is and does. For example: A rail engine operator is also an engineer. However, the devil is in the details, when we start talking about the legal definitions. A person may not offer services that affect the public-at-large, without reviewing and conforming to appropriate licenses established in respective states. To distinguish between professionals who are licensed and those that are not, designations are generally used. For example, attorneys may include “J.D.” and “Esq.” after their name. J.D. represents their education, while Esq. signifies that they have passed their bar exam and are licensed to practice law in respective states. For engineers, “BS, MS, or Ph.D.” designates their education; while “P.E.” signifies they have passed their F.E. and P.E. exam (engineering licensure exams), and they are licensed to practice engineering in respective states. For medical professionals, it is a bit different. An “MD” after the name suggests the education; it does not have a separate designation. Medical license is required for practicing physicians and health practitioners. Nevertheless, all state license information for professions such as doctors, lawyers and engineers are public — and contained in searchable databases providing the latest information on licensure status.

As it relates to engineers within IEEE, many specialization fields require engineers to be licensed — by law — or are industry norms:

1. Utility Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission
   Design of Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission almost always involves a licensed engineering professional. Entry-level engineers in this field are expected to obtain their licenses.
2. Industrial, Commercial, Government (Federal, State and Local), Educational and Residential Design and Construction
   The majority of licensed engineers are employed in these fields, and across all disciplines (Civil, Structural, Environmental, Mechanical, Fire Protection, Electrical, etc.). The contracts affect the public-at-large, requiring a Professional Engineer (P.E) to stamp and sign (and in certain states emboss) their works — most of which are design drawings or other documents.
3. Forensic Engineering/Expert Witness
   Forensic engineering is the study of failures, accidents and other incidents involving engineered products that have caused personal injury or property damage. Forensic engineering’s goal is to discover what happened, when something went wrong, as well as why it happened. A P.E. is required to do forensic engineering, and to be an engineering expert witness. Engineering expert witnesses are highly credentialed professional engineers that provide litigation support through review, evaluation, inspection, laboratory testing, report writing, depositions and court testimony.
4. Private/Engineering Consulting
   Licensed professionals can start their own consulting firms — and a license is a requirement for establishing a PLLC (Professional Limited Liability Company), PC (Professional Corporation), or other similar professional corporate organizations. A PLLC is specifically for services that require professional licensure, including dental, medical, real estate, engineering, nursing, accounting, or law. For example, Professional Engineers who own engineering firms could structure them as PLLCs, to offer engineering services.

Individual U.S. states have set the licensing eligibilities. Generally speaking, to be licensed, there are three requirements. First, review respective state board requirements, including minimum education criteria. Second, Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) Exam.  The F.E. exam is a general, engineering principles-based exam, recommended to be taken right after (while the concepts are still fresh) graduation, for graduating seniors of four-year engineering accredited programs. The third and the last step is the Principles and Practices of Engineering Examination (P.E.) exam — focused on measuring candidates’ experience as working engineers.  A respective state’s board for P.E. exams sets forth the minimum years of engineering work experience (under a licensed professional engineer) required for P.E. exam eligibility.  The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveys (NCEES) administers both exams.

In electrical and electronics engineering, three exams are available:

• P.E. Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering
  Beginning in 2021, the P.E. Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering exam will be computer-based and administered one day per year.
• P.E. Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls and Communications
  Beginning in 2021, the P.E. Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls and Communications exam will be computer-based and administered one day per year.
• P.E. Electrical and Computer: Power
  This exam is computer-based and administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.

Experienced engineers may choose to work nationally and internationally. NCEES national records application helps in reciprocity licensure to other states in the United States, as well as other countries. NCEES international registry application helps in reciprocity licensure to international licensing associations that have collaborations and MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) signed with the NCEES (United States). In conclusion, engineering licensure opens many pathways for personal growth — not just locally, but globally. It is both a rewarding experience, and a mark of distinction, for those engineers who have put in the effort to understand the importance of licensure, and its benefits to society.

David C. Cotton, P.E., has extensive experience in telecommunications and wireless engineering in the military, as well as commercial/industrial wireless sectors.  His experience entails Cellular System Design and Optimization, Site Compliance with FCC OET-65, and other RF safety standards. He has served on development of international wireless standards on 3GPP and IEEE C95 committees. Cotton is a licensed engineer in multiple jurisdictions in the United States and Canada; and he is a chartered engineer (UK) in the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).  Cotton is a senior member of IEEE.

Nikhil Bodhankar, P.E., leads Bergmann’s engineering focusing on Science, Technology and Industrial (STI), and brings more than a decade’s experience in engineering research, sustainable infrastructure design, and managing multi-disciplinary projects. Bodhankar has worked in the Research and Facilities Division at General Electric – Global Research Center, where he worked with scientists, union trades and external vendors, and contributed to developing some of the most challenging and unique experiments in the world. Bodhankar has contributed his expertise by publishing articles in technical journals, as well as several volunteering activities to advance the engineering profession. His extensive experience and involvement play a key role in his leadership of the Science Technology and Industry group, as he collaborates to bring innovative solutions to the forefront for clients. Bodhankar has published in numerous journals, co-chaired IEEE Standard 3001.4, and is a senior member of IEEE. He is licensed in multiple states in the United States, and he is a Lighting Certified (L.C.) and LEED Accredited Professional.