Becoming a Licensed Mechanical Engineer in Another State
You have finally become a mechanical engineering PE. That is no small feat. But being a licensed engineer in one state does not mean that you can work in another state. However, obtaining your mechanical engineering PE puts you on the fast track to obtaining a license in other states.
Every state has its laws and regulations about licensing engineers. This is done to ensure public safety. Licensing by the state ensures that you meet the state's requirements to ensure the public's safety when you practice. Unfortunately, because states have different requirements for licensing, there is no mechanism for transferring your PE license from one state to another.
You do not have to be licensed as a professional engineer to practice your trade. However, you will be limited in the services that you can provide. Your income and career prospects will suffer if you do not have your license.
The good news is that the licensing process in most states is similar. Therefore, you can pursue career opportunities in a different state after obtaining your Mechanical Engineering PE. You only need to apply to the new state’s engineering board to gain recognition.
How to become licensed in another state
In the past, licensed engineers would have to go through a long and tedious process to be recognized by a new state’s engineering board. This meant supplying official transcripts and other personal information for scrutiny. However, with the institution of the NCEES’ Council Records Program, all data is centralized. This makes the application process easier and faster.
You will need to access your NCEES account. If you sat for and passed the NCEES PE exam after 2010, you already have an NCEES account. If you do not have an account, you will need to contact NCEES and set up your account.
Complete the NCEES Endorsement (comity) Application form. Your application should be submitted to the engineering board in the state you want to become licensed. The NCEES provides contact information for all the US state boards.
Gather all the supporting documents to be submitted with your application. Every state has requirements for training, work experience, and passing the PE exam. In addition, your documentation should show that you meet the state’s requirements for PE licensing.
Records that you need to gather
While the specific requirements for each state board differ, four types of records are required for assessing your eligibility for licensing in a new state.
Official academic transcripts from the institutions you attended will be required. These should be sent directly from the school to the NCEES. You must include the transcripts from every institution you attended.
You will need to provide five references. Three of these references will need to be from licensed Professional Engineers.
Be careful when choosing your references. Choose professionals that can provide a positive testament to your character as well as to your skills. These should show your range of diversity in terms of your work experience.
Different states have different requirements for the level of work experience that professional engineers must have. Therefore, examining your work experience and ensuring you meet the minimum requirements before filling out your application is vital.
Be sure to list all relevant jobs you have held since leaving college. You should summarize your work experience to provide details on tasks, duties, and projects. Check the state’s requirements on the type of work experience details required and follow the guidelines provided.
When your paperwork is all in order, you can submit your application. The state board will then review your application. Some boards may require you to take an additional test. These tests are often administered online and are available at any time of the year. It would help if you were prepared to take another exam.
The time it takes to get licensing in a new state varies. Use the tips above and get started on your application as soon as possible.
