The Professional Engineering Exam

As a PE, you can expect many benefits unavailable to other engineers:
• Many employers offer higher salaries and greater opportunities for advancement to licensed PE's.
• Only PE's can consult in private practice.
• Only PE's can seal company documents to be sent to the government.
• PE's have more credibility as expert witnesses in court than most engineers.

Michigan Board of Professional Engineers Web Site

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying

National Society of Professional Engineers

Michigan Society of Professional Engineers

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Professional Engineering (PE) exam are administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

Engineering students are encouraged to take and pass the FE examination during their last semester in college, or the first year after graduation. Because there will never be a time when you are better prepared to pass it than near graduation.

The examination is offered in April and October each year. Students must visit www.els-examreg.org to register for the exam and pay the $155.00 fee. The registration deadline is approximatly 2 months before the test,

FE Exam Waiver
Recognizing the extraordinary educational background achieved by an individual holding both a Bachelors of Science degree in engineering from an ABET (or an equivalent degree from a foreign university), and a Doctorate degree in engineering from a US institution that has ABET accredited undergraduate engineering programs, the Board of Professional Engineers accepts these degrees as equivalent proof of knowledge of engineering fundamentals as that evidenced by successful completion of the engineering fundamental examination. Individuals possessing both degrees may now become licensed as professional engineers without writing the engineering fundamentals examination. All licensing candidates, including those not taking the fundamentals examination, are required to pass the professional practice examination to become licensed as a professional engineer. Applicants wishing to obtain a waiver of the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering examination should put their request in writing and include it with the application.

The Michigan Board of Professional Engineers was created under Article 20 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, to license and regulate the practice of professional engineering in Michigan. Article 20 defines professional engineering as professional services, such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design or review of material and completed phases of work in construction, alteration or repair in connection with a public or private utility, structure, building, machine, equipment, process, work or project when the professional service requires the application of engineering principles or data. The board currently oversees the practice of approximately 20,274 licensed professional engineers.

Michigan Board of Professional Engineers Web Site
611 West Ottawa
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
Tel: 517-241-9253
Fax: 517-241-9280

After passing this test,
there are only three more steps in obtaining a PE license:

• Graduate with a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited engineering curriculum (all curricula in the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech except Engineering Physics).
• Gain four years of engineering experience under the supervision of a registered professional engineer.
• Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam.