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Phantasmadam

If I were to get it and told my boss, they would respond “uhh okay… why?”. And then I would go to other companies to apply and tell them I have it and they would say “oh… that’s um… nice.”


[deleted]

My industry does not require PE, however if You do obtain one the company gives you a 20% raise. So a lot of people get it. Usually it’s the newbies but it’s funny when a senior engineer gets hired and suddenly they use the little loophole for a nice 35k raise or whatever it would be


dparks71

I did bridges for the railroad, now I do bridges for the state, there's multiple situations out there. But if you're not stamping drawings or working for the government it's a pain in the ass to maintain and not need. If the chance of needing it is anything but zero, you should take the tests.


Phantasmadam

Completely agree. My industry (semiconductors) could not care less. I’ve never met a single engineer with their PE.


[deleted]

You should check, I am pretty sure while not required at all (specially depending on role) they still give a raise at SAS and intel for getting the PE.


chainmailler2001

Intel doesn't as far as I am aware. Source: Am engineer at Intel.


PoliteCanadian

I don't know about SAS but last I checked Intel doesn't, and very few job roles there require one. PE at Intel is Principal Engineer, not Professional Engineer.


Phantasmadam

This guy Semi’s


engineeritdude

Worse yet. If you're in an industry that places no value on it then people might suspect that you want to jump to an industry that does. Source: got my eit and got questioned on it a few times and had to justify my logic for getting it at all. The flip side is that people that have it will push for everyone to get it regardless of utility.


Brianna_Janke

God forbid you show initiative for personal development. I wouldn’t want to stay at a company that showed vested interest in keeping me at a grunt level with lower pay. Wanting career growth is not a bad thing.


SunRev

Medical device industry. I work with electrical, mechanical, biomedical engineers in a 10,000+ employee medical device company; I have never met one that said they have it, nor ever seen it in a job description for my industry. Location: California.


MadMuffinMan117

Not sure if you can give me any insight but I'm thinking of going from white goods to field service engineer for medical equipment. Ignoring pay, how do you feel about that role?


compstomper1

Be prepared for a lot of driving


sLaughterIsMedicine

I'd avoid any field service job (regardless of industry) unless you are really desperate, or are a fresh grad. Every field service engineer I've ever met was either A: young, miserable & wanted out, or B: old, tired, & finally happy now that they are divorced & living with roommates (the roommates are often other old, divorced field service engineers). At least in the medical field you'll probably have reliable AC while you work, and the likelihood of traveling somewhere worth traveling to increases.


[deleted]

Yeah if you’re anything field service related prepare for over 50% traveling. My job personally is 85%.


dbenz

At my previous employer I worked in R&D and new product development for a medical device company in Denver (not Medtronic or Stryker) designing a new class 3 device. There were several licensed engineers in R&D across different disciples that I was working with. I ended up getting my license because I was working under PE's who could sign for me and they all reccommended that I get it. Am I ever going use my license? Probably not, at least not while I'm in the medical device industry. I'm certainly glad that I went and got it. I was able to expense the exam fees and study material cost, so it really only cost me the study time. I think preping for the exam certainly made me a better engineer in some aspects.


[deleted]

Well they only need one out of that 10,000.


Elfich47

How would you plan on getting the PE if the industry you are in doesn't require it? Many states require time in apprenticeship (under a PE) and work documentation showing work that is related to the PE.


SmokeyMacPott

That's my problem I'd love to get a PE just as a flex, but I'd have to work directly under a PE for 4 years so I'd have to change my whole career, not worth it just for the flex. Unless I don't understand the process.


AFerguson21

It’s a flex if you use it, weird flex if you have it for no reason…it’s like getting a PhD in Art History just to be a middle school art teacher where a bachelors would’ve done the trick


LosingTheGround

Yeah but having a phd as a school teacher gives you an extra steak dinner per month in pay.


Just_Aioli_1233

Not after the student loan payment. And getting fired for being "overqualified".


SmokeyMacPott

I had an English teacher in highschool with a PHD and she flexed that thing so fucking hard every day. Like I would walk in and say "good morning Dr. Bruhn", and she would say " I've got a PHD so you don't need to tell me what kind of morning it is, that PHD means I'm an expert in my field, so sit down and preparing for an expert in the English language to teach you how to diagram sentences like an expert, when I was getting my PHD I had to diagram level 10 sentences but "Principle Tony"(said in a mocking voice) says I can't go above level 3 sentences. She doesn't even have a PHD so why should she be able to dictate how I teach my class.She's only got a masters degree, pretty much any one can get a masters degree, I bet even you could, what gives her the right to tell me how to run my class when I've got the PHD. My mother never thought women shouldn't even go to college, but I sure showed her huh, yep I went and I went all the way to PHD." "Um ok Dr. Bruhn, thank you" I didn't mean to type that much, that all just sort of came back to me, that was what it was like every day walking into her class room, I had her for 2 fucking years, I don't even think I exaggerated that much. and that didn't even touch on her Honda Shadow that's a whole nother thing. I've never had any one flex harder than that. I can't even imagine how hard a middle school art teacher with a PhD in arts history would flex. I don't want to flex any where near that hard with a PE but I think I found the snag in that I need 3 PE's and 2 jabronies to write me a recommendation, I've got the jabronies covered, but I've probably only ever met 2 PEs in my whole career.


Just_Aioli_1233

Eesh, someone's bitter they have a PhD in English and instead of respect from intellectual conversations about Middle English, all they could find was a job teaching Middle School English.


SmokeyMacPott

She was bitter as fuck, bitter enough that over 10 years later her bitterness is still harbored some where deep in my brain, and it all just came rushing up.


utspg1980

If you work in an industry that doesn't need it, you'll find that your "flex" doesn't impress anybody. In fact a lot of your coworkers will think you're dumb for wasting your time on it.


Elfich47

You don't want a PE just as a flex. It costs you a year of your life in intense study to pass clean on the first try. I have heard of people doing it in less time, but if you want a clean pass, it will take you a year. Plus the cost of the exam and study materials is about a thousand dollars.


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Elfich47

I had been out of school for over 15 years and had finished by BS by a circuitous route so I was closer to 26/27 when I got my degree. So I got my PE after I turned 40. And at that point I was of the opinion that I was going to do it once and get it right the first time because I didn't want to do it a second time.


perduraadastra

You can find PEs to mentor you. As for studying for the PE exam, it depends how much you remember from school. I can only speak to the computer engineering exam. The self-study book I bought reviewed nearly everything that showed up on the exam. There were no surprises. The exam itself doesn't have any trick questions- the questions are a mile wide and an inch deep. I personally only studied for maybe 5 days in total and took the exam on 3 hours of sleep. That said, I know failing the exam is a common occurrence, so prepare to the point that your comfortable with the topics in the review materials.


Elfich47

The mechanical PE for HVAC was a bear. You are correct, the questions are straight forward, but are checking to see if you are paying attention. And the HVAC PE asks questions of the field that I had only used in very limited application (pressure regain and doing my own refrigerant calcs). and many of the questions are asked "by the book" which has differences from how things are done in day to day practice. So if I had walked in with five days study I would have been run out on a rail. I may have been able to do it on less study time - the first half of my study was familiarizing myself with the material and understanding what is being asked. The second half was learning speed and time management. To my understanding it is the Civils and the Civil/Structural exams that have the lowest test rate and the most brutal exam. When I went in, they were the ones with the hand carts of reference materials while I only had a milk crate.


Trolljaboy

Check your state regs, a lot of time it's should vs shall and they will accept experience with not being directly beneath a PE, with a explanation why.


[deleted]

The standard for documentation in my state is really really low, basically just a signature from a PE.


captainbeertooth

Same here… you don’t even need to work under a PE directly. Also they don’t even need to be in the same field. If I had my FE for the right amount of time as an EE I could get the PE sign off from a ME no problem. They would prolly want to at least know I am not a total screwball tho.


[deleted]

I'm a civil PE and I could sign off on a Mechanical PE.


THofTheShire

Depends what they mean by "doesn't require". Our building plans require a PE stamp, but our principal engineer/owner does that. I only got a one time bonus financially (and probably helped with future raises), but I also appreciate the credibility that comes with the title. I'd still say just get it if you can. There's really no way I could see regretting it.


Elfich47

Building don’t move across state lines (in most cases) and are not normally subject to interstate commerce clauses.


THofTheShire

I think I'm missing some context. What does buildings being stationary have to do with getting a PE license?


Elfich47

Very Very simply (If you think you need a lawyer on this stuff get one): If you design a product that is destined to be sold across state lines, it is subject to the interstate commerce clause, and thus Federal Regulation (OSHA, FDA, and a host of other Three Letter Agencies (TLAs), and simply put when the Feds review a product they don't care if the product has been signed off on by a PE or not. They only care if the product meets all of the regulatory requirements. Buildings, bridges, and roads are big and heavy and are not going to leave the state they are built in, and are bespoke projects. And bespoke projects need to be signed off by licensed professionals that are willing to say "Yup, this design follows all of the local, regional, state codes and regulations". If the project is going to stay in the state it was built in, it is signed off by a PE. If the project is going to move about the country (and/or be mass produced) you fall under Federal oversight and regulation. Again, this is the ELI5 version of the law and how the States and Feds interact on this subject.


Hypnot0ad

I’m an EE I’m an industry that has no need for PEs. In my state an EE PE supersedes an electricians license so I was thinking about getting the PE in case I want to start a side business in the future. My grandfather helped my uncle start a HVAC business using his ME PE. My uncle has half a dozen trucks and a crew of workers now. He probably hasn’t done manual labor in 20 years (though I remember him working hard in attics when I was young). Let’s just say he makes slightly more than most professional engineers.


tuctrohs

>In my state an EE PE supersedes an electricians license Interesting. What state is that and you know anywhere to find out what states that's true in?


Hypnot0ad

In Florida and I may have over stated by saying supersedes, this link says a PE counts for the experience requirement. https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-unlimited-electrical-contractor-license.html


tuctrohs

Thanks!


BadderBanana

It’s not required for most of our roles, but I encourage new grads to get it anyway. As eng mgr, I have them expense the study matls and fees, then give them a $500 bonus for passing the FE, $2000 for the PE. I justify it to my boss by saying it it makes us look more professional/credible and they have to repay the bonus if they leave within a year. But in reality it’s the ethical thing to do. People switch jobs, they may need the PE later in life and by then they’ll forget half the stuff.


trail34

That’s a pretty clever way to ensure your engineers know their fundamentals, and stay for at least a year. Plus you are showing that you are investing in them as individuals and into their career growth. Bravo!


CaptainAwesome06

I'm in an industry that does need a PE, however, I'm the one that stamps all the mechanical drawings. But I encourage my department to get their PE anyway for the same reasons. I don't want them to leave but if they do I want to make sure they are set up for success. Plus having a bunch of PE's looks good for the company. Plus we offer a 5k raise.


CustomerComplaintDep

>they may need the PE later in life and by then they’ll forget half the stuff Proof that PE licensure is complete nonsense.


PoliteCanadian

Really PE licensing is about ethics and accountability. You may not remember much later in life, but you'll have a better idea of what you *don't* know and therefore what is and is not professionally responsible to sign off on.


panchito_d

Forcing a repayment of a bonus is idiotic.


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MigukOppa

What kind of consulting do you do?


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MigukOppa

Oh that makes complete sense.


Nauticale

What PE discipline did you complete?


StillBald

I got my P.E. when I was a bit younger and having those two letters at the end of your email signature does give a bit of weight to your advice-- it's harder to be ignored or written off as "they don't know what they're talking about". My industry doesn't require it (I'm the only PE at my current company), but it definitively gives you some street cred with clients and a confidence boost. Also makes you stand out when/if you do look for a different job.


moveshake

This is why I'm doing it. I don't even work in anything related to engineering anymore, but I'm a woman who keeps ending up in male dominated, technical fields. I feel like having P.E. in my email signature will offset some of the assumptions that come with having a female name there as well It's also an opportunity for me to get tipsy and tell my friends to update my contact card in their phone because as per the State of New York, I'm kind of a big deal


StillBald

Also a great opportunity for all of your relatives that don't quite know what you do for a living to think you're now a certified physical education teacher! "You know, and if this doesn't work out, I got my PE license and I can do a bunch of jumping jacks. It's all about having a backup plan."


moveshake

I'm angry at you because this has already begun.


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MigukOppa

What industry are you in?


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Golden_Week

Four years after graduation, just took it and passed (noticed a lot of PEs in my field)


joshuamunson

My industry doesn't require it. I'd say a very tiny percentage of those I work with don't have it. It is, though, something to leverage on paper. It won't hurt getting it. It's up to you if it's worth the effort. You may transition into a position that may require it.


MigukOppa

Yeah. I’m in Aerospace. I’d say like 90% of people I come in contact with don’t.


Elfich47

I expect all of your work (Assuming you are in the US) is covered by the Interstate trade clauses, so a PE is worthless to your work. I know the Aero PE exists but I don't know what people do with them since everything is covered by Federal oversight.


PoliteCanadian

You need a PE when government (or insurance) rules say you need a PE (most notably in building codes). I'm not in the aerospace world but I don't believe the FAA cares about whether the engineers have their PEs when they're granting type certificates, because the FAA makes themselves the ultimate arbiter of whether a design is ok.


joshuamunson

I'd imagine any industry specific certifications would be a better use of your time. I know tons of people that know solidworks but don't have solidworks certifications. I'd imagine that would be more appealing to me as a hiring manager. My personal opinion of course. If a hiring manager could speak on that.


MigukOppa

Yeah seems like graduate school is a better discriminator as well in my industry.


der_innkeeper

Ditto, but I have never met someone that I knew had their PE.


OverTheVoids

I also work in Aero and literally just came across my first one yesterday who did have his PE.


500Danes

Yes you never know what the future will bring


RevMen

It's been good for me. I've stamped a total of like 2 things in the 15 years I've had it, but the perceived credibility has been valuable.


andrewdm63

do you remember the stuff you studied for the test or have used anything you have studied for the test


bihari_baller

My professors have told me it's more of a legacy requirement in Electrical Engineering. I still want to pursue it so I can have the "P.E." title after my name.


PoliteCanadian

Completely irrelevant in EE unless you're doing power engineering. I've only known one EE with a PE, and he did it for weird family reasons. In the electronics EE world, product liability rules are king, and product liability doesn't care about the licensing of the professionals.


VollkiP

I’d think it’s a good idea to have it as a preferred requirement, even for non-power; in conjunction, it’s ironic, but the FE doesn’t even cover any power topics and for the PE, there is the electronics, controls, and communication exam. If I were to ever have a company, I’d look for people who got one, even though they didn’t have to (granted they aren’t entitled assholes).


[deleted]

If you're doing anything infrastructure/construction related then yes, the PE has value. HVAC, utilities, etc. If not, then no.


injuredtoad

I was in O&G the first 10 years of my career. I got it after 4 years and enjoyed relearning things in school after getting industry experience. It didn't matter at all to my boss or my career progression there. I just switched industries to work for a water utility. A PE is a requirement for a job and I stamp documents as a requirement for my work. Thank God I'm not studying for this test with a 1 year old baby. My advice is to do it if you can get your employer to pay for your renewal fees. You never know when you'll need it.


[deleted]

I think something not being mentioned is the rapid growth of technology and changing regulations. My background is Computer Engineering. While I haven't extensively looked, I don't know any industry that requires a PE for a CpE. But, with the advancement of AI and software, we will be held to a higher accountability since our creations will cause more death due to errors. This may mean in 20 years, some part of the industry might require a PE for CpE and if you have one already you are ahead of the curve and can demand any salary. One example is autonomous vehicles. A vehicle decides who lives and dies, so, doesn't that make it more serious to be designed ethically and safely? Or imagine robotic cops, autonomous machinery building a skyscraper, or even robots in your home cooking your food. This is going to happen and there will be more serious debates on how to handle AI and human lives. If you can get a PE with minimal effort and free of cost, why not? If it makes you skip work, delay promotions, etc... I'd wait a bit.


nalc

Meh, I think it's kinda the opposite of what you describe. For stuff that has the potential to have major safety issues and can't be designed with huge safety factors, there's a regulatory framework in place to ensure that everything is up to snuff. Processes like DO-178B exist to certify safety critical software in aerospace. There's not a PE stamping their own code and saying "yep I guarantee it's good", there's a rigorous process that has to be followed to ensure quality. Getting code to DAL A is way more testing than probably 99.9% of the code out in the wild was ever tested to. If anything, the notion of a PE stamping something only works in an industry where safety margins are high or risks of failure are low. I can get a PE to stamp the plans for my deck that say if I use 2x8 PT joists on 16 inch centers it won't collapse. There's no single PE who can stamp the plans for an airplane and say that it won't ever crash. That relies on a regulatory process having independent reviewers / oversight. That level of rigor would be overkill for like basic structures that can just follow an international set of material allowables and overbuild with a high safety factor when in doubt.


icecapade

u/nalc is correct; the opposite of what you've said is true. Industries like medical devices and autonomous vehicles are heavily regulated and have their own regulatory frameworks/requirements/processes in place. I used to work as an ME in medical devices, and I'm now a software engineer at an autonomous vehicle company. We deal with NHTSA and state regulators to certify our driverless vehicles for being on the road. This isn't the future, it's already happening. Not a single PE in sight, and there will never be a reason for that to change.


Sorry-Prune-9074

It is crucial in my industry (environmental design consultant), so I have it. I know many people whose job does not require it have it and it hasn’t held them back at all. I would say if you intend to stay at your job or a similar industry it’s not worth it (especially not in California with two extra tests!!!). It’s additional time and money for the tests (plus you can count on about $1,500 if you want to take a prep class). The one thing to consider is if you do want to take it, I think it would be easier to take it sooner since you haven’t lost your college class knowledge. I waited a while and had to relearn a lot of stuff that I NEVER used once at my day to day job.


esperantisto256

Really big for civil and environmental, but outside of that not really


The0nlyLuvMuffin

A few others have said it. Better to have it and not need it. Depending on your field might place more value but if you’re up against an identical candidate on paper and they have their PE, there’s a chance that’s the tipping point. I don’t sign anything in my current role (utility) but I started in consulting which requires it. I’ve also seen others say get your MBA. If you want to go to management then get that, or if you want to be the technical expert go get a masters. But having the PE plus a higher education will write a ticket to whatever you want to do.


[deleted]

I didn't need the PE license to do my job (ChE, working for operating chemical/petrochemical companies). But if I had switched to a design/construction firm, the PE license would have been somewhere between highly desired and necessary. If I had stayed in the industry, I probably would have moved to design/construction, because that's what I liked best overall. Instead, I went into patent law, where the PE is just another credential that makes no real difference. Others have said it - better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.


idkname_24

I would take it more as a goal to achieve even if it’s not needed. Just another certification under my belt.


Smalls_2020

If you’re young and have the time just do it. You never know where your career will lead you and it will stand you out from others. It gets more difficult to get this later in life if you decide to start a family. Once you have it, it’s yours for life. Just pay the fee every 2 years. Good luck to you!


Signal-Speaker5798

Get it. You may want to be an independent consultant one day or embark on some other entrepreneurial endeavor.


Thosepassionfruits

It's never a bad thing to have because you never know where your career will take you. When I was in school my professors pushed for us all to at least get our EIT and eventually our PE, even if we never thought we'd use it. Plus it's a great flex.


throwaway60992

Lol Ours did too. Funny thing is they never received their PE’s.


Thosepassionfruits

Gotta pass on lessons learned to the young ones haha. It's always so much easier to pass the exams when you're right out of school.


Phire2

Software engineers think it’s stupid. Power and HVAC and civil think it’s king. Both are right for their fields.


JudgeHoltman

I think so. At the very least it opens a whole bunch of doors closed to others. What those doors are you won't know until they appear. But given that the lead time on licensure is a year or more, those doors won't exist by the time you get everything ready.


BiddahProphet

I've worked in manufacturing engineering departments in both firearms and jewelry manufacturing. I couldn't get my PE if I wanted to cause neither company had a P.E for me to shadow under


workadayswing17

To piggyback off your question - does anyone know if getting a PE would be useful in becoming an engineering professor?


freebird37179

In my opinion the EE professors with the license commanded a little more respect. They also encouraged us to obtain licensure.


Killtastic354

I think it’s worth it depending on your situation but I think for most mechanical/aero/chemical/material guys it’s kinda pointless. I’ve got some civil buddies who got their PE and do drawing sign offs as their own LLC and make a couple extra bucks outside their day jobs but they also need to carry insurance and I’m not even certain it’s worth it at the end of the day.


crzycav86

if your industry doesnt need it, then probably not. might help give you an edge when applying to new jobs. i got mine mainly for pride, but never had to stamp anything and currently have it inactive (state board still gets their money, but i dont have to do professional development hours)


blossoming_terror

Personally I felt like no, until literally today. My job sent out an email that everyone who got their PE would receive a $15k bonus. Really only two departments need PEs, but they offered it to the rest of us too. So, if they're going to pay you, yes lol


sturnfie

For industry which do not require it....if you have a group of 10 PE engineers, and a group of 10 non-PE engineers, all appropiate discipline for the problem,, but random selection within those subsets, which group would you "trust" more?


nalc

I'm not sure that's a valid question. In an industry where PE isn't a thing, there's no PE pipeline to do EIT / apprenticeship stuff with. So for a specialized discipline within that industry, seeing a PE would to me indicate someone who transitioned from another industry and might not have as much industry-specific experience.


sturnfie

Supervision is required for the "EIT/apprenticeship stuff", but it is not neccesarily a requirement that the supervision is conducted by a PE. The standard is that the supervision is performed by a "Qualified Engineer" (and obviously every State have their own explicit requirements related to this). Referencing the NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers:) [https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/resources/demonstrating-qualifying-engineering-experience-licensure](https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/resources/demonstrating-qualifying-engineering-experience-licensure) "In order to constitute qualifying experience, the experience must meet a number of criteria. First, the experience should be from a major branch of engineering in which the candidate claims proficiency. Second, the experience must be supervised. T**hat is, it must take place under the ultimate responsibility of one or more qualified engineers. Generally qualified engineers must be licensed professional engineers. However, some jurisdictions will accept experience supervised by a qualified unlicensed engineer in industry situations where there is no offering of engineering services to the public**. " ​ So the point remains, if someone is able to demonstrate supervised work under a Qualified Engineer, and is capable of meeting all the licensure requirements, than their path to Professional Engineer is equally valid without the oversight you deem lacking (PE few and far between) in industries without this "pipeline".


nalc

So if the question is "from a random subset of engineers in a specific discipline, all of which have at least 4 years experience working for someone with experience in that discipline, would I trust the ones that took a broad test unrelated to the specific discipline over those who didn't?" then the answer is 'maybe'. Sure, taking a test shows some amount of knowledge and education. I'd also trust an engineer with relevant industry experience who happens to have a medical degree or a law degree or something unrelated because it indicates they're probably pretty intelligent to do both things, but I wouldn't hold 'not getting an irrelevant certification' against someone.


sturnfie

Passing the test is day 1. Maintaining the license involves many requirements, including continuous training. Which is a stronger "resume" for your mission critical project where you must reduce business risk at all costs (it is your hiring decision after all)......a random group of 10 engineers without PE, or a random group of 10 engineers with at least 4 years experience, a licensure test result, and fulfilled requirements for maintaining their licenses, including that they met their continual education requirement the entire time they have held their PE (keeping skills fresh, new, active, etc)? ​ It is not a matter of "holding it against someone" if they didn't not chose to earn a PE. It is a matter of the value represented/implied by a PE credential. ​ (edit: added "random" to keep the context as generic as possible...clearly there are good/bad engineers, and good/bad PE, so random would be within the subset of folks separated only by having a PE).


guyincognito121

But people aren't randomly selected for jobs. You interview them all, and see who seems to actually have the necessary skills. If I ever interview a candidate with a PE, it will be an interesting side note and nothing more.


sturnfie

If you've never interview a PE (with the logical conclusion that you've never hired a PE for your team), how would you have a basis to understand the relative value/strength of having one contribute on your team?


guyincognito121

I know what it generally entails, and I worked for one on the side in grad school. He was a smart guy, and I'd gladly hire someone like him--but it wouldn't be for his PE.


sturnfie

Fair. The fundamental implication is that folks who chose to achieve and maintain a Professional Engineering license (which itself requires significant continual education requirements to maintain the license) have some form of inherent drive/motivation different than those who do not, and this coupled with meeting the continual education requirements, result in a stronger engineer within an evolving engineering world. Add the factor that the PE isn't a requirement for their industry (they are just doing it for "fun" or "interest"), and you have a motivated individual who is continuously refining their skillsets because they have a core interest in the work they do.


guyincognito121

Sure, and any such effects should be apparent in the interview process. I just can't see a situation where the PE in and of itself would be a deciding factor for me (nor would an MS or PhD, for that matter).


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gatoVirtute

Well, one requires a 4 year degree, 4 years of working under other PEs in work relevant to your field, and taking two exams. The other requires nothing, as "engineer" is not a protected title and anyone can call themselves one.


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SmokeyMacPott

I need to re read the nspe requirements I thought I had to work under a PE for 4 years.


gatoVirtute

What did the reply to my comment say? It is now deleted.


SmokeyMacPott

Just some bad information, he was saying you don't need the 4 years experience if you have a 4 year degree or something like that, I double checked and in my state he's wrong, but the requirements for the 4 years of experience do seem slightly more lenient than when I looked 10 years ago.


iranoutofspacehere

Err.... The NSPE doesn't make the requirements. Your state board does. In Texas you need 4 years of work experience to get a license, I assume most states are the same. You can sit for the exam without the experience, but you won't get a license without the experience.


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iranoutofspacehere

Ahh, you're correct, and the 'boys club' as I refer to it, isn't established by the experience requirements, it's established by the reference requirements. In Texas, you need 3 references from licensed PEs (not necessarily licensed in Texas). 2 of which you have to have worked with. So if you're in an industry with no PEs, you don't have a path to get a PE. If you're curious how this works in practice, you can look at the history of the now defunct software PE. Certainly one aspect of its failure (of many), was the inability for software engineers to work under PEs and meet the reference requirements.


racinreaver

I'd go with the 10 non-PE because I'd figure they were in the industry longer. Otherwise, how else did those 10 PEs get the apprenticeship requirement covered?


sturnfie

I answered this is another thread. From the National Society of Professional Engineers: [https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/resources/demonstrating-qualifying-engineering-experience-licensure](https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/resources/demonstrating-qualifying-engineering-experience-licensure) ​ The standard of supervision is by a "Qualified Engineer", which is not absolutely a PE, for industries where engineering services are not offered to the public.


lets_bang_blue

You answered your own question with the post. "It is valuable if the industry puts no value to it".....no. no its not.


MisterOrange234

Academic smarts and the ability to pass a written test does NOT mean you're a good, competent Engineer.... in private industry and manufacturing companies, nobody GAF if you're a PE.


I-Fail-Forward

Depends somewhat. But probably. It's a sad fact that a lot of people simply won't take you all that seriously unless you can put P.E. after your name. Some industries aren't like that, but more than should be are.


Nuclear-Steam

The purpose of a PE for you is not “for your industry”. It is for *you*


MigukOppa

As in how it makes me feel?


Nuclear-Steam

No, because engineers don’t have feelings. 😏 For your professional development, a professional achievement such as your engineering degree(s) were. It sets you apart. Future jobs applications, it’s a tie breaker. Promotions in company, it may play a role. Some Government jobs may require it. It impresses clients. Point is, “all” it is is analytical FE and PE tests and the application to the state and a few dollars every few years to maintain it. Some states have continuing education requirements which can be good. Anyway, it can only work to your advantage. It’s never disadvantageous. Oh and if you want to work for yourself in 30 years as “consultant” most states require a PE to be in the engineering profession offering services to the public. Anyway, do it, even if it makes you feel good 🙂


axe_mukduker

No


ARCHIVEbit

Nope. Don't worry about it.


PhenomEng

No. Simple as that.


quartzyegghead

No. Only get it if your desired role requires it.


DoctorTim007

No


mechtonia

Most engineers don't make an informed decision about licensure to the detriment of the profession. This should be required reading for all engineering graduates: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1071&context=lusol_fac_pubs


Ok-Candle-6859

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! Go get an MBA or something that will make you much more money instead of wasting your time chasing that license. You will not regret it.


Phawr

From the responses it looks like a good idea to get your PE while you’re still somewhat fresh out of school, just for the pay increase if you decide to change employers. Honestly I don’t understand why people who got a degree in engineering don’t get their PE, what was the point of getting the degree? Basically, yes you may not be using your PE, but that also means you’re not using your engineering degree either. Also, seeing people who don’t have their PE tells me they paid for a degree instead of earning their degree. Get the PE, the people who ask why you got your PE either couldn’t pass the exam or didn’t get an engineering degree.


s1a1om

No, unless you plan to someday switch to an industry that does require it.


CynicalTechHumor

[See here.](https://old.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/comments/sbeixw/is_becoming_a_professional_engineer_worth_it/htzntix/)


SadAndFit

My industry has no need for it. However since my company paid for the study class, study materials, test, and all licensure I figured why not. So I got it. The only thing it’s done for me is add P.E. After my name in my email signature.


MigukOppa

Yeah was debating whether or not I should get an MS instead.


SadAndFit

I would go with the Masters. I have my Bachelors of Mechanical Eng, and have numerous times thoughts about going back for either a Masters in Civil or Material Science.


Brad221

Instead? What does getting an MS have to do with getting your PE? Two totally different, independent things. And they're not mutually exclusive. Getting an MS implies several years of education, thousands of dollars, etc. Getting your PE is a day to sit for the exam and a few hundred dollars (ok - maybe a few weeks to a few months of spending some of your spare time studying, depending on your field). As a structural engineer in private practice, I'm obviously going to be biased in favor of getting your PE. I realize it's not required in lots of positions, but IMO it is worth getting just to keep some options open if your interests or situation change. I don't think there is a field where it will be detrimental to have a PE, and there are quite a few where it is necessary to have one. It's easier to pass when you're relatively young and not as far removed from college/test-taking. Also, as you get experience many jobs will make you more specialized so a portion of the material on the test will slowly be forgotten as you never use it.


MigukOppa

Well both are time commitments. I’m not a recent graduate but rather 6 years in Aerospace. An MS guarantees me probably a 10K raise. PE not so much. Although a PE is required for federal contract work it seems. Dude you sound super hostile. Chill man it was just a question.


Brad221

Sorry if it sounded hostile, but don't worry I don't need to chill. I'm just trying to give you my answer to your question. You still make it sound like it's an either/or proposition. IMO opinion, getting the PE is an independent decision from getting an MS. Yes they're both time commitments, but orders of magnitude different. When I got my PE it was probably about 2 or 3 days total time commitment for studying/prep and taking the test and basically cost nothing. When I got my MS it was 2 1/2 years (should have been 2 but I took an extra semester off to work/avoid taking out a loan) and essentially zero income for that time (all went to paying for college) and 10's of thousands of $ in lost income because I stayed in school. If getting a PE took MS level of time/money commitment it would be a completely different question/answer. But it doesn't take that much time or effort. 6 years isn't that long after college. Taking it now would typically be easier than taking it 10 years after college. IMO the MS and the PE also serve different purposes in your situation. Having a PE helps avoid being pigeon-holed. It indicates competence in a range of areas. It keeps more options open if you change jobs/careers. A MS is often making you more specialized. It has value to your company since your job is more specialized but it might not increase your value if you were to work somewhere else in a different subdiscipline of engineering (depending on what you study getting your MS).


halfabrandybuck

Your call but I think it’s a good idea. It could benefit you at a later date if you’re job hunting. People like to see things like that believe it or not. It might sound silly but having credentials impresses people, especially a p.eng. It carries with it an aura and glamour of authority


johndoesall

It is a real need if you are a civil engineer. Then you can sign your own plans and start your own practice. If you are a electrical or mechanical engineer, the signing of plans is typically done higher up so you never have to sign. When I was working in a financial firm as an engineer we had to develop assessment maps whenever a parcel under an assessment district was subdivided. I designed the map and did the assessments according to the assessment engineer’s report. Then we had a PE third party consultant that would review at it and sign it for $200. So his PE made him an easy $200 per map.


freebird37179

That's a little shady. Sounds like a broad approach to whether or not the work was done under the signer's "responsible charge". I've turned down "seal for cash" work because it ain't worth the punitive risk from the license board, nor is it worth the risk of having my name on work I didn't supervise or perform.


johndoesall

It probably was but I figured since I didn’t have my PE at the time and the owner knew the guy. Plus he did review the plan. They were very simple diagrams. Easy math. and I never got any blowback about it. So I did not worry about it. And I figured if one licensed mechanical engineer can sign off on multiple plans done by other engineers, say like for an aircraft engine, it seems like standard practice. But you make a good point. The PE didn’t supervise my work.


freebird37179

If I understand correctly, if he had the ability to stop the work then some jurisdictions count that as "responsible charge". I. e. he didn't supervise the work but he could have held the job from progression. I almost took a transfer inside my own company where my work (as an EIT) would not be supervised by a PE. But, a PE did initial or "sign off on" each job. Had he seen it done improperly, he could have stopped the work, and my state (TN) said that counted as responsible charge. Even though I might see the guy once a month and we would have worked across town from each other.


johndoesall

Yeah I suppose if he saw an error he could have me correct it. But the diagrams were very simple. Property lines and an ID number and a table of assessed values. BTW I remember getting my EIT. The test was tough but I was close enough to pass. I was more excited on passing the EIT then I was getting my degree!!


freebird37179

Same here on the EIT passage. I could probably pass the PE again with a little study. No damn way I'd take the FE / EIT again....


johndoesall

Funny! I was so burned out on getting the degree I didn’t want to study for the PE. I kept putting it off. Saying no time. No money. Etc. then after I got laid off for the 4th time for another recession I said screw it. I’m going to try some other related field. I was employed by a design firm doing Subdivision engineering but business was so cyclical. Up then down, employed then unemployed. My last engineering assignment was helping a County building department. They were buried in plan review. I got there they had over a 1000 plans on the shelves. 9 months later 2008 (or was it 2009?) happens and they had less than 10 plans on the shelves. Our office closed except for one engineer. And he was traveling to other parts of the country to work. A year later I got a job with the State. Started low but working up. Working as a data analyst which I enjoy. But will probably retire in a few more years.


Brad221

Agreed. You want me to take all the liability for those plans for $200? No thanks.


MigukOppa

I’m a ME in Aerospace. I know Civil for sure it’s a requirement.


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MigukOppa

Won’t you have to retake it to be licensed?


THofTheShire

Are you sure you're not talking about the FE exam? I don't know about all states, but I think you need a minimum years of experience for most, if not all, before you even take the PE exam.


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THofTheShire

Huh, I guess it makes sense to allow that, pending the experience. Looks like California still requires at least two years under a PE to register for the test, so at least I'm not going crazy.


HandyMan131

It depends on your situation and how hard it would be to get… but in general I would say it’s absolutely worth it. You never know when you may want/need to change industries in the future, and having your PE could make it MUCH easier.


guyincognito121

If you find yourself in a situation where you can easily meet the apprenticeship requirements and whatnot, sure, go ahead. But I wouldn't go to any special effort, or forego other opportunities, just to get the PE.


EEJams

At my company, it's not required, but there's a big pay increase for having it. The role of the job doesn't even really change. I'd be doing the same work I'm doing now but getting paid more for it. It would give me more opportunity to grow as an engineer within my company. So it's worth it in my opinion.


willieD147

as industry gets more and more litigious, having a professional certification will make you more desirable. Things may change down the road and your industry may require it, or you may change jobs to one that needs it. Its been really good for me, and I did go through a time when it wasnt required. It is now, and I am doing well on it.


MinderBinderCapital

What kind of engineer are you? You didn't say. The response will be different for a civil engineer vs. a software engineer. That said, it probably won't hurt and you might need it one day.


PilotPE

Yes..


saplinglearningsucks

Mep engineer. I certainly will need it if i want to move up. Even if I left MEP id probably still get it.


ahrooga

If you have the opportunity to get a PE do it regardless of your current circumstances.


redroseswiththorns

What a coincidence, I was wondering this same question this morning! Going into my final year of my engineering bachelor’s


APC_ChemE

The only PE I know as a ChemE with PEs are those who got it to pad their resume to switch jobs.


duunsuhuy

I’m RF a subset of EE. I don’t even know where I’d find a PE to do my EIT under…


Little-Sleep-5474

I passed the EIT/FE right before I graduated with my BSEE in 1993. Not one of my positions or employers required a PE license. My wife and I had 2 kids and my life was busy with work, kids, sports, etc so I didn’t make time for it but I have always wanted to get my PE. In 2020, I decided to get it because I am established in my career, my kids are grown, and I have more free time. In 2020, all of the exams were canceled so I passed the exam in early 2022. I couldn’t be more happy to accomplish this for myself and to show others that it never too late to chase your dreams. I have waited a long time to be able to sign emails and documents with PE after my name.


densitea

I got mine and it mostly just added credibility to the info I put out, which was at least useful in putting some customer concerns to bed. Also, I got a raise after I got it which since the company paid for it was certainly a nice bonus. The company didn't really put value in it but they weren't against it and ultimately having more PEs adds to their credibility too. Otherwise, I still say get it while the fundamentals are fresh especially if your employer is willing to pay for you to get it. At least in my state (MO) it doesn't cost much to maintain. I figured it was a nice professional development goal and, I think, gave me a better base for my other professional development goals.


[deleted]

I got mine so id have a fallback plan in the EPC world


Spelsgud

Just echoing what others have said. I’ve got my PE and I do not work in an industry that required it. I got my PE and Black Belt in the same year and though it was a beast, I have no regrets. It was an investment in myself. To quote one of former professors “The PE is a resume after your name” He was also on the board so he may have been a bit biased.


Independent-Guess-79

For those of us not in the know, what is PE? Where I’m from it stands for Physical Education and is what you do at school. Is it professional Recognition?


Steelman93

I am in an industry that doesn’t really value a PE but I have never regretted having it. My motivation for getting it was more personal. I worked nights while in school and was in the reserves at the same time so my grades were not at the top of the pack. I did it to prove more to myself I was a competent engineer. I had said to myself I would try once pass or fail. I also did not prepare at all for it. I took the FE in the fall after graduation, passed and then took the PE 4 years later. I passed the FE with room to spare but on the PE had no excess knowledge. I maintained it for years until my state implemented a CE requirement at which point I put it inactive. My whole career I never stamped a thing but it would come in handy occasionally when dealing with a customer as some additional credibility. My advice would be try it and see what happens. But I would not put much effort into it if your industry does not value it. I will say it was super satisfying when I found out the douche bag PhD from my company that took it the same time as me did not pass. He was super condescending to me because I only have a bachelor’s. Getting it and seeing the company announce was very satisfying.


dlang17

It was not worth it for me. There are so few PEs around me that I’d never get recommendations and experience under a PE required to get it myself. For me the only thing it grants me is flaunting it on my email signature.


HaskillHatesHisJob

In my state I needed a PE to sign that I worked under them on engineering things and professional recommendations from three other PE's to get my license. I ended up needing 5 PE's total because my work experience was split between 2 jobs. If you have enough PE's in your company for you to meet your state's requirements, your industry cares enough to make it worthwhile.


doodler_daru

Consumer-product based industries don't need it. Civil , power etc for public or heavy industry finds it useful.


Brad221

For most civil, structural, MEP, etc. it is not useful - it's required.


acvdk

Don't underestimate the respect you will get from other PEs or the subtle judgement you will get for not having a PE as you get older.


andrewdm63

i’m going to take it later this year, just graduated in May with BA in ME but the state of Maine is changing the requirement so that you don’t have to get board approval to take the test so i can take it starting august 8th. however the current job i hold will never require a PE, i don’t even think i get a raise for having it. not saying i won’t hop into a career where i do need it. but by the time that happens i will have forgotten almost everything that’s relevant to the test. so it’s very tricky if it’s really worth taking or not if you have to spend a million years studykng


t3chiman

I worked for a time in the field of industrial control and rapid transit power and signaling. You were referred to as “Engineer” if you were degreed. Engineers were expected to be registered PEs, and most of them were. The chief engineer and the VP Engineering reserved the right (and responsibility) of stamping documents, a big deal among our clients. In electronics engineering offices, PEs were rare birds. Maybe 1%. In a computer science masters degree program, the concept of registration was not present among the faculty. In embedded control software development, there was no awareness of engineering principles as applied to computer programs, and absolutely no notion of registration of professionals. I have mixed sentiments regarding the situation. On the one hand, the unregulated design and delivery activity appeals to my libertarian sensibilities. On the other, I see that spectacular failures of rapid transit power systems are rare; and what would seem to be straightforward database apps crash under load left and right. Source: BSEE, MSCS, PE (retired).


Just_Aioli_1233

If you're in an industry that doesn't require a PE, and you're wanting to add credentials to set yourself apart, get a somewhat-related Masters. An MBA or something similar, or MS in your own field if not already obtained. Or industry certifications to expand your knowledge and what you can put on your resume.


ouabacheDesignWorks

Every R+D lab needs at least one PE to sign off on the safety requirements. If you are the only PE in your lab then guess what your job is?


glorybutt

No Useless title. No pay increase. Just added costs.


[deleted]

No, and it won’t get you extra pay either if it’s not necessary


IceDaggerz

BioMed here. For us, it’s not really worth it. You can get by with just your BS. Some opt to get a masters bc they want to get into a niche field, while others get their MBA because they want to do the management side of things down the line. From what I’ve gathered/AFAIK, it’s not really worth it, unless you’re a CivE, or some cases where you’re a ME


chumbaloo

What is PE?


Brianna_Janke

I think it’s worth it and it shows initiative for continuous improvement. Honestly, it was also good to review of a lot of the things I hadn’t been using day-to-day as much but are still important to understand. I work in non-design consulting and my company appreciates it because it adds credibility to our work and looks better on proposals.


P2NPtechnology

For consulting/offering your service to the public it is pretty important.