PE Exam / Licensure - Professional Engineers

[metroplex]

I am applying to take the PE exam and wanted to know what others have experienced during the testing process. Is it harder/easier than the FE exam? I see that the NCEES website shows a much higher passing rate for the PE Exam than the FE Exam. I plan to buy a few resource books to practice before the exam. Does anyone have any recommended materials for the electrical PE exam?

I'm also confused by the experience requirements to obtain licensure, although I am more focused on passing the PE Exam first. Do I need to work directly under the supervision of a PE for 4 years, or do I just need 4 years of experience in engineering related activities?

Lastly, is it worth it to try and obtain PE licensure?

Thanks in advance!

 

[AeroEngy]

First off what field of engineering are you talking about. From what I have observed the actually need for a PE license is highly dependant on your field. I know a lot more Civil or Structural Engineers get them because it is required to to be able to sign off on drawings. Similarly some Mechanical Engineers need it if say they work designing mechanical systems for buildings but not if they work in other areas. For example, I work for an aerospace company and we have a good bit of Mechanical engineers that don't have a PE that design various structural components. Also, I am an Aerospace Engineer and i don't think anyone that I know has a PE some never even took the FE. It just isn't required or necessary.

 

[weeber]

First off, PE licensure requirements vary by state. For me in Georgia, once I obtained my FE I had to have four years of relevant engineering experience in my field and have a PE sign off as me doing said work. I didn't have to work directly with them all four years, I just needed a PE to say what I was saying was correct.

Second, I found the PE (Environmental) to be much easier than the FE. The PE is focused in your discipline (which you should know well) as opposed to the FE which has has questions on topics you may have never seen before. Also, the PE is open book, at least in Georgia whereas the FE is not. Don't be afraid to bring all the books you think you might need to the exam.

Third, like AeroEngy said, whether or not the PE helps you in the future depends on your field and place of work. In the environmental engineering field, it's a requirement for me to move up in my company because I need to stamp drawings and reports. It should be pretty clear to you whether a PE will help you in your area of employment or not.

As for study material. My main study guides were the PE reference manual and practice exams from Professional Publications. It depends on how you like to study. For me, I like to work problems, and I worked hundreds of them. Anything that wasn't clear, I went back to the reference manual or my text books. Also, don't freak out if you find a lot of practice questions really tough. In my experience they make the practice questions really hard to make sure you know your stuff, I found the PE not too bad.

To sum it up, when I was done with the FE I felt absolutely drained and I wouldn't want to wish that exam on my worst enemy. When I found out I passed, it was a relief more than anything else. I walked out of the PE actually feeling pretty good. I had prepared well and was fairly confident I passed when I was done.

 

[metroplex]

Thanks guys, your experiences seem to reflect what others have observed regarding the PE as well. I'm in the electrical discipline and AFAIK, a PE is not needed for upward mobility but it is something I would like to have.

How much studying would you say was required?

It looks like the main requirements are the same for most of the states. MI also requires 4 years of experience.

 

[Gibson486]

A PE for an Electrical would be awesome. why? because people who are elelctrical tend to move into microE. A PE is useless there. For MacroE (big power...none of that puny 1800 watt stuff), a PE will just open more doors than you could possibly open. Yes, they are in that much demand.

I am confused though...do you actually have your FE yet? If not, then you can't get your PE until you have worked x years in the industry WITH an FE.

 

[bonkers325]

afaik, the PE exam is a test of practical knowledge. you're allowed to use your own reference materials on the exam. not much studying is required unless you've been doing absolutely nothing at your job for the past few years.

its much like the FE exam in a way - if you use your reference materials efficiently, the exam is a piece of cake.

 

[metroplex]

I completed my FE right when I was finishing up my undergraduate degree.

 

[legoman666]

My dad is a Mechanical Engineer at a large multinational aerospace company and he doesn't have his PE license.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: metroplex
I completed my FE right when I was finishing up my undergraduate degree.

OK, in reponse to your later question you need to work in the industry. It does not have to be under direct supervision of a PE, but it has to be in an induatry where there are PE. You can't just work doing microE for 4 years and try to get the PE after.

 

[metroplex]

Ok, that clarifies it. I do work in an organization where there are a few PE's. I haven't done much in microelectronics though, I do work mostly with automotive power generation, regulation, protection - that kind of stuff.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: legoman666
My dad is a Mechanical Engineer at a large multinational aerospace company and he doesn't have his PE license.

It's because he does not need it. PE is really only needed for industries where there is alot of bidding on govt projects that are non-milliatry based or porjects that affect the public community. Lots of the stuff is municipality work or public contruction (bridges and buildings).

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: metroplex
Ok, that clarifies it. I do work in an organization where there are a few PE's. I haven't done much in microelectronics though, I do work mostly with automotive power generation, regulation, protection - that kind of stuff.

no microE is good. You do need it if you have a PE.

 

[metroplex]

I'm doing the paperwork now:
$5 for transcript request
$80 for pre-approval fee
$235 for test registration
$75 for application once you pass the exam

They wanted 3 PE's to vouch for me and 5 references total, but upon further inquisition, the state board said that if I didn't find 3 PEs to write the reference letters, there's the possibility of waiving it. I don't buy it, but I'm going to dig around and see if I can find 2 more PEs in my organization.

Here's a question for those that recently took it:
What calculator do you recommend?

I've been using my TI-86 until it started sucking up batteries within 3 days, then I switched to a TI-89 (that I had been slowly transitioning over to before the TI-86 died). Both are graphing calculators that were allowed in the FE/EIT, AP, SAT, etc... about 5+ years ago but were recently banned.

The NCEES page shows only 3 variants allowed for the PE:

Casio FX-115
HP 33s/35s
TI 30X/36X

I did a brief search online and it looks like the Casio FX-115ES kicks every other scientific calculator's ass in terms of display technology (it is advertised as being able to do integrals) and functionality (solar power!) and it's only $18.

Which calculator should I get? I'll probably have to start getting used to the calculator before I take the test, so I'll need the time to practice and get acquainted with it.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Does anyone know if you have to take the PE exam for Aerospace in California? Do aerospace engineers have to take any professional exam or anything like that to get licensed?

 

[FleshLight]

So down the line as a civil, I'll have to take the EIT, FE, and PE?

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: FleshLight
So down the line as a civil, I'll have to take the EIT, FE, and PE?

Taking the FE exam qualifies you as an EIT (Engineer In Training). After a period of time (I think 5 years?) you can take the PE exam.

If you're in undergrad now, take the FE exam the semester you graduate. It will never be easier, trust me. I almost put it off and I'm glad I didn't because there is no way that I'd study for it now. I actually didn't study for it the when I took it either, but at least all the stuff was fresh in my mind since I was just finishing my undergrad work. The only part I found especially difficult was the statics/dynamics portions, because I hadn't taken any of those classes since I was a ChemE. The hardest part besides that was staying focused for the eight hours.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Anything for aerospace?

 

[EKKC]

my gf took the PE exam 2 months ago. she studied for 4 months straight. that's also the reason why I have 1000 achievement points on Bully SE (XBOX360)

 

[Kidsturk]

I'm doing the paperwork now:

Which calculator should I get? I'll probably have to start getting used to the calculator before I take the test, so I'll need the time to practice and get acquainted with it.

Even if you've been a TI guy/gal for decades, get the fx-115ES. don't forget the ES on the end, that's the model that can do the most. Matrix determinants, definite integrals and differentials, three variable linear algebra...it's amazing.

I am sitting the PE shortly after taking the FE last year 10 years out of school. There were entire questions (octal-decimal conversions, matrix math) I just used the calculator, banked 2 or 4 minutes' saved time, and moved on with a grin because of my fx-115ES.

 

[jaha2000]

I took the PE in mechanical in April in Michigan.
1. You have to wait 4 years after you graduate to take the test.
2. you only need references after you pass.

With how jacked up the Mi system is, if you can apply for the license and get all the paperwork straight, they should just give you the license.

I studied for 4 months solid before taking it. While the exam is practical, you are only using a small percentage of the knowledge you learned in school. meaning, 10% of the problems are going to be quite easy for you as you do them every single day, the rest of it you are going to have to relearn, as you killed the brain cells that knew that stuff 1 day after you got you degree.

 

[chowslanddev.com]

I have created a blog to share what I have learned from the engineering industry and some experience with the PE Civil/transportation exam at chowslanddev.com.

You are more than welcome to see if my theory helps you to pass the PE exam.

Thanks for reading!