Quick Hits
Instructions on How to Apply for a California Engineers License
WARNING:
If an applicant is unable to complete the NCEES Registration process or print an online form, he or she is NOT relieved of the requirement to meet the final filing date requirement. The Board is not responsible for any failure by an applicant to meet filing deadlines.
GENERAL - These instructions highlight some of the requirements for licensure as a Professional Engineer, but they are not intended to apply to every situation. The applicant is responsible for complying with and completing the current requirements in the Professional Engineers Act (Act) and the Board Rules.
Should conflicts or questions arise, the Professional Engineers Act will take precedence. The Act is found in Chapter 7 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code commencing with Section 6700 and the Board Rules in Chapter 5 of Title 16 commencing with Section 400 of the California Code of Regulations. Neither U.S. citizenship nor California residence is required for licensure. However, disclosure of your social security number or individual taxpayer identification number is mandatory. U.S. citizens who do not have a social security number may contact their local United States Social Security Office at 1-800-722-1213 or http://www.ssa.gov/online/forms.html. Non-U.S. citizens without a social security number may request an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Department of Treasury (Internal Revenue Service) at (215) 516-4846 or http://www.irs.gov.
There are three categories of Professional Engineer licensure available in California: (1) practice act, (2) title act, and (3) authority. The practice acts are Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. Practice act means that only a person appropriately licensed with the Board may practice or offer to practice these branches of engineering. The title acts are Agricultural, Chemical, Control System, Fire Protection, Industrial, Metallurgical, Nuclear, Petroleum, and Traffic Engineering. Title act means that only a person licensed by the Board in that branch of engineering may use the title in any manner. The authorities exist for two sub-branches of civil engineering: Structural Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering. An authority indicates a proficiency in that field greater than what is required for civil engineering licensure. Persons who pass the written examination will be issued a license in the branch of engineering for which they applied.
SPECIAL NOTICE: CHANGES TO PE EXAMINATIONS BEGINNING OCTOBER 2010
Agricultural Engineer Applicants: Beginning with the October 2010 examination administration, the Agricultural exam specifications have been revised. An updated study guide will be available from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers in the summer of 2010.
Mechanical Engineer Applicants: Beginning with the October 2010 examination administration, the PM exam book for the PE Mechanical exam will be split into three individual books (modules). Examinees taking this exam will be required to choose their PM module when registering with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). On exam day, PE Mechanical examinees will receive only the PM module they selected when registering. Please refer to Mechanical exam specifications for more details.
Civil Engineer Applicants: Beginning with the October 2010 examination administration, the PM exam book for the PE Civil exam will be split into five individual books (modules). Examinees taking this exam will be required to choose their PM module when registering with NCEES. On exam day, PE Civil examinees will receive only the PM module they selected when registering. Please refer to Civil exam specifications for more details.
Structural Engineer Applicants: Beginning with the April 2011 administration, the new 16-hour Structural exam will be offered. The current Structural I and Structural II exams will be offered for the last time in October 2010. Learn more about the transition to the new structural exam.
