If you’re an aspiring engineer with dreams of becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Florida, there are several important steps you need to take to achieve this milestone. Becoming a PE is not only a mark of professional achievement but also opens up new opportunities for your career. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the requirements, application process, and recent fee changes that you need to know.
- Meeting the Requirements:
To be eligible for licensure as a Professional Engineer in Florida, you need to meet a set of requirements that demonstrate your education, knowledge, and experience in the field:
- Education: You should hold a bachelor’s degree from an engineering program approved by the Board.
- Exams: Pass both the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles & Practice of Engineering (PE) exams.
- Experience: Gain the necessary months of engineering experience.
- References: Obtain three Professional Engineer references.
- Age and Social Security Number: Be at least 18 years old and have a U.S. Social Security number.
- Application Process:
Once you’ve fulfilled the prerequisites, you can move on to the application process. You can use the “Application for Licensure as Professional Engineer” to apply for your initial PE licensure in Florida or to transfer your PE license from another state (please note that Florida does not have reciprocity or comity licensure).
Additionally, all applicants for PE licensure in Florida are required to complete the Board’s Laws and Rules Study Guide with a score of 90 percent or higher. This ensures that you have a comprehensive understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of the engineering profession.
- Records Program for Efficiency:
To streamline the licensure process, the NCEES Records program offers engineers the opportunity to store and transmit professional records to state boards efficiently. Although passing the NCEES exams is an achievement, it’s important to note that it doesn’t automatically create an NCEES Record. You need to create a MyNCEES account on the NCEES website to document your transcripts, exam results, employment experience, and professional references.
Using the NCEES Records program can significantly expedite the licensure process, making your journey to becoming a PE smoother and more efficient.
- Fee Reduction:
A recent development as of July 1, 2023, has brought about a positive change for aspiring Professional Engineers. Due to HB 1091 becoming law, the initial PE licensure fees have been reduced by 50 percent for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25. This means that the application fee, which was previously $230, has been lowered to $180. This reduction aims to make the path to licensure more accessible and affordable.
In Conclusion:
Becoming a licensed Professional Engineer in Florida is a multi-step process that involves meeting education, examination, experience, and documentation requirements. By following these steps diligently, you can open doors to new opportunities and professional growth in the engineering field. With the recent fee reduction and the option to utilize the NCEES Records program, the licensure journey has become more affordable and streamlined than ever before. So, if you’re ready to take your engineering career to the next level, start your journey toward becoming a PE in Florida today!
Reference: https://fbpe.org/licensure/licensure-process/professional-engineers/