Why a Graduate Engineer Should Get Licensed As A PE (Even If Not Required To Do So)
by Mark T. Jones, PS, Executive Secretary, Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors

In virtually every state in the country (including Ohio), licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) is not required for individuals who design "manufactured products". This exemption, commonly known as the "industrial exemption", has been a part of Ohio law since the registration act for engineers and surveyors was first enacted in 1933. As a result, a large percentage of graduate engineers involved in the design of manufactured products don't seek licensure as a PE. Hopefully this article will demonstrate the value of becoming licensed as a PE at an early age even if not required by law to do so.

At the Board office, we receive many telephone inquiries from "older" graduate engineers who have quit their job or lost their job due to "downsizing/outsourcing". These graduate engineers now want to become a licensed PE in order to open a consulting business or to get a job at a firm which requires PE licensure, so they call to ask how to become a PE. When I tell them that they will need to pass two exams, each of which is eight hours long, the first of which (FE) examines what was learned many years ago in college, they reply, after a long pause, with something like "You must be kidding! I can't remember all that stuff without hours/days/months/years of study!" After recovering from the shock, some decide to study (under stress), take the exams and get the PE license, while others must take lower paying jobs and sacrifice their life styles, an even more stressful alternative.

Now, "try this on for size" as a better alternative! Since the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam tests what was learned in college and since an applicant is eligible to take the FE exam upon graduation with an engineering degree, it should be obvious that the best time to take the FE exam is soon after graduation. In order to then be eligible to take the PE exam to get a PE license, the applicant only needs four years of engineering experience after college graduation. Since virtually all humans tend to be better test takers when young, it then makes sense to take the PE exam as soon as one is qualified and thereby become a PE. If nothing else, most employers give raises to graduate engineers who become a PE. Since the annual license renewal fee in Ohio is only $16, maintaining a PE license is without a doubt the cheapest career insurance available.

In summary, unless a graduate engineer hates money and loves stress and worry, obtaining a PE license should be a "no-brainer".