<p>I wanted to keep this separate from my other thread. Anyways, also, is an engineering license needed for electrical engineering? I know computers don't require a license, but there's still a PE test for them. Where would you need an electrical PE license, and in which sub-specializations?</p>
<p>Very few EE or CompE majors need to get their PE license. Only if you wanted to start your own engineering business (and advertise yourself as an engineer) or possibly if you did some government work. But it is very rare for EEs and CompEs to need to get their PE license.</p>
<p>If you design custom electrical systems for industrial or commercial facilities, then you will probably need to get a PE stamp. Most electrical engineers don't do this sort of work, so only a small percentage of EEs are licensed. Licensed EEs commonly work with licensed civil engineers, who design other aspects of the facility. Sometimes you also need a licensed mechanical engineer for things like the HVAC system.</p>
<p>Example: you probably do not need a license to design a server, but you probably do need a license to design the power system for a server farm.</p>
<p>By the way, there is no separate PE exam for computers: there is only one "Electrical and Computer" PE exam. Half of the exam is identical for all candidates. For the other half, you select a specialized module: either 1. Computers; 2. Electronics, Controls and Communications; or 3. Power. </p>
<p>But passing candidates all get the same PE license, regardless of which specialty was chosen. It doesn't matter whether you passed by taking the "power" module or the "computers" module. </p>
<p>On the other hand, there is a separate PE exam for Control Systems. In some states, control system engineers are licensed separately from electrical engineers.</p>
<p>bump...would like more info</p>
<p>The vast majority of EE's work for large multinational companies such as Intel, HP, IBM, Dell, Siemens, Cisco, etc. where they are designing and manufacturing consumer or industrial goods. You don't need to be a PE to do that kind of work. As said before, only a small percentage of EE's do any sort of facilities design work.</p>
<p>EEs with a PE probably bring home a larger paycheck.
<a href="http://www.thinkenergygroup.com/think.nsf/jobs1?openform&v=(dav)&cat=Electrical%20Engineer&Count=1000%5B/url%5D">http://www.thinkenergygroup.com/think.nsf/jobs1?openform&v=(dav)&cat=Electrical%20Engineer&Count=1000</a></p>
<p>Most EEs work in product design, which is typically exempt from state licensure requirements. In this field, the PE is largely or entirely irrelevant, and will probably have little or no impact on your paycheck.</p>
<p>A small percentage of EEs work in facilities design. In this field, the PE is a major career milestone, and generally will increase your paycheck. In fact, your career in this field may be seriously limited if you can't pass the PE exam, just an a career in law may be seriously limited if you can't pass the Bar exam.</p>
<p>I emphasize again, however, that the PE is valuable for only a small percentage of EEs. Here in California, for example, there are only a few hundred EE PE candidates in any given year, whereas the number of new EE graduates is in the thousands.</p>