<p>Which specialties of electrical and computer engineering require a PE and which don't?</p>
<p>I don't think any do. I heard nothing about the PE exam from my department throughout my 4 years.</p>
<p>If you work on permanently installed, customized infrastructure projects, you probably need a license. So one branch of EE -- power engineering -- commonly does require a license. </p>
<p>Other EEs and CompEs usually aren't licensed. If you work on portable, mass-produced products that could be used anywhere -- and most electronic hardware and software falls into this category -- then you probably don't need a license. </p>
<p>EEs or CompEs may also need a license if they provide independent consulting or expert witness services.</p>
<p>If you're planning electrical systems for civil structures (like, electrician-installed systems for buildings and whatnot), then you'll need a PE. I don't think any of the others need you to get a PE.</p>
<p>Edit: Ohhhhh, beaten like a rug.</p>
<p>thanks (10 characters)</p>
<p>Another way to look at it: if you're simply designing hardware or software that will run off The Grid, then you probably don't need a license. </p>
<p>But if you're altering siome part of The Grid itself, then you probably do.</p>
<p>Same applies in other branches of engineering. For example, if you're designing vehicles that will run on the Interstate Highway System, you probably don't need a license. </p>
<p>But if you're altering some part of the Interstate System itself, then you probably do.</p>
<p>PE is not that common in EE. I think most PE's are majors lilke Civil.</p>
<p>As far as I know, you only need PE is you plan on offering your services to the public.</p>