<p>Hello all,
I am a high school senior thinking about studying engineering (software, industrial, or materials) and I was wondering what the direct benefits of obtaining a PE license are. My uncle in an EE for a huge defense contractor and he's very successful without his PE, as is my cousin, a ME, who works for the same company. So, is getting a PE license really worth the extra effort?
Any answers would be appreciated.</p>
<p>see this:</p>
<p>[Engineering</a> Licensure: The Power of the PE License | Monster](<a href=“Engineering Licensure: The Power of the PE License”>Engineering Licensure: The Power of the PE License)</p>
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I would dispute nearly everything on this list.</p>
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Yes, it does… but in many fields it sets you apart as that guy who spent a ton of time and effort getting something that in your field has no meaning.</p>
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The data cited is not broken down by fields and ignores the fact that a PE takes at least 4 years to get… meaning that the average experience level of a PE is greater than that of someone without the PE. Accounting for the differences between fields and the experience level, I think the PE is either extremely important to salary (primarily in structural fields) or not at all (almost all other fields).</p>
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I was never asked about the FE during my hiring process or in any interviews, and when I asked about pursuing the PE I was met with astonishment - they weren’t even sure if they had more than a couple of PE’s in the company who could mentor me!</p>
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An issue only in the structural fields.</p>
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Well, I’ve been doing it for a few years now with no objections from anyone, my company puts it on my business cards and bills the government for my services as an engineer. So I think this is one of those things that only the PE’s actually believe in.</p>
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Still can.</p>
<p>Seriously, the PE license is very important in some fields and a complete non-issue in other fields. I know one PE in my company, and we make a wide variety of products with no legal or ethical problems associated with any lack of PE’s. So if the OP goes into Civil or Architectural or Structural or some other field were the PE is expected, THEN he/she can worry about it.</p>
<p>There’s also a limited number of other fields where it’s desirable. I know at my girlfriend’s employer (a municipal utility) pretty much every engineering is expected to get a PE eventually. In the case of her job, she has to deal with engineering specifications and, as an electrical engineer, making sure whatever’s specced wouldn’t endanger the public.</p>
<p>I might be wrong, but I also believe many states require a PE for engineers that don’t typically need one if you’re to testify as an expert witness in court.</p>
<p>I know a few licensed PE Electrical Engineers. They are (or were) either with a utility or in commercial construction. It is important for Civil Engineers, but rare for EEs. I have designs in medical equipment, airplanes, missiles, satellites, etc., but do not have a PE.</p>
<p>Very important for civil engineers. In the fields you listed you should not need one. You have to work 4 years under another PE, so know point worrying about it as a high school senior anyways. That’s still 8 years away.</p>
<p>employer here. civil/environmental, some consulting chemical. The PE is pretty much required, and we hire only those on the PE track. Put another way, any degreed engineer that wants to do design work & get the premium paid for engineers must be a PE or working toward a PE.</p>