Welcome to the Mechanical Engineering Department
Interested in Getting Licensed?
Licensure is the mark of a professional and many jurisdictions require engineers to be licensed in order to practice. Licensed engineers are distinguished by the fact that they have accomplished a recognized standard or safety and public health.
The first step is graduating from an ABET-accredited engineering program at a college or university. ABET stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the nationally recognized accrediting organization for engineering and technology curricula.
The next step is to take the Engineer-in-Training( (EIT)/Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, which is the first exam in the licensure process. This exam is offered in April and October every year. Most students take the exam right before graduation and once you pass the exam, you are classified as an intern, also known as Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT). See the Exam Schedule for more information.
Registration is required in order to take the EIT/FE exam and the necessary paperwork varies by state. Detailed Registration and test information for exams administered in California can be found on the California State Department of Consumer Affairs website. You must submit a completed and signed application form to the Board office in Sacramento, together with a check or money order in the amount of $100 made payable to the "Department of Consumer Affairs". If you wish to be notified that your application has been received and processed, please include either a self addressed, stamped postcard or your email address on the application. Send your application materials to:
Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95833-2944
There are five different examination sites in California: Alameda, San Diego, Pomona, Sacramento, and San Mateo. Click here for exact address and map information. Examination site assignments are computer generated. Candidates are assigned to the site offering EIT that is located nearest to their address of record. The address of record is taken from the completed application. If you wish to take the examination at a location other than the one nearest to the address on your application, you must submit a written request stating which site you prefer no later than thirty (30) days prior to the examination date.
For exam registration in other states, check the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying website.
Once you have passed the EIT/FE exam, you'll need to gain engineering work experience. Generally speaking, you gain experience under the supervision of someone who is already licensed and your levels of responsibility continually increase. Check with your employer to make sure you're on the right track.
Once you have gained the appropriate experience required, you can take the second exam in the licensure process, the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). This exam is given in a variety of engineering disciplines. Detailed specifications of the various disciplines can be found on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website.
After completing all the steps in the engineering licensure process - education, experience, and examinations - you are eligible for licensure by your licensing board. Once you are granted licensure, you may use the distinguished designation "professional engineer," or P.E.
Check out the following links for more information about the EIT/FE exam, take home exams, practice tests, etc: