How to Obtain a PE License Without a Degree?

We’re not going to beat around the bush – To obtain your PE license, you must have at least four years of experience working under the supervision of a professional engineer. States differ in how they define engineering experience, but in general: Experience should be in a major field of engineering and must be monitored.

However, it is true that you can obtain a PE license without a degree if you pass the FE and PE Exams and meet some other requirements. However, not all states in the United States permit you to work as a Professional Engineer without a degree.

To assist you, we’ll explain how to find out what your state board requires and whether you can become a Professional Engineer without a degree in this guide!

Steps to Obtain a PE License Without A Degree

The route that leads you to obtain a PE License without a degree includes the following five key steps:

1. Check to see if the program you took was ABET-accredited
2. Evaluation of an engineering degree that is not ABET-accredited
3. Pass the FE Exam
4. Four years of experience working under a professional engineer
5. Pass the PE Exam

Let’s discuss each step in detail.

Step 1 – Check to see if the program you took was ABET-accredited

Before moving forward the first and most crucial aspect is to ensure whether your degree is accredited by ABET or not. To validate your program:

1. Visit the ABET’s official website.
2. Click on the “Search By Name” tab and choose whether you want to search by your institute or program. If your program is accredited, you may follow steps three through five.

If your program or degree is ABET-accredited, skip “Step 2” and jump to Step 3.

Step 2 – Evaluation of an Engineering Degree That is Not Accredited by ABET

If your degree or program is not accredited by ABET, you need to go through an evaluation drive to discover if your existing education or degree aligns with the NCEES® standards. You can check your state’s licensing board website to make sure you meet the mandatory criteria for evaluation. Find your state’s licensing board website by searching on Google with the search query “[Your State Name] Licensing Board”.

If you meet the criteria for evaluation, it is mandatory to complete the evaluation with NCEES®. The core purpose of the evaluation is to check if your existing degree or program fulfills the Engineering Education Standard of NCEES®.

The NCEES® Engineering Education Standard outlines a total of 96 credit hours including 32 hours for expert-level mathematics or fundamental sciences, 16 hours for general education, followed by 48 hours for engineering courses.

Follow the roadmap on the NCEES® Credentials Evaluations page to complete your evaluation.

For instance, the entire process failed to work in your favor and your degree or program cease to qualify for NCEES® evaluation. The only way left to receive a PE license is to earn a 4-year degree in the engineering program of your choice accredited by ABET.

Step 3 – Pass the FE Exam

After the successful completion of Step 2, you will be sharing the same PE licensing roadmap as those having ABET-accredited engineering degrees. Now you are on the track that leads you to become an engineer without a degree. At this stage, qualifying for the PE exam requires you to pass the FE exam; the first step to becoming an engineer without a degree. FE exam is a computer-based examination that can opt to attempt in four testing portals that are Jan to Feb, April to May, July to August, & Oct to Nov. You can appear in the FE exam thrice a year. The exam pattern is based on your engineering discipline. Before making your first attempt, it is recommended to get an understanding of the FE exam passing score, including evaluation criteria, success rate, results, etc.

Step 4 – Four Years of Experience Working Under a Professional Engineer

To obtain a PE license without a degree or ABET-accredited degree, you need to acquire four years or more years of progressive experience (depending upon the state). The progressive working experience involves a rich on-field working experience under the supervision of a PE-licensed engineer. The experience involves a gradual journey from dealing with simple assignments to more complex tasks with a high impact and critical nature.

Step 5 – Pass the PE Exam

Now you have almost reached the shore. Attempting a PE exam is the only thing that’s abstaining you from becoming a PE engineer without an engineering degree. The exam is obviously complex and nightmarish in nature, but you can easily crack it in the first attempt with consistency and a targeted approach. If you’re a first-time test taker, maybe go for the easiest PE exam to pass. Then again, it is totally up to your what discipline you prefer the most.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resource for your PE Power exam preparation, explore our PE Power Examination Prep Resource.

Our proven, on-demand content and live training have successfully helped thousands of students pass their PE exam.

Related Reading

• Does PE License Transfer Between States
• EI Certification
• Is A PE License Worth It
• Benefits Of PE License
• PE Experience
• How To Get EIT
• How To Get PE License
• PE License Renewal
• PE Exam Requirements To Become A Certified Engineer

How to Make Sure If Your State Allows You to Become a PE Engineer Without Having a Degree?

Start by checking out your state’s engineering board requirements on its website.

Simply, go to the NCEES® engineering exam registration page > Scroll down and select your state > Find the link to the website of your state’s engineering board. For instance “California”:

You can also search on Google by making a query “[The name of your state] engineering board”. For instance, for California, type California Engineering Board.

Once you open the site, the next thing you need to do is explore some additional site pages to discover whether your state allows you to obtain a PE license without a degree (All sites are structured in different ways and some are more difficult to find the right information). For instance, on the California Engineering Board’s site:

1.  Click on the “Applicants” tab. Then, click on the “PE/PLS Examination Flowchart” option as shown below:

2. Scroll down to the “Do I Qualify” section and hit the “HERE” link to see if you qualify for the PE Exam.

3. In the new window, click on the “Apply for a Professional Engineer License” option.

4. A PDF window will pop up like the one below.

The entire chart highlights the same roadmap that we simply described as a way to obtain a PE license without a degree. In simple words, the state of California recognizes the PE license and allows you to become an engineer without a degree.

Considerations for Career Growth 

Earning a PE license without a formal engineering degree is a commendable feat. It demonstrates exceptional dedication, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the engineering field. While the PE license unlocks a world of possibilities, you must be aware of potential considerations as you chart your engineering career path.

One factor to consider is the job market. Employers often value a four-year engineering degree for certain positions. To overcome this hurdle, don’t downplay your PE license. Highlight it prominently on your resume and showcase the breadth and depth of your work experience. Quantify your accomplishments with measurable results whenever possible. Emphasize the solid technical skills you’ve honed through practical experience, and demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning by including relevant continuing education courses or certifications.

Salary expectations also warrant some consideration. Studies consistently show that PEs earn more than non-PE engineers. However, the salary gap can be more comprehensive for non-degreed PEs than for their degreed counterparts. Focus on strategies to enhance your earning potential beyond the PE license. Consider specializing in a niche engineering field where your experience is highly sought-after. Strong leadership skills can position you for project management roles that often require higher salaries. Always confidently negotiate your salary based on your demonstrable expertise and the value you bring.

Finally, career advancement can present another hurdle. Some upper management positions might favor candidates with a formal engineering education. This doesn’t have to be a roadblock. Pursue relevant management certifications that complement your technical skills and leadership experience. More importantly, demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities through your past projects. 

Did you spearhead initiatives that led to successful outcomes? Have you mentored junior engineers and helped them develop their skills? Highlight these experiences, and seek mentorship from seasoned engineering leaders who can advocate for your advancement based on your proven abilities.

The path to a successful engineering career is paved with dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence. While a PE license without a degree might present some initial challenges, it also signifies a unique blend of experience and expertise.

Conclusion

Tactic without strategy is a noise before defeat. Even though having an ABET-accredited engineering degree makes it easier to get licensed as a Professional Engineer, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to become a PE without a degree.

As previously stated, all you have to do is go to your state engineering board’s website and research whether your state allows you to obtain a PE license without a degree. If your state does not, look into other states with less stringent requirements to see if you can obtain a license there.

So what are you waiting for?. Shuffle your priorities, design a practical strategy, and follow it with consistency to lock success in your PE exam.