If you’re a professional engineer (PE) who works in more than one state, you’ve undoubtedly faced licensing challenges. While many states offer reciprocity or comity, the process can still be daunting despite efforts to streamline the application process between states.
Professional engineer reciprocity is beneficial for career growth, mobility, and flexibility. Additionally, it allows workers to fill gaps when there is a shortage or workers in a particular geographical area. However, understanding how the process works can save time in delays processing your application. Here’s an overview of the reciprocity process for professional engineers.
What is Professional Engineer Reciprocity?
Reciprocity is the practice of granting the same privileges in one state to another. In other words, if you’re a licensed PE in one state, another state will grant you the same privileges in that state. Professional engineer reciprocity facilitates workplace flexibility, mobility, and security.
Reciprocity is important when work crosses state lines or in border cities where engineers might work in two different states. Engineering firms may have offices in multiple states, and reciprocity allows teams to collaborate across state lines. Interconnectedness between states increases opportunities and fills gaps in the workforce.
In states with reciprocity, PEs do not have to meet additional requirements or take exams to work. While true reciprocity is rare, most states offer comity, which allows PEs to work after completing a simplified application process. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) facilitates licensure by comity through its NCEES Records Program described later.
The PE Licensure Process
Each state has its own professional licensing board and requirements for licensure. However, there are some universal similarities between them for education, examination, and experience.
Education. Most states require at least a four-year engineering degree from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Exams. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) facilitates the Fundamentals in Engineering (FE) and Principals and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams. Licensees are required to pass both. The FE exam is often taken during the senior year of college or shortly after graduation. The PE exam tests for a minimal competency level and is generally taken once engineers have four years of on-the-job experience post-graduation.
Experience. Most states require at least four years of experience under a licensed PE and passing the FE and PE exams to get licensed.
Some states, like California, require additional exams for some engineering licenses. Civil engineers in California are also required to pass the California Civil Exams on Seismic Principles and Engineering Surveying. Professional engineering courses can help you prepare to pass state-specific exams.
Types of Reciprocity in Engineering
States grant rights for licensed PEs to practice in their state by one of three methods: reciprocity, comity, and endorsement. These are not the same. Most states do not offer true reciprocity, which in simple terms allows licensed PEs in one state to work in another without having to do anything further. However, all states offer comity, and some, like New Mexico offer licensure by endorsement.
Here are broader definitions of each.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity is when a state automatically issues a license to a licensed PE in another state. This seldom happens. Often states with “reciprocity” will waive the exam requirements or issue temporary licenses to work on a single project. In some cases, with extensive experience, states will grant reciprocity.
For example, Arizona grants reciprocity to PEs with 10 years of professional experience.
Comity
Comity is not automatic. You are required to apply, listing your experience, education, and examination scores. Some states require you to submit references. States that offer comity often waive the exam requirements provided you meet the requirements for state licensure. However, these states may still require background checks and state-specific exams.
Endorsement
When a reciprocal agreement is not in place, some states will extend a license by endorsement. This occurs when the licensing requirements are similar, and experience requirements have been met.
Temporary Permits or Provisional Licenses
Often states will grant a temporary permit to PEs who are doing a single project in their state. Temporary permits or licenses are project-specific and time-bound. Temporary permits are also issued in the interim while waiting for a license by reciprocity or comity.
Steps to Obtain PE Reciprocity
PEs who wish to or need to work in another state should contact that state to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date information on reciprocity and verify any further testing or background checks required. It’s also advisable to find out if the state recognizes the NCEES Records Program (more on that below).
In general, the process to become licensed in another state by reciprocity includes:
- Submitting an application
- Verifying existing licensure
- Documenting experience
- Providing exam scores
- Paying fees
Which States Offer PE Reciprocity?
All states offer some form of reciprocity or comity for PEs where the requirements in their state of licensure are equal to or more stringent than the state where they are seeking reciprocity. The process is simplified in some states, like Texas, Florida, and California, and more complicated in others, like New York. In states without reciprocity agreements, licensure by endorsement is granted, for example in New Mexico.
Texas, Florida, and California are examples of states with streamlined reciprocity processes. Texas requires an application, criminal background check, an approved course checklist, transcripts, and payment of the fee before sitting for the reciprocal (RCP) RPLS exam. Florida does not offer reciprocity or comity, but the state issues licensure by endorsement, and they accept the NCEES Record. Florida also issues a temporary endorsement for single projects. California does not offer reciprocity with any other state. However, they do offer comity. Due to a California requirement, engineers must have experience with seismic design and land surveying as a civil, structural, or geotechnical engineer. California accepts NCEES Records to streamline the process but has the choice to require the information be verified. In California, civil engineers are required to pass additional state-specific exams for certain specific areas of practice such as structural or geotechnical engineering.
New York does not have reciprocity or comity with any state or jurisdiction. However, they offer endorsement. New York requires the NCEES Record, in fact, New York will not accept professional experience endorsed by the applicant.
Interestingly, the UK and US recently signed the Mutual Reciprocity Agreement (MRA) to streamline the process between the two countries and set a standard for international cooperation and reciprocity for professional engineers. The hope is that the MRA will address workforce shortages and encourage business growth and professional development internationally.
Benefits and Challenges of Professional Engineer Reciprocity
The benefits of reciprocity include career flexibility, access to more projects, and faster response to client needs. For those that work in larger engineering firms who have offices in multiple states, reciprocity allows mobility within the company. But there are some challenges. You may still be required to take state-specific exams, the reciprocity process can be time consuming, and you’re required to pay additional application and licensing fees.
Tips for Engineers Considering Reciprocity
It’s imperative that if you’re seeking reciprocity, you investigate the state requirements. However, there are some things you can do to set yourself up for success. The first is obtaining your NCEES Record. Ensure you complete your continuing education requirements and keep abreast of the state policies in each state where you are or wish to become licensed.
Know Continuing Education Requirements
Often the continuing education (CE) requirements are different from state to state. If you’re considering reciprocity, be sure to check the CE requirements for the state where you hold your license and the state where you will seek reciprocity.
Obtain Your NCEES Record
The NCEES acts as a centralized gatekeeper by maintaining the NCEES Records Program. The program is incredibly beneficial to PEs who work in one or more states. It’s a centralized record that contains your education, exam, experience, and references. Creating an NCEES Record, you end up assembling the required information for comity licensure in most states, including your transcripts and documentation of graduation, your exam scores, experience, and references. Many states now require an NCEES Record. When it’s time to apply for comity in another state, you make a request that your NCEES Record is sent.
By applying for the NCEES Record, your credentials are automatically checked against the Model Law engineer (MLE) criteria. Achieving this designation indicates your education, experience, and exam results mee the MLE requirements, which can speed up the review and approval process from state to state.
Join Professional Organizations
Consider joining professional organizations, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) to network and stay abreast of reciprocity trends. The NSPE is recognized in 53 state and territorial societies and has over 500 local chapters. It acts as the voice of professional engineers.
Now You’re Prepared to Achieve Professional Engineering Reciprocity
Reciprocity is important for career growth, flexibility, and mobility. It allows workers to infiltrate areas where job opportunities exceed the number of workers in the area. Professional engineers can take advantage of reciprocity, and the best way to do that is to obtain your NCEES Record.
Reciprocity supports a more dynamic and flexible engineering profession. Now with the MRA, reciprocity is crossing international borders.
To take full advantage of reciprocity laws, it’s important to stay current with your continuing education. That’s where McKissock can help. We offer continuing education for professional engineers and land surveyors. We’re also here to answer any questions you have, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
