The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
(OP)
Recently I became an SE [in Illinois; my base state (original state of licensure) does not license by discipline] and one thing I have always been confused about is if it is proper to have "SE" behind your name on business cards, e-mails, etc.. I've heard one school of thought that says it is not proper to use if the state you live in is a non-SE state, and others who say that it is ok. I've seen some people use the new "MLSE" thing that NCEES has come up with as a title instead.
Thoughts? Does anyone know (in general) what the regs are about this? Thanks in advance.
Thoughts? Does anyone know (in general) what the regs are about this? Thanks in advance.






RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
P.E. is a recogized title. S.E. has not yet achieved that in the public, but most engineers know what it is.
I would suggest something like...
Joe Schmoe, S.E.
Licensed Structural Engineer
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
Lately there has been a debate over noting which states you're registered or licensed in. This is to avoid giving the false impression that you might be a PE in a state where you are not but are doing business, want to do business or soon will be doing business. In some cases you might be visiting an office that you company has in that state and offer a business card to a client. I find this somewhat tedious. If your company has a license to do business in that state and you happen to be there to consult or work under a professional licensed in that state, no big deal.
I do recognize and adhere to the laws of each state and do not practice engineering where I'm not licensed or registered or working under someone who is. I do not sell services of the company to states in which we are not licensed to do business.
It seems that putting every state that you're registered in is just more lawyering we don't need.
exit from soapbox.
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RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
My state does have an SE as a title act (not a practice act like Illinois) but I am licensed in both states so I use the S.E. - even when marketing my services in others states in which I'm licensed but where they only have a P.E.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
I also include under my name, where appropriate the term "Structural Engineer of Record".
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
Joe Blow, PhD, PhD, PE, SE, CFM, CPESC, PMP, LEED?
Seriously, keep it simple and just go with PE
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
I'm seeing more and more people put MSCE behind their names. If someone wants to do that, then I don't see why not since the PhD's get to do it.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
On my business card, I show XXXXX XXXXXX, PE, SE.
The only time I exercise caution is when I am sending correspondence to someone in a state where I am not licensed. I either drop the "PE, SE" or I write something like "PE (Wisconsin), SE (Illinois)."
DaveAtkins
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
Joe Schmoe, he's the kinda of guy who likes Curly, Larry and Moe.....
Darn it.
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RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
Some courts have even challenged a PE's court testimony if not registered there - beleive it or not.
Some PE's add a disclaimer indicating the states where they are registered.
Just something else stupid to think about.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
My home state doesn't license by discipline. My degree and tests were all in ME, and in the states that license by discipline, I'm registered as an ME. However, here a couple of years ago, Utah grandfathered in anyone that was doing structural work as an SE. Because a lot of my work could be lumped under either category, I am now an official SE in Utah. So should I add that to all my business cards? I think not...
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
However, check the laws of all the states you do business in. Check the state websites. Be careful what business cards that you hand out when you cross states lines. I read the monthly/quarterly proceedings of state PE boards that are sent to me. You could end up in front of an ethics board if you are not careful.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
On personal note, I am suspicious of someone with a string of letters after their name, I wonder if they are not more interested in being a "name" rather than in being a better engineer.
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
Texas prohibits out of state engineers from using "PE" only if they are offering to provide engineering services in the state. As a title, there is no implication for its use, unless one is unlawfully offering service where he/she is not licensed. Often, court testimony as an expert witness IS within the scope of engineering practice, but not the testimony of those providing facts rather than opinion.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
Advanced degrees are optional and some engineers choose to include them in their signatures, but in my view, they are unnecessary and a little pretentious.
For ordinary documents such as business letters, no professional designation is needed.
BA
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
That is flat-out hilarious.
John Doe, Elementary School Completer, High School Diploma, BSCE, MSCE, PE, SE, MLSE, State Football Champion, 4.55 forty yard dash, 260 pound bench press,
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
I'm jealous of your 40 time if you are for real. I believe my second grade book report record still stands. My wife dug through a box recently and found some old trophies and I came home and found them up on a shelve. Good for a laugh. Some people need the ego stroking I guess!
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
I was kidding and hopefully offended no one, but when I see these guys with an email signature longer than the anything of substance in the email, I can't help but laugh.
I rarely even use "PE" after my name. In certain situations even that can come off a little pretentious.
And no, the fastest 40 time I ever had might have been a hair below 5 seconds, I never benched more than 220 and I didn't even finish out high school football due to injuries. I'm your classic slow white guy.
I did absolutely dominate my grade school geography bees and once answered 95%+ of the questions on Jeopardy to the amazement of my wife...she accused me of having seen the show before.
Thank you,
John Dork, PE, SE, Couch Jeopardy Champ, SWG (slow white guy), GBC (geography bee champion) MSCE, SOB, LOL
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
That MSCE sounds an awful lot like MCSE. I had to go back and re-read that.
A graduate degree sounds okay to me if it is in the subject you are claiming to be an expert in.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
although this name is impressive.
John Dork, PE, SE, PhD
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
If I go back to grad school I may just add Master to my title, and keep people guessing - Master of What?
Uhmmm, everything...? (At least that is what I tell my wife.) Master of my domain.
Had a professor (PhD) in school tell us this:
Bachelor's degree- you know a little about a lot of things
Master's- you know a lot about a little
PhD- you know a lot about nothing!
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
But, I have had occasion to work with a few huge companies (Bechtel, URS etc...). It has been my experience, and maybe mine only, but the only people I ever saw tagging 4 or 5 suffixes to their name seemed to have very little interest in engineering and a lot of interest in management and $$$$.
Nothing wrong with that, just an observation.
After having seen that many times, I tend to leave off suffixes whenever I can. I don't want to be guilty by similarity.
a2mfk...no, it was all very real subjects. No artsy-fartsy "answers".
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
As to the mystery behind the intials, a2mfk, the old theory is like this:
BS - Bull Sh$t
MS - More Sh$t
PhD - Piled Higher and Deeper.
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RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
Thanks for the replies.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
"I'm not meaning to ruffle anyone's feathers. Just making a couple jokes.
But, I have had occasion to work with a few huge companies (Bechtel, URS etc...). It has been my experience, and maybe mine only, but the only people I ever saw tagging 4 or 5 suffixes to their name seemed to have very little interest in engineering and a lot of interest in management and $$$$."
I have a PE but my college was the school of hard knocks so no degrees. I was raised in the UK so I have no idea what I would do the forty in, but I did the hundred in 10.3 or 4 if my memory serves.
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
You will start seeing much more of this as states realize that the new exam is a distinction worth recognizing.
As far as multiple, marginal designations go, whatever floats your boat. I steer away from people digging to deep (masters degrees, and yes, I've seen a few BS degrees). Stay with the relevant ones that qualify you for what you do.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
A couple of months ago, one of my managers asked me about the thermal performance of one of his projects -- one I had not worked on. This is engineering, albeit, not structural engineering. The thermal analysis had been contracted to an engineer outside the company. I pointed out...
- ...that the engineer was the guy who had trained me on COSMOS FloWorks.
- He holds a masters degree, so he is supposed to know what he is doing.
The manager is not asking useful questions.It was useful for me to know that the engineer holds a graduate degree. I have no idea of how fast he runs 40 yards.
RE: The title "SE" for a structural engineer.
1. You have a PhD? Yep, my thesis was on XXX. Well I've got a case coming up dealing with just that, want to be an expert witness?
2. I see you are an SE. Are you licensed in Illinois because we've got a project coming up?