Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
(OP)
Hello,
I am holding a master degree (5 years) in Mechanical Engineering from University in Belgium and have gained now 13 years of experience.
I run also my own mechanical design office in Belgium since 7 years now.
My wish is to open a new office in San Francisco Bay Area as a Sole Proprietorship and keep on going to design mechanical components for my costumers.
Since I am a foreigner with no PE, does it mean that there is NO other way to avoid the examination to become a licenced PE ?
Thanks for your inputs.
D.
I am holding a master degree (5 years) in Mechanical Engineering from University in Belgium and have gained now 13 years of experience.
I run also my own mechanical design office in Belgium since 7 years now.
My wish is to open a new office in San Francisco Bay Area as a Sole Proprietorship and keep on going to design mechanical components for my costumers.
Since I am a foreigner with no PE, does it mean that there is NO other way to avoid the examination to become a licenced PE ?
Thanks for your inputs.
D.





RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
If your work avoids stamping things (like 90% of my practice) then you can probably get by with a title like "DVE Mechanical Design", but that gets hard for new clients to find.
Mechanical Engineering is a really broad discipline and most of it doesn't require a P.E. Designing a mechanism generally doesn't. Most fluid mechanics don't. Most HVAC work doesn't. Anything dealing with structures does (mostly that work is done by CE's, but I've seen some ME's who do it). An increasing amount of government work requires a P.E.
If you're careful about your business name, your title on your business card, and the jobs you accept you don't need a P.E.
David
RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
Don't be so sure. I know WI code is specific about actions and services provided, regardless of company name or title on business card.
RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
Bottom line, read my signature and follow Mike's advice.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
"It is always a poor idea to ask your Bridge Club for medical advice or a collection of geek engineers for legal advice"
RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
Like others say, consult a lawyer in this specific field, but my take on it is that designing and building widgets, makes you an industry.
The PE Act is online at: http://www.pels.ca.gov/licensees/pe_act.pdf
TTFN
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RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
(just kidding- I have no idea what the rules are in California aside from the fact that it's in the United States, arguably the most litigious nation on earth. Tread with caution and plenty of insurance)
RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
David
RE: Starting a CA Sole Propietorship business in Mechanical Engineering
It summurizes well all my readings on forum and also the PE act.
I have dropped anyway an email to the CA borad to check if my ... widgets will stay within the bound.
Sincerely,
DVE