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Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?
2

Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

(OP)
Dear All:

I have been licensed as an SE in the state of Illinois since 2006 and now wish to obtain an SE license from the state of California. My review of the licensure board of California's website indicates that I have to give the new SE - Gravity and SE - Lateral exam before I give the California Lateral Exam? Is that true?

Does any one here has gone through or know of some one who in recent time has gone through this process? It seems counter intutive to think that my SE of Illinois is practically useless to practice in California and that I have to retake the 16 hour exam along with the additional 8 hour exam.

Thank you for your time.

RE: Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

You have to take the new SE exam (16 hours) and then get licensed in CA as PE (have to take their survey exam). Once you register as PE then you can register the new seismic rules exam which replaces the old SE3.

Until last year you didn't have to re-take the SE. If you have SE in IL you would take PE survey exam to become PE and then SE3 to become SE in CA.

http://www.pels.ca.gov/applicants/se_faqs_12_08_10.pdf

RE: Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

Probably - call them and ask them

RE: Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

Per California the CE license can design anything but public schools and hospitals. If you are going to design public schools and hospitals than you need the SE license. See the attached file or check the states website http://www.pels.ca.gov.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

RE: Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

woodman88... it is stange to read that from a eastern canadian perspective (here only civil engineer can design building)...

Does it mean that Californian architects can design structure ?

If it's the case...you have my deepest sympathies !

RE: Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

I worked under a IL CE and SE years ago in CA and as an EIT. While I was preparing for my CE and SE, the only state (at that time) that was recognized was IL. I am sure the standards have changed because of natural disasters. I worked for a corporation under a CE/SE as an EIT that eventually (1 year later) reported to me because our work (Aerospace engineering and major facilities for numerous firms to be responsible to) never required permitting or a signature. Just to take the SE at that time you had to work directly under a CA SE for a specified time.

At the time of preparation, I used example publicly available from both CA and IL, but the commonality at the time was recognized. Today, the standards have obviously be revised based on histories and needs.

To answer the question, I would assume that an Architect must rely on a CA SE. This is just based on personal history for structural design in CA, which was kind enough to approve my experience based on a 5 year curriculum (optional) plus my experience during summer employment.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

RE: Have a SE in IL ....how do I get a SE in California?

Yes Architects can design buildings without a CE or SE, if they have the knowledge and experience to do so. In most cases that I know of, except for minor jobs that only require one person to do all the design work, they do hire a CE or SE.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

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