PE Exam Prep
PE Exam Prep
(OP)
I was about to start prepping for the PE exam in the spring. I asked my company if they would pay/reimburse for study material and/or the exam itself - they said no to it all.
Is this common?
During proposal time, our structures division is always trying to get as many PE's on the projects as possible, and it is clear that if there were no PE's at a structural firm, it would be useless. To me, that indicates great value to the business. Is it too much for me to expect monetary investment in my efforts, seeing is they will be gaining a great benefit?
Is this common?
During proposal time, our structures division is always trying to get as many PE's on the projects as possible, and it is clear that if there were no PE's at a structural firm, it would be useless. To me, that indicates great value to the business. Is it too much for me to expect monetary investment in my efforts, seeing is they will be gaining a great benefit?





RE: PE Exam Prep
RE: PE Exam Prep
It suprises me that they wouldn't reimburse you in some way, like a raise or bonus upon passing. Some companies base their rates on whether their employees are licensed, so it seems unfair not to share a little of that with the person who's effort has been made. Are you sure that they don't reimburse the test materials, but give you something upon passing?
RE: PE Exam Prep
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
Law is the common force organized to act as an obstacle of injustice Frédéric Bastiat
RE: PE Exam Prep
Jed: I could ask what I could expect for a bonus. The "reimbursement" could be a matter of semantics...
zdas: I think you are referring to what I was thinking about the taxes as well. I had thought about not taking it in the spring and just wait until they start asking when I am going to take it. Maybe if they start getting antsy about me getting the PE, it will encourage another discussion or negotiation. It could be possible seeing as they praise my work and have nominated me for a company award this year. :)
Thanks, guys!
RE: PE Exam Prep
Yes, you would need the total of your itemized deductions to be more than the standard deduction in order for this to be an effective strategy. Ref: http://tinylink.in/79Y7 That is why I recommended consulting with a tax professional.
RE: PE Exam Prep
The good thing about our profession is that we can find work that requires a PE to perform, and we can do it out of our homes with minimal overhead, with only a computer and printer.
RE: PE Exam Prep
RE: PE Exam Prep
RE: PE Exam Prep
RE: PE Exam Prep
slta....while I agree with your intent, and would do the same myself, I think an employer should support licensing and show it by reimbursement of costs if they can afford to do so. If they cannot, they owe a discussion with the potential new PE and support of a salary increase if they justify a rate increase of that person to their clients.
RE: PE Exam Prep
RE: PE Exam Prep
The exception for this was when I took the SE. My company viewed it as unnecessary and I got a paid day off and a congratulations when I passed...that's it.
Having said that, studying for and taking the exams has been one of the best investments in myself I have made in my career so far. Don't sweat the money. The return on your investment will far exceed what you spend monetarily on these tests.
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi
RE: PE Exam Prep
Even if your current employer doesn't give you a raise/bonus for becoming a PE, you instantly become more valuable as an engineer. Someone will be willing to pay more for your services.
My employer offers significant paid time to spend taking a PE prep course, pays for the course itself, plus the exam itself and typically gives a title change/pay raise upon passing the PE - but if you take the goodies (time off, prep class), you have to agree to stay onboard for a few years.
RE: PE Exam Prep
It just seems odd to me that they will send me to a seminar (2-week NBIS), which I know is expensive, but not contribute to the PE exam.
I will probably just start a PE exam savings account and take care of it when that goal is reached. That is a reasonable goal, and if they start bugging me about taking it, I have a good explanation for what I am working with.
RE: PE Exam Prep
At most companies, you have to leave for another job in order to get fair market value for the value of your P.E. This never made sense to me... companies will shell out market value to hire a new P.E. but won't give a raise to someone already already in their employ that does good work, but that seems to be generally the way it works. If you can't afford the cost of study materials and reference guides, I'm sure you can borrow these materials from someone.
RE: PE Exam Prep