Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
(OP)
I have scoured the internet looking for practical advice on this issue, and it is incredibly hard to come by.
I am in Massachusetts, so you do not need the PE to become an SE. Also, currently there are no restrictions on PE to stamp drawings in my state.
Specifically, if I am going to want to be a structural engineer for the rest of my career, is it a mistake to just get my civil PE. I am planning on working on mostly residential and light commercial projects, so nothing that would legally require the SE license at this point.
I know that a lot of engineers in their 50s have their structural license because they got grandfathered in from taking the civil PE. However looking at current tests from the NCEES, the numbers are staggering in favor of people that elect to take the Civil PE vs the SE. It seems that this would mean that there will be fewer and fewer true licensed structural engineers in the future.
I need to make a decision on which test to study for, and I do not want to overextend myself studying for the SE if it is not necessary, but at the same time I do not want to spend the time studying for the PE and then realize that I should have done the SE.
I know that there is no concrete answer here (no pun intended), I am just trying to get a few more inputs from people in the field before making my final decision.
I'd love to hear from people with a lot of experience in the field, as well as people who recently made the decision on which to take.
Thank You,
Mike
I am in Massachusetts, so you do not need the PE to become an SE. Also, currently there are no restrictions on PE to stamp drawings in my state.
Specifically, if I am going to want to be a structural engineer for the rest of my career, is it a mistake to just get my civil PE. I am planning on working on mostly residential and light commercial projects, so nothing that would legally require the SE license at this point.
I know that a lot of engineers in their 50s have their structural license because they got grandfathered in from taking the civil PE. However looking at current tests from the NCEES, the numbers are staggering in favor of people that elect to take the Civil PE vs the SE. It seems that this would mean that there will be fewer and fewer true licensed structural engineers in the future.
I need to make a decision on which test to study for, and I do not want to overextend myself studying for the SE if it is not necessary, but at the same time I do not want to spend the time studying for the PE and then realize that I should have done the SE.
I know that there is no concrete answer here (no pun intended), I am just trying to get a few more inputs from people in the field before making my final decision.
I'd love to hear from people with a lot of experience in the field, as well as people who recently made the decision on which to take.
Thank You,
Mike





RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
In the "distant" future, your resume will appear to look "better" to have a progression of accomplishments over time. Just a perception, but preception can be important, too.
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RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
With all due respect, you asked the question, you've received four responses (with explanations) so far - all say take the PE first. If you don't like the answer... do what you think best.
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RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
Thank You
RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????
RE: Should I Be Taking the PE exam or the SE exam????