CA/WA new SE requirements

[WWTEng]

Prior to new NCEES 16 hr SE test, CA & WA required an additional exam (SE3) for SE registration. Does anyone what the new requirements are? Have these states done away with SE3 test?

Thanks,

 

[JAE]

My understanding is that the new 16 hour NCEES exam was designed with buy-in from CA so that there would be a single, uniform exam across the US - thus doing away with the SE-3.

 

[P1ENG]

I thought the same thing as JAE, but that is not true. Take a look at the attached document (specifically question 11). There is still a minimum of one more test beyond the NCEES SE.

I'm in Indiana and wanted to get my S.E. in California through comity so I was looking into it. Once I pass my SE tests in Indiana, I will be a licensed P.E. However, in CA you need to hold a Civil P.E. for three years before you can get your S.E.

Juston Fluckey, E.I.
Engineering Consultant

 

[WWTEng]

P1ENG,

Its a little confusing, I know. I believe that WA & OR have done away with SE3. New NCEES SE exam is all the need for SE registration. CA on the other hand I think is still going to require some form of SE3.

 

[JAE]

P1ENG - Read that attachment again. I think the key Q/A they list is:

Question: What are the exam requirements to become licensed as a Structural Engineer in California?

Answer: You must have taken and passed any one of the following three pairs of exams in order to be licensed as a Structural Engineer in California:
1. NCEES SE II exam and CSESE exam
2. NCEES SE II exam and Washington State SE III exam
3. NCEES SE exam and CSLRE exam

The CSESE was their current 8-hour California Structural Engineering Seismic Examination.

The CSLRE is a new "rules" exam they are coming up with.

So previously one had to pass the SE-II AND pass the 8 hour CA seismic.

Now you only have to pass the 16 hour NCEES SE exam and then take a short rules exam.

 

[JAE]

I might add that there will be no more SE-3 in the future.

 

[Hokie93]

California requires you to demonstrate three years of structural engineering experience after earning your PE license in any state, not that you must wait three years after having earned your California Civil PE license. In California you can earn your Civil PE license with as little as two years of experience so the idea is that a structural engineer would have at least five years of experience when licensed as an SE in California. Of course, to earn your Civil PE license in California you must also pass their state-specific civil surveying and civil seismic exams, in addition to the 8-hour NCEES civil exam. It is my understanding the state-specific civil surveying and seismic exams have moved to computer-based testing so you won't have to fly to California to take the exams (like I did).

I do not know the duration of the new (it was just offered last October for the first time) CSLRE exam so it might be more than a "short rules exam". That any exam is required beyond EIT + NCEES Civil + CA-specific civil surveying + CA-specific civil seismic + NCEES 16-hour exam is ridiculous in my opinion.