Is FE/EIT needed for someone with Ph.D? 4

[ThingsLearner]

One of my friend at school told me that if someone has Ph.D. he/she deos not need to take the FE exam. She said this is a new policy by NCEES. I could not find anything about this on the oficial website for FE.

Has anyone heard about this?

 

[Rich2001]

The state determines the rules on who is and who is not required to take the FE exame. Even if you state does not require it , if you want to obtain your license in a different state in the future they might require you to take the FE exam.

Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[jistre]

Rich 2001 hit the nail on the head. I've learned in my time here that the answer to almost any question about licensure always boils down to...

"The answer to your question is state dependent. Check the laws and rules of your state's engineering board and those of any states in which you may need to practice in the future, make sure you understand what the rule or law says, and plan accordingly."

Remember that and you can never be caught by surprise when dealing with licensure.

 

[TheTick]

Depends on where you live. Check w/ state regs. Wisconsin does not require FE for engineers with ABET bachelor degree and 4 (or was it 8?) years experience.

 

[ThingsLearner]

Thank you all so much.

 

[ThingsLearner]

By the way my state of interest is California.

 

[ShaggyPE]

You may have additional success by asking these questions on

http://www.engineerboards.com.

But ultimately, as the other have stated, check with the state.

http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/e_exam.htm

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

 

[Sideswiper]

http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/a_faq-eng.pdf

See the answer to question #3.

 

[abusementpark]

The guy that one of my bosses used to work for was a professor who around the age of 50, decided to branch out from academia and start his own structural engineering firm. He was one of the more distinguished professors in his field in our state. His famous quote about the board forcing him to take the PE was "Sure I'll take the test, but it might not be fair since I wrote half the questions".

 

[hokie66]

The distinguished professor should have taken the test a lot earlier, if for no other reason than to set a good example.

 

[csd72]

I would think that the test is even more important for a PhD student. They have focused on a particular specialty for the last couple of years of university and have had plenty of time to forget what they have learnt in other areas.

 

[TheTick]

I have not heard of any state giving a waiver for the actual PE exam.

 

[DanDel]

Massachusetts used to allow an 'oral' exam in lieu of a written exam for some people with extensive experience.

 

[SperlingPE]

I would encourage all universities to encourage their professors to be licensed and to get licensed in the conventional way (education and experience). I would emphasize professors in the civil department to especially look at getting licensed. Other disciplines would have an argument as to whether a license would be required to practice engineering.

 

[msquared48]

OK...I'm stupid... What's FE? PE I know, but FE?

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[JAE]

Fundamentals Examination.


Usually taken near the end of your accredited engineering education to qualify as an Engineer in Training...or as is more currently used - "Engineer Intern".


I would add that the professor who suggested he "wrote half the questions" may or may not be true...but solving the questions in a test atmosphere is a lot different than preparing them. And I'd add that most professors are quite specialized and the test doesn't check against specialization but breadth and depth of knowledge.

And one last poke at the prof. Someone making a statement so full of braggadocio sure better pass the dang test the first time around.

 

[HgTX]

"Fundamentals of Engineering". Often called the EIT exam.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[msquared48]

Oh Yea... Been so many years since I took it, I forgot what they called it! Thanks.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[Rich2001]

I know a Dean of Engineering at a top ranked school that failed the PE exam, after many years in academia.

Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[bacon4life]

Idaho requires professors that teach engineering design to be licensed. I sounded rough on a couple of them that had been in the real world for a long time to go back and take both tests.