Practicing engineering prior to finalizing PE by comity?

[bdoubleplu]

I am a registered professional engineer in about a half dozen states and am currently applying for a PE registration in another state. I have had an excellent work record across the United States without violations or errors.

However, I have been directed by my supervisor to start a grading plan for an excavation site in the state I am currently applying to. The final plan will not require a PE seal but it will be submitted to a state agency for a permit (run-off discharge and erosion). My company is currently registered as an licensed engineering firm in the state. However, my immediate supervisor for the project is not a registered PE in the state.

Can I perform this work prior to being formally vested with a PE registration by the states's PE board?

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

You can do the work, but only under the direction of a PE registrard in that state. Otherwise I think you would be performing engineering without a license. If found guilty, you could loose your license in every state.

Mike Lambert

 

[civilman72]

If the submittal does not require a PE seal then I don't see an issue. There are plenty of states that do not require stormwater management plans to be signed/sealed by an engineer.

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

have i mentioned before how much we should have a National PE license... this situation always sucks. it is really hard to determine when you are "Not Engineering" and what happens if something comes up that crosses the line. Each state has their own board and rules for practicing engineering and i haven't found one that isn't intentionally vague. It is easier if you have some trade-level certifications to justify working on it as a trained erosion control and stormwater specialist... otherwise, read the rules for the state, and rules for the submission, and do not be afraid of calling either and asking about it.

 

[chicopee]

Sounds like that you are trying to get a PE in MA. I once looked at the PE requirements by Comity and decided that it was better to retake the test.