Signing SE or PE

[Nikkib]

Hello,

I have recently passed the new 16hr Structural Engineering Exam and then applied for a PE license in my current state which does not recognize an SE, and I also applied for an SE license in Illinois. Therefore, I have both a PE and an SE license. I see around the industry, professionals signing their name with both credentials and I am wondering why. Would I sign with both since I have both licenses or would I just sign SE since that is the exam that I passed?

I tried finding information on the correct way to list credentials online, but was unable to locate anything.

Thanks!

 

[delagina]

I don't think there is a "strict" rule here.
I even see engineers add MSCE, PMP, etc...
I don't think you should use SE though even if you pass 16-hr if you only have PE.

Just curious which states aside from California and Illinois recognize SE.
As in your stamp says SE not PE

 

[Nikkib]

I do have an Illinois stamp that says SE and I also have a license from my home state that is a PE. That is why I was wondering if I should sign my name with both. I agree that if I did not have the Illinois stamp then I should not sign SE. There are a handful of states that I believe recognize the SE even though they may not require it for all structural design. A list of where it is required can be found online fairly easily.

 

[spats]

I would only sign SE for work related to projects in Illinois.

 

[cvg]

if you are stamping something, than you do not need to add credentials to your signature.

if you are just signing your name without the stamp, than you can add any credentials you want. More than two is just bragging.

John Doe, BSCE, MBA, PhD, PhD, PH, PG, PE, SE, PMP, CPESC, esquire

 

[Nikkib]

I was more looking for generic signatures such as business cards, email signature, etc. We had a seminar today where two of the presenters listed themselves as John Smith, S.E., P.E. and it made me wonder what was correct. I had previously been signing my name with only the SE because it is harder to obtain and has more significance in the line of work that we do at my company.

 

[SLTA]

I would say that adding both is correct. In some states you're an SE, in some you're a PE. And congrats on passing!

Please remember: we're not all guys!

 

[fegenbush]

I think both is acceptable. A word of caution: do not add MBA after PE. A coworker had a former associate do that and forever earned the nickname "PEMBA".

 

[Nikkib]

Thanks for the congrats SLTA and also for everyone's advice. I thought that there would be an industry standard but that isn't so. No MBA here, so I won't be listing that, haha.

 

[steellion]

Most engineers I know that have both, use both PE and SE in their email signature.

 

[TXStructural]

Make sure that whatever you do, people are not mislead about your credentials. I frequently see people do something like:

John Doe, PE (TX, IL), SE (IL)

This can really be important in states where being an SE does not require one to be a PE, or in states where you might be a PE but not an SE, where they also license SEs. And in states where you hand out a card but you are not licensed, like at conventions and classes.

I only have a Texas PE, and my business card address is Texas, so I do not feel a need to distinguish further than using:

John Doe, PE

 

[msquared48]

I use both.

Example... in Georgia, it is possible to get an SE without getting a PE. Moreover, some states only have a PE.

You should always use what you have. Life just seems to go better that way.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[DaveAtkins]

I put both after my name, typically. However, if I work on a project in a state where I am not licensed (for example, Michigan), I do not put "PE" after my name on reports, letters, memos, etc. I have heard of engineers getting disciplined for giving the impression they are licensed in a state where they are not licensed.

DaveAtkins

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I'm working towards what you just got Nikkib (congratulations!) so I've done a little digging into this. Essentially you have both licenses and can write "Nikkib, PE, SE" as your signature. You can also write "Nikkib, SE" if you like but I feel it's important to show you have both. The best way to write it is how Mike (and others above) have done it, "Nikkib, PE (XY), SE (IL)". This covers all the bases.

That may be too long for some things, so for unofficial stuff (like this forum) I'd say any of the above is fine. Just remember that the reason this can be a tricky subject is that you can't advertise that you have an engineering license in a state which you don't have a license in. Obviously saying you're a PE and SE, without clarifying that you're a PE from state X and a SE from state Y, while at a conference in state Z doesn't violate this in my mind. That said, handing out business cards might (or might not, it's a grey area) unless they make the licensed states clear.

I would play it safe and if something you make or do implies an offer of engineering services then I would make sure to either list the states you're licensed in or list only the licenses that are applicable to the state(s) you might be working in.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[JAE]

I put both after my name: John Doe, P.E., S.E.



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