1. Professional Engineering Licensure and the Nuclear Engineering PE Exam
Joshua L. Vajda, PE, CHP
September 12, 2018

2. What is Professional Licensure?
Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams.
In the United States, licensure for the engineering and surveying professions is regulated by the states. Candidates interested in pursuing licensure are encouraged to check the requirements in the state or territory where they plan to practice, as the requirements vary.
Engineering license allows practice in that state only.
Many get licensed in other states. Usually done by comity, but must satisfy all license qualifications of that state – may be additional requirements.
The number of licensed occupations varies widely from state to state. Based on limited research, California appears to have far and away the most licensed occupations (150+) while some states have fewer than 60 licensed occupations. Engineering, however, is one profession that is licensed in all jurisdictions.
ncees.org/engineering

3. Why is it Important? A PE License is required to
Offer engineering services to the public
Perform consulting services for pay
Sign/seal engineering designs, plans and documents
Bid for government contracts
Use the title Professional Engineer
A PE License may be required to
Act as a qualified expert witness
Teach engineering design courses
Be considered for promotion or salary increases
Use ‘Engineer’ or ‘Engineering’ in a company name or job title
Some companies value PE licenses, even when they are not required. For example, at Fluor, PE holders are given a stipend over and above normal pay and are recognized once a year with a social event and gift.
It can’t hurt to get licenses. You don’t really know where your career will take you… or what laws may change during your career (Duke example).

4. Who is Involved in the Process?
National non-profit organization based in Seneca, South Carolina (near Clemson University)
Develops, administers, and scores the examinations used for engineering and surveying licensure in the United States
Offers records program for licensed engineers and surveyors

5. NCEES
The vision of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is to provide leadership in professional licensure of engineers and surveyors through excellence in
uniform laws, licensing standards, and professional ethics in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public and to shape the future of professional licensure.
So, how does this licensing come about? Who decides what you need to know to be licensed?
NCEES is the organization responsible for the coordination and development of the FE and PE exams. They develop model guidelines to help states in putting licensure laws into place. And they also offer a Records Program which helps engineers obtain multi- state licensing.
Notes to Presenter: In case you get a question from the audience, the five U.S. jurisdictions include the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. These, plus the 50 states in the U.S., are divided into four zones.

6. State Licensing Boards
Individual state boards are responsible for engineering licensure
NCEES makes recommendations. States make the laws encompassing engineering.
How do you find your applicable board’s contact info/website?
ncees.org/engineering
Interactive map to find board info/requirements

7. How is Professional Licensure Obtained?
There are three high-level requirements:
Education
Experience
Examination
                                
                                        
                                       
Engineering license allows practice in that state only.
Many get licensed in other states. Usually done by comity, but must satisfy all license qualifications of that state – may be additional requirements.

8. Education
(from NCEES Model Law)
An individual seeking licensure as a professional engineer shall possess one or more of the following education qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in engineering from an EAC/ABET-accredited program
A master’s degree in engineering from an institution that offers EAC/ABET- accredited programs
A master’s degree in engineering from an EAC/M-ABET-accredited program
An earned doctoral degree in engineering acceptable to the board
EAC = Engineering Accreditation Commission
ABET = Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
The way the Model Law is currently written, the type of education (bachelor’s, master’s, etc) can impact the experience requirement to apply for a PE license
Again, keep in mind that the states actually govern licensing PEs. While many states will follow closely the Model Law, don’t assume. Check with your state’s board to determine its requirements for licensure.

9. Experience
(from NCEES Model Law)
An individual seeking licensure as a professional engineer shall present evidence of a specific record of progressive engineering experience. This experience should be of a grade and character that indicate to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering.
bachelor’s degree in engineering : 4 years of experience after the bachelor’s degree is conferred
master’s degree in engineering : 3 years of experience
doctoral degree in engineering acceptable to the board and who has passed the FE exam: 2 years of experience
doctoral degree in engineering acceptable to the board and who has elected not to take the FE exam: 4 years of experience

10. Examination
(from NCEES Model Law)
An individual seeking licensure as a professional engineer shall take and pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination and the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination as described below.
The FE examination may be taken by a college senior or graduate of an engineering program of 4 years or more accredited by EAC/ABET, of a program that meets the requirements of the NCEES Education Standard, or of an engineering master’s program accredited by EAC/ABET.
The PE examination may be taken by an engineer intern*.
*candidate who has passes the FE exam and meets the experience requirements described in the Model Law.

11. Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is generally your first step in the process to becoming a professional licensed engineer (PE)
FE exam is a computer-based exam administered year-round in testing windows at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers
The FE exam is a 110-question test, 6 hours long
You can register for an FE exam by logging in to your MyNCEES account
A $175 exam fee is payable directly to NCEES. Some licensing boards may require you to file a separate application and pay an application fee as part of the approval process to qualify you for a seat for an NCEES exam. Your licensing board may have additional requirements
FE exam uses both the International System of Units (SI) and the US Customary System (USCS).

12. FE Exam Knowledge Areas
Mathematics and Advanced Engineering Mathematics (12-18)
Statics (8-12)
Probability and Statistics (6-9)
Dynamics (7-11)
Chemistry (7-11)
Strength of Materials (8-12)
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition (4-6)
Materials Science (6-9)
Ethics and Professional Practice (3-5)
Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics of Liquids (8-12)
Safety, Health, and Environment (4-6)
Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics of Gases (4-6)
Engineering Economics (7-11)
Electricity, Power, and Magnetism (7-11)
Heat, Mass, and Energy Transfer (9-14)

13. Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam
PE exam tests for a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline. It is designed for engineers who have gained a minimum of four years’ post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline
The PE Nuclear exam is computer-based and administered one day per year (October 19, 2018) at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.
Closed book with an electronic reference, 85 questions, 9.5 hours (includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break)
Uses both the International System of units (SI) and the U.S. Customary System (USCS).
A $375 exam fee is payable directly to NCEES. Some licensing boards may require you to file a separate application and pay an application fee. Your licensing board may have additional requirements.

14. Nuclear PE Examination Specification
Nuclear Power Systems (25-39)
Design and Analysis (14-21)
Components and Systems (9-14)
Regulations, Codes, and Standards (2-4)
Interaction of Radiation with Matter (17-25)
Analysis (13-19)
Protection (4-6)
Nuclear Fuel Cycle (11-17)
Fuel Design and Analysis (9-13)
Handling, Shipping, and Storage (2-4)
Nuclear Criticality/Kinetics/Neutronics (17-26)
Criticality (4-6)
Kinetics (4-6)
Neutronics (9-14)

15. https://ncees.org/engineering/pe/nuclear/

16. PE Volume/Pass Rate vs Experience?
When?

17. ANS Professional Engineering Examination Committee (PEEC)
Standing committee since 1974
Meets semi-annually at ANS national meetings
Chair and Vice Chair
~30 volunteer members with staggered 3-year terms
Prepares exam questions
Organizes Nuclear PE examination preparation workshop
Prepares PE Examination Study Guide
Prepares exam reference
EPE – Examinations for Professional Engineers
Committee oversees all aspects of FE and PE examination development and administration.
Consists of elected members from State Boards by region and technical society representatives, and Council President.

18. Key Takeaways Know your jurisdiction’s requirements!
NCEES/state licensing boards are there to help you
ncees.org/engineering
Obtain meaningful, progressive engineering experience (review definition of engineering experience)
Take advantage of prep courses / materials
Take exams as soon as you are eligible