Home >> Career Search

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Special Requirements

If your work as an engineer affects public health, safety, or property, you must register with the state. To become licensed as a professional engineer in Virginia, applicants must meet the following requirements:

EIT (Engineer-in-Training) EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must meet one of the following:

   •   Graduate of approved curriculum of 4 years or more OR Graduate of non-approved curriculum + 2 years of experience
   •   Must be enrolled in an ABET accredited curriculum and within 12 months of degree.
   •   Graduated from a non-approved engineering technology curriculum + 6 years of experience
   •   Graduated with an undergraduate degree from an institution without an approved curriculum and obtained a graduate degree from an institution with an approved curriculum

LICENSURE FOR ENGINEERS:

Step 1:		Graduation The first step is graduating from an ABET-accredited engineering program at a college or university.
Step 2:		FE Exam The first exam in the licensure process is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE). This exam is offered in April and October every year. Most students take the exam right before graduation or soon after while the technical information they've studied is still fresh in their minds.
Step 3:		Work Experience Many jurisdictions have specific requirements about the type of experience you need to gain. Most require that you gain experience under the supervision of someone who is already licensed, and that your experience involve increasing levels of responsibility. Once you begin work, contact your licensing board to find out what experience is needed and talk with professional engineers in your company to find out how you can gain this experience.
Step 4:		PE Exam Once you have gained the appropriate experience, you can take the second exam in the licensure process, the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). This exam is given in a variety of engineering disciplines. Most disciplines are offered in both April and October, but some are offered only in October.

After completing all the steps in the engineering licensure process—education, experience, and examinations—you are eligible for licensure by your licensing board.

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

   •   Must have a bachelor’s degree from an approved curriculum + 4 years of professional experience as an EIT OR Graduate of non-approved curriculum + 6 years of professional experience as an EIT
   •   Graduated from a non-approved engineering technology curriculum of four years or more + 10 years experience
   •   Graduate from an accredited undergraduate engineering degree and a doctorate degree in engineering from an institution with an accredited undergraduate program + 4 years of experience
   •   Graduated from an engineering , engineering technology or related science curriculum of four years or more + 20 years

EXAM:

   •   The Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
   •   Must provide 3 references from licensed professional engineers

LICENSE RENEWAL: The Professional Engineer license must be renewed every two years.

For More Information, Contact:

Virginia Department Of Professional And Occupational Regulation
Board For Architects / Prof. Engineers / Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, And Landscape Architects
3600 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23230-4917
Phone: 804.367.8512
TTY: 804.367.9753
Fax: 804.367.2475
http://www.state.va.us/dpor/indexie.html

Required Fees:

· Exam: $250 for Principles And Practice Exam; $140 for Fundamentals Of Engineering Exam (can vary by state)

· Renewal: $30

· Application: $40 (For Principles And Practice Exam); $20 (For Fundamentals Of Engineering Exam)

· Comity $ 40

· PE Exam rescore $ 25

· FE/PE out of state proctor $ 30

· Dishonored check $ 25

The examination fee shall consist of the administration expenses of the department resulting from the board’s examination procedures and contract charges.

For More Information, Contact:

Virginia Department Of Professional And Occupational Regulation
Board For Architects / Prof. Engineers / Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, And Landscape Architects
3600 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23230-4917
Phone: 804.367.8512
TTY: 804.367.9753
Fax: 804.367.2475
http://www.state.va.us/dpor/indexie.html

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)