Once you graduate, make sure you start the licensing process (if you have not already begun) by gaining the pre-license certificate known as the Engineers in Training (EIT) certificate. This certificate is also called Engineer Intern (EI) in some states.

The EIT (or comparable certificate) signifies that you have completed the engineering degree requirements and have passed the Fundamental of Engineering Exam (FE Exam). In order to gain an EIT certification, the degree requirements must be met as well as a successful score on the FE exam. After that, the candidate will have to pay a small fee (between $10 and $100) depending on the state.

However, gaining the EIT certificate does not mean you are a licensed engineer; you still need to meet the engineering experience requirements (usually 4 years of experience are necessary) and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE Exam). In most states, you may not take the PE Exam until you have gained at least 4 years of qualifying engineering experience.

The EIT is usually good for ten years and in most cases, your state will transfer it to another if you move before you take the PE Exam. In addition, most states will transfer the PE Exam without further examination.

To summarize, most states require the completion of an engineering degree and the passing of an 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Upon completion of the degree and the passing of the FE Exam, the candidate will qualify for the EIT certificate. Once the engineer completes the engineering experience requirements (usually 4 years of experience is required) and an 8-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam in the engineer’s specialty, they qualify for official certification as a Professional Engineer and may use the initials P.E. after their name.