Earning Your Professional Credentials May Not Be Easy
It’s not a short and easy trip when it comes to becoming a professional engineer. State by state – including the state of Maryland – the industry is regulated within an inch of its life to ensure that the highest standards are met when it comes to designing and approving designs for major efforts like new buildings and large-scale infrastructure. If you’re looking to earn the right to use your Maryland engineering embossers and seal, then this is what you’ll need to understand for the entire process.
There’s good news and bad news: you’ve got plenty of guidelines to follow if you’re looking to get a Maryland engineering embossers and seal, thanks to the fact that Maryland follows the recommendations of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Before you can even think about getting your Maryland engineering embossers and seal you’ll need a
minimum of four years of school in a program that’s accredited by the ABET (or one that Maryland will approve as sufficient in the event that the ABET doesn’t list it as one of their accredited programs). After that you’ll need to register with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying and take and pass its engineering fundamentals exam before finding gainful employment as an assistant under a licensed professional engineer. You’ll be spending four years under their expert tutelage – more than that if you don’t have as much schooling, as Maryland will let you substitute eight or even 12 years of work experience in lieu of education in some instances. Once you’ve accomplished all this, you’re welcome to apply. You’ll get your license, provided you pass the Maryland test as well. Then you’ll get your Maryland engineering embossers and seal.What If You're Already Licensed Elsewhere?
Thankfully Maryland does have a reciprocity agreement with other states. This means that if you’re relocating to the state after receiving your license from another state, you don’t have to go through the entire process or even just re-test if you want to earn the right to use Maryland engineering embossers and seals. You simply need to show Maryland you’ve done the work already – if you’ve got your records kept by NCEES, this is relatively straightforward, and you’ll get that Maryland engineering embossers and seal immediately. If you don’t, you’ll just need to spend lots of time filling out forms and getting paperwork together – still better than having to sit through another eight-hour written test.
Maintaining Your License
Now all you have to do is renew your license every two years. Oh, and don’t forget to provide 24 hours’ worth of continuing education credits over that two year period, or you won’t be allowed to renew – or gain access to those Maryland engineering embossers and seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Maryland PE license requirements?
To become a Licensed Professional Engineer in Maryland, you typically need an ABET-accredited engineering degree, passing scores on the FE exam and PE exam, and qualifying engineering experience under a licensed PE. Maryland also allows some education substitutions with extensive work experience in certain cases.
How many years of engineering experience do I need for a Maryland PE license?
Most applicants need four years of progressive engineering experience after graduation, gained under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer. If you do not have an ABET-accredited degree, Maryland may allow additional work experience to offset education requirements.
Do I need to pass the FE exam before applying for a Maryland Professional Engineer license?
Yes, in most cases you must first register with NCEES and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam before progressing toward PE licensure. This is the first major step in the Maryland Professional Engineer application process.
Can I get a Maryland PE license if I’m already licensed in another state?
Yes, Maryland offers licensure by comity/reciprocity for engineers already licensed elsewhere. If your credentials are documented through NCEES, the process is usually much simpler and may not require retaking the full PE exam.
How do I apply for a PE license in Maryland?
After meeting the education, exam, and experience requirements, you can submit your Maryland PE application along with supporting documentation to verify your credentials. Once approved and after passing the Maryland exam requirements, you can receive your license and use your Maryland engineer seal.
How do I renew my Maryland PE license?
Maryland PE licenses must be renewed every two years. During each renewal period, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education credits to stay in good standing and maintain your right to use a Maryland engineering seal or embosser.
