How to Transfer a Professional Engineering License to Other States

by Fred Decker

Engineers are responsible for creating a wide range of structures and products, ranging from tiny electronic devices to massive bridges and dams. To ensure public safety, each state requires engineers to be licensed. Licensed engineers who intend to practice their profession in a different state must apply for licensing in the new state: there is no mechanism for transferring an engineering license.

License Transfer

Licensing for engineers is like CPA certification for accountants. You don't need it to practice, but without it you're limited in the services you can provide. Each state has its own board of licensing for engineers, but the licensing process is very similar. States don't have a formal system of reciprocity for engineers, so being licensed in one state doesn't entitle you to practice in another state. That doesn't prevent engineers from following work opportunities in different parts of the country; it just means they have to apply to be recognized by the new state's board of engineering. Processing times vary, so it's best to apply a few months in advance.

The Licensing Process

The requirements for a professional engineering license are roughly the same in most states. Candidates graduating from an accredited engineering program must first pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. It's a multiple-choice exam in two sections, the first covering general engineering principles and the second focused on the candidate's engineering specialty. After passing the FE exam and gaining four years of work experience, interns are eligible to take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam in their branch of engineering. Those who pass become known as professional engineers, or PEs, and are eligible for state licensing.

Engineering and Mobility

There are several broad branches of engineering, with different areas of practice. Architectural engineers help construct buildings, while civil engineers work in heavy construction, transportation, and the creation of dams and bridges. Petroleum engineers construct oil extraction and refining facilities, and mining engineers do the same for mineral extraction. The ability to follow work projects from state to state is crucial in many of these fields, as employment is cyclical and depends on major projects. For example, petroleum engineers might work in California, Texas, Alaska, Louisiana or Pennsylvania depending on the current job market.


Income and employment prospects vary widely for engineers, depending on their area of expertise. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 62 percent job growth for biomedical engineers between 2010 and 2020. Employment of civil engineers will grow by 19 percent during that time, while demand for petroleum engineers will surge 17 percent. Demand will be 9 percent and 6 percent for for mechanical engineers and electrical engineers, respectively. Salaries for engineers are also widely variable. In 2010, the median salary for civil engineers was $77,560 per year, while petroleum engineers enjoyed a median salary of $114,080. Mobility can also affect earnings. Petroleum engineers in Oklahoma reported an average salary of $160,090, while their peers in neighboring New Mexico averaged $96,840.

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