How to Obtain a PE License in California for an Australian Engineer?

Hate to be a pedant, but proper capitalisation, spelling and punctuation are important (EE's write code, so we really care about the details).

well not only are you a pedant but also a hypocrite (and in my opinion even more of an idiot than the person you are critiquing) because while explaining the importance of grammar and correct spelling you managed to spell capitalization wrong... oh california.

"Capitalization".

Only in America.

Now you're the idiot.

Just goes to show how unstuck you can become when one goes off "half-cocked".

We speak, and write, English English.

Cheers,

Stu.

Actually, I thought people in El Salvador spoke a dialect of Spanish, typically.

Welcome to the nightmare. I studied in Italy and am licensed in NY. I can tell you that the process was not easy, but it may be just because Italian Universities are in the stone age and nobody reads English.

I'll try to share my experience.

First you need to apply to the board downloading the forms at www.pels.ca.gov.

You will be required a bunch of documents, fees, and the "transcription" sent directly from your school to the board. I imagine that your school is not ABET accredited, but you Aussies speak a kinda English (just kidding) and it should not be a problem.

If your degree was 4 years or longer, you should be allowed to take the FE (Fundaments of Engineering) exam. Without ABET accreditation, I don't believe 2 years experience are sufficient to take the PE (Principle and Practice of Engineering)

In any case, they will tell you how many years experience you'll need. In NY, my experience abroad was counted, but only because I had also worked in the US. If you only worked in Australia, I don't believe they will give you full credit (unless you worked for an American PE who endorses you)

The exams are not difficult, but you'll need to study. Especially if you are not used to the bloody Gallons, pounds, feet and psi (man, I miss the metric system!)

Good luck to you.

Check www.monster.com for jobs.

Especially if you are not used to the bloody Gallons, pounds, feet and psi (man, I miss the metric system!)

We used the metric system (cgs) in college. I think Americans would love the metric system if they would get up enough guts to switch!

I am a PE in Ohio. Back when I was doing such things, CA would not do it by reciprocity. You had to physically be there to take the test. So I didn't, 'cause I didn't need it that bad.

when I took the FE (2004), most problems were in both systems (you could pick)

I finally took the PE last year and the metric system was completely gone.

If you are in the water resourches field, you still have to deal with the mess that comes up when you cross Chemistry (metrics) and hydraulics (gallons and cubic feet) I always have to look up the freaking multiplier 8.34 because never know where to put it.

1 liter (l) of water has a mass of 1 kg and its volume is 0.001 cubic meters. For most purposes, cosidering G at 10 m/s2 is good enough (mass and "engineering weight" are about the same). And because in one liter there are one million mg and in one cubic meter there are one million grams it's so easy.

now back to work.

I'm not sure about California, but in some states any engineering experience prior to graduation will not be counted toward one's required experience. If you haven't already taken it, you will probably have to take the FE exam. Start looking for answers at http://www.pels.ca.gov/.

In California, if you do not have an ABET it takes at least 6 years of working experience under a California licensed PE (committy may apply for working under a PE from another State) after receiving a EIT. Without an EIT it takes something like 16 years working experience. You will also need PE references. Depending on the field the references can vary in licensure. Only Civils can be references for Civil Engineering experience. However, a licensed engineer in any other discipline and/or a Civil can be a reference for other disciplines licensure.

Utilities don't actually need licensed engineers for many of their applications. However, they do pay more and are in many situations required to have a licensed electrical engineer stamp some drawings and reports, particularly to the State. Also for structures they may require Civil engineering or Structural Engineering stamps in some cases. If you don't work directly for a utility company, then you must be licensed to consult on such projects, and would make more money as a energy consultant.

Hi all,

Thanks a bunch for your replies. Really apprecaite it. Well I did a bit of research on this ABET accredition thing. Turns out the Engineering body in Australia known as Eningeer's Australia is a signatory of the Washington Accord which states that there is a mutual agreement between USA, Australia and couple of other countries that their degrees are all equivalent.

It doesn't however specify that an Australian degree is ABET acredited. From my understanding all it says is that there is a mutual understanding that the degrees from both countries are equivalent. Would anyone have any idea about if my degree is ABET accredited? I did Bachelors of Engineering from the University Of Sydney.

With regards to the FE (Fundaments of Engineering) exam, from what I gather, I do not need any experience to sit this exam, is that correct?

After I pass the FE exam I will be titled as EIT or Engineer in Training, after which I am eligible to work in the States under an engineer who holds his PE.

So that means that only experience gained under a PE will be counted towards me achieving my PE, is that correct?

What would be my next step after visiting the states and sitting for my FE exam? How do I apply for jobs? Do I stay in the states and wander around until I find a job or do I come back home and then apply for jobs online?

How does the USA work visa work? Do I need an employer to sponser me or can I just apply for a work visa without a job lined up?

Sorry for the million questions, but you guys have been great!

Regards

Raul

Somewhat confused?

Your school is most likely non-ABET accredited.

If you pass the FE (no experience required) , and your school is not ABET, you won't have the EIT certificate (happened to me) but you'll be able to accruit the experience to take the PE.

I am not sure, but it takes 2 years or experience for someone with an ABET engineerign degree. It takes 2 extra years for non-abet.

About the visa....

you are doomed. USA are not England or Europe, where you can go and do whatever. Engineering firms nowadays don't to bother with the paperwork for sponsoring your visa. And even if that happens, your visa will depend on your relationship with the sponsor. If you want to change jobs, you will have to get a new sponsor.

The shortcut is getting married to an American, but ... forget about it.

I would switch with you any time. You can move to the madhouse that is New York City, if you find me a nice place near the beach in Australia.

cheers.

If you have a ABET equivalency you could sit for the FE exam just on education alone. Then work a minimum of two years under licensed engineers. As far as working for a PE, I would say yes, as this would be the only way I see you doing legal engineering work during that period. The State Board asked you to quantify the period of time spent doing engineering work and characterize the types of work you performed. They require PE references and working references, not necessarily the same. Your PE references must have knowledge of your working capabilities as a engineer. Typically at least one of your references must be your supervising engineer at your employer (at least for the Civil PE, California is much more strict about sitting for the Civl PE since State law gives it an encompassing and highly regulated authority in nearly all engineering discplines). You can have either an electrical PE or a Civil PE sign as a reference, though for an electrical it is generally preferred that you have a few electrical PEs as references (only Civils can be references for Civils). You should call the State Board at toll free 1-866-780-5370, it is a period between the spring and fall exams, so they should be available to answer your questions for more clarification on the minimum acceptable. They may recognize committy with Australia, and a professional engineering license in Australia may transfer across. I know they do with other States and Canada (just sometimes you may be required to fulfill some State special exams depending on discipline).

woah...a wealth of information :D. I love engineers, always detailed but to the point.

Sardman you got me all worried about the visa. I have an uncle in NY, will see if he can sponser me somehow.

And trust me, Australia is a nice place to relax and chill but if you have ambitions and wanna travel and experience exciting projects then you need to get out of here.

Most of our CEO's are all from america and UK. And I'm aiming big with my carrer :)

Thanks a bunch guys! Been really helpful :)