Civil engineering is highly profitable, with senior engineers making over $130,000 yearly. In this discipline, civil engineers get to work on financially and societally beneficial projects. However, becoming a licensed civil engineer is not as easy as it seems.
To become a civil engineer, you have to graduate from an accredited college of education, gain years of experience, and write different exams. This might make you wonder: Is it worth it? How long does it take to become a civil engineer? What is the difference between a licensed and unlicensed civil engineer? What opportunities are available for a civil engineer? Continue reading this step-by-step guide to discover the exciting career of becoming a licensed civil engineer.
Why is becoming a licensed civil engineer important?
As a civil engineer, there is always the option of taking on jobs without becoming licensed. However, there are multiple limitations to the career of an unlicensed civil engineer. And the only way to mitigate these restrictions is by becoming a licensed civil engineer. Some of the reasons why you should become a licensed civil engineer include the following:
- Limited projects overseen
As an unlicensed civil engineer, you cannot bid for or win government contracts and are relegated to entry-level or support obs. However, a licensed civil engineer is allowed to take on any project you wish.
- Legal Authority
A licensed civil engineer is allowed to sign, seal, and submit building plans to government bodies. This is a result of their licencing, which indicates that they are authorities in the civil engineering field. If you are not a licensed engineer, the only opportunities available to you are serving as an assistant or working on projects under supervision.
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- Earning gap
Licensed civil engineers earn about $50,000 more than unlicensed, entry-level engineers. This disparity in earnings might seem huge and unfair. However, licensed civil engineers earn that much because they have dedicated time, energy, and knowledge to the civil engineering sector.
Licensing might not have seemed worth the hype until you realise how much more benefits you stand to gain as a licensed civil engineer when compared to unlicensed civil engineers. Now that you understand the differences between a licensed engineer and an unlicensed civil engineer, as well as the benefits of licensure, you should know the steps towards becoming a licensed civil engineer.
Steps to Becoming a Licensed Civil Engineer
To become a licensed civil engineer, there are steps you have to take. When put together, these steps might seem intimidating, but they are not. Owing to the nature of the business sector, these steps have to be taken separately, which gives you the freedom to complete one phase before moving on to the next. Below are the steps to becoming a licensed civil engineer:
Step 1: Earn a Civil Engineering Degree
Unlike writers and graphic designers who can officially start their careers without a university degree, civil engineers have a process different. To become a civil engineer, you first have to complete an ABET-accredited civil engineering program where you will be awarded a civil engineering degree.
Civil engineering is vast, and there are multiple specialisations available to you. These include environmental, geotechnical, structural, etc. Choosing an area to specialise in might be daunting. However, during education, your options will be made clearer when you interact with these disciples and you find the one that aligns with your goals.
Step 2: Gain Relevant Experience
Civil engineering deals with human lives and environmental health, and as such, persons going into the discipline must be able to defend their theoretical knowledge. This is why field experience is highly valued in the role. Typically, after gaining a degree, civil engineers are expected to apply for internships and entry-level positions. This step is influential in becoming a civil engineer. During this period, hands-on learning in the real world, working on projects that affect the real world.
Step 3: Gaining Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate
Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam is the first step to becoming a licensed professional engineer. The exam tests the knowledge of civil engineers, allows them to take on bigger roles, and increases their pay as engineers. There is no set percentage for passing as the required score changes yearly but aiming for 70% puts you in a safe spot. The FE exam can be taken during study at the university or right after gaining a degree. But it is advisable to take the exam after starting work in the field as you would have gained more knowledge by then.
Step 4: Prepare for the Practice of Engineering Exam
Unlike with the Engineering-in-Training exam, the Practice of Engineering (PE) exam requires more of a stretch. Although each state sets its own rules, a minimum of 4 years of experience working as a civil engineer under a licensed civil engineer is required for engineers wishing to partake in the PE exam. After working as an engineer for this period, civil engineers can then apply for and begin studying for the Practice of Engineering Exam.
Step 5: Gaining the Professional of Engineering Certificate
After spending years working in the field, and then proceeding to take the Practice of Engineering certificate, you will be awarded a Professional of Engineering Certificate if you pass the exam. At this point, you have grown past the level of entry-level jobs and can now apply to senior civil engineering roles. If you wish, you can open your civil engineering form, setting the rules based on what works for you.
Step 6: Periodical License Renewal
It is admirable to gain a PE license as a civil engineer. However, this does not secure your permanent position as an engineer. To make sure engineers don’t turn rusty and are aware of constantly changing industry standards, you are expected to renew your license. There is no set period for countries as they differ. However, the license renewal is important and must be done regularly.
Challenges for Licensure
Becoming a licensed civil engineer comes with numerous enticing benefits. Yet, it also comes with its requirements and some of them are real challenges for architects. Here are some of the challenges civil engineers face regarding licensure:
- Cost: To participate in the FE exam, as administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) you have to pay $225, while the PE exam costs $400. These prices do not include extra charges that third parties might charge. Not to mention study materials. These numbers are discouraging for civil engineers earning at the bottom of the engineering sector.
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- Work and Exam Preparation Balance: Gaining experience is important for you as a civil engineer. At the same time, the exams require you to study to pass them. This causes a rift between whether to prioritise work or to focus on reading.
- Exam Difficulty: After managing to balance work, life and exam preparations, and gather the money required for the exam, another factor that can discourage you from becoming a licensed civil engineer is the difficulty of the exam.
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Conclusion
The career path to becoming a licensed civil engineer is tumultuous. It requires three different certifications, typically awarded at different stages of one’s career. Yet, these requirements must be met while managing work-life balance. However, considering the financial freedom that comes with it and its influence on the world, it is a reasonable price to pay for the future ahead.