Engineering Is a State Regulated Profession
In order to safeguard life, health, and property and to promote the public welfare, all 50 states and the US territories established laws to regulate the practice of engineering. The Georgia Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly in 1937. The board has the power to adopt rules, set standards for licensure, adopt mandatory standards of professional conduct and ethics, and investigate and discipline unauthorized, negligent, unethical, or incompetent practice.
Under Georgia law, individuals offering engineering services must be licensed Professional Engineers and companies offering engineering services are required to hold a Certificate of Authorization (COA) to provide engineering services. The use of the words “Engineer” or “Engineering” in describing offered services is deemed to be offering profession engineering services, and thus subject to regulation.
To become a professional engineer (PE), individuals must have the appropriate education, be of good moral character, must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Test (the FE test), gain several years of experience, and pass the Professional Engineering Test (the PE test) in the chosen engineering discipline. Both tests comprehensively cover the field of engineering knowledge. Upon becoming licensed or registered, the PE is obligated to meet continuing education requirements. Companies must be managed by registered professional engineers in order to be granted a COA. Membership in professional societies, such as GSPE, is not a requirement.
The Georgia Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board is an independent state agency, and until recently was part of the Georgia Secretary of State Office Professional Licensing Division. Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Georgia State Senate.
Georgia business authorizations and individual professional licenses can be searched for and verified by name at the Secretary of State web site.
http://verify.sos.ga.gov/verification/
All 50 states have laws regulating engineering practice and a PE license is required for some activities including:
- infrastructure engineer of record
- leading an engineering firm
- providing engineering services to public
Steps to become a Professional Engineer:
- Obtain an engineering degree
- Apply to take & pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (Become an EIT) Note: The qualifications for this are education only and this test can be taken the end of your senior year.
- Obtain relevant experience to qualify to take the PE test. Co-Op & internships may count towards the experience requirement.
- Apply to take & pass the PE test