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Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE or P&P) - Professional Engineers

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) examinations are now offered in computer based format. Go to the NCEES website to find out when specific exams are being offered. Candidates will be examined in the discipline in which education and/or experience were gained. View the list of disciplines on the NCEES website. Please note that Maryland does not license PEs by discipline.

Requirements

An applicant may qualify for the Professional Engineers Examination by meeting the educational and/or experience requirements specified in one of the following subsections of the Professional Engineers law:

Subsection 14-305(b) - EAC/ABET-APPROVED OPTION
Has graduated from a college or university on completion of at least a four-year curriculum in engineering, or its equivalent, that the Board approves, and has at least four years of work experience in engineering that is satisfactory to the Board and that indicates to the Board that the applicant is competent to practice engineering, and has passed a written examination in the fundamentals of engineering given by the Board;

On May 11, 2017 the Board for Professional Engineers voted to no longer accept Washington Accord designations as “equivalent” to the NCEES Education Standard.

The Board also voted to recognize the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board as “equivalent” to the NCEES Education Standard.

The Board will automatically accept ABET accredited programs from international institutions.

OR

Subsection 14-305(c) - NON-EAC/ABET-APPROVED OR FOREIGN CURRICULUM OPTION
Has graduated from a college or university on completion of at least a four-year curriculum in engineering, or its equivalent, that the Board has not approved, and has at least eight years of work experience in engineering that is satisfactory to the Board and that indicates to the Board that the applicant is competent to practice engineering, and has passed a written examination in the fundamentals of engineering given by the Board;

OR

Subsection 14-305(d) - EXPERIENCE OPTION
Has at least 12 years of work experience in engineering that is satisfactory to the Board, during at least five years of which the applicant has been in responsible charge, if the collective experience indicates to the Board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering. "Responsible charge" means that the individual has direct control and personal supervision of engineering that requires initiative, professional skill, and independent judgment.

An applicant may substitute a complete scholastic year of at least 30 credit hours in a college or university of engineering approved by the Board for each of these years of experience, upon demonstrating grades satisfactory to the Board.

If the applicant has successfully completed one or more years of a college or university curriculum in engineering that has not been approved by the Board (i.e. not accredited by EAC/ABET) the Board may allow, for each of those years, a credit of up to six months towards the experience requirements.

If an applicant has completed graduate study in engineering that is satisfactory to the Board, the Board may allow up to 1 year credit toward the experience requirement.

Completed applications will be submitted to the Board for review. When reviewed, the applicant will be notified in writing if he or she is approved to sit for examination.

How to Apply

First-time Candidates
The filing deadline for first-time applicants for the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination is 120 days prior to the examination date. See exam schedule. A one-time application of $56 is required to apply.

You must register and make payment directly to NCEES for the examination.

Licensed Professional Engineers who wish to take the PE in another discipline
Download a paper application to take the PE by a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Complete the application and e-mail to: DLOPLProfessionalEngineers-LABOR@maryland.gov
State Board of Professional Engineers
1100 N. Eutaw Street, 5th Floor,
Baltimore, MD 20201

Re-examinee Candidates
Schedule your exam directly with NCEES if you have been approved by the Maryland Board. All payments will be paid directly to NCEES.