Explore our Professional Licensing Resource page, where you can discover comprehensive details about various professional licenses for engineers and planners in the Western District states (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington). This page is maintained by volunteers and will be updated as frequently as we can. For questions please contact the Career Guidance Chair. Currently, this page includes information on the Professional Engineer License – there are many others licenses and certifications for planners and engineers in our industry, which we intend to add soon.
Check out the latest updates on the PE Exam! For details on the format and length of the exam, the topics covered, and applicable design standards, please check out the NCEES website for the latest changes to the exam specifications or download the this file: PE Civil: Transportation April 2024.
In Alaska, there are two ways to obtain the Professional Engineer license, by exam or by comity. Check out the following links for the process and exam information.
PE by Exam: Alaska PE by Exam
PE by Comity: Alaska PE by Comity
Exam Information: Alaska
In California, there are two ways to obtain the Professional Engineer license, by exam or by comity. Keep in mind that there are California-specific rules that apply to your PE licensure procedure. Check out the following links for the process and exam information.
General Information: California
Scheduling and Applying for the PE: Process Flowchart
PE by Exam: California PE by Exam
PE by Comity: California PE by Comity
Work Experience/Reference for PE Reference: Instructions
Board Rules and Regulations: CA Specific Rules
Thinking about if you qualify to obtain a PE without passing the FE Exam? In California, there is a process for those who do not currently hold an EIT certificate but still qualify to take the PE Exam to obtain a Professional Engineering License. See if you qualify for that option below:
FE Waiver: Flowchart
In Hawaii, there are two ways to obtain the Professional Engineer license, by examination or by endorsement. Keep in mind that there are Hawaii-specific rules that apply to your PE licensure procedure. Check out the following links for the process and exam information.
General Information: Hawaii
PE Licensure Requirements: Subchapter 2 – §16-115-21
Application for Licensure: Form
Verification of Supervision: Form
Experience Verification (Licensure by Endorsement): Form
In Oregon, there is one typical process to obtain the Professional Engineer license, which is by examination. Check out the following links for the process and exam information.
General Information: Oregon
PE License Process: Oregon PE Licensing Process
PE Qualifications for Registration: Division 10 – Licensing
PE Requirements: Education and Experience
Continuing Professional Development Requirements: Professional Development Hour (PDH)
In Washington, there are two ways to obtain the Professional Engineer license, by exam or by comity. Keep in mind that there are Washington-specific rules that apply to your PE licensure procedure. See below for the process and exam information.
General Information: Washington
The typical process to obtain the PE License in Washington is as follows:
- Pass the EIT (Engineer-in-Training exam)
- Pass the PE (Principles and Practices of Engineering exam)
- If you took the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (EIT) or the Principles and Practices of Engineering exam (PE) in another state, go to NCEES to request a license or exam verification
- Have 8 years of professional-level experience under the direct supervision of a licensed engineer
- Education in an ABET-accredited program may count for up to 4 years of this experience
- Work experience gained between semesters or quarters or during summers while enrolled in an approved curriculum will be considered part of the educational process. No more than 1 year of experience will be granted for 1 calendar year
- Complete the Engineers Law Review exam
