Professional Engineer by Exam

Examinees who do not pass the exam by January 15, 2027, may be required to submit a new application, due to upcoming system upgrades. Candidates are advised to retain a copy of their exam approval notification for future reference.
 

Looking for a status update?

If you applied online and it has been more than 4 weeks -or- applied my mail and it has been more than 6 weeks please contact our office.

Licenses are issued the first week of every month and you will be notified of your license number.
 

To become licensed as a Professional Engineer in Washington

You must meet criteria in three areas:

Education (optional)
  • A baccalaureate degree in engineering in a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is equivalent to four years
    • An Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) may provide you 3 years of education experience
  • A degree in engineering from a non-ABET accredited engineering program may be given four years at the discretion of the board
    • Foreign degrees must be evaluated by NCEES, WES, or FIS only
  • Non-Engineering degree may be given up to 2 years at the discretion of the board
  • WAC-196-12-021
     
Experience
  • 8 years of progressive engineering experience working under a licensed PE:
    • Board approved education is counted as part of experience. WAC-196-12-021
    • Experience used must be verified by the PE who was in direct supervision of the work being done
       
Examinations

See the Boards exam page for availability of NCEES exams

  • Pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE)
  • Pass the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE)
     

Steps to Apply / Required Documentation

  • Fill out and submit (see “How to Apply” below) the basic application form
  • Pay application fee
  • Upload the Certificate issued upon passing the Washington Engineer Law Review.
    • Passing score is 80%
  • Verification of passing the FE/EIT exam. If you took the FE/EIT in another state, go to NCEES or contact the state board to request an exam verification.
  • Transmit your NCEES Record. (Preferred method - helps speed up review process)
    • There is no charge to create a record. A fee is charged each time you transmit your record to the Board. 
    • NCEES Records include education information, exam verification, work experience and more.
    • Transmitting an NCEES record does not generate automatic approval. Records are reviewed for accuracy and if the applicant meets the Board’s requirements.

      OR
       
  • Complete and submit our Work Experience Form and Experience Verification Form (see forms for instructions)
    • If you want your education applied toward experience, have your school submit official transcripts to NCEES for evaluation
    • Foreign degrees must be evaluated by NCEES, WES, or FIS only
    • Using this method may increase review times and/or requests for additional information
       

How to Apply

Important: do not apply until you meet all requirements. See Chapter 196-12 WAC and Chapter 18.43 RCW for more details.

Apply Online

  • Login or Sign-up to fill out basic application form, and upload required documentation, and to pay your application fee
    • You will be directed to use a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account to access our service. SAW is the State’s security interface for all state agencies.
  • Access our service, 'Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors (BRPELS)'
  • Using an NCEES record for work experience? Transmit your record after applying


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