State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Licensing Questions

1. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. Individuals with undocumented status are eligible for licensure and a social security number is not required for licensure.
   

2. What is the Board's website so I may obtain an application and directions to take the professional examinations?

   The Board's website is NJConsumerAffairs.gov/pels.

3. If I am already licensed in another state as a professional engineer or land surveyor, am I automatically licensed in New Jersey?

   No. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:8-35(1)e, the Board's enabling legislation does not contain an eminence or grandfather clause, nor does it provide for reciprocity with any state, territory or country.

4. As a foreign applicant, do I need to have my foreign undergraduate degree evaluated?

   Yes. Please contact one of the Board's recommended evaluators and request a "Subject Analysis Evaluation."   For evaluation of a non-ABET accredited engineering degree, the following evaluation provider is recommended:

   NCEES
   280 Seneca Creek Road
   Seneca, SC 29678
   Phone: ​(800) 250-3196
   Website: www.NCEES.org/records/ncees-credentials-evaluations/

   ​For evaluation of a non-ABET accredited engineering technology degree, the following evaluation providers are recommended:

   ​Josef Silny & Associates
   7101 SW 102 Avenue
   Miami, FL 33173
   Phone: (305) 273-1616
   Website: www.​jsilny.com
   Email: info@jsilny.com

   ​Educational Perspectives
   P.O. Box A3462
   Chicago, IL 60690-3462
   Phone: (312) 421-9300
   Website: www.EDperspective.org
   Email: info@EDperspective.org

5. What type and how many references are needed for my professional engineer's application?

   Five references are required. Three of the five must be licensed professional engineers in the United States who have regularly and effectively supervised your professional experience. References from relatives will not be accepted.

6. How long are references valid?

   One (1) year.

Training and Exam Questions

1. What type of experience do I need to obtain in order to sit for the principles and practices portion of the engineering examination?

   Four years of full-time experience in engineering work to be approved by the Board. Two of the four years' experience must have been gained in the United States as well as two of the four years of said experience shall be original engineering design experience demonstrating increased responsibility over time, that is of a character acceptable to the Board. All experience must have been gained under the regular and effective supervision of a licensed professional engineer.

2. To what level of detail should I list my experience on the detailed statement of experience portion of the application?

   For each engagement list and describe the specific projects (especially design) you have worked on, and your specific tasks associated with these projects, in outlined statements, as well as the length of time differentiated between original engineering design experience and other engineering experience. Describe the character of each engagement by describing the design work, and other engineering work and specific projects explicitly in outlined statements. Additionally for each engagement, indicate your title, the name and address of your employer, and the name, address and license number of your immediate supervisor.

3. How can I get a waiver of the fundamentals of engineering examination?

   The Board may waive the fundamentals of engineering portion of the examination provided that, at the time of application, in addition to the educational requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:40-2.3, the applicant has a specific record of an additional 15 years or more of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Board. Eight of the 15 years of experience must have been gained in the United States or must have been acquired while working for a United States-based firm. At least two years of experience gained in the United States shall be original engineering design experience demonstrating increased responsibility over time. All experience must have been gained while under the regular and effective supervision of a licensed professional engineer.

4. What is the minimum passing score on the Fundamentals and Principles and Practices portions of the engineering examinations?

   A grade of 70 is the minimum passing score.

Miscellaneous Questions

1. What are the requirements for a Certificate of Authorization?

   Any corporation (except a professional service corporation, partnership, or proprietorship established pursuant to the "Professional Service Corporation Act," N.J.S.A. 14A:17 et seq.) offering or providing professional engineering and/or land surveying services in the State of New Jersey must obtain a Certificate of Authorization to perform these functions.

2. How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing as it relates to a Certificate of Authorization?

   Please visit the website of the Department of Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services at www.NJ.gov/treasury/revenue/standcert.shtml to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing.

3. How much does it cost to apply for a Certificate of Authorization?

   The cost is $120.00 and the fee is valid for two (2) years.

4. If my corporation wants to offer both engineering and architectural services, do I need two Certificates of Authorization?

   Yes. One must be from the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and the other one from the NJ​ State Board of Architects, which may be reached at (973) 504-6385.