Prospective engineers are required to be licensed by the state in which they work. To become licensed, engineers must first earn a bachelor's degree from a school accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET accredits approximately 360 college and university engineering programs, as well as approximately 230 engineering technology programs.
Most engineering degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), are awarded in electrical, mechanical, civil, or electronics engineering. Other common engineering degrees include aerospace, nuclear, agricultural, chemical, computer, environmental, industrial, and materials engineering.
After graduation, prospective engineers take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Those who pass the exam are called Engineers in Training (EIT) or Engineer Interns (EI). They are then required to complete a minimum number of work hours (as deemed by their state) before they are able to take the second exam, the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
Engineering students also have the option to pursue a two- or four-year degree in engineering technology. Engineering technology focuses more on the hands-on, practical work of engineering, rather than theory. The job market is similar to engineering degree-holders, though they are not eligible to work as professional engineers.
Continuing education is also very important for engineers to maintain licensure. For instance, the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation requires engineers to complete 30 hours of continuing education for every two years of licensure. Engineers should become familiar with their states rules and regulations concerning licensure to ensure they are able to become licensed and able to keep their license current.
