Part IV. Qualifications for Licensing of Professional Engineers
18VAC10-20-160. Definitions.
The following words, terms, and phrases when used in this part shall have the meanings ascribed to them except where the context clearly indicates or requires different meanings:
"ABET" means the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
"Approved engineering program" means an undergraduate engineering program of four years or more or a graduate engineering program approved by the board. ABET-approved EAC programs are approved by the board. Programs that are accredited by ABET not later than two years after an applicant's graduation shall be deemed as ABET-approved.
"Approved engineering technology program" means an undergraduate engineering technology program of four years or more approved by the board. ABET-approved ETAC programs of four years or more are approved by the board. Programs that are accredited by ABET not later than two years after an applicant's graduation shall be deemed as ABET-approved.
"EAC" means Engineering Accreditation Commission.
"Engineer-in-training" or "EIT" means an applicant who has completed any one of several combinations of education, or education and experience, and has passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.
"ETAC" means Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission.
"Related science program" means a four-year program in biology, chemistry, geology, geophysics, mathematics, physics, or other programs approved by the board. Programs must have a minimum of six semester hours of mathematics courses beyond algebra and trigonometry and a minimum of six semester hours of science courses in calculus-based physics in order to be considered a related science program.
"Qualifying engineering experience" means a record of progressive experience on engineering work during which the applicant has made a practical utilization of acquired knowledge and has demonstrated progressive improvement, growth, and development through the utilization of that knowledge as revealed in the complexity and technical detail of the applicant's work product or work record. The applicant must show progressive assumption of greater individual responsibility for the work product over the relevant period. The progressive experience on engineering work shall be of a type and quality that indicates to the board that the applicant is minimally competent to practice engineering. Qualifying engineering experience shall be progressive in complexity and based on a knowledge of engineering mathematics, physical and applied sciences, properties of materials, and fundamental principles of engineering design.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.1, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-170. Fee schedule.
All fees are nonrefundable and shall not be prorated.
| Application for Engineer-in-Training Designation | $30 |
| Application for Initial Professional Engineer License | $60 |
| Application for Professional Engineer License by Comity | $60 |
| Renewal | $80 |
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.2, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 24, eff. October 1, 1999; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 21, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2004; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016.
18VAC10-20-180. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.3, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002.
18VAC10-20-190. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.4, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-200. Requirements for engineer-in-training designation.
In order to receive the EIT designation, applicants shall:
1. Graduate from an engineering program of four years or more accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (EAC/ABET), graduate from an engineering master's program accredited by EAC/ABET, or meet the requirements of the NCEES Engineering Education Standard;
2. Pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam; and
3. Apply to the board.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.5, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-210. Requirements for licensure as a professional engineer.
A. In order to be licensed as a professional engineer, applicants shall:
1. Satisfy one requirement of subdivisions B 1 through B 4 of this section;
2. Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam;
3. Meet all the requirements of this chapter; and
4. Apply to and be approved by the board.
B. In general, the required education shall be applied as follows:
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS | EIT REQUIRED? | NUMBER OF REQUIRED YEARS OF QUALIFYING ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE |
1. Have graduated from an approved engineering program. | YES | 4 |
2. Dual degree holders. a. Have graduated from an ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering program; and b. Have graduated from a doctorate engineering program that is ABET accredited at the undergraduate level. | NO | 4 |
3. Have graduated from a nonapproved engineering program of four years or more, a related science program, or an approved engineering technology program. | YES | 6 |
4. Have graduated from a nonapproved engineering technology program of four years or more. | YES | 10 |
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.6, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-215. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-220. References.
In addition to the requirements found in 18VAC10-20-25, applicants shall satisfy one of the following:
1. An applicant for the engineer-in-training designation shall provide one reference that indicates the applicant's personal integrity from one of the following:
a. A professional engineer;
b. The dean, or the dean's designee, of the engineering school attended by the applicant; or
c. An immediate work supervisor.
2. An applicant for licensure as a professional engineer shall submit three references from professional engineers currently licensed in a state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The applicant shall only submit references given by professional engineers who have personal knowledge of the applicant's competence and integrity relative to his engineering experience.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.7, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Errata, 32:10 VA.R. 1861, January 11, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-230. Education.
A. An applicant who is seeking credit for a degree that is not ABET accredited as ETAC or EAC and was earned from an institution outside the United States shall have the degree authenticated and evaluated by an educational credential evaluation service. The board may consider the degree as an approved engineering program or approved engineering technology program. The board reserves the right to reject any evaluation submitted by the applicant.
B. Degrees earned within the United States for any nonapproved engineering program, related science program, or nonapproved engineering technology program of four years or more shall be from an accredited college or university that is approved or accredited by the Commission on Colleges, a regional or national accreditation association, or by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.8, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 23, Issue 21, eff. September 10, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-240. Experience.
A. Each applicant shall complete the board's Professional Engineer and Engineer-in-Training Experience Verification Form, documenting all of his engineering experience. The information provided on the form shall clearly describe the engineering work or research that the applicant personally performed; delineate his role in any group engineering activity; provide an overall description of the nature and scope of his work; and include a detailed description of the engineering work personally performed by him. The experience must be obtained in an organization with an engineering practice and must be verified on the board's experience verification form by a licensed professional engineer in the organization's engineering practice.
B. In general, the required experience shall be applied as follows:
Type of Experience | Qualifying | Nonqualifying |
1. Design experience. | A demonstrated use of engineering computation and problem-solving skills. | Drafting of design by others. |
2. Construction experience. | A demonstrated use of engineering computation and problem-solving skills. | The execution as a contractor of work designed by others, the supervision of construction, and similar nonengineering tasks. |
3. Military experience. | Engineering of a character substantially equivalent to that required in the civilian sector for similar work. | Nonengineering military training and supervision. |
4. Sales experience. | A demonstrated use of engineering computational and problem-solving skills. | The selection of data or equipment from a company catalogue, similar publication, or database. |
5. Industrial experience. | Work directed toward the identification and solution of practice problems in the applicant's area of engineering specialization including engineering analysis of existing systems or the design of new ones. | The performance of maintenance of existing systems, replacement of parts or components, and other nonengineering tasks. |
6. Graduate or doctoral degree. | Only one year of qualifying experience will be given for any combination of advanced degrees in an engineering program. In addition, if a degree is used to satisfy the education requirement, it cannot also be used toward satisfying the experience requirement. | Research conducted as part of a graduate or doctoral degree shall not count as additional experience if credit for the degree is granted pursuant to 18VAC10-20-210. |
7. Teaching. | For teaching experience to be considered qualifying by the board, the applicant shall have taught in an engineering program approved by the board and shall have been employed in the level of instructor or higher. | |
8. Co-op or internship. | Engineering experience gained during a co-op or internship may be deemed qualifying engineering experience to a maximum of one year of credit. | |
9. General. | Experience in claims consulting, drafting, estimating, and field surveying. |
C. The board, in its sole discretion, may permit partial credit for approved qualifying engineering experience obtained prior to graduation from an engineering program. Partial credit shall not exceed one-half of that required for any method of initial licensure.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.9, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-250. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.10, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002.
18VAC10-20-260. Examinations.
A. Applicants who do not complete their application and receive their designation within the three years from the date that they apply must reapply to the board as follows:
1. Applicants who reapply to the board no later than six months after the end of their eligibility may be approved to sit for the exam for an additional three years. The original application requirements shall apply.
2. Applicants who do not meet the criteria of subdivision 1 of this subsection shall reapply to the board and meet all entry requirements current at the time of reapplication.
3. All professional engineer applications shall be received in the board's office no later than 130 days prior to the scheduled exam.
B. The board is a member board of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and is authorized to administer the NCEES exams including the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.
C. The exam may not be reviewed by applicants. Unless authorized by NCEES rules and procedures, exam scores are final and are not subject to change.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.11, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.
18VAC10-20-270. Licensure by comity.
A. Applicants holding a valid license to practice engineering in other states or jurisdictions of the United States may be licensed provided they satisfy the provisions of this subsection. Applicants shall:
1. Submit to the board verifiable documentation that the education, experience, and exam requirements by which they were first licensed in the original jurisdiction were substantially equivalent to the requirements in Virginia at the same time;
2. Have passed an exam in another jurisdiction that was substantially equivalent to that approved by the board at the time of their original licensure;
3. Be in good standing in all jurisdictions where they are currently licensed;
4. Submit three references from professional engineers currently licensed in a state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The applicant shall only submit references given by professional engineers who have personal knowledge of the applicant's competence and integrity relative to his engineering experience; and
5. Satisfy all other applicable requirements of this chapter.
B. Applicants who do not meet the requirements for licensure in Virginia that were in effect at the time of their original licensure shall be required to meet the entry requirements current at the time the completed application for comity is received in the board's office.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR130-01-2 § 4.12, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.