Professional Engineer

1800.2500 Education and Experience

Subpart 1. Written examination requirement. An applicant for licensure as a professional engineer shall pass written examinations as provided in this subpart. Written examinations are required of all applicants except those licensed under part 1800.0800, items E and G, that apply to those professional engineers licensed in one or more states other than Minnesota. An applicant for licensure under part 1800.0800, items E and G, shall satisfy the Minnesota licensing requirements that were in effect at the time of the applicant's original licensure in the other state. The written Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination shall be waived by the board if the applicant meets the requirements in part 1800.2800.

Subpart 2. Admission to written Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. To qualify for admission to the written examination, the applicant shall present evidence of one of the following:

1. Graduation from an engineering curriculum accredited by the Engineering Accrediting Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) at the time of graduation or is within 32 semester or 48 quarter credits of obtaining an engineering degree meeting the requirements of this subpart;
   
   
2. Graduation from an engineering curriculum that receives ABET accreditation within five years of the applicant's graduation;
   
   
3. Graduation from a non-ABET-accredited or nonengineering degree curriculum with the minimum number of engineering science and design credits as required in an ABET-accredited degree (32 semester or 48 quarter credit hours of engineering science and 16 semester or 24 quarter credits of engineering design); or
   
   
4. Has a graduate degree from an engineering program where the bachelor's degree is ABET-accredited, even though the applicant's bachelor's degree was earned in a nonengineering program, or is currently enrolled in a graduate program working toward a graduate degree and has completed a minimum of 36 quarter or 24 semester credit hours.

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Subpart 2a. Admission to written professional engineering examination. To qualify for admission to the written examination, the applicant shall present evidence of meeting the educational and qualifying experience requirements in items A and B.

1. Education
   
   
   1. Graduation from an ABET-accredited engineering curriculum;
   2. Graduation from an engineering curriculum that receives ABET accreditation within five years of the applicant's graduation;
   3. Has a non-ABET-accredited or nonengineering bachelor's degree with the minimum number of engineering science and design credits as required in an ABET-accredited degree (32 semester or 48 quarter credit hours of engineering science and 16 semester or 24 quarter credits of engineering design);
   4. Has a graduate degree from an engineering program where the bachelor's degree in that discipline of engineering is ABET-accredited, even though the applicant's bachelor's degree was earned in a nonengineering program; or graduation from an engineering curriculum that has ABET accreditation and a graduate degree in engineering from an institution with an ABET-accredited bachelor's curriculum in that discipline of engineering.
      
      
2. Qualifying experience:
   
   
   1. Completion of a minimum of four years of qualifying engineering experience, if the applicant meets the educational requirements of item A, subitems (1) and (2);
   2. Completion of a minimum of six years of qualifying engineering experience, if the applicant meets the educational requirements of item A, subitem (3);
   3. Completion of a minimum of five years of qualifying engineering experience, if the applicant meets the educational requirements of item A, subitem (4); or
   4. Completion of a minimum of three years of qualifying engineering experience if the applicant meets the educational requirements of item A, subitem (5). Not more than two years credit shall be allowed for qualifying engineering experience, gained before graduation from an accredited engineering curriculum. The two years experience before graduation must have been gained after completion of the second year of approved engineering education. The experience shall be credited at the rate of 50 percent up to the maximum allowable credit of two years.

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Subpart 3. [Repealed, 21 SR 1427]

STAT AUTH: MS s 326.06
HIST: 14 SR 2988; 21 SR 1427

1800.2600 Oral Examination

An applicant shall appear before the board for oral examination and shall submit two exhibits of engineering work the applicant has performed if:

1. The applicant's experience record, in the sole opinion of the board, does not clearly indicate the required qualifying engineering experience;
2. The applicant does not hold a degree from an approved engineering curriculum; or
3. The applicant qualifies for waiver of the fundamentals of engineering examination as provided in part 1800.2800.

The applicant shall furnish a letter to the board from the applicant's employer verifying the degree of involvement and responsibility displayed by the applicant in the conduct of the project exhibited.

An applicant residing in an overseas area shall submit one exhibit of the applicant's engineering work with a written critique of that exhibit in lieu of the oral examination.

STAT AUTH: MS s 326.06
HIST: 14 SR 2988; 21 SR 1427

1800.2700 Written Examination

Subpart 1. Two-part examination. The written examination consists of the two parts described in subparts 1a and 2.

Subpart 1a. Fundamentals examination. Part I is the fundamentals of engineering examination that may be taken upon graduation from an engineering curriculum meeting the requirements of part 1800.2500, subpart 2. The applicant shall submit an official transcript from the college or university the applicant is attending. An applicant taking the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination shall be notified of the score in writing, provided the applicant has met the criteria in this subpart. An applicant failing this examination shall retake the entire examination. A final official transcript showing the degree and the date awarded shall be submitted to the board before the Engineer-in-Training certificate is released to the applicant. The passing of this examination and providing proof of the degree and the award date gives the applicant the status of engineer-in-training as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 326.10, subdivision 7. The applicant shall not again be required to take this examination. The applicant shall take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination before being permitted to take the professional examination.

Subpart 2. Professional examination. The applicant shall take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination before being permitted to take the professional examination. The professional examination covering the principles and practice of engineering in the field of major practice is required as outlined in this subpart. Examinations are presently offered in the following fields of major practice in engineering: aeronautical/aerospace, agricultural, chemical, civil, controls systems, electrical, environmental, fire protection, geological, industrial, manufacturing, mechanical, metallurgical, mining/minerals, nuclear, petroleum, and structural I and II. A person failing the professional examination shall retake the entire examination.

Subpart 3. Scope of examinations. The scope of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination and the principles and practice of engineering examination is as follows:

1. Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination: multiple-choice questions in mathematics and the basic and engineering sciences as presented in accredited college or university engineering curriculum. Allotted time: eight hours.
   
   
2. Principles and practice of engineering examination: problems embracing knowledge of professional practice and applied economics as acquired in connection with the planning, design, and construction of engineering work during the required period of qualifying engineering experience. Allotted time: eight hours.

Subpart 4. [Repealed, 21 SR 1427]

Subpart 5. Equipment during examination. Handbooks, reference books, bound tabular material and notes, and silent, hand-held, electronic calculators are permitted for use during examinations when authorized by the board. Applicants shall only use the reference handbook supplied by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) during the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination.

STAT AUTH: MS s 326.06
HIST: 14 SR 2988; 21 SR 1427

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1800.2800 Engineers qualified by graduation, long experience and examination.

The fundamentals of engineering examination must be waived in those cases where the applicant furnishes evidence of:

1. Being at least 40 years of age, having a verified professional engineering record of 20 years or more of qualifying engineering experience and meeting one of the educational requirements of part 1800.2500, subpart 2a;
   
   
2. Holding membership in a British Institute of Engineering as a chartered engineer by examination or other national certification by examination as approved by the board; or
   
   
3. Having a doctorate degree in engineering from an educational institution whose baccalaureate curriculum is accredited by ABET-EAC or whose education is equivalent thereto.

An applicant qualifying under item A, B, or C shall pass a written professional practice examination of at least eight hours duration. To qualify for waiver of the fundamentals of engineering examination under item A, the applicant's engineering experience shall show responsible charge of engineering projects for at least ten years and advancement in the character of the work performed. The experience gained before reaching the age of 20 years shall not be credited as a part of the required engineering experience, except that graduation from an accredited baccalaureate engineering curriculum shall be considered equivalent to four years of engineering experience. Credit shall not be given for more than a total of four years experience because of undergraduate educational qualifications.

STAT AUTH: MS s 326.06
HIST: 14 SR 2988; 21 SR 1427

1800.2805 Qualifying Experience Defined

As used in this part and parts 1800.2600, 1800.2700, and 1800.2800, qualifying experience consists of varied, progressive, nonrepetitive, practical experience at engineering work, developing the ability to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during academic training in making sound judgments in solving engineering problems. The varied experience must include increments of design, planning, technical specification, codes and standards research and analysis, engineering economics, safety, observation, and inspection of construction of products. Experience shall be written in detail and submitted with the application for evaluation and approval by the board.

STAT AUTH: MS s 326.06
HIST: 14 SR 2988

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1800.2900 Procedures

Subpart 1. Application deadline. An applicant shall submit an application for admission to the fundamentals of engineering examination explained in part 1800.2700, subpart 1a, postmarked not later than 60 days prior to the first day of the date set for the fundamentals of engineering examination and accompanied by payment of the fee specified in part 1800.0500, subpart 5, item B, subitem (1). A transcript of grades showing the date of award of the degree earned shall be submitted before the applicant may be certified as engineer-in-training.

Subpart 2. Request for professional examination. An applicant shall submit an application for admission to the principles and practice of engineering examination explained in part 1800.2700, subpart 2, postmarked not later than 60 days prior to the first day of the date set for the professional examination and accompanied by payment of the fee specified in part 1800.0500, subpart 1. The application shall be made on a form provided by the board and shall include a detailed listing of engineering experience gained. The experience listing shall include the name and mailing address of the applicant's supervisor for each period of employment. The board shall provide the applicant an employment reference form which shall be signed and certified. This form shall be submitted to the board by the employer. A final official transcript of grades showing the date of award of the degree earned shall accompany the completed form, unless previously submitted. Upon approval of the application by the board, the applicant will be so notified in writing. The applicant shall submit one signed copy of Board Rules of Professional Conduct prior to receipt of the certificate and license.

Subpart 3. [Repealed, 21 SR 1427]

Subpart 4. Obtaining application material. Application materials may be obtained by calling or writing the board office.

STAT AUTH: MS s 326.06
HIST: 14 SR 2988; 21 SR 1427; 22 SR 90

www.aelslagid.state.mn.us

Mary Hainlin
Admin Secretary/Program Manager
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, Montana 59620-0513
406-444-4285
mhainlin@mt.gov

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