Kentucky Board of Engineers & Land Surveyors

Exam Results

Exam results will be provided by NCEES.  If you passed the FE exam, you may apply for the certificate after graduation but it is not required; see #2 below.

If you passed a PE exam and have the required engineering experience, please apply for licensure; see #4 below.

If you are already licensed as a KY PE and passed another PE exam, nothing else is required since we do not license by discipline or issue separate licenses or recognitions.

If you failed an exam less than three times, you can retake by registering directly with NCEES.  If you have failed an exam three or more times, please contact kyle.elliott@ky.gov.  You must provide proof of gaining additional knowledge, such as a review course.

​Becoming a Professional Engineer by Examination​

If you have questions about your particular circumstances please email  kyle.elliott@ky.gov. 

3. Principles & Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination.

Do not register for a PE exam unless you meet the educational requirements outlined under 1. above and have passed the FE exam; or you have previous written approval from us.

You may register for a PE exam at ​http://ncees.org/exams/ and log in to your MyNCEES account (red button in upper right hand corner).

Not all PE exams are offered in both April and October.  Please see:  http://ncees.org/exams/exam-schedule/

Please note that passage of the Principles & Practice of Engineering exam does not guarantee licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).  You must meet all of the requirements of KRS 322 including education, examinations, experience and moral character and make application (see #4 below).  You must become licensed before using the PE designation.

4.   Initial Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE)

Become a Professional Engineer by Endorsement

If you are licensed in any state, territory, or possession of the United States, District of Columbia, or any foreign country, you are eligible for Kentucky licensure provided the requirements and qualifications supporting your license equals or exceeds Kentucky's requirements in effect on the date of issuance. See KRS 322.040 and KRS 322.120. 

If your first license was granted after July 1, 1983, you must have satisfactorily completed the Fundamentals of Engineering and the Principles & Practice of Engineering examinations; have an EAC/ABET accredited engineering degree (Kentucky does not accept engineering technology or architecture degrees); and four years of progressive engineering experience. Licensure prior to July 1, 1983, could be achieved under several options, so please contact us with specific questions.

Canadian degrees accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board are acceptable. All other foreign degrees must be evaluated by NCEES Credentials Evaluations http://ncees.org/records/ncees-credentials-evaluations/

Applicants Licensed in a State, Territory, Possession of the United States or District of Columbia
Kentucky requires an NCEES Record as part of the application for endorsement licensure. Information regarding obtaining a record can be found at NCEES Records. Please follow the instructions on that website and contact the NCEES Records Department at 800-250-3196 if you encounter problems. You must request NCEES transmit the record to us; we cannot do this for you.

The only verification of exams or licenses from other states needed are those that are part of the NCEES Records application process.  You do not need to request any verifications be sent directly to Kentucky.

BE ADVISED: Applications will only be kept open for up to six months, and professional references must be recent, from within the past six months. ALL322.040 experience MUST be verified and up to date, you CANNOT just get a total of four years of experience verified.

In addition to the NCEES Record, please complete the below application.  You will be required to pay the $300 application fee when you submit an application.  All fees are nonrefundable.

We can only view your NCEES Record for 60 days and we will not begin the review process without both the record and the online application. The application review process can take as little as two weeks but may take up to six weeks, depending on the circumstances and the current volume of applications.

Please be aware that your company will also need a Business Entity Permit unless you are a sole proprietor practicing in your own name.

Spouse of an Active Duty Member of the Armed Forces Assigned to a Duty Station in Kentucky

A spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States assigned to a duty station in Kentucky should complete the paper Endorsement Application below, have an up-to-date NCEES Record (with a license verification from another state, or licensing jurisdiction) transmitted to the Kentucky Board, and supply the following information with their application to become licensed without paying an application fee:

• Proof in the form of a marriage license or certificate that the applicant is married to a current member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and
• Proof in the form of current duty orders that the applicant's spouse is assigned to a duty station in Kentucky.

Once you have completed the paper endorsement application, and have had your up-to-date NCEES Record transmitted to the Kentucky Board, email the paper application (below), and the required documentation above to kyle.elliott@ky.gov.

Active-Duty Military Spouse PE or PLS PAPER Endorsement Application Form (PDF 144KB).pdf

                 PE Licensure Application International Applicants Fillable Form (PDF 498KB).pdf

You can submit the application by mail, fax, or email:
Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors
160 Democrat Drive
Frankfort, KY  40601

FAX:  502.573.6687

Email:  kyle.elliott@ky.gov

Become a Professional Engineer by Reinstatement

Application for reinstatement must be made by individuals who previously held a Kentucky license that has been expired for more than one year, or a licensee who has elected "inactive" or "retired" status and now wants to practice engineering.

• Engineering Affidavit (PDF 14KB).pdf
• Indicate whether or not you have practiced engineering since your license expired or was placed in inactive or retired status. If you did practice, please describe such practice on a separate sheet and attach it to the affidavit.