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
1. Education
Kentucky requires graduation from an engineering program of four or more years accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET). EAC/ABET accreditation specifically excludes engineering technology degrees.
We also accept graduation from a program accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).
2. Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination.
Do not register for the FE exam unless you meet the educational requirements outlined under 1. above (or have senior standing in such an engineering program) or you have previous written approval from us.
You may register for the FE exam at
http://ncees.org/exams/ and log in to your MyNCEES account (red button in upper right hand corner).
Passage of the FE exam does not guarantee:
- Certification as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT);
- Future approval to take the Principles & Practice of Engineering exam; or
- Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).
Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification is not required, but if you would like the EIT certificate you can apply after passing the FE exam by completing the online application below, and having your college or university send us an official transcript to:
kyle.elliott@ky.gov.
Online Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Certificate Application
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 PPE 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 PPE exam at http://ncees.org/exams/ and log in to your MyNCEES account (red button in upper right hand corner).
Not all PPE 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)
***If you are already licensed in another state, you must apply for licensure by endorsement. See "Become a Professional Engineer by Endorsement" in the next section. Do not complete the application in this section.***
After meeting the Education, FE, and PPE requirements listed above, and obtaining four years of progressive engineering experience following graduation, you may apply for initial licensure.
Kentucky requires an NCEES Record with an application for licensure. Information regarding obtaining a record can be found at:
NCEES Records. Please follow the instructions at 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.
NCEES will charge a fee of $100 to transmit the completed record to us. However, we charge no application fee or any other fee until you need to renew the license in approximately two years. You will then have a Record that you can maintain throughout your career with no charge for updates and a reduced fee of $75 for each transmission to other states where you seek licensure.
In addition to the NCEES Record, please complete the online application below.
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.
Online Application for Endorsement
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
International
Applicants
If you are not currently licensed in one of the United States of America, but are licensed or are a practicing engineer in another country, please complete the application below:
Do not use an @naver.com email address.
If you do not have a U.S. social security number, please use your NCEES ID#.
You must send a $300 application fee to the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors, 160 Democrat Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. Please make the check or money order for $300 payable to the Kentucky Board of Licensure. All fees are non-refundable. If you prefer to pay this fee with a credit card, please call our office at 502.573.2680.
Please be aware that your company will also need a
Business Entity Permit unless you are practicing in your own name.
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.
Apply for reinstatement according to the instructions below:
1. Fill out the application form. Be sure to read all instructions below before completing the application.
-
PE Reinstatement Application (PDF - 1564KB).pdf
- The Experience Record need only be completed for the period from licensure in Kentucky to the date of this application.
- Sign and date page four and include a check or money order for $500 made payable to the Kentucky Board of Licensure. All fees are non-refundable. If you prefer to pay this fee with a credit card, please call our office at 502.573.2680.
- Mail application and fee to the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors, 160 Democrat Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601.
The applicant must also complete thirty (30) professional development hours for each reporting period since license expired or was placed in inactive or retired status, up to a maximum of sixty (60) hours. Applicants must also provide a log showing the date of the activity, sponsoring organization, location, activity title, description, presenter's name, and PDH units earned. Copies of attendance certificates must accompany your application. See
201 KAR 18 196 (PDF 124 KB).pdf for further information regarding continuing education requirements.
Please be aware that your company will also need a Business Entity Permit unless you are practicing in your own name.
2. Complete the Engineering Affidavit.
-
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.
3. Include a cover letter explaining the following:
- Why did you allow your license to expire or why did you place it in an inactive or retired status?
- Why are you seeking reinstatement?
- What do you intend to do with your license if reinstated?
- What evidence of qualification for continued practice do you have as required by
201 KAR 18 115 (PDF 164 KB).pdf?