Path to Licensure

What to Know First

• Graduates from a US-Based EAC/ABET accredited engineering program may apply to take the PE exam anytime after graduation.  Illinois applicants do not need to complete the experience requirement prior to taking the exam.  (Applicants do need to complete their experience prior to being licensed.)
• Upon conferral of the US-Based EAC/ABET accredited engineering program, applicants may take both the FE and PE exams concurrently, or even the PE before the FE (but most don't).  
• Requirements to take the FE exam can be found here. 
• The FE and PE exams are now computer based. Click here to view the exam schedule.
• The PE exam is offered throughout the year via computer based testing through NCEES. View the deadlines for registering, details about exam format and disciplines offered on the NCEES website.  

Apply for the Principles and Practice Exam (PE) through NCEES
Applicants should locate their NCEES ID or create an account. Login to register, pay and apply for the desired examination part, discipline and exam location.  

Be sure to pay attention to the NCEES registration deadline - typically 6-8 weeks prior to the exam.
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If an applicant does not pass the first time, they must repeat the NCEES registration process.

Prepare for the PE Exam
Review the NCEES Exam Study Guide to know what to expect on exam day.  

The PE is a major exam.  Applicants should not expect to cram and do well.  Applicants are encouraged to take their time and develop a study plan.

• The Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers offers online review courses for Electrical Power and Mechanical Engineering that are highly recommended.  
• Kaplan Engineering Education and PPI also offer options for PE prep.  

Licensing Exam Prep

Gain Acceptable Experience and Document It
A minimum of 4 years of approved engineering experience is required before applying for an Illinois PE license. For the most part, the clock for approved experience starts on commencement day.  There are some exceptions (qualified certified cooperative programs; full time employment).    Master's degree and doctor's degree in engineering work from a U.S. University may count in place of some experience as well.

Click here to review the Approved Experience section of the Illinois Administrative Code that outlines what is considered "Approved Experience".

All experience must be documented when applying for a PE license.  Positions and supervisors change. Candidates are encouraged to document their experience along the way by asking their supervisors to complete the VE-PNG (verification of experience) form.  

Apply for PE Registration
After successful completion of the PE Exam, and completing the requisite years of experience, you may now apply for official license as a Professional Engineer (PE) with the State of Illinois! Applicants will use the forms for Professional Engineer by Acceptance of Application.  

The application portal can be found here.

Applicants must have each employer for whom they worked as part of their qualifying experience complete a VE-PNG form. If doing engineering work (required experience), a supervisor must be licensed unless exempt by statute (i.e. manufacturers' exemption). The work is not exempt under Illinois law, and it is not being supervised by a PE, either it is not considered engineering work, or  the PE Act is likely being violated.  

If an exam was passed under a jurisdiction other than Illinois, the applicant must provide the Illinois PE Board an official state certification/verification from the original jurisdiction through My NCEES of via email to
[email protected]. 

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​ESI works closely with the Illinois Engineering Initiative to offer scholarships to Illinois students enrolled in ABET-accredited engineering programs. Qualifying students can apply today!

IEI Scholarships