10 Steps to Get Started Toward Your PE

This article is for you if you have already decided you want to get your Professional Engineering License in Mechanical HVAC & Refrigeration or Thermal & Fluids Systems and you are figuring out how to get started.

1. Gather State Board Requirements

Before you start studying, find out what the requirements are for the state you are getting your license in.  Specifically, some states require the application and approval before you sit for the exam.  Other states allow candidates to take the exam any time, even before they have met the experience requirements, then they apply later once they have enough experience.  To quickly find out how your state works, here’s a map we put together, and you can also find your state board’s official website from the NCEES website.

2. Describe Your Experience

Assuming you are in a state where you have to apply first, the hardest part of the application is usually describing your experience.  The rule of thumb is to talk about design work you have done or interaction with the design process.  This includes drawings, calculations, analysis, or technical recommendations that you have made under the guidance of a PE.  If you collaborate with PEs or have PEs that report to you, these workstreams are definitely worth describing.  Another tip is to write in the first person, saying “I” instead of “We” wherever possible.  Go deep on the technical parts of your role, and give a light touch to everything else.

3. Approach Your References

It’s never too early to ask your references if they are willing to endorse you.  The sooner you get on their radar the better, so they can prioritize getting you what you need.  It’s always better to have PEs as your references but in many states, it is not required that all references must be practicing professionals, and there are often good reasons for looking to one of your direct managers or key colleagues or mentors that knows your work history and reputation even if they are not licensed. 

4. Ask For Support

Set up a time to talk with family, friends, colleagues, and managers and let them know that you are going for your PE.  Share the reasons why this goal is important to you and ask for their support during the process.  This could mean getting some extra time or flexibility at home or at work that will enable you to meet your study targets.

5. Download the Exam Specification and Reference Handbook

You can download the exam specification for your discipline direction from the NCEES website, and once you create a MYNCEES login you can also download the latest version of the reference handbook.  Since the PE exam is a closed book computer based test,  the reference handbook is the only resource you’ll have available on the day of your exam so it’s critical to know what information it contains and how to navigate it quickly.

6. Purchase an Approved Calculator

It is recommended that you get your calculator at the beginning of your study process so you can get used to it well before your exam day.  The approved models from NCEES are below:

• Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models (Any Casio calculator must have “fx-115” or “fx-991” in its model name.)
• Hewlett Packard: The HP 33s and HP 35s models, but no others
• Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models (Any Texas Instruments calculator must have “TI-30X” or “TI-36X” in its model name.)

7. Set Up Your Study Space

Decide where you plan on studying.  If you are designating a location in your home, consider carving out a space that is different from where you do personal tasks or remote work for your job.  The primary reason for this is to avoid distraction, but a secondary benefit is that you can leave your work out and save time breaking down and setting up between sessions.  This enables you to have a larger number of shorter sessions which are often more productive than long sessions where energy and focus can diminish.

8. Draft a Study Schedule

Before selecting any specific resources to use during your study process, create a high level study schedule for yourself that shows the daily and weekly hours you’re able to allocate over a period of 16 to 24 weeks.  If you’re studying on your own from written materials only, you should allocate at least 200-250 hours. If you’re using a targeted program, plan on spending about 100-150 hours depending on your academic background and professional experience.

9. Practice Optimal Self Care

Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition, Recovery, and time away from the many distractions of our smartphones are all part of the foundation of successfully meeting any major challenge, and living well in general.  Take some time before embarking on your PE to consider if any adjustments to the way you take care of yourself could boost your progress and increase your enjoyment of the study process.

10. Choose Your Study Resources

Once you’re ready to get serious about going for your PE, I recommend enrolling in the Full Access Bundle which is a comprehensive study program with a proven track record guaranteed to help you pass while avoiding unnecessary frustration and making the study process truly gratifying.   Aside from the bundle, I would strongly suggest using the NCEES practice exam as a companion since it is the only sample material available from NCEES.  I also think the MERM is an excellent resource for getting extra background in select areas, but I consider it to be optional based on exam results from past candidates who used only the Full Access Bundle and the NCEES practice exam.

If you found this article helpful, I’d be honored to support you on your journey toward professional licensure.  To learn more about the process and our programs, contact Dan@mechancialPEexamprep.com.