Which PE is best for future for Civil Engineer & start own business

Hi All,

I need some suggestion for upcoming PE exam as I am not sure which PE is best for my future...

My goal is that after obtaining PE I should be able to get a much nicer job, currently I am working as project manager and already in management (no design experience)

Also my 2nd goal is to start my own business later for project management / construction management. Not sure which PE will be best to achieve both goals.

I am working in water industry (utility side) but should I go for water resources or not?

Construction would be a good choice too since I am managing the utility project but not sure..

Geotechnical and transportation are on opposite sides of my experience but are they good to start your own business?

I hope there are some people out there who have enough experience to update me or suggest me something.

Thank you

depends on the states you wish to practice. some don't differentiate genres....a PE is a PE and you can practice within your knowledge base. Other states have it broken out civil, etc..

FFS I know of an example of someone with a non-CE PE practicing as a CE PM. Maybe it's that PA doesn't differentiate, at all apparently, but that's an extreme case.

Take the exam you feel most comfortable with. If you don't feel you're exposed to enough of the water resources topic to pass, consider a focus that you feel you might. If you don't do anything structural related, I would advice heavily to not take structural. 10-15 years from now when you're head of or own your own business, the focus of your PE won't mean jack. The fact you have a license will.

Nobody will ever know which exam track you took unless you tell them

Thank you all,

It was some valuable information. Planning to go with construction PE.

John Q said:

Nobody will ever know which exam track you took unless you tell them

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dpends on the state. Some stamps say licensed Civil professional engineer for an example

but yes the afternoon part wouldn't matter

Here is an approach that should help. Figure out where you wish to practice. This is step 1. Identify and ascertain what rules, if any, they have in that geographical jurisdiction. Fulfill those requirements now. Let's assume, hypothetically, that you are interested in practicing in a jurisdiction that does not specify types of professional engineers. Assuming that is true, then take the PE exam that you are most comfortable with, experience wise and have the most experience. For this drill, we'll assume that you pass on the initial (first) sitting of the exam.

Now, you have your PE in some jurisdiction. If you decide to move to another jurisdiction, you will have to comply with the new jurisdictions laws, rules and regulations, but if you need some specific skills, you will PROBABLY be able to either waive that rule by virtue of experience/and or education.

As stated above, no body really cares in what area you took the PE examination. What they do care about and you are ethically bound to uphold is to practice in only those areas where you have competency and expertise. Now, you can gain competency in another area unrelated to the area where you took your exam. Some folks elect to take the PE examination in the new area of expertise. Others gain proficiency and experience in the new area and then incorporate that area into their area of practice.

You have options. The first one is to get the license. Take it in the area in which you know the most and are the most comfortable. The other challenges may/may not be a problem.

Nio796 said:

Thank you all,

It was some valuable information. Planning to go with construction PE.

Click to expand...

snickerd3 said:

John Q said:

Nobody will ever know which exam track you took unless you tell them

Click to expand...

dpends on the state. Some stamps say licensed Civil professional engineer for an example

Click to expand...

snickerd3 said:

but yes the afternoon part wouldn't matter

Click to expand...

My understanding was transportation vs construction vs structural, not so much ME vs EE vs CE, I just used an extreme example to highlight that often times even the type of engineering doesn't matter much less the sub-discipline of CE. But you need to go with what you know and understand if you want to pass. I know plenty of CE's who are structural in practice but sat for the construction or transportation focus of the civil PE exam. And whether you want to get into highway or buildings, construction or design, the construction session should cover you. Nobody will demand to know you sat for the structural session if you're sealing plans for an office building someday, just make sure what you sign you can defend and prove works.

Thank you all for your valuable info and help. I passed civil construction PE in my first try

Thanks again and enjoy your weekend. Adios