Licensed Professional references

Hello. I have successfully passed the FE and PE exam. I am preparing to get the PE licence. I created my NCEES record, i did the credential evaluation required as my degree is from outside US (not ABET) and i verified all my work experience. I have a problem in the Professional References. Unfortunately, none of supervisors/work colleagues is a PE licensed engineer. It is required to submit 5 current licensed professional references in order to be able to use the NCEES record system to apply for first license in one of the states that accept this system. 

My NCEES record is not complete because of the professional references section is not filled. Any one faced this problem can advise, any suggestions?

Do you have any colleagues outside your company have a PE and  can vouch for you? i.e. customer, another professional society member, former classmates, or professors?

I've heard lots of stories of people using professional society contacts to get references.

I'd recommended against it, but I've also heard from a PE where I work that people have looked him up in the state PE database and cold-called him to try to get a reference. That strategy raises all sorts of red flags though.

I asked engineers outside my company who are familiar with my work to vouch for me.

It wasn't a problem because we have worked on so many projects together.

A cold call would be highly suspect however.

My situation is that there are no licensed PEs in my friends, work colleges and classmates. i got some contacts for licensed engineers,  i asked them to vouch for me but they refused as they don't know me and there is no reason for them to do that (I understand their point).

My NCEES record is incomplete because of that section. 'very frustrated'

Where are you trying to get your PE license? For most, if not all states you need to work directly under a PE for the experience to count towards your license.  It appears that you have never worked under a PE and won't have the qualified experience required.

Yes, All of my work was overseas and not under PEs. I contacted some states, they mentioned that supervisors who are verifying my experience may not be licensed engineers but professional references must be US licensed PE. 

In my NCEES record all my experience is verified and complete but i cannot transmit my record to a state due to lack of licensed professional references