License in most States? Your paperwork and fees are going to be pretty heinous. Are you sure this is something you
need?
As for "displaying" in a book. I've heard of some jurisdiction that allow for this in other (non-engineering) professional licenses, but other states have a pretty strict requirement that it be conspicuously displayed. Some jurisdictions have relaxed the "display requirement" or "wallet card" requirement because of the proliferation of smart phones and the ability to instantly look someone up on the state license database.
Three things to consider
- unlike physicians, engineers don't have to have the fancy diplomas and certificates framed and hanging on the walls of the offices. The display requirement is for the official license only, which is relatively small and is nearly identical to what barbers/cosmeticians have to have at their stations. It wouldn't look weird to have 20 of those hanging next to your local business license in your public office.
- The requirement to display the license is usually a state law or regulation regarding all licensed professions and trades. I'm skeptical that it's specific to the PELS licenses.
- State boards don't send out inspectors to ensure compliance. And certainly won't do it out of state. They'll only investigate if someone files a complaint. The only people who would file a compliant would be a competitor or an accident investigator.
It's a requirement in Maryland. I display my official license behind my desk despite that: I am covered by the industrial exemption; work in the public sector; my office is not open to public and no member of the public will ever get access to my work area;
I don't offer my services to the public; I highly doubt I'll ever stamp anything (except for a recommendation for someone to sit for the PE). My guess is that any of most the above - and especially the not offering services to the public - is enough that I don't
have to display it. But I do so anyway.
It's also a requirement in DC. I'm not sure about Virginia.