Everything you wanted to know about the CA-Survey/Seismic Civil PE Exams

[Ble_PE]

Well, first thing I would like to the written message where BPELSG told you to not contact the them.  Not because I don't believe you, but because I want to see exactly what the message says.  Please post what that message says or if you're more comfortable email me a copy at [email protected]

Next, I would certainly respond with additional information that clearly answers the deficiencies as soon as you can.  The sooner you respond, the greater chance you have for being approved in time for any exams.

Next, I'm guessing that you are currently licensed in another jurisdiction and one where the P.E. is generic in nature so when you provided paperwork for that license, you didn't have to demonstrate that the experience was discipline specific.  Either that, or you have submitted an NCEES Council Record.  When you apply in California for a license as a Civil Engineer, all qualifying experience must meet the definition of civil engineering as defined in the California laws (PE Act Section 6731).  And that is always what people think is civil engineering.  Feel free to email me your name if you wish me to delve deeper into this.

I just sent you an email with a copy of the letter that told me not to contact the board. I am in the process of getting the necessary information together for the application to be complete, but I don't want to sign up for an on-demand study course for this fall if I'm not going to be able to take the exam until next year. Thanks for your help!

 

[mlcosson]

@Ble_PE I got the same letter as you did, stating that  the only thing missing from my app was sufficient detail to show that my experience could be considered civil engineering experience. I am currently at the 2 1/2 month mark, waiting for a reply from the CA board after submitting requested additional detail on my work experience. So, based on my experience, your odds of hearing back before the Fall 2017 exam cycle are pretty low.

 

[CAPLS]

@Ble_PE I got the same letter as you did, stating that  the only thing missing from my app was sufficient detail to show that my experience could be considered civil engineering experience. I am currently at the 2 1/2 month mark, waiting for a reply from the CA board after submitting requested additional detail on my work experience. So, based on my experience, your odds of hearing back before the Fall 2017 exam cycle are pretty low.

micosson, please feel free to contact me with your information also.

 

[meaganmg]

What is the best way to ensure that your qualifying experience is accepted? Is there a "go to" source for what the Board is looking for to make sure your application gives the right information? If the application is denied on that count do you have an opportunity to provide additional information for reconsideration? Lastly if it's ultimatelt determined that you're not qualified yet, how long after passing the PE exam can you apply to the Board to take the CA exams (assuming there is a time limit at all). 

 

[meaganmg]

What is the best way to ensure that your qualifying experience is accepted? Is there a "go to" source for what the Board is looking for to make sure your application gives the right information? If the application is denied on that count do you have an opportunity to provide additional information for reconsideration? Lastly if it's ultimatelt determined that you're not qualified yet, how long after passing the PE exam can you apply to the Board to take the CA exams (assuming there is a time limit at all). 

@CAPLS Sorry to bother, but do you have any insight on this? Trying to determine if it's necessary to hold off on applying to the Board with more experience and looking for a good resource to check against. The most information I was able to find is question #5 in this faq: http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/faq_eng.pdf

 

[CAPLS]

@CAPLS Sorry to bother, but do you have any insight on this? Trying to determine if it's necessary to hold off on applying to the Board with more experience and looking for a good resource to check against. The most information I was able to find is question #5 in this faq: http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/faq_eng.pdf

There is no 'go to" source that I am aware of.  Not trying to sound harsh, but it is really up to the applicant to understand the definition of the what constitutes the practice of the discipline that you are applying for.  And it is really up to the professional references that serve as your mentor(s) to truly understand what is and what is not the practice and guide you accordingly.

Best advice is to describe exactly what experience you have gained, how applicable that is to the discipline that you are seeking licensure for, and above all else, describe your role.  That last one cannot be taken lightly.  Many applicants will say something like "Performed an evaluation on a $100m transmission project involving X number of buildings, x miles of pipeline, and many change orders that needed to be compared to design specs."  The Board doesn't give a d__n on how much a certain project cost or how many miles of pipeline is involved.  And an immediate reaction will be "You performed what type of evaluation?  And was it an engineering evaluation?  What engineering did YOU ACTUALLY do on the project?"  Be specific to the discipline of engineering you are applying for.

A situation that arises often, especially for out of state applicants, is not working under the supervision of a licensed engineer, on a specific project, located in some other state for which the applicant is claiming experience.  For example, applicant claims 12 months of engineering experience working on Homer's Nuclear Power Plant in Springville, IL and the reference doesn't provide any evidence that he/she is licensed in the state (IL) that the project was located in.  It doesn't matter to the Board where the applicant lived or was sitting when doing that design, it is about where the project is located.

If any or all of your claimed work experience is not granted, you will be given the opportunity to provide additional information (engagement reference forms) until you reach the number of months of experience needed.  As of right now, there is no time limit after passing the exam and there is nothing being discussed otherwise.

 

[Seppe]

I am in a position where I am seeking licensure as a California SE.  Best I can tell, to accomplish this I must first be licensed as a California Civil Engineer, which of course requires successful completion of these two delightful state-specific exams on which this thread is focused.

Can anyone help me understand if an NCEES Record actually helps with the application process for the state-specific exams, or is this a case where I should just plan on starting at the ground level and avoid any attempt to benefit from NCEES cross-pollination in the form of references and experience documentation?

Some background: I am out-of-state and have over fifteen years of structural engineering consulting experience.  I attained PE licensure in my home state by way of successful completion of what at the time was known as the Structural I exam; I am licensed in other states by comity.  I have also passed the 16-hour NCEES exam and hold an SE license in Illinois.

Not super excited to have to deal with these state-specific exams, as I sort of feel like I'm having to backpedal a bit considering the successfully-completed exams and relevant experience that I have under my belt, but I respect the state's process and plan on proceeding accordingly.

Any advice out there?  Apologies in advance if the answer already exists in the form of a previous post in this thread.

Thank you.

 

[skc005]

I was technically approved to take the exams for this cycle. With the test dates about a month to a month and a half out, has anyone gotten the follow-up email with the Prometric sign-up procedures?

 

[Ble_PE]

I was technically approved to take the exams for this cycle. With the test dates about a month to a month and a half out, has anyone gotten the follow-up email with the Prometric sign-up procedures?

I just got mine within the past 30 minutes. I just started my review course last night so I'm hoping I'm not too far behind. What is everyone doing for the tests, take them back-to-back or have a few days between them?

 

[skc005]

I just got mine within the past 30 minutes. I just started my review course last night so I'm hoping I'm not too far behind. What is everyone doing for the tests, take them back-to-back or have a few days between them?

Yup I spoke too soon, I just got mine as well. I'm spreading them out since I didn't start studying until my application was approved last week, so between now and the exams there's only about a month and a half to two months. I am stronger in seismic having taken a course in college that basically was taught from the Hiner workbook, but I have never studied or worked in surveying in my life. 

 

[k.heezy]

Got my ATT today (09/12/17) just before the deadline to schedule CA exams (09/18/17). Here is a timeline of all correspondence with board.

1. 04/21/17 - Took NCEES 8 hour exam
   
2. 05/25/17 - Received results notice from NCEES. Passed. 
   
3. 06/13/17 - Received email from CA BPELSG, stating that all who passed April 2017 NCEES exam will be allowed to submit their applications for licensure until 07/10/17 in order to sit for Fall 2017 exams
   
4. 07/03/17 - Mailed my application package for licensure via USPS priority mail (with a tracking number)
   
5. 07/05/17 - CA BPELSG received my application package (tracked with tracking number)
   
6. 07/12/17 - CA BPELSG cashed the check in my application package
   
7. 07/20/17 - Received email from CA BPELSG, stating that my application package was received
   
8. 07/24/17 - Received email from CA BPELSG, stating that my application package was referred to technical review
   
9. 09/05/17 - Received email from CA BPELSG, stating that my application package was technically approved
   
10. 09/12/17 - Received both Authorizations to Test for Fall 2017 CA Exams 
    

Hope this helps all applicants in understanding what to expect from the CA BPELSG, as far as timeline. I believe that the CA BPELSG may be switching to continuous testing for the CA specific exams very soon, so stay tuned to see what kind of changes will occur with the application procedure. 

 

[cal91]

Is the CBC needed for the test if I have the ASCE 7-10?

 

[ptatohed]

Is the CBC needed for the test if I have the ASCE 7-10?

No need to double post please.  http://engineerboards.com/index.php?/topic/29330-what-to-take-in/

You are asking about the CBC in a thread that addresses your question in the very first post.

"Of all the references listed on the Board's site, the two most worth consideration are the CBC and the ASCE/SEI 7 for the Seismic exam."  In other words, you probably should have the CBC and the ASCE 7 but if your workbook includes all/most of the important excerpts needed from the CBC, you might be able to do without it.  But I'd recommend you obtain it. 

 

[wannacape]

I've been meaning to do this for a while now..... I thought a thread like this might be useful for future CA-Survey and CA-Seismic examinees.

....

Hi ptatohed, I am a Traffic Engineer and I recently became PE licensed in South Carolina. It is one of my wish to move to Los A. area  within a year. I was wondering 1) Do I have to take Seismic and Survey exams to become a PE there, even if I go through comity? 2) I plan to start looking for jobs there, do you think having a PE will increase my chances a lot, or better to start working there and then take these exams for becoming a PE. I'd like to know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[ptatohed]

Hi ptatohed, I am a Traffic Engineer and I recently became PE licensed in South Carolina. It is one of my wish to move to Los A. area  within a year. I was wondering 1) Do I have to take Seismic and Survey exams to become a PE there, even if I go through comity? 2) I plan to start looking for jobs there, do you think having a PE will increase my chances a lot, or better to start working there and then take these exams for becoming a PE. I'd like to know your thoughts. Thanks!

Hi s.a.m.  1.)  Yes, you will need to take and pass the CA-Survey, CA-Seismic, and CA take-home exams to become licensed in CA.  2.)  Yes, having your license will make you much more marketable.  You should strive to pass the exams and become licensed here as soon as you are able.  On your job applications list that you are a licensed PE in SC and state that you are in the process of obtaining your CA PW.  Good luck!  

 

[CAPLS]

Hi ptatohed, I am a Traffic Engineer and I recently became PE licensed in South Carolina. It is one of my wish to move to Los A. area  within a year. I was wondering 1) Do I have to take Seismic and Survey exams to become a PE there, even if I go through comity? 2) I plan to start looking for jobs there, do you think having a PE will increase my chances a lot, or better to start working there and then take these exams for becoming a PE. I'd like to know your thoughts. Thanks!

If you wish to become licensed as a Traffic Engineer in CA and can demonstrate that you have the experience to practice traffic engineering, you will NOT have to take the CA Civil Seismic or Civil Engineering Surveying exams.  However, you will have to pass the California Traffic Engineer exam which is a state specific exam.  Traffic engineers in CA are considered Title Act Engineers.

If you wish to become licensed as a Civil Engineer in CA, then you will need to demonstrate the required number of years experience in civil engineering, pass the NCEES PE-Civil exam (which you may have already done), and then pass the two CA Civil exams.

You can find more here: http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/apps.shtml

 

[EB NCEES REP]

we should probably vet this with ptatohed first? 

 

[ptatohed]

we should probably vet this with ptatohed first? 

What do you mean by this ENR?  

 

[cal91]

As this is on a computer... No need for a scale or protractor?  I won't need to put my scale up to the computer monitor?

 

[ptatohed]

As this is on a computer... No need for a scale or protractor?  I won't need to put my scale up to the computer monitor?

Bring it anyway, you're allowed to.