Qualifying Experience

[broncrush]

Hi all. Hopefully this thread leads to me posting here more, and not less.

I graduated 3 years ago with a degree in structural engineering.

Shortly after graduating I began working for a process supplier in the water/wastewater industry.

Part of my job involves working with engineering firms (MWH, K/J, etc.) on specifications and drawings for upcoming projects. When I have a project with an engineer, I am typically doing the following tasks: writing specs or reviewing draft copies; checking site conditions to make sure equipment can be installed correctly; correctly sizing equipment for design conditions; checking for a slightly less efficient but more cost effective design.

That isn't the whole of it, but it gives you an idea. The equipment I supply ranges from biological treatment, screenings, pumps, chemical metering skids, presses, filtration, UV/Ozone disinfection, and others.

My question is...would I qualify to take the PE? I am an outside salesman, but as you can see, I have to do some engineering in my job. My official title is sales engineer but I'm not designing or making drawings, so I tend to scoff at it.

I've been studying for 4 months and I only now looked at the engagement record form...it has me wondering if I have been wasting my time.

 

[Lumber Jim]

Do you know any PEs that know what you do and would vouch for the work that you have been doing?

 

[Peele1]

Read your states laws and board regs on what qualifies and what doesn't. You may be able to claim a portion of your job, say 1/2 is qualified engineering work. If you only graduated 3 years ago, this may not help you in the short term. In the long term, if 1/2 of your job is qualified engineering, then if you need 4 years of full-time, you may be able to do 8 years of 1/2 time. Check with the laws and regs.

 

[SCarolinaNiki PE]

I know some people who are in your position (unsure if their experience would qualify) that petitioned the board first, so not to waste time & money on the application and studying. Maybe you can look into doing that. It also depends on the state if they accept time at full value if your direct suppervisor is not a PE.