which states give you "SE" after your name? 3

[hippo11]

I have passed the SE 1 and SE 2 exams. However, my home state, TN, doesn't recognize someone passing both exams as an SE, still only PE. My question is, what states give you the letters SE after your name? I know Illinois does. How about New York? Georgia?

Thanks

 

[msquared48]

Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, and Utah that I am familiar with

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[JKStruct]

We can throw California in the mix as well... but you have to take a few more tests.

Nevada, I believe.

Not New York.

I know there's debate about this, but personally, if you're a licensed SE in any of those states, I'd feel comfortable putting SE in my email signature. What's so different about practicing engineering in Illinois vs. Tennessee anyway, right?

 

[msquared48]

Definitely not New York, or Colorado, or North Dakota, or Montana either.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[JAE]

Nebraska
Illinois
California (might require more than just the SE-2)


JKStruct - Illinois requires the SE to do ANY structural engineering. A PE cannot do structural there.

 

[JAE]

By the way, there was an article on licensing in the latest Structures Magazine - found at this link:

http://www.structuremag.org/Archives/2008-4/NCSEA-News-Apr-08.pdf

Scroll down to the second page to the article:

"Structural Licensure - Just What Are We Talking About?"

 

[msquared48]

New Mexico doesn't either.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[JKStruct]

JAE -- I think I knew that about Illinois, and I think it's a good policy. I believe a disconnect lies within the nomenclature and within the states. One problem is that, in theory, some states would technically allow a licensed PE -- who has an EE degree, and who doesn't practice structural engineering, and who has barely passed the PE Transportation exam -- the legal ability to seal structural drawings. While I think this is unethical, and I don't know any engineer who would do so, I guess it's allowed. Illinois and other states preclude this practice by requiring the SE licensure. I also recognize that, in doing so, they also hold structural engineers to a higher standard -- and I support that ideology.

But, for the competent, practicing structural engineer in TN, I don't believe there is a great difference in designing a 4-story building in Memphis vs. a 4-story building in Peoria, IL.

Personally, if I had my druthers, an SE licensure would be alienated from the all-discipline-encapsulating PE licensure. The majority of states would bestow the title of SE on any practicing and competent structural engineer who passes the Structures I exam. However, individual states would maintain their prerogative of requiring additional accreditation prior to granting that SE license -- i.e. passing the Structures II, Seismic and Surveying, Engineering Ethics Exams, CA SE exam, etc. That would still empower the states, yet, it would help rectify the disconnect in nomenclature. We're all structural engineers. I'm a proponent of the "one (unique) profession, one (unique) license" doctrine. Although I also believe the states should still have the ability to vary the accreditation requirements.

In the meantime, I'll jump off my soap box and start studying for my exam.

 

[swearingen]

Louisiana does allow the SE suffix.



If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS

 

[MikeE55]

Georgia does not use the SE suffix.

 

[JAE]

JKStruct - most states do not allow the Electrical engineer sealing structural plans as you suggest. The "typical" law states that an individual can only practice in the area in which they have the expertise.

Now while that is a sort of self-policing policy, there have been many times when an engineer has been nailed by a state board for sealing plans outside their area of knowledge. This happens a lot - I see it in the monthly board newsletters of the 20 states I'm licensed in.

In effect, this is a practice act in that you can only practice in your specialized area. Some states use a title (i.e. whether you can put SE after your name or not) and some states use a practice act (like Illinois) where you HAVE to have the SE to do structural.

 

[msquared48]

JAE:

I know what JKStruct is talking about here, and it extends, in Washington, to some jurisdictions allowing Structural Engineers to stamp the Architectural plans for a project, which, is technically out of their expertise, and licensing authority, too.

However, the issue in this circumstance would be code compliance, not life safety as with an Electrical stamping Structural plans. Nevertheless, it is crossing occupational lines.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[Atomic25]

"But, for the competent, practicing structural engineer in TN, I don't believe there is a great difference in designing a 4-story building in Memphis vs. a 4-story building in Peoria, IL."

Other than the fact Memphis is on the new Madrid Fault and is like designing in California, and Peoria is not.

 

[HgTX]

Even within the realm of SE, though, at some point you have to rely on an engineer's ethics. Someone who has spent the last 10 years designing steel buildings might not be qualified to do a concrete bridge, etc., and would be just as guilty of "plan stamping" a design they didn't really do as the EE would have been.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[msquared48]

HgTX: Star for you on that one...

And that scenario is really insidious in that the inadequacies of the structural engineer are hidden under the guise of a structural stamp that many deem as security.

We all must personally police our abilities and our shortcomings - all the time - for the sake of the clients.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[rheim]

JAE,

if only SE's can do structural work in Illinois, how do engineers show the work experience required to enroll for the test, given that they can not do any structural work prior to passing the test?

PS: I am in WA, so I am not affected by this, just for my curiosity.

 

[msquared48]

rhein:

I'm sure it's like Washington where the Structural DIRECTLY supervises the work of Civil engineers performing structural work on the project (EIT's too) and stamps the calcs and drawings to conform the the requirements in Illinois. Otherwise, it makes no sense.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[JAE]

rheim,
Yes, Mike is correct. You simply work as an EIT (EI?) under a licensed SE, get 4 years of experience, then apply to take the SE-1. Then the SE-2.

For comity applicants, simply show you are a licensed PE and apply with ample structural experience.

 

[frv]

I'll take this opportunity to address a question I have regarding the use of "engineer" in your title and on your card..

In school, they emphasized that it is unethical for you to use the term "engineer" unless you are licensed. However, when I got into the real world, several EIT's were using the term "Project Engineer". I brought up my concern, and they pointed me toward the state licensing board rules. One of these states that as long as you work directly under the supervision of a licensed engineer and your company is registered in the state you may use the term. Does this occur in all states? I am in Texas.

 

[JAE]

It varies from state to state. Just need to check the language in each engineering act.