The Path to Licensure
The Road to Becoming a Professional Engineer in the State of MontanaWant to Become a Licensed Engineer In the State of Montana?
Your Path to Becoming a Professional Engineer (PE) Begins Here
Take a look at this high-level overview from NCEES on what the process of becoming a licensed engineer looks like. These steps include education, obtaining experience, and taking the appropriate exams.
The Path to Licensure In the State of Montana
Step 1
Obtain your baccalaureate or a master degree in engineering or engineering technology from a board-approved curriculum
Step 1 Resources
You can find more information about programs available in our state from the following colleges:
Step 2
Pass the Fundementals of Engineering Exam (FE)
Step 2 Resources
The FE exam is a required, intermediate step before becoming eligible to take/pass the PE exam. The FE exam is open to anyone who has a degree in engineering or a related field, or is currently enrolled in the last year of an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited engineering degree program.
You can register to take the FE HERE.
The FE registration cost is currently $175 and is a 6-hour exam that is available year-round.
Step 3
Obtain your certification as an engineering intern
Step 3 Resources
A baccalaureate or master’s degree in engineering or engineering technology in a curriculum approved by the board is required to receive your certification as an engineer intern. In addition, you must pass the FE (See step 2).
There is a $25 fee to receive your certification as an engineer intern, and the certification is good for 2 years.
You can find more information HERE
Step 4
Gain 4 years of progressive experience under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
Step 4 Resources
Contact MSE today for professional experience opportunties.
Step 5
Apply to the Montana State Board of Licensure to take the PE
Step 5 Resources
You can apply for the PE HERE. The fee for the PE exam is $100.
Education requirement can be found at the following: See MCA 37-67-323 and ARM 24.183.501.
All foreign degrees must be evaluated by NCEES. www.ncees.org. For more information see ARM 24.183.502(3)
Required Experience information includes: 5 professional and character references as required by the board. More detailed experience requirements can be found in MCA 37-67-323 and ARM 24.183.702
The Montana Engineer Licensing Law & Rules Questionnaire must be completed and submitted in addition to the PE Exam.
Step 6
Pass the NCEES Principles and Practice Examination (Professional Engineering PE Exam)
Step 6 Resources
In order to take the NCEES Principles and Practice Examination, you must first apply to the Montana Board for approval to sit for the exam (Step 5). Beginning in 2022, the PE Civil exam will be computer-based and administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.
The NCEES Principles and Practice Examination is a 9 hour exam. The exam fee is $375, paid to NCEES.
You can find more exam-specific information HERE.
Continuing Education
In order to retain your license as a PE in the state of Montana, you are required to obtain 30 Professional Development Hours (PDH) per two-year cycle (i.e. July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2016).
For more information see ARM 24.183.2105
The annual Joint Engineers Conference offers the opportunity to earn up to 15 PDH by attending the available sessions, which can meet PDH requirements completely for your 2-year cycle.
MSE members enjoy a $100 discount on annual JEC registration as a membership benefit.
MSE Can Help You Become a PE
We aspire to represent achievement as engineering professionals by living our values of Advocacy, Community, and Mastery as we continue to advance our industry. We believe that it is also our responsibility to inspire the next generation of licensed engineers in Montana.