To become licensed as a professional engineer in New York State you must complete a combination of education and experience for which years of credit are awarded. The credit awarded for your education determines the required number of years of experience you need: A total of six years of credit is required for admission to the Fundamentals of Engineering examination (Part A).  A total of 12 years of credit is required for admission to the Principles and Practice examination (Part B) for licensure.

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam requires a BS degree in an ABET accredited engineering program. It is generally taken when you are within 20 credits of graduation. Typically, you would take the FE exam during your last semester at Cornell.  This requires that the application be submitted the semester before. 

Final licensure as a Professional Engineer is based on a combination of education and experience. Education/experience credit may not be earned for more than one academic program. Graduate degree(s) in engineering may be credited as one year of education/experience credit in addition to any credit earned for undergrad study.

How do I Meet These Requirements?

• A Cornell B.S. degree in an ABET accredited Engineering major is awarded eight credits. To take Part B (PE Exam) you will need four more years of experience post graduation, performing “responsible charge” duties under the supervision of a PE.
• A Cornell B.S. degree with MEng or M.S. will need three more years of “responsible charge” duties under the supervision of a PE to take Part B. The combined credit for post-graduate degrees is limited to one-year max.
• A Cornell B.S. degree in Technology through CALS is awarded three credits. To take Part A (FE Exam) you will need two years of experience post graduation. After passing the FE Exam, you will need four years of experience performing “responsible charge” duties under the supervision of a PE to take Part B.
• A Cornell B.S. degree in a science curriculum is awarded three credits. To take Part A (FE Exam) you will need three years of experience post graduation. After passing the FE Exam, you will need six years of experience performing “responsible charge” duties under the supervision of a PE to take Part B.

Other Requirements for Licensure

• Good moral character
• Minimum 21 years of age
• U.S. citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.
• File for an application by the deadlines stated above
• Pay the appropriate fees.