Next Steps After Passing the PE Exam

Congratulations to all the young engineers who made it through years of studying, training, and working to finally pass the PE exam! For many, this time can spark anxiety in new professional engineers wondering, ‘what should I do next?” If you are wondering how to best put your PE exam results to use, let the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers help guide you.

Submit your results to the New Jersey state board to obtain your license. A professional engineering license comes with a host of benefits for engineers, so this is an important step. Licensed engineers can sign, seal, and submit engineering plans to the public. Licensure also helps to ensure career adaptability, get a job in education, the government, public sectors, and more.
Show off your new designation. Be sure to include your new designation where ever necessary (and possible!). Include PE on business cards, email signatures, job applications, and more. Be sure to note the state where you received your license, which for most members of the New Jersey Society of Engineers, is New Jersey.
Request a wall certificate for your office or home. A wall certificate is an important way to show to clients that you have the skills and experience for the job. Once you request your wall certificate, it should arrive in a few weeks after passing the PE exam. Often there is a small fee associated with receiving the certificate.
Get your stamp/seal. As previously mentioned, engineers can only sign, seal, and submit plans after becoming licensed. A stamp/seal helps to show your authority within the industry and proves your status as a professional engineer. There are no strict guidelines with stamp/seal design, but they must be round, include the phrase “professional engineer,” your name, license number, and the state where you are licensed.

Passing the PE exam is an exciting time for young engineers. By following these steps after receiving your result, you will be making the most of your new designation. Another great way to boost your career as an engineer is to join professional engineering associations such as the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers.

Check out the awesome benefits of joining NJSPE >>

PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications Exam -What you Need to Know

The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam tests for a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline. It is designed for engineers who have gained a minimum of four years’ post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline.

Beginning this year, the PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam will be computer-based. This exam is administered one day per year. This year’s date is October 20, 2021. Like other PE exams with small examinee populations, this is a single-day testing event similar to the current pencil-and-paper exams. Examinees may reserve their seat up to a year in advance at a Pearson VUE test center once they are registered with NCEES and approved by their board. Candidates are encouraged to reserve their seat for this single-day event as early as possible.

What you can expect

This exam is eight hours and contains 80 questions. The questions require a variety of approaches and methodologies, including design, analysis, and application. The exam features questions on subjects like general electrical engineering knowledge, digital systems, electromagnetics, electronics, control systems, and communications. A breakdown of each category and the approximate number of questions for each can be found here. Please note that the electrical and computer exam is no longer open book.

Electrical engineering exam materials

To prep for your exam, The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) offers practice exams, supplied-reference handbooks, and free PDF downloads to aid your studying. The practice exam will also contain 80 questions and will familiarize you with the subjects and layout of the exam. All electrical engineering exam materials can be found and purchased on your MyNEECS account.

On ppi2pass.com, you’ll find exam prep bundles, which include a reference manual, practice problems, practice exams, an NEC quick-card, engineering unit conversions, customizable book tabs, and a scientific calculator. See the bundles here. They also offer a number of a la carte manuals and practice exams.

Hopefully you study these materials and go on to crush the PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam! Have any other topics you’d like more information on? Drop us an email at info@njspe.org