50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Washington D.C. Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Washington D.C..

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Washington D.C. for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Washington D.C. Engineering Company Licenses

District of Columbia Engineering Firm License

Not required



Engineering Firm licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.

Firm licenses are not issued at the state level, however, a licensed individual must oversee all engineering work. Firms should consult board rules and state statutes before doing business.

More information: District of Columbia Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration - Board of Professional Engineering
Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least one of the principal officers must be a District of Columbia licensed engineer.

Professional Corporations:

  • Each of the of the original shareholders and directors must licensed in a professional service performed by the firm.
  • At least one of the principal officers must be a District of Columbia licensed engineer.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the principal members must be a District of Columbia licensed engineer.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the principal members must be a District of Columbia licensed engineer.

Partnerships:

  • At least one of the partners must be a District of Columbia licensed engineer.

District of Columbia Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.

District of Columbia Land Surveying License

Not required



Land Surveying Firm licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.

Firm licenses are not issued at the state level, however, a licensed individual must oversee all surveying work. Firms should consult board rules and state statutes before doing business.

More information: District of Columbia Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration - Board of Professional Engineering

Individual Licenses

Washington D.C. Individual Engineering Licenses

District of Columbia Engineer Intern Certification

Agency:District of Columbia Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration - Board of Professional Engineering

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99 certification fee due after application is approved

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Intern certificates do not need to be renewed.

District of Columbia Geologist License

Not required



Professional Geoscientist licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.

District of Columbia Land Surveyor Intern Certification

Agency:District of Columbia Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration - Board of Professional Engineering

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99 certification fee due after application is approved

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Intern certificates do not need to be renewed.

District of Columbia Land Surveyor License

Agency:District of Columbia Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration - Board of Professional Engineering

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99 license fee due after application is approved

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99

Due:

By August 31 of even-numbered years.

District of Columbia Professional Engineer - Structural License

Agency:District of Columbia Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration - Board of Professional Engineering
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Computer-generated seals not signed with a digital signature may be used on final original drawings provided a handwritten signature is placed adjacent to or across the seal and the date is written below the stamp. Drawings, specifications, plans, reports, or documents which do not require certification may be transmitted electronically but shall have the generated seal, if any, removed before transmitting and shall have the following inserted in lieu of the signature and date:

"This document originally issued and sealed by (name of licensee), P.E.#_______/P.L.S.#_______ on (date of sealing). This document should not be considered a certified document."

17 DC Reg. § 1516.9

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

Drawings, reports, or documents that are signed using a digital signature, as defined in these Rules, shall contain the following:

(a) An authentication procedure that includes the following elements:

  1. A unique signature;
  2. Capability to verify the source;
  3. Sole control by the person using it; and
  4. A link to the document in such a manner that the digital signature is invalidated if any data in the document is changed; and

(b) A list of the hardware, software, and parameters used to prepare the document(s).

17 DC Reg. § 1516.10

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99 license fee due after application is approved

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99

Due:

By August 31 of even-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required

District of Columbia Professional Engineer License

Agency:District of Columbia Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration - Board of Professional Engineering
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Computer-generated seals not signed with a digital signature may be used on final original drawings provided a handwritten signature is placed adjacent to or across the seal and the date is written below the stamp. Drawings, specifications, plans, reports, or documents which do not require certification may be transmitted electronically but shall have the generated seal, if any, removed before transmitting and shall have the following inserted in lieu of the signature and date:

"This document originally issued and sealed by (name of licensee), P.E.#_______/P.L.S.#_______ on (date of sealing). This document should not be considered a certified document."

17 DC Reg. § 1516.9

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

Drawings, reports, or documents that are signed using a digital signature, as defined in these Rules, shall contain the following:

(a) An authentication procedure that includes the following elements:

  1. A unique signature;
  2. Capability to verify the source;
  3. Sole control by the person using it; and
  4. A link to the document in such a manner that the digital signature is invalidated if any data in the document is changed; and

(b) A list of the hardware, software, and parameters used to prepare the document(s).

17 DC Reg. § 1516.10

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99 license fee due after application is approved

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99

Due:

By August 31 of even-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.

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