50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Pennsylvania Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Pennsylvania.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Pennsylvania 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

Pennsylvania Engineering Company Licenses

Pennsylvania Engineering Firm License

Not required



Engineering Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania does not license firms, but requires that engineering companies have at least one licensed engineer on staff. Name registration is required for firms with some form of "Engineer" in the name. You must receive board approval prior to foreign qualification. You must receive board approval prior to foreign qualification.

More information: Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
Law:

63 Pa. Const. Stat. § 153

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must have at least one Pennsylvania licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.

Professional Corporations:

  • Every shareholder must be a licensed design professional.
  • At least one shareholder is a Pennsylvania licensed engineer.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must have at least one Pennsylvania licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must have at least one Pennsylvania licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.

Pennsylvania Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.

More information: Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists

Pennsylvania Land Surveying License

Not required



Land Surveying Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania does not license firms, but requires that land surveying companies have at least one licensed land surveyor on staff. Entities with some form of "Survey" in their name will be required to file a fictitious name registration with the board. You must also receive board approval prior to foreign qualification.

More information: Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
Law:

63 Pa. Const. Stat. § 153; 15 Pa. Const. Stat. § 1303 

Individual Licenses

Pennsylvania Individual Engineering Licenses

Pennsylvania Engineer in Training Certificate

Agency:Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$25 application + $85 processing fee to Pearson VUE

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Pennsylvania Geologist in Training Certificate

Agency:Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Pennsylvania Professional Engineer License

Agency:Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
Allow Digital Signatures?No
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Pennsylvania does not have provisions for the use of electronic signatures.

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

A registrant may use a rubber stamp or computer image which is a facsimile of the seal, if the registrant first obtains a seal in accordance with this section.

49 PA Code § 37.58

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50 exam fee + $50 license fee.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By September 30 of odd-numbered years.

Pennsylvania Professional Geologist License

Agency:Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
Allow Digital Signatures?No
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Pennsylvania does not have provisions for the use of electronic signatures.

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

A registrant may use a rubber stamp or computer image which is a facsimile of the seal, if the registrant first obtains a seal in accordance with this section.

49 PA Code § 37.58

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By September 30 of odd-numbered years.

Pennsylvania Professional Land Surveyor License

Agency:Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50 exam fee + $50 license fee.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By September 30 of odd-numbered years.

Pennsylvania Surveyor in Training Certificate

Agency:Pennsylvania Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$25 application + $85 processing fee to Pearson VUE

Renewal Not Required

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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