Profession at-a-glance

Profession: Civil Engineer
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, and waste disposal units. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers.

Number of Licensed Professionals in Florida:
26,875

Salary range:
$44,810–$104,420*

Requirements to be licensed:

• Eligibility for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals examination and Certification as an Engineer Intern requires the following:
  • Graduation from an Engineering Accreditation Commission / Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) four-year engineering program or application with non-EAC/ABET degree through educational review for equivalency
  • Passing of the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination

• Eligibility for the Principles and Practice examination and subsequent licensure requires the following:

  • Having passed the NCEES fundamentals exam
  • Four years of engineering experience
  • Passing of the NCEES Principles and Practice examination

• Eligibility for Licensure by Endorsement requires the following:

  • Graduation from an EAC/ABET four-year engineering program or application with non-EAC/ABET degree through educational review for equivalency
  • Passing of the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination
  • Passing of the NCEES Principles and Practice examination
  • Four years of engineering experience
    

Interesting Facts: Professional Engineers are licensed engineers that offer engineering services to the public. They are required to submit their designs under seal when applying for permits from governmental agencies. Engineering covers many disciplines, those most noticeable to the public are engineers designing roads, bridges, and a wide variety of structures. They also design potable water and waste water plants, pipelines and pumping stations, air conditioning, fire protection, lighting, electrical power and control systems, space vehicles and launch pads.   Licensure is a credential that evidences ethical and experience standards met in achieving licensure. Professional Engineers establish their credentials through education, examination and licensure. It usually takes eight years after graduation from high school to achieve licensure.

*U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida, May 2006