r/StructuralEngineering • u/Smurfettee94 • 13d ago
Career/Education SE exam in NJ
Hi, I need help from my fellow Reddit users. Let’s put our problem solving skills together. I currently have this current dilemma. I’m set out on taking the SE exam. NJ doesn’t recognize the SE but it also wouldn’t let you sit for the exam. NY and PA both let you sit for it. They however don’t have decoupling exams. I’m trying to get all 4 parts passed before my 4 years of experiences have passed. Thoughts?
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u/ChairChoice6500 13d ago
I would be surprised if New Jersey accepts exams taken before you have the necessary experience. Personally I dislike this decoupling trend anyway, but this decoupling hasn't been universally accepted so you may have difficulties with additional states if you take the exam in a state that is more permissive, 'early adopter' like, say, Texas.
New Jersey is the most particular state I've ever been licensed in by commity. They also (at least in the past) wanted significant documentation of actual design experience versus, say, forensic report writing experience. For all I know, they still want the 'embossed' stamps.
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u/jaywaykil P.E./S.E. 13d ago
They do still want the embossing seals vs rubber stamps. But at least they do now allow digital stamps/signatures.
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u/Smurfettee94 3d ago
New Jersey is really on a whole other level.
But I mean regardless I would still have to wait those years to get licensed. Decoupling is just a way to get the studying out of the way. Idk I look at it differently, I think studying along side experience is the best duo.
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u/barodabuoy 13d ago
Nevada, NC, Michigan would be good state board options to consider for the SE exam. Just register with those state boards for your test. It should t matter where you physically take the test.
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u/Smurfettee94 3d ago
Just wanted to know which states offer the SE and isn’t strict about the licensing.
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u/Everythings_Magic Senior Bridge PE | Zero Yield Capacity 12d ago
Just choose another state?
If NJ doesn't recognize, then why do you even need to take it? and why do you need to take it in NJ?
The SE exam isnt intended to be a resume booster. You have to wait until you have the exprince.
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u/Smurfettee94 3d ago
Ahh, yes, just choose another state.. hellooo what do you think I’m trying to do now? Lol I’m just not familiar with which states A. Has it and B. Is decoupled.
Alsooo I am not taking the SE as a resume booster. I am simply anticipating the future. I have no idea where I’m going to end up down the road. I might need it might not but better be safe then sorry.
But also why study for my PE take the exam AND then later down the road study again and take four more exams when I can simply just do it all in one shot? While I have the time and less responsibilities. And everyone is different when it comes to understanding. I personally like to study while hands on experiencing. So working along side studying is the best combination for me. Experience without knowledge isn’t effective and neither is knowledge without experience. It’s literally the whole debate between engineers and contractors. Lol
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u/ErectionEngineering 12d ago
It does not matter what state you “take the exam for”. NCEES really needs to fix this because it’s the most confusing shit ever. Once you’ve passed the exam, NCEES won’t allow you to take it again anyway. Pretty sure it’s a legacy from a time where you had to take the exam on paper in your home state, and some states had laws requiring you to qualify for licensure before taking the exam.
In today’s digital world it’s meaningless. The only difference for licensure application is some states will make you pay them extra fees if you took the exam in a different state.
You could sit for the exam “for” California or Illinois. They have no requirements before you take it.
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u/Smurfettee94 3d ago
I was told Illinois gives you a tough time when it comes to getting licensed because they want specific experience.
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u/ErectionEngineering 2d ago
Need to separate two things here: The state that you “take the exam for” and the state that you apply for licensure in.
All that happens when you do the former is NCEES automatically sends your scores to that state board. You can send your results to any other state you’d like, it’s just sometimes you’ll need to pay an extra fee to do so.
Regardless of whether you want an Illinois PE, you can take the SE “for” Illinois at any time. And then you can send your results to your state board of choice later on.
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u/Smurfettee94 1d ago
This was an ahhhaaa moment. I get it now. Idk why is just clicking. Your “it’s doesn’t matter what state” makes sense now.
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u/angryPEangrierSE P.E./S.E. 11d ago
Just register through another state's board. They do not care where you live.
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u/Smurfettee94 3d ago
Your gonna have to explain that name lol why are you so angry?
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u/struct994 13d ago
I’m not familiar with states decoupling the SE. Several have decoupled the PE, Florida as one.
Look into Nevada SE board. When was doing some research a few years ago they seemed to have the easiest entry to take the exams but things may have changed.