Why Take the Nuclear PE Exam?

To build technical credibility - As a young woman in a highly technical field, I haven't always been taken seriously due to others' implicit biases. Having a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license shows that I know more and have been exposed to a greater technical rigor than people might otherwise assume. (Adding the letters "P.E." after my name seems to add a bit more weight to my email correspondence!)

To set myself apart from others in the field - It goes without saying that the more qualification a person has, the better his or her chances are for career opportunities. Employers value employees who have the motivation to take and pass the exam-and they may reward them with a pay raise or a promotion.

To show that I am committed to a high standard of engineering - Even before becoming a P.E., I held myself to high standards in my work. Having a P.E. license shows the world just how committed I am and will serve as a positive reminder of my professional and ethical obligations throughout my career.

To give me career flexibility - It is always good to keep one's options open. Although P.E. licensure is not required for my current position, some years down the road I may decide that I want to pursue an opportunity for which P.E. licensure is highly desired or necessary.

To prove to myself I could do it - I vowed to myself that I would take the PE exam when I found out that I passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. I'd gotten that far-why not keep going? Besides, I love a challenge and I wasn't about to turn one down from my younger self.

In short, pursuing a P.E. license was very much worth the effort for me. Because it can only help your career, I encourage you to take the steps to become a P.E., too. Although requirements vary by state, here is the general process:

• Earn a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Take and pass the FE exam. The FE exam is computer-based and offered year-round.
• Gain engineering experience. Most states require four years of experience, and many will credit graduate degrees toward part of that experience. Some states require you to register as an engineer in training and/or to work under a licensed P.E.-make sure you check your state's requirements.
• Apply for the PE exam. This application is evidence to your respective state's licensing board that you have completed the above requirements and also requires you to obtain references, some of which may need to be licensed P.E.s.
• Prepare for and take the PE exam. The nuclear PE exam is computer-based and is offered each October. The American Nuclear Society (ANS) offers workshops and a study guide for exam takers. Sign up for the ANS workshop in Philadelphia.

1. Get more information about the PE exam.
2. Find your state board - each state board has its own licensure application forms and deadlines.
3. The nuclear PE exam is computer-based and administered one day per year (October 19, 2018) at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.
4. For more information on the format of the exam and the topics covered, download the exam specifications for the 2018 nuclear PE exam (PDF).
5. The American Nuclear Society offers a Study Guide for the Professional Engineering Examination In Nuclear Engineering to help you prepare for the exam and content.
6. Special accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their request.
7. Pass rates for test takers.
8. Learn more at the NCEES YouTube channel.

ANS member Alexandra (Alex) Burja is a Reactor Systems Engineer at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission whose primary interests include neutronics, thermal hydraulics, and transient and accident analyses of nuclear reactors. Alex earned her nuclear P.E. license in October 2017.

Feel free to leave a constructive remark or question for the author in the comment section below.