Education · 1 of 4

The path

One degree does it. The license comes later, and a lot of chemical engineers never bother getting one.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Calculus, chemistry and physics, as far as your school goes. This degree assumes all three on day one.

2. 2

   Bachelor of science in chemical engineering

   4 to 5 years

   Four to five years at a program accredited by ABET (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Accreditation matters because state licensing boards require it.

3. 3

   Co-ops and internships

   During the degree

   Paid terms inside a real plant. This is the single biggest factor in who gets a good first job offer.

4. 4

   Fundamentals of Engineering exam

   Senior year

   Taken in your final year. Passing it makes you an engineer in training, which is the first step toward a license.

5. 5

   Professional engineer license, if you want it

   4 years after graduation

   Four years of qualifying work experience, then the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam in your discipline.