Education · 1 of 4
The path
A four year degree, then four years of supervised work, then an exam. Eight years to the full license.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Calculus, physics and chemistry. Engineering admissions look hard at math.
- 2
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering
4 years
Take the transportation electives: traffic operations, highway geometric design, pavement, transportation planning. Pick a program accredited by ABET (the accreditor for engineering degree programs), because most state boards require it.
- 3
Pass the first exam
Final year
The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam, normally taken in your last year of college. Passing it makes you an engineer in training.
- 4
Work under a licensed engineer
4 years
Most states require about four years of engineering experience supervised by a licensed professional engineer before you can sit the second exam.
- 5
Pass the PE (Principles and Practice of Engineering) exam
After the experience
Civil engineers choose a depth area, and transportation is one of them. Pass it and your state board issues your license.