9 Realities of PE Licensing

Professional licensing is permission from the government to do business in a specialized area (usually an area where there is a significant downside to unqualified work being performed).

State licensing requirements are in place for numerous professions, from hairdresser to embalmer to furniture retailer.  For automation professionals, the key type of licensing is that of the "professional engineer" or PE.

The definitions of "professional engineer" in most states would appear to fit what control system engineers do.

Even so, only a few state or local agencies mention control system engineering in their statutes or regulations.

South Carolina is the only state to our knowledge that without a doubt requires control system integrators to be licensed engineers.

The ISA's Control System Engineer (CSE) examination (a type of PE exam) is widely available for interested applicants across the country, but is not widely sought out.

There are two risks from not being licensed.  One of them is being fined by a professional licensing agency.

Another risk is not being paid.  Some states permit a customer to refuse payment if engineering is done without a professional engineering license.

A longstanding "industrial exemption" in the U.S. may provide protection in some circumstances to unlicensed automation professionals.