Contributed by Angelina V. Stasulis, PE, SE
SEAOG has no authority on licensure within the state of Georgia or elsewhere. Georgia's Board of Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors (commonly known as the "PELS Board") is responsible for setting standards for professional engineering and land surveying licensure in the state of Georgia. They "review applications, administer examinations, license qualified applicants, and regulate the professional practice of licensees throughout the state".
All information on this website is provided a professional courtesy to the structural engineering community, and simply represents our best understanding of the current state rules, regulations, and policies.
About Engineering Licensure
Unlike a driver’s license, which has reciprocity across state and national borders, engineers’ professional licenses are state-specific. Within a given state, the power and responsibility associated with a professional license are dictated by that state’s individual laws and rules. Though many states share similar requirements for licensure, you cannot sign and seal drawings without a license from that specific state.
Licensure applicants in each state must demonstrate competency through education, experience, and examination. While specific requirements vary by state, standards for evaluation are consistent across the country. Education is evaluated via a national accreditation program (ABET). Experience must be obtained under the direct supervision of a licensed engineer. Examinations are developed, administered, and scored by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Recognizing the vast differences in knowledge required to attain competency in different engineering disciplines, NCEES offers their Principles and Practices of Engineering exam in a variety of disciplines.
Types of Exams
There are two different Principles and Practice of Engineering exams currently offered by NCEES with Structural content: the 8-hr PE Civil-Structural and the 21-hr PE Structural**. The PE Structural examination was created to replace the Structural I and Structural II exams mandated by some western states in the early 2000s and provide a single test that would be accepted by all Boards. The PE Structural exam provides a more rigorous assessment of a candidate’s structural design and detailing knowledge, including emphasis on lateral design and detailing due to high seismicity and high wind loads.
While many states still have a single Professional Engineer (PE) license regardless of exam discipline passed, many, including Georgia, now have a separate recognition for candidates passing the 21-hr Structural examination.
Types of Licensure in Georgia
Recognizing the difference in competency demonstrated by the Georgia offers two types of professional licenses relevant to structural engineers: Professional Engineer (PE) and Professional Structural Engineer (SE).
The only difference in the requirements for these two licenses is in the examination component. NCEES' 8-hr Principles and Practice of Engineering exams are only accepted for the PE license. The 21-hr Structural** or equivalent is required for the SE license.
Professional Structural Engineer (SE) license is required to design, sign, and seal “Designated Structures*”, as defined by Georgia's PELS Board. This is governed by the Official Code of Georgia Section 43-15-7, which states, "It shall be unlawful for any person other than a professional structural engineer to practice or to offer to practice structural engineering in this state". PELS Board Rule 180-2.04 states: ""structural engineering" shall be defined as engaging in the design or analysis of "Designated Structures", which is completely defined within the Rules and Regulations.
Examples of Designated Structures include:
- Buildings in Risk Category III or IV as defined by the International Building Code
- Buildings with a covered gross area of 100,000 square feet or more
- Buildings with an occupied floor elevation 45’ or more above the average ground level
- Buildings with a height to least width aspect ratio of the structural lateral load resisting buildings system is great than or equal to seven
- Buildings designed using nonlinear time history analysis or special seismic energy dissipation systems
- Bridges designated as “complex bridges” by the Georgia Department of Transportation
For a complete definition of “Designated Structures” see Rule 180.2-.04 in the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Structures not classified as “Designated Structures” can be designed by licensed Professional Engineer, provided it is within the PE’s area of competency. Components of Designated Structures (examples: cold-formed metal framing, retaining wall design) may be able to be designed by a PE (as opposed to an SE) if this is acceptable to both the project SEOR and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Applying for a PE or SE License in Georgia
Individuals wishing to obtain a PE or SE license should follow the appropriate instructions on the PELS Board website. As of April 2024, this requires creation of an account with the PELS Board and completion of the online application. There is no such thing as "reciprocity", and all applicants must meet current Georgia licensure requirements at the time of their application.
Additional Resources and Information
PELS Board Link https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/22
*For a complete definition of “Designated Structures” see Rule 180.2-.04 in the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
**Prior to 2024, this exam was offered as pencil-and-paper in a 16-hr format
