PE Test Practice

[chom125]

Hello All

Years ago I saw a step-by-step PE course it must have been from India. The course had all the math, circuits, power, and solutions you needed to study PE. Now that I want to take the Professional Engineering Exam I don't see anything but hurry-up manuals that skip steps or want you to review in 8 weeks.

Is there anything out there that is supper good for studying the electrical PE license?

[Swake]

Excuse my ignorance but, what the hell is "Professional Engineering". Is there any un-professional engineering or amateur-engineering?

I you want to learn 'engineering' there are plenty of resources out there. Everyone is different and wants/prefers other formats (books; video; lectures; whatever), so it is very difficult to choose for you. It also pretty much depends on the education level you have now, on the specialty you want to go for, on the level you want to achieve (bachelor, master, phd,...), etc.... If you start from 'near zero' it is a multi year approach.

[Grandchuck]

https://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Engineering-Practice-Technical-Study/dp/B088455H8J/ref=asc_df_B088455H8J?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80470626759606&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584070155422552&psc=1

I don't know if it is good or not,

[TimFox]

Many governments require a "PE" = "professional engineer" license, earned by passing an examination analogous to the bar exam for lawyers, to perform different tasks.
Here is the website for the State of Illinois:  https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/profengineer.html

[rstofer]

In California, it used to work like this:  Get a degree in Mech, Elect, Civil or Structural Engineering, take an Engineer In Training Exam, sometimes called Engineering Fundamentals.  Add 4 years of practical experience under the supervision of a PE, a couple of letters of recommendation then take and pass the PE exam for your field of competence.

It used to be that PE was related to construction and life safety.  Bridges don't fall down, building HVAC systems work, lights stay on, sewage flows downhill and parking lots drain off the rain.  Oversimplification, I know...

For some strange reason, electronics is being added to the categories in some states.  Electronics is hardly on a par with structural engineering in terms of risk.  It's nonsense...  I think it has more to do with ego.  "Hey, look at me!  I'm a PE!"

If you are going to work in any of the building related professions and you're a PE, you better have a ton of Errors and Omissions Insurance.

You will find that the material covered in an Electronics Engineering curriculum doesn't come close to meeting the breadth of knowledge required for the EIT exam.  I saw folks at the exam center carting in books on a handtruck and, really, if you don't know the solution off the top of your head, you won't have time to look it up.  Some colleges have review courses to get the candidates up to speed.  I burned up two weeks of vacation studying for the exam plus the college course and, while I passed, I never did pursue the PE.  I hired PEs to do the work, I just defined the scope, budget and schedule.  I never wanted to sit at a drafting board, I wanted to go out and play!

[Grandchuck]

Having PE status is important in various ways.  It is useful for testimony in court, as just one example.

[rstofer]

Having PE status is important in various ways.  It is useful for testimony in court, as just one example.

Not exactly a benefit.  It's best to steer clear of the legal system.

Nevertheless, a PE license is required to stamp drawings and will be required by building departments.  Utilities and municipalities are full of PE's and probably a good place to do the 4 year internship.  We had a LOT of PE's in the nuclear power industry.  All branches of engineering were represented.  If there is going to be a PE for electronics, nuclear is the place to use them given the complexity of the control systems.

[TimFox]

Within the corporation where I worked, we had PEs in EE, but often we had to use an external PE in structural engineering to meet terms of our contracts.

[soldar]

Excuse my ignorance but, what the hell is "Professional Engineering".

It is a legal accreditation which allows the holder to practice. Just like lawyers, doctors and many other regulated professions.  Practice without the required accreditation and you may well end up in jail.

[Eagcress88]

There are many different resources, including online. But don't you have to have a validated four-year engineering degree from an accredited engineering program for the PE exam? As far as I know, this is a mandatory condition. This validates your theoretical background and knowledge of basic engineering principles. In addition, you will be required to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, have four years of experience working under the supervision of a PE, and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Of course, these requirements may vary slightly depending on the state in which you want to get a license, but in general, you should already have a certain basic level, lab report construction skills, and many many hours spent studying textbooks. You won’t be able to just quickly go through a few topics or some course on the Internet and pass this exam.

_{When I was studying https://ca.edubirdie.com/lab-report-writing-services was a good helper for me. The research will be of great value if it is written competently, convincingly, and using proven academic evidence.}

[jonpaul]

PE is granted by each state in USA. Like liscencing of doctors, dentists, surgeons

A PE  stamp and signature indicates a plan, project, drawing etc are approved by a trained and recognized engineer.

For the work, liability  and responsibility, a high fee is charged by the PE.

One  can be an EE, BSEE, MSEE or PhD and NOT be a PE.

Thus a "PE course" from India or China is useless in any state in USA.

Jon (NOT a PE!)

[Bud]

PE is a bureaucratic organization run by parasites that extract certification and ongoing annual membership money from engineers under pretention of caring for public safety. Here in Canada each province has its own PE council and they do not recognise each other's credentials. If you are a PE in Alberta and moved to Ontario you must re-confirm your credentials. How stupid is that. Are electrical principals any different in Alberta than in Ontariio? Those parasites jealously guard their jurisdictions to not allow anyone outside to provide engineering services without collecting a tax from them.

[jonpaul]

exactly like a qualification  license to practice medicine or to fly an airliner...

Especially defenses and govt contracts may require a PE to "sign off"

Dont blame the PE, blame your Gov and Defense that requires the PE on certain contracts

j

[rfclown]

I used this many years ago: Electrical Engineering Reference Manual by Raymond B. Yarbrough. I don't know how the test has changed since I took it, but back then you could bring in textbooks, and this book was made for studying and using as reference during the test. It was perfect for me. I got my PE in Florida, and back then the state would sell practice tests which I think used questions from previous years. I also bought and used that.

[bostonman]

Over the years I've briefly looked into this and had considered my options.

If I understand correctly, it's not simple as taking the test and getting the license, correct? After getting the license, you need to work as a PE and renew it every few years.

[jonpaul]

Hello: The regulations vary per state in USA.

Contact the IEEE or Professional Engineer organizations.

Most such qualifications eg CPA, lawyer, etc indeed require periodic education and activity to maintain the credential.

Thus any shortcut for quick study will NOT get you a valid PE.

Bon chance


Jon

[abeyer]

Over the years I've briefly looked into this and had considered my options.

If I understand correctly, it's not simple as taking the test and getting the license, correct? After getting the license, you need to work as a PE and renew it every few years.

You have to work for four years under a PE's supervision before you get the license too.

https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/how-get-licensed

[bostonman]

Ah yes, that rings a bell too.

It's been a few years since I read into it, but remember learning it wasn't a simple process if you're not working in the field under a PE.