Licensing requirements: Engineers and Land surveyors

How to apply for a license

  1. Complete the application for the type of license or certificate
    you need (Professional Engineer, Professional Land Surveyor, Structural Engineer, Engineer-in-Training, Land Surveyor-in-Training, Engineering Corporation).
  2. Enclose your completed application with all the supporting documentation and the appropriate fee.
  3. Mail it to:
    Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 9048
    Olympia, WA 98507-9048

What happens after I submit my application?

We evaluate your application and documentation, and send you a letter telling you:

  • Your application is complete.
  • You have been approved for the examination.
  • OR
  • We need additional information to process your application.

If you are approved for the examination, the letter will include the information you need to schedule your exam with the Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Services (ELSES, LLC).

Do I have to take an exam to get a license?

Yes, all applicants must take and pass the approved written examinations and a Law and Ethics exam before receiving a license. We will send you the Law and Ethics exam on Washington laws and rules after your application is approved.

Licensing requirements

Applicants with foreign degrees

A number of foreign degree programs are included in the mutual recognition agreements entered into by ABET, Inc. If you have an engineering degree from a foreign country that isn’t on this list, you must have your degree evaluated by a transcript evaluation service approved by the board. This evaluation will be performed at your expense, and you are responsible for submitting all necessary information to the evaluation service. The board currently recognizes the following evaluation services:

Professional engineer

Before getting a license, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Pass the EIT (Engineer In Training exam).
  • Pass the PE (Principles and Practices of Engineering exam).
  • Have 8 years of professional-level experience under the direct supervision of a licensed engineer. (Education in an ABET-accredited program may count for up to 4 years of this experience.)

Note: For more information about exam requirements and schedules, see examinations.

Engineer-in-training certificate

Before you may apply for certification as an engineer-in-training, you must have either:

  • received a bachelor’s degree in an approved engineering curriculum.
  • obtained senior standing in an approved engineering curriculum.
  • OR
  • four years of experience (education, work experience, or both).

Professional Land Surveyor

Before getting a license, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Pass the LSIT (Land Surveyor-in-Training exam).
  • Pass the PLS (Principles and Practices of Land Surveying exam).
  • Pass the Washington 2-hour land surveyor’s exam.
  • Have 8 years of professional-level experience under the direct supervision of a licensed land surveyor. (Education in an ABET-accredited program may count for up to 4 years of this experience.)

Note: For more information about exam requirements and schedules, see examinations.

Land Surveyor-in-training certificate

Before you may apply for certification as a land surveyor-in-training, you must have either:

  • received a bachelor’s degree in an approved surveying curriculum.
  • obtained senior standing in an approved surveying curriculum.
  • OR
  • four years of experience (education, work experience, or both).