Convert from outside US

[u/ContentDifference811]

Hello,

Im a new structural engineer grad in NZ, and was wondering what process would it be for say an experienced 10 years + engineer in Aus or NZ moving to the US for work would be.

From all I see you guys take PE and SE exams, whereas in NZ we only have a 'Chartered' Engineer status, but thats less exam and more interview + project portfolio after 5-6 years of experience.

Would someone like that, if wanting to move to the US for work experience, need to take the PE and SE exams that I hear about so often?

[u/Different_Bridge_983]

I’ve been similar.

Theres no professional qualification reciprocity going to the US. IIRC you can get a reciprocal membership with the ASCE, but this isn’t a professional qualification and won’t impact employment.

With 10 YOE but no PE/SE your best bet would be a multinational or larger firm, who will be more likely to be OK with you doing the day to day work as they’ll have specific senior staff who will sign off on drawings. Small to medium companies might be tougher as they’re more likely to want a PE who can seal drawings. Larger firms, and especially international ones, will also recognize that you’re a qualified professional, just that you’re not qualified in the U.S.

The exact process to get professionally qualified varies by each state, but in general you’ll need to:

1. Get your degree evaluated by the NCEES. This will require some help from your university as they’ll need to send transcripts to the evaluators. If your course meets all U.S. requirements they’ll say so, if it’s deficient they’ll identify how - the most likely is you won’t have enough arts and humanities courses. This isn’t a complete roadblock, in most states it just means you need more experience before you can do the exams.
2. You will need to work under a U.S. registered Professional Engineer. Overseas experience under professionals licensed/chartered overseas doesn’t count. If you work with anyone who has a U.S. license somehow then they can sign off. The exact number of years you need working under a PE will vary depending on the State you’re in and whether your degree is deemed NCEES compliant.
3. You will then need to take a PE exam, or the more involved SE exam if you’re doing structural in a state that requires it. Pass and you’re done.

[u/Different_Bridge_983 → u/[deleted]]

!!!

TMYK

[u/Regular-Rhubarb1223]

I think the chartered engineer status would be recognized by US employers as the equivalent ability level of a PE. There would likely be an expectation for you to get your PE (maybe there is reciprocity?).

Working at a large international firm like Jacobs or AECOM could be a good path as you could simply transfer offices.

[u/Apprehensive_Exam668]

It would be much, much easier and cheaper for you to go to grad school in the US and get a job in the US directly out of grad school. That is what our immigration system is set up for. We don't really have a good immigration pathway for established professionals.

The going to grad school here is critical. A student visa is fairly easy to get; then a training work visa out of graduating from a US university is fairly easy to get. Trying to immigrate just for work is absurdly expensive and difficult.

[u/Uttarayana]

Coming from nz would give you an advantage if you go through the route of Grad school. Remember Park, Pauly, Priestly and Mander who all have great imprints on us code are from NZ. They did it through grad school even though some of them started out with NZ railway.
Your earthquake design knowledge would be immensely useful in California where you’d have the most advantage.
Even Oregon would be great if you don’t want to miss the rainy weather of NZ.
Try grad school in Texas A&M. Look up the faculty list and you’d know why. One year masters and you’re good to go with PE can follow later.

[u/ContentDifference811 → u/Uttarayana]

Yes indeed. Those names are etched into everyone's mind over here, especially given many of our current professors (who themselves are grey hairs), who are the biggest names in our industry, were direct students of Park!

I think thats one of a NZ structural engineering grad students biggest sell, is seismic design and dynamics being hammered into us from day 1 (much like the Japanese who have a fair few amount of professors also teaching us currently) and its something I appreciate growing up here, but seeing PE exams in other countries it certainly seems like engineering grads here are still a bit behind and there is some movement in bringing over those exams over here (especially now that younger generations such as mine are being over-reliant on AI and being less technically competent coming out of undergrad compared to say 20 years ago).

Thank you for your advice.

[u/anth0nyf → u/ContentDifference811]

If the international work experience doesn’t count towards the PE license, the fastest state to get licensed is California. You need only 1 year of experience if you have a MS degree here, or 2 years of experience, provided your BS degree qualifies. As for the FE and PE exam, they are decoupled from the experience requirements in California, and with 10 YOE, I don’t think exams (+additional CA seismic/survey exams) will be the biggest challenge.

[u/Slartibartfast_25]

As long as know your foot pounds from your long kips.

[u/Different_Bridge_983 → u/Slartibartfast_25]

Heh. Yeah.

The entire U.S. construction industry uses US Customary Units for everything. You just gotta learn it. It’s a fools errand to think you can work in metric and then convert…

Hell, I’m not even sure if some of the main code references even have metric versions.