Engineering & Surveying

Massachusetts
Professional Engineer by Examination(PE by Examination)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PCS no longer accepts applications and work experience documentation by mail. Applications and work experience documentation received by mail will be returned to the sender.

  • ‍Applications must be completed, scanned, and uploaded to your PCS Account.
  • All required work experience documentation must also be uploaded to your PCS Account.
  • Official Transcripts sent electronically should be delivered in a secure method directly from your school/university to PCS: maeng@pcshq.com
  • Required Reference Questionnaire forms must be mailed directly to PCS. PCS will then scan the documents to the applicant’s account.
  • Please ensure that all the scanned documents are legible to ensure timely review. We will not accept .zip, .tiff, .txt, .xls, etc. ALL work samples must be .pdf format.

Professional Engineer by Examination (PE)

Massachusetts Application & Registration Process

First-Time Candidates:

Step 1: Download and read your Candidate Information Bulletin.

Step 2: Create an Account with PCS if you do not already have one. You will receive an email from PCS once you have successfully created your account.

Step 3: Pre-register and pay for your Application after you have logged in if you have not already registered. PCS accepts Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.

! All Application Fees are non-refundable

Step 4: Download the Board Application for PE by Examination.      

Step 5: Go to your account Home Page and upload your completed Board Application for PE by Examination, along with all required documents. Board applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

  • Reference documentation and Official Transcripts must be sent directly from the designated person/entity listed in the application instructions (e.g. reference forms must be sent by the reference to PCS, transcripts must be sent directly from the university to PCS, etc.).
  • NOTE: The Board is not looking for entire projects, only a sample of a calculation or drawing that you have stamped and/or personally overseen. Samples can include copies of research notes, field notes, calculations, worksheets, final plans, and reports created by you or under your direction. All supplemental materials should be provided on letter-size (8 ½” by 11”) sheets.

Step 6: PCS will process applications, communicate any deficiencies to the applicant, and submit completed applications to the Board for approval to sit for the examination. The standard processing time for first-time applications is 3 to 6 months after receipt of all required documentation has been received.

Step 7: Applicants may not schedule for the examination until approved by the Board. First-time applicants who are Board approved will receive an email notification from PCS with instructions on how to register with NCEES and schedule and pay PCS for their examination. (Board-Approved candidates please see the “NCEES Registration & PCS Scheduling Information” link for more details.)

Step 8: After receiving your approval email from PCS, you must register and schedule your exam with NCEES, including paying the required NCEES fees.

Step 9: Once you have registered with NCEES, you must notify the Engineering Coordinator by uploading your registration confirmation to your PCS account. Failure to do so may result in scheduling delays.  No PE fees for exams in PCS. 

PE Certification Eligibility Requirements

Candidates may apply based on the following criteria:

Classification A: Registered in another state/jurisdiction and in compliance with the requirements of one of the listed classifications. i.e. classification (b) through (e).

OR

Classification B:

(1) An ABET accredited Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or one approved by the Massachusetts Legislature together with a Master’s Degree in Engineering by a school in the US whose basic engineering program is ABET Accredited and having three years of acceptable experience.

(2) An ABET accredited Bachelor of Science Degree in engineering and having four years of acceptable engineering experience.

(3) A Bachelor of Science degree from an institution authorized to grant such degree by the Massachusetts Legislature and having four years of acceptable engineering experience.

(4) A non-accredited curriculum with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a related engineering science such as a technology degree, foreign degree, physics degree, chemistry degree, etc. together with an ABET accredited advanced engineering degree and having four years of acceptable engineering experience.

(5) A foreign degree in engineering of four years or more that has been determined to be equivalent to an ABET accredited degree and having four years of acceptable engineering experience.

In addition to the above, each must have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.

OR

Classification C:

A Bachelor of Science Technology degree or non-accredited degree in engineering or a related engineering science such as foreign degree, physics, chemistry, etc. and having eight years of acceptable engineering practice and having passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination. (Foreign degree holders are required to submit an equivalency evaluation)

OR

Classification D:

Twelve years of acceptable engineering practice with a minimum of six years responsible charge of significant engineering projects and having passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination. Undergraduate study in an approved curriculum may be considered as engineering experience on an equivalent full-time basis up to a maximum of 3 years.

OR

Classification E:

Twenty years of acceptable engineering practice with a minimum of ten years in responsible charge of significant engineering projects. Undergraduate study in an approved engineering curriculum may be considered as engineering experience on an equivalent full-time basis up to a maximum of 3 years.

NCEES Registration & PCS Scheduling Information

First-Time Applicants:(All applicants are recommended to read the Candidate Information Bulletin above)

  1. All first-time applicants must be approved by the Massachusetts Board. Please refer to the “Application Process and Registration Process” link for additional information. If your eligibility has expired, please contact the Massachusetts Board. Proceed to step 2.
  2. All applicants must create an account online with NCEES at www.ncees.org.
  3. NATIONAL EXAM: Register online with NCEES. Only Board-approved applicants may proceed to step 4.
  4. Once you have registered with NCEES, you must notify the Engineering Coordinator by uploading your registration confirmation to your PCS account.

Re-Examinees: (All candidates are recommended to read the Candidate Information Bulletin, page back to see the link.)

  1. All applicants must be approved by the Massachusetts Board. If your eligibility has expired (see “Examination Limits” section below), please contact the Massachusetts Board. Proceed to step 2.
  2. All applicants must create an account online with NCEES. If you have not already done so, please visit www.ncees.org. If you have already created an account, then proceed to step 3.
  3. NATIONAL EXAM: Candidates must re-register online with NCEES. You will select your exam type and exam site information at this time. 

EXAMINATION LIMITS:

  1. If an applicant fails to take the examination within 36 months after receiving notification of eligibility, the application automatically lapses and must be re-approved by the Massachusetts Board. This does not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces. For more information, please read the Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations below.
  2. If an applicant takes an examination, fails to pass, and does not retake the examination within 36 months, the application automatically lapses and must be re-approved by the Massachusetts Board. This does not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces. For more information, please read the Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations below.
  3. If an applicant fails the principles and practice examination two or more times, they must be re-approved by the Massachusetts Board. For more information, please read the Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations. “Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations”‍

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING (PE) – All Exam Candidates:

Candidates who are Board approved are required to register with NCEES and submit payment to PCS.

Visit the NCEES website (www.ncees.org) to find NCEES registration. Exam type, discipline, module, and/or site cannot be changed after NCEES registration. No exceptions.

Massachusetts Engineering and Surveying Fees

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING (PE)

  • PE by Examination Board Application Fee – $164
  • PE First time and Re-Examination Examination Fee – Paid directly to NCEES (www.ncees.org)
  • PE License Fee – $150
  • Wall Certification Fee – $25

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How will I know if Professional Credential Services (PCS) has received my Application?

A: Once your application has been uploaded to your PCS account, PCS will review your complete application (application, fees, experience documentation, transcripts, references, etc.) to ensure that everything has been received. Applicants will be notified of any discrepancies by email. Applicants will also receive an email notification when their application has been sent to the Massachusetts Board for the eligibility review.

Q: Which forms go to PCS and which go to the Massachusetts Board?

A: All applications and supporting documentation must be sent to PCS. Documents that are sent to the Massachusetts Board instead of PCS will cause a delay in the processing of your application.

‍Q: How will I know if I am eligible for the examination?

A: PCS will send you an email with further instructions on how to register with NCEES and scheduling.

Q: Can I schedule and pay with PCS before I have been approved by the board?

A: No. You must wait to hear that you are eligible in order to schedule.

Q: What more can you tell me about the examination?

A: For information concerning the examination content, scoring information and national pass rates please visit NCEES web site, www.ncees.org. (All candidates are recommended to read the “NCEES Examinee Guide” on the www.ncees.org website and the “Candidate Information Bulletin” on the www.pcshq.com website.)

Q: What is the refund and rescheduling policy?

A: All Application Fees are non-refundable.

Q: How do I become licensed?

A: Passing examinees will be notified regarding the remaining steps to the licensure process. Payment of a license fee is required; please see the “Massachusetts Licensing Fees” link for more details.

Q: When will my license number be issued?

A: Once a passing score has been obtained, a letter will be emailed from Professional Credential Services notifying the applicant. The letter will inform the applicant of the Board License fee and the PCS Wall Certificate fee. The license number will be issued and posted approximately ten to fifteen business days after the fees have been received. License numbers may be found on the Board’s web site.

Contact PCS and/or Massachusetts Board

MA Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors

Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100

Phone: 617-701-8801
Website: www.mass.gov
‍Email: engineerboard@state.ma.us

‍Professional Credential Services (PCS) staff is available by telephone Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central Time.
References ONLY must be submitted by the U.S. mail or courier service.

Mailing Address

Professional Credential Services
MA Eng/LS Coordinator
PO Box 198728
Nashville, TN 37219

Courier Service Address (i.e. FedEx, UPS, or DHL delivery)

Professional Credential Services
MA Eng/LS Coordinator
25 Century Blvd, Suite 505
Nashville, TN 37214

Phone: 877-ENG-EXAM (877-364-3926)
Email: maeng@pcshq.com

Address or Name Change

Address and name changes must be updated with three organizations:  PCS, NCEES, and your State’s Board.

Address and telephone number changes: These can be made directly in your PCS account.

PCS:  To log in to your PCS account, please visit https://www.pcshq.com

Name Changes:  Please click here to download the Name Change Form. Once completed, upload to your PCS account the Name Change Form and supporting documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree or other court documentation confirming your name change).

NCEES:  To log in to your NCEES account, please visit www.ncees.org.

State Board: Massachusetts: engineerboard@state.ma.us