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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Questions are constantly
being added to and revised. Should you think of any additional questions which
would be of benefit to our applicants, licensees or the general public, please
let us know at: bonnie.kelly@bels.alabama.gov
What are your office hours?
Can I put an electronic seal on
engineering or land surveying documents?
Can I electronically transmit
documents with an electronic signature in place of an original seal, signature
and date?
[Top]
What are your office hours?
Monday through Friday, 8:00 -
4:45 CST
[Top|General Information]
How do I change my address?
You can change your address
through the website or fax us a letter.
[Top|General Information]
Can I pay by credit card?
No for applications and exam
fees. We only accept checks or
money orders.
We accept credit cards if you are renewing
your license on-line.
[Top|General Information]
What is a notary?
Someone legally empowered to
witness signatures and certify a document’s validity and to take depositions.
You can find one at a bank, your office, church, etc.
[Top|General Information]
How do I
check to see if someone is licensed or has enforcement action?
Through our website under License Search.
[Top|General Information]
Can you
recommend an engineer or land surveyor?
No. By
Law we cannot make recommendations. You can search by city, county, etc. on
our website under License Search to get a list of engineers or land surveyors
for your area. You can contact ASPE
for engineers and ASPLS
for land surveyors.
[Top|General Information]
Do you
have a temporary license or 1 time job permit?
No. We
have an interim permit that will allow you to work on a project until the
board acts on your permanent license.
[Top|General Information]
How long
does it take to process an interim permit?
All
information must be received on your application before an interim permit can
be issued (i.e. references, verifications, transcripts, etc.) After we
receive all the documentation, it takes approximately 2 weeks.
[Top|General Information]
Will I
be allowed to take the exam if I have been charged or found guilty of a crime?
You
would be required to file documentation concerning the matter. You would only
be allowed to take the FE or FLS exam. If you have lost your civil rights,
you would not be certified or allowed to take the PE or PLS exam until your
civil rights have been restored.
[Top|General Information]
How do I
get another certificate or pocket card?
To get
another PE or LS wall certificate, complete the Request for Duplicate
Certificate forms on the website under Miscellaneous
Forms. There is a $25 fee for a duplicate certificate.
To get another wallet card, you would need to send a letter requesting one and
the reason it is needed.
[Top|General Information]
Who do I
make my check payable to?
PE & LS
Fund.
[Top|General Information]
Is there
a charge to have my license verified to another state board?
No.
[Top|General Information]
How long
does it take to receive the board meeting results?
Approximately 2 weeks.
[Top|General Information]
How long
does it take to receive my certificate and license number?
Approximately 2 weeks.
[Top|General Information]
How can
I get a list of all licensees?
You can
either view and print the roster from the website under Publications. If you
need it for mailing purposes, you can request a CD or electronic file. There
is a minimum $75 charge for the CD or electronic file. There is a Request for
Labels, Disk or E-mail of Alabama's Database form on the website under
Miscellaneous Forms.
[Top|General Information]
Does
Alabama have reciprocity/comity with other states?
We do
not have a written agreement with any state. Since the exams are national
exams, those will be accepted in another state. You will be required to meet
that state’s education and experience requirements.
[Top|General Information]
Does
Alabama issue PE licensure by discipline?
No.
[Top|General Information]
What
discipline can I practice engineering in?
The
Administrative Code 330-X-9-.02(1) says you should practice only in fields in
which you are qualified by education or experience.
[Top|General Information]
I have
passed the FE exam. How do I find out what my EI number is?
You can
check our website through the License Search. If you do not find your name,
contact Candy. You may not have had your transcript sent from the
school after passing the exam or you number is so old that it is no longer in
our system.
[Top|General Information]
Does my
PE or LS application have to be typed?
Yes.
There are no exceptions. You can type in the PDF file on the website and then
print the application or you may print the form out and type on a typewriter.
[Top|Applications]
What if
my application or other information is received after the deadline?
Comity -
your application will be processed for the next board meeting.
Exam -
your application will be processed for the next exam. There are no
exceptions per the Board members.
[Top|Applications]
How can
I find out my application status?
You can
check your status on the website under Application status, e-mail
Bonnie
or call (334) 242-5098 between 2:00 - 3:30 CST only.
[Top|Applications]
I will
be submitting my NCEES Council Record. What other documents will I need to
submit?
You need
to complete only questions 1-15, 20 and 22-23 of the application and submit
with a $50 check.
[Top|Applications]
I am
registered in Canada. Will I be able to obtain licensure in Alabama?
Yes if
you meet Alabama’s requirements such as education, work experience and have
passed the NCEES FE & PE exams.
[Top|Applications]
Can the
FE, PE, LSIT or LS application forms be faxed or e-mailed?
No. We
must have the forms with the original signature and the check.
[Top|Applications]
Do I
have to be a resident of Alabama to take an exam?
No but
if you make application in Alabama, you will be required to come to Alabama to
take the exam. You would also need to send a letter with your application as
to the reasons you are applying here in Alabama.
[Top|Applications]
How long
will it take to process my comity application?
We have
board meetings approximately every 2 months. If all your information for your
application is received by the deadline date for a board meeting, it will be
reviewed at that board meeting. If not, it will be reviewed at the next board
meeting provided everything is in by the deadline.
[Top|Applications]
What if
my endorsers do not send in my verification and/or reference form?
It is
your responsibility to make sure your endorsers return the verification and
reference forms. If they refuse to send it in or it appears they won’t send
in, you may substitute someone in their place. Just send the new person the
appropriate form and advise the board you will be making a substitution.
[Top|Applications]
Does my
corporation, LLC or LLP need a CA?
If your
corporation, LLC or LLP offers to perform or performs engineering and/or land
surveying work, you will be required to have a CA.
[Top|Certificate of
Authorizations]
I
practice in my own name, do I still need a CA?
If you
practice under your name (i.e. John Doe PE), you do not need a CA. If you
practice as John Doe Engineering, you will need a CA.
[Top|Certificate of
Authorizations]
My
corporation, LLC or LLP is changing the person in responsible charge. What
documentation must we submit?
Complete
the CA application with the amended block checked and submit to the board
office within 30 days of the change. There is no charge to amend your CA.
[Top|Certificate of
Authorizations]
My
corporation, LLC or LLP is adding a branch office. What documentation must we
submit?
Complete
the CA application with the amended block checked and submit to the board
office within 30 days of the office being opened. There is no charge to amend your CA.
[Top|Certificate of
Authorizations]
My
corporation, LLC or LLP is changing its name. What documentation must we
submit?
Complete
the CA application with the amended block checked and submit to the board
office within 30 days of the change. There is no charge to amend your CA. You will also need to contact
the Secretary of State’s office to change your company name. We would need a
copy of the new articles of incorporation, organization, etc. submitted with
your amended CA.
[Top|Certificate of
Authorizations]
How do I
file a complaint?
Complete
and submit the complaint form on the website. The complaint form can be
typed in the PDF format.
[Top|Complaints/Enforcement Action]
What if I have a boundary line dispute, can I file a complaint?
The
Board does not have the authority to settle boundary line disputes. You must
go through your local court system for a resolution.
[Top|Complaints/Enforcement Action]
I’m in
the process of or anticipating legal action with an engineer or land surveyor,
can I file a complaint?
The
Board cannot investigate a complaint if you are in the process of legal action
or anticipating legal action. Once the issue is resolved through the courts,
you can file a complaint and the Board will investigate the matter.
[Top|Complaints/Enforcement Action]
How do I
check to see if disciplinary action has been taken on an individual or
company?
Check
the website under License Search. For more detail on the enforcement action
taken, e-mail Rick Huett
or call (334) 242-5049.
[Top|Complaints/Enforcement Action]
Once I
file a complaint, when can I expect a decision from the board?
Approximately several months.
[Top|Complaints/Enforcement Action]
What
happens when I file a complaint?
A letter
is sent to the complainant and the subject of the complaint notifying both
that a complaint has been received. The subject is allowed approximately 21
days to respond to the complaint. If a site visit is required, one will be
made. If the complaint concerns technical issues, the complaint is forwarded
to an outside technical advisor. If the technical advisor provides comments,
the subject of the complaint is allowed to respond to the comments. A report
is then generated on the facts and responses and forwarded to the
investigative committee for its recommendations and then presented to the
board at a board meeting. The decision of the board could take 30 days from
the date of the board meeting your case was presented.
[Top|Complaints/Enforcement Action]
Are
correspondence classes/distance learning degrees acceptable?
No.
[Top|Education]
Do I
have to have a degree?
Yes for
engineering. No for land surveying until December 31, 2007. After that time
a four year degree will be required.
[Top|Education]
Does my
transcript have to be mailed directly to you from my school?
Yes. We
cannot accept a transcript from the applicant.
[Top|Education]
I
received my engineering degree outside the United States. Is that acceptable?
Yes.
[Top|Education]
Does my
foreign degree have to be evaluated?
Yes.
The Board requires that your education be evaluated
through Center
for Professional Engineering Education Services (CPEES), AACRAO or Josef Silny
& Associates regardless of additional degrees received. Please contact CPEES
at www.cpees.org
, AACRAO at
www.aacrao.org or Josef Silny at
www.jsilny.com to request an education evaluation packet. They will
provide you with information and instructions regarding what they need to
evaluate your education. We must have a course-by-course evaluation.
There is no waiver to this requirement.
[Top|Education]
I have
an engineering technology or related science degree. Can I apply for
engineering licensure in Alabama?
Our law changed December 31,
2005. We no longer accept engineering technology or related science
degrees unless an ABET accredited MS or PhD in engineering has been received
in addition to your BS.
[Top|Education]
Are 2
year degrees acceptable?
No.
[Top|Education]
Do you
need transcripts from all my schools or just where an engineering or land
surveying degree was earned?
Just
from the school where you received your engineering or land surveying degree.
[Top|Education]
What can
I bring into the exam?
Since
ELSES administers the exam for us, you need to contact
ELSES at (877) 536-7729.
[Top|Exams]
Can my
exam fee be refunded or applied to another exam?
No. No
exceptions. Our law does not provide for either.
[Top|Exams]
What
happens after I fail the exam 4 times or my five years is up?
You will
be notified that your application is closed and you will be required to file
another application and meet the requirements at the time of reapplication.
[Top|Exams]
Does me
not showing up at the exam count as one of my 4 times?
No.
Only if you show up and fail.
[Top|Exams]
Can the
FE and/or PE exams be waived?
No. Our
law has no provisions to waive either exam.
[Top|Exams]
Can I
have my exam regraded?
No.
NCEES does not allow the regrading of exams.
[Top|Exams]
Why
can’t I review my exam?
NCEES
and the Alabama Board reserves the right to repeat questions, and the
integrity of the questions is compromised by overexposure. If some examinees
are allowed to review questions, it may give them an unfair advantage over
other examinees.
[Top|Exams]
How does
NCEES set the passing score on its exams at 70?
NCEES
follows a practice that is very common in the field of testing and reports
scores on a scale that always uses the same passing score. This is referred
to as a converted score or scaled score. For NCEES, 70 is used as the passing
score.
[Top|Exams]
Does a
passing score of 70 mean that 70% of the questions were answered correctly?
No. The
required number of points (questions answered correctly) needed to pass the
exam is determined in terms of the total points available on the exam. The
required number of points needed to pass the exam is referred to as the “raw
passing score.” This raw passing score is always reported as the
converted or scaled score of 70.
[Top|Exams]
Making
this score conversion is confusing. Is it necessary?
Score
conversion to a uniform scale is common practice. The practice is used so
that the passing score on every administration of the exam is always the
same. Furthermore, some licensing boards are required by law to use 70 as the
passing score.
[Top|Exams]
Can I
find out my score?
No. We only release the results as pass or fail.
[Top|Exams]
What is
the difference between the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) and the EIT
(Engineer in Training) exams?
None.
It is simply a new name for the same exam.
[Top|Exams]
When are
admission cards mailed?
NCEES mails them approximately 21 days prior to the exam. If you are
taking the ALLS exam in Montgomery, the admission cards are mailed
approximately 30 days prior to the exam.
[Top|Exams]
Where
can I find study material?
NCEES has study material for the FE, PE,
FLS and PLS exams on their website. The Alabama History & Law study material can be found on our website under
Exam Information.
[Top|Exams]
When
will I receive my exam results?
If you
took the exam in April, approximately June 15. If you took the exam in
October, approximately December 15. The LS board office exam is usually
mailed within a month of the exam.
[Top|Exams]
How can
I find out if you received my exam fee?
You can
check the website under Application Status
or e-mail
for PE, FLS, PLS, or ALLS exams and
Candy for FE exams or call
(334) 242-5568.
[Top|Exams]
What is
covered on the exams?
NCEES has available on their website
all the exam content information for the FE, PE, FLS, and PLS exams.
[Top|Exams]
Do I
have to take the exam in the same discipline I received my degree in?
No.
[Top|Exams]
Can I
apply in Alabama to take the exam even though I don’t live there?
Yes. If
you make application to take the exam here in Alabama, you must come to
Alabama to take the exam.
[Top|Exams]
Can my
exam be proctored?
If you made application in Alabama but lived in another state when you made
application or if you
lived here in Alabama and moved away, we would not allow the exam to be proctored.
If you
have been approved to take the exam in another state, you would need to contact
ELSES (877) 536-7729 to see if it
could be proctored here.
[Top|Exams]
Does
Alabama accept Veteran’s Preference Points?
No.
[Top|Exams]
I
applied for the exam and have not received my admission card. Why?
Is it 21
days prior to the exam? NCEES mails them 21 days prior to the exam. Have you
moved since you made application? Have you provided us with that change? Is
the correct address on your application? If yes to all, contact
ELSES at
(877) 536-7729 if you have not received it 2 weeks prior to the exam.
If you are taking the ALLS exam in Montgomery and have not received your
admission card 2 weeks prior to the exam, call the board office.
[Top|Exams]
I won’t
have the experience by the deadline date but will have it by the test date.
Can I still send in my application for that test?
No.
Administrative Code 330-X-6-.01(l) states you cannot anticipate experience.
You must have the experience prior to the deadline.
[Top|Experience]
Is
experience prior to graduation acceptable?
Only if it
was received in a formal co-op program through the school or if it took you 6
years or longer to receive your BS degree. Either way, the experience must be
verified by a PE. You will receive no more than 6 months credit.
[Top|Experience]
Can I get
credit for part time work?
Yes only
if that is all you were doing. You would not get credit for working full time
and then doing part time work on the side. You would receive approximately
less than half credit for the experience and it would need to be verified by a
PE for engineering work and LS for land surveying work.
[Top|Experience]
How do I
verify engineering experience if my supervisor is not licensed?
If your
supervisor is not a PE but is a graduate engineer, you can have them complete a
Background Information Sheet on the website (under License Requirements &
Application Forms) as well as the Experience Verification form. The board would
review to determine that when you were working together if this person would
have sent in an application to become licensed would they license them. If so,
you would get credit for the experience. If not, then you would not.
[Top|Experience]
How do I
verify experience if my supervisor is deceased?
If your
supervisor dies before you make application, you can get another licensed
individual in the company to verify your experience. If there is no one inside
the company that is licensed, you can get a licensed individual outside the
company who is knowledgeable of your experience. You would also be required to
specify how this person has knowledge and how often they have reviewed your
work.
[Top|Experience]
What if
there are no PE’s in the company I work for. How do I get my time verified?
You would
either need a PE outside the company who has knowledge of your experience to
verify and the details of how this person has knowledge would need to be
provided or have an agreement approved by the Board before it is
entered into between you and a PE who will review your work for a certain
amount of time.
[Top|Experience]
Can I get
credit for working while obtaining my degree?
No.
Administrative Code 330-X-6-.01(d) states that time spent in engineering or land
surveying work while attending school can only be credited as education
experience or work experience but not as both.
[Top|Experience]
Do I get
credit for my MS or PhD?
Yes if the
degree is ABET accredited. You would get 1 year’s credit for the MS and an
additional 1 year for the PhD.
[Top|Experience]
Do my
endorsers have to be licensed in Alabama?
No.
[Top|Experience]
I do not
have a degree but I do have 20+ years experience. Can I apply for licensure?
No for
engineering. Yes for land surveying until December 31, 2007.
[Top|Experience]
I cannot
have all of my experience verified. Is this acceptable?
Yes if you
have at least the minimum experience verified.
[Top|Experience]
I don’t
know 3 PE’s for engineering or 3 LS’s for land surveying that have knowledge of
my experience that I can use for references. Can I still apply?
No.
Administrative Code 330-X-7-.02(2), (3) and (4) states 3 of the 5 must be
licensed with knowledge. There is no waiver to this requirement.
[Top|Experience]
I am self
employed. Can I verify my own experience?
No. Either a PE or
LS in your company must verify or a PE or LS outside your company who has
knowledge of your engineering or land surveying experience.
[Top|Experience]
Can I
renew my license on-line?
Yes.
There is a link on our home page. There is a convenience fee to renew on-line.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Does the
board pre-approve continuing education courses?
No. It is
the licensees responsibility to determine if the course meets the requirements.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Can I
renew my license before I have completed my continuing education courses?
No. The
courses must be completed when the renewal is submitted.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Can I be
exempt from continuing education?
Only if
one of the following applies: new licensee, you are no longer practicing
engineering or land surveying (inactive) or you are totally retired.
A few
exceptions would be: if you are in the military on active duty for more than 120
consecutive days, overseas job assignment for more than 120 consecutive days or
during the past year you had a serious illness or injury that prevent you from
obtaining your PDH’s. The medical exception would only be waived for 1 year.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Can I
renew even though I do not have 15 PDH’s?
No. You
must have completed the 15 PDH’s when the renewal form is submitted.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
When will
I receive my renewal form?
The
renewal forms are normally mailed out in mid to late October.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
When will
I receive my pocket card showing I have renewed?
Approximately 2 weeks after your renewal has been processed and entered.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
I lost my
renewal. How can I get another one?
You can
complete a duplicate renewal through the website under Renewal & Reinstatement.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
What if I
renew after December 31?
If you wait until after December 31 to send in your renewal form, you will have
to pay a $250 late fee in addition to the $40 renewal fee.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Can I
practice after December 31 if I have not yet renewed?
No. After
December 31, your license is lapsed and you cannot practice until you renew your
license. If you practice on a lapsed or expired license, you are subject to
enforcement action being taken against you.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
My license
has lapsed or expired. What can I do to reinstate it?
If you are
lapsed, you must apply for reinstatement. The reinstatement form is
available on the website under Renewal and Reinstatement. You will be required to earn the PDH’s to get your
license reinstated up to the current year and then earn the PDH’s to get you
renewed for the current year. There is also a reinstatement fee. The hours and
fee would depend on how long your license has been lapsed. You would be
required to provide documentation of your continuing education.
If you are
expired, you are not eligible to reinstate and you must make application for
licensure again. That would involve the verification of exams, transcripts,
verifications and references. You must meet the requirements of the law at the
time of reapplication.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
I am
retired or inactive. Do I still have to pay my renewal fee?
Yes.
Being retired or inactive only exempts you from the continuing education.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
What is
retired or inactive?
Inactive -
a person who is totally separated from the professions of engineering or land
surveying in Alabama.
Retired -
a person who is retired from the profession of engineering or land surveying in Alabama.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Does
Alabama require continuing education in order to renew my PE or LS license?
Yes. 15
PDH’s per year.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
I am a new
licensee in Alabama. Am I exempt from the continuing education requirements for
my first renewal period?
Yes.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
How many
PDH’s can be carried to the next year?
15
maximum.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Do all of
my continuing education courses have to take place in Alabama?
No.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Are
internet or self study courses acceptable?
Internet,
audio, video or correspondence courses are not encouraged. If you choose to
take one of these kinds of courses, the course must require the participant to
show evidence of achievement and completion and/or a final graded test.
Self study
courses are not accepted.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
What
happens if I do not renew my license?
Your
license will be placed in a lapsed status for 4 years. If you do not reinstate
your license within 4 years, it is then expired and you must go through the
application process in order to be licensed again.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Do I send
in proof of my continuing education courses with my renewal?
No. If
you are audited, you would be required to send proof at that time.
If you are
reinstating your license, you will be required to send proof with your
reinstatement form of the continuing education courses you attended.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Am I
required to go back to college to fulfill the continuing education requirements?
No. You
can attend company sponsored courses, engineering or land surveying society
meetings, seminars, etc.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Can an
individual license renewal be sent in with a CA renewal?
Yes. We
need separate checks to avoid delays, otherwise if there is anything wrong with
one of them, they both go back.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
Can
several individual license renewals be sent in together with one check?
Yes. But
if there is anything wrong with one of them, they all go back. Please check
them carefully or send separate checks to avoid delays.
[Top|Renewals/Continuing
Education]
How often
am I required to take an Alabama Standards of Practice course to renew my land surveying
license?
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