License GuideSOC 17-2081

Electronics Engineer
License.

Environmental engineers design and execute projects to prevent, control, and remediate environmental hazards. Their daily work spans waste treatment systems, contaminated site cleanup, and pollution control technologies. They apply multiple engineering disciplines to solve real environmental problems. A typical day might involve designing water treatment facilities, assessing soil contamination, or developing strategies to reduce industrial emissions. Environmental engineers combine field investigation with technical analysis to protect public health and natural resources.

At a Glance

Everything a Electronics Engineer needs to know.

The Work
What you actually do

Licensed electronics engineers are regulated at the state level. Every state sets its own education, exam, and experience requirements.

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Environmental engineers design and execute projects to prevent, control, and remediate environmental hazards. Their daily work spans waste treatment systems, contaminated site cleanup, and pollution control technologies. They apply multiple engineering disciplines to solve real environmental problems. A typical day might involve designing water treatment facilities, assessing soil contamination, or developing strategies to reduce industrial emissions. Environmental engineers combine field investigation with technical analysis to protect public health and natural resources.

The Exam
Two-part proctored test

Two NCEES exams: the FE early in your career and the discipline-specific PE after four years of qualifying experience.

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You'll face two sections on your electronics engineer exam. The national portion covers core competencies and is uniform across states. Your state adds its own section covering local laws and regulations specific to your jurisdiction. Most states contract with testing vendors like PSI, Pearson VUE, or Prometric to administer the exam. You schedule your test through these vendors and take it at their testing centers. Each state sets its own passing score, typically between 70% and 80%. Check your state board's website for the exact passing threshold and exam content breakdown before you register.

Renewal
Keeping it active

Most states require professional development hours between renewals. Some states waive CE for PEs in certain disciplines.

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Your state's electronics engineer license requires continuing education to renew. The specific number of hours and topics vary by state. Common requirements include ethics and state-specific regulations. Check with your state licensing board for exact hours and approved courses.

Is This For You
Who fits this career

Strong candidates for the electronics engineer role combine the technical knowledge tested on the exam with judgment and communication skills you build through supervised experience.

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You'll need a solid grasp of circuit design, systems, and troubleshooting. But the technical foundation alone won't move you forward. You have to explain complex problems to non-engineers, defend your design choices to teams, and write clear documentation that others can follow months later. The best electronics engineers catch their own mistakes before they become expensive ones. You're comfortable with ambiguity. You ask clarifying questions instead of guessing. You test assumptions. Patient repetition and attention to detail aren't burdens for you, they're how you work.

Unlicensed Risk
Practicing without a license

Practicing as an electronics engineer without an active license is illegal in every state. Typical penalties include civil fines, forfeited income, and in some states criminal charges on repeat offenses.

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Practicing as an electronics engineer without an active license violates state law across the country. Violators face civil fines and must forfeit income earned through unlicensed work. States may impose criminal penalties for repeat offenses, though sentences are typically brief. The specific consequences depend on state regulations and the nature of the violation.

Career Outlook
+4.7% projected

Employment change 2024 to 2034.

The Path

How to Get a Electronics Engineer License.

To get licensed, you'll follow a similar path across most states. First, complete accredited education in your field. Then pass a national or state exam. Next, you'll gain supervised experience (the length varies by state). You'll undergo a background check. Finally, you'll complete continuing education before each renewal. The specific requirements, education hours, degree type, and experience length, differ from state to state, so check your state's board for exact details.

1
Earn an ABET-accredited degree
A Bachelor of Science from an ABET-accredited engineering program is the standard academic gate. Some states accept non-ABET degrees with additional experience.
2
Pass the FE exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering exam from NCEES is taken during or soon after college and confers Engineer Intern status.
3
Complete progressive engineering experience
States require four years of qualifying experience under a licensed PE, documented through employer references and project records.
4
Pass the PE exam
The Principles and Practice of Engineering exam for electronics engineers is the discipline-specific test administered by NCEES.
5
Submit fingerprints and background check
Most boards collect electronic fingerprints through IdentoGO, Fieldprint, or a similar vendor and run a state and federal background check.
6
Apply for the license
Submit the state application with transcripts, exam scores, experience verification, and fees. Processing runs a few days to several months depending on state and board.
7
Pay fees and activate
Once approved, you pay the initial license fee, post any required bond or insurance, and the state issues your license number.
8
Track renewals and continuing education
Most licenses renew every one to three years with a set amount of continuing education. Missing CE or renewal deadlines risks license inactivation.
Timeline

How long it takes.

Background check and exam scheduling
2 to 6 weeks
License issuance after passing
Few days to several weeks
State processing times vary widely.
Cost Breakdown

What it costs out of pocket.

ABET-accredited degree
Bachelor of Science in engineering at an accredited program.
$40,000 to $180,000
FE exam
NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering exam fee.
$175 to $225
PE exam
NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering exam fee.
$375 to $450
Application and license fee
Paid to the state board at submission. Varies widely by state.
$50 to $500
Fingerprint and background check
Flat vendor fee set by the state.
$40 to $120
Professional liability insurance
Annual policy. Required for PE stampings on most projects.
$500 to $3,000
Compensation

What Electronics Engineers Earn.

National annual wage by percentile.

Bottom 10%
$65k
25th percentile
$81k
Median
$104k
75th percentile
$131k
Top 10%
$162k
Resources

Where to train, certify, and connect.

Optional next steps once your Electronics Engineer license is active.

Advanced
Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultant
American Council for Accredited Certification
Specialty
Board Certified Environmental Engineer - Water Supply/Wastewater Engineering
American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists
Advanced
LEED AP Building Design + Construction
Green Business Certification Inc.
Advanced
Council-certified Indoor Environmentalist
American Council for Accredited Certification
Advanced
Council-certified Environmental Allergen Technician
American Council for Accredited Certification
Advanced
QRO - Certification for Municipal Solid Waste Combustion Facilities Operator - Site Specific Operator
American Society of Mechanical Engineers International
Specialty
WSO - Certified Governmental Safety Specialist
World Safety Organization
Core
Environmental Professional In-Training
Board for Global EHS Credentialing
Advanced
Certified Energy Manager
Association of Energy Engineers
Advanced
Managing Recycling Systems
Solid Waste Association of North America
Advanced
Managing Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems
Solid Waste Association of North America
Advanced
Manager of Landfill Operations
Solid Waste Association of North America
State vs State

Compare any two states.

Pre-license hours and fees vary widely. Pick two states to see the gap.

Left
Right
Varies
Pre-license hours
Varies
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Exam fee
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License fee
Varies
Contractors State License Board
Issuing board
Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
Frequently Asked

Questions people ask.

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