50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Alabama Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Alabama.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Alabama for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Alabama Engineering Company Licenses

Alabama Certificate of Authorization for Engineering

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Law:

Alabama Code § 34-11-9

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.

Professional Corporations:

  • All shareholders, at least one director and the president of a professional corporation must be qualified persons.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.
Notes:

A firm shall designate a resident professional engineer or a resident professional land surveyor, as applicable, in each branch office in which engineering or land surveying services for the state are offered or provided. The resident professional shall be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of that branch office.

Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • A firm shall designate a managing agent and a resident professional if offering or performing Alabama services in multiple offices. The managing agent and the resident professional may be the same individual.
  • The following criteria shall apply to a firm’s designation of a managing agent:
    • A firm shall designate a professional engineer or a professional land surveyor to be a managing agent for the firm.
    • The managing agent is responsible for the engineering or land surveying work in the state and for projects within the state offered or provided by the firm.
    • A licensee may not be designated as a managing agent for more than one firm unless the firms share a location.
    • A licensee who renders occasional, part-time, or consulting engineering or land surveying services to or for a firm may not be designated as a managing agent.
  • The managing agent's responsibilities include all of the following:
    • Renewal of the firm's certificate of authorization and notification to the board of any change in the managing agent.
    • Overall administrative supervision of the firm's licensed and subordinate personnel providing the engineering or land surveying work in the state.
    • Ensuring that the policies of the firm are in accordance with the rules of professional conduct adopted by the board.

Initial Registration

This section applies to engineering firms that are applying for a license in Alabama for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

3-4 weeks

Notes:
  • If your company offers both engineering and land surveying services, you will need to have separate certificates of authorization for engineering and land surveying.
  • If your firm's name contains the word "engineering" (or any modification of that word), you must submit the certificate of authorization application to the Board before attempting to reserve the firm's name with the office
    of the Alabama Secretary of State
Before you Apply:
  • List all offices where engineering work is performed for projects in Alabama.
  • List the Alabama licensed PE physically located at each office.
    • The listed Alabama PE must be a full time employee of the firm and be in responsible charge of the engineering work performed for Alabama projects at that office
    • The managing agent must be the senior technical person that has a current Alabama PE license and make significant technical and/or contractual judgments on behalf of the firm.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. Apply for name reservation through the Secretary of State. Entities whose name contains some form of 'engineer' must have their name approved by the Board of Engineers before reserving their name.
  2. Form your business entity with the Secretary of State and apply for a firm license through the Board of Engineers (these filings can be made concurrently).

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Apply for name reservation through the Secretary of State. Entities whose name contains some form of 'engineer' must have their name approved by the Board of Engineers before reserving their name.
  2. Foreign qualify your business entity with the Secretary of State (if required) and apply for a firm license through the Board of Engineers (these filings can be made concurrently).

Registration Renewal

This section applies to engineering firms that are already licensed in Alabama and need to renew their license.

Instructions:

How to Renew Certificate of Authorization

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Required Attachments:
  • List of branch office locations including licensee in responsible charge

Amendment

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Any change to persons listed on the license application must be reported within 30 days of the change.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Required Attachments:

Attachments needed if you are adding a branch office or changing the person in charge for corporate, LLC, or LLP:

  • A completed CA application with the amended block checked and submit to the board office within 30 days of the change. 

Attachments needed if you are changing the name of corporate, LLP, or LLP :

  • A completed CA application with the amended block checked and submit to the board office within 30 days of the change. 
  • Contact the SoS's office to change the company name. 

Reinstatement

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$350

Alabama Certificate of Authorization for Land Surveying

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Law:

Alabama Code Section 34-11-9 

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Corporations
  • Professional Corporations 
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Limited Liability Partnerships 

.

Ownership Requirements:
  • Corporations
    • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
  • Professional Corporations
    • All shareholders, at least one director and the president of a professional corporation must be qualified persons.
  • Limited Liability Companies
    • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
    • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
    • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
Notes:

A firm shall designate a resident professional engineer or a resident professional land surveyor, as applicable, in each branch office in which engineering or land surveying services for the state are offered or provided.  The resident professional shall be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of that branch office.

Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • A firm shall designate a managing agent and a resident professional if offering or performing Alabama services in multiple offices.  The managing agent and the resident professional may be the same individual.
  • The following criteria shall apply to a firm’s designation of a managing agent:
    • A firm shall designate a professional engineer or a professional land surveyor to be a managing agent for the firm.
    • The managing agent is responsible for the engineering or land surveying work in the state and for projects within the state offered or provided by the firm.
    • A licensee may not be designated as a managing agent for more than one firm unless the firms share a location.
    • A licensee who renders occasional, part-time, or consulting engineering or land surveying services to or for a firm may not be designated as a managing agent.
  • The managing agent's responsibilities include all of the following:
    • Renewal of the firm's certificate of authorization and notification to the board of any change in the managing agent.
    • Overall administrative supervision of the firm's licensed and subordinate personnel providing the engineering or land surveying work in the state.
    • Ensuring that the policies of the firm are in accordance with the rules of professional conduct adopted by the board.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

3-4 weeks

Notes:

If your company offers both engineering and land surveying services, you will need to have separate certificates of authorization for engineering and land surveying. 

How to Apply:

A firm required to be qualified by the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office to do business in Alabama may file such qualification documents concurrently with an Engineering Certificate of Authorization application.
Exception: If the firm name contains the word “surveying” (or any derivation of the word), then Board approval must be gained before registering with the Secretary of State

Registration Renewal

Instructions:

How to Renew Certificate of Authorization

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Notes:

If your company offers both engineering and land surveying services, you will need to have separate certificates of authorization for engineering and land surveying. 

Amendment

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Any change to the officers, partners, or individuals in responsible charge of your firm must be reported within 30 days of the change.

Reinstatement

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$350

Alabama Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Alabama.

More information: Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists

Individual Licenses

Alabama Individual Engineering Licenses

Alabama Engineer Intern Certification

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Notes:

Applicants can qualify for certification in one of four ways:

  • 4 Yr ABET Engineering Degree + FE Exam
  • 4 Yr Unaccredited Engineering Degree + 2 Yrs Experience + FE Exam
  • 4 Yr TAC Engineering Technology Degree w/ABET + MS Engineering Degree + 2 Yrs Experience + FE Exam
  • 4 Yr Related Science Degree w/ABET + MS Engineering Degree + 2 Yrs Experience + FE Exam

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$25

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Alabama Geologist License

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Electronic signatures may be used as long as all involved parties agree to their use.

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The seal, signature, and serial number of a licensee on a document constitute a certification that the document was prepared by the licensee or under his/her direct supervision or that he/she has reviewed the document in sufficient depth to fully coordinate and assume responsibility for plans prepared by another geologist. A geological report, document, or illustration cannot be submitted in the name of a corporation, company, or partnership without the signature and seal of the licensed geologist accepting the responsibility for the work described. Geological documents include any document, illustration, or paper (including those electronically or photostatically reproduced), resulting from professional services or supervision of professional services, where such services requires the application of geological principles or data. When appropriate, use of electronic or digital reproduction of the seal or stamp is allowed, provided the reproduction is in accordance with 364-X-11-.02 and 364-X-11-.03(3).

AL Admin Code ch. 364-x-11-.03(1)

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensing as a Geologist

Agency Fee:

$150 application fee + $150 license fee.

Notarization Required?:Required

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Application for Licensing as a Geologist

Agency Fee:

$150 application fee + $150 license fee.

Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:

Reciprocal applicants must request a Letter of Good Standing be sent from the reciprocal state directly to the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Biennially by the end of the month of initial registration.

Penalties:

There is a $100 late fee if not renewed by 90 days after the expiration date.

Alabama Geologist-in-Training Certification

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensing as a Geologist

Agency Fee:

$150 application fee + $75 license fee.

Notarization Required?:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$75

Due:

Biennially by the end of the month of initial registration.

Penalties:

There is a $100 late fee if not renewed by 90 days after the expiration date.

Alabama Land Surveyor Intern Certification

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Notes:

Applicants can qualify for certification in one of four ways:

  • BS Surveying Degree + FS Exam
  • BSCE degree including 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours Surveying courses + FS Exam
  • BS Related to Surveying Degree including 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours Surveying Courses + 1 year experience + FS Exam
  • BS Related Science Degree (math or other program related to surveying) + 2 years experience + FS Exam

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$25

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Interns are not longer required to renew their certificates.

Alabama Professional Engineer License

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Drawings, plans, specifications, plats, reports, and other documents considered work product issued by a licensee must be sealed, signed, and dated in accordance with rules of the board, thereby certifying that he or she is competent in the subject matter and is responsible for the work product. A digital signature may be used in lieu of a handwritten signature.

Code of Alabama § 34-11-7

Drawings, reports, or documents that are signed using a digital signature, as defined in 330-X-.02(10), shall contain authentication procedures.

AL Admin Code ch. 330-x-11-.02(5)

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

Rubber stamps and computer generated seals identical in size, design and content with the approved seals may be used by the licensee.

AL Admin Code ch. 330-x-11-.02(4)

A computer generated seal or facsimile is acceptable only when the signature of the professional engineer or professional land surveyor and the date the document was signed are on or adjacent to the computer generated or facsimile seal. Any variation from this procedure must be submitted to and approved by the Board. Drawings, specifications, plans, reports, or documents which do not require certification may be transmitted electronically but shall have the generated seal, if any, removed before transmitting and shall have the following inserted in lieu of the signature and date: “This document originally issued and sealed by (name of licensee), P.E. #______/P.L.S.#______ on (date of sealing). This document should not be considered a certified document.”

AL Admin Code ch. 330-x-11-.03(8)

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125

Notes:

Comity with NCEES Record

  1. Create an account to start the application process. You will be required to complete the following sections even if you have an NCEES Record - Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence, Exam Verification, Academic Degree, Licenses, Affidavit Questions and NCEES Record.
  2. Once you indicate you have an NCEES Record, the Board will receive an email from the database system to check with NCEES to see if your record has been transmitted. Once it has, the record will be downloaded and reviewed.
  3. The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the NCEES Record. If everything matches up, you will receive an email to log back into your My BELS account to pay and submit your application. If there are issues with your application and record, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
  4. Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to issue a license. You will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information.

 

Comity without NCEES Record & Initial Licensure

  1. If you have not previously filed an application with the Board, create an account to start the application process. If you previously filed an application, you would log into your My BELS account to start the application process.
  2. You will be required to complete the following sections:
    1. Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence
    2. Exam Verification
    3. Academic Degree
    4. Work Experiences
    5. References
    6. Licenses (if applicable)
    7. Affidavit Questions
  3. The application cannot be submitted until all of your verifiers and references have responded.
  4. The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the exam verification, transcript(s), experience verifications, references and background check. If everything matches up, your application will go to final review. If there are issues with your application, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
  5. Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to issue a license. You will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Alabama Professional Land Surveyor License

Agency:Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125

Notes:

Comity with NCEES Record

  1. Create an account to start the application process. You will be required to complete the following sections even if you have an NCEES Record - Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence, Exam Verification, Academic Degree, Licenses, Affidavit Questions and NCEES Record.
  2. Once you indicate you have an NCEES Record, the Board will receive an email from the database system to check with NCEES to see if your record has been transmitted. Once it has, the record will be downloaded and reviewed.
  3. The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the NCEES Record. If everything matches up, you will receive an email to log back into your My BELS account to pay and submit your application. If there are issues with your application and record, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
  4. Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to receive notification you’ve been approved to sit for the ALSS exam.
  5. You’ll then submit your ALSS exam fee when you are ready to test. If you pass the exam, you will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information. Your certificate will be mailed separately within 2 weeks to the primary address on file.
     

Comity without NCEES Record & Initial Licensure

  1. If you have not previously filed an application with the Board, create an account to start the application process. If you previously filed an application, you would log into your My BELS account to start the application process.
  2. You will be required to complete the following sections:
    1. Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence
    2. Exam Verification
    3. Academic Degree
    4. Work Experiences
    5. References
    6. Licenses (if applicable)
    7. Affidavit Questions
  3. The application cannot be submitted until all of your verifiers and references have responded.
  4. The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the exam verification, transcript(s), experience verifications, references and background check. If everything matches up, your application will go to final review. If there are issues with your application, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
  5. Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to receive notification you’ve been approved to sit for the ALSS exam.
  6. You’ll then submit your ALSS exam fee when you are ready to test. If you pass the exam, you will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information. Your certificate will be mailed separately within 2 weeks to the primary address on file.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.