Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
California Engineering Industry Licensing
Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in California.
This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in California 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.
Company Licenses
California Engineering Company Licenses
California Organization Record
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Law: | California Business and Professions Code § 1638 |
| Ownership Requirements: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $0 |
| Notes: | California does not issue a firm license for engineering, but firms are typically required to register and submit additional documentation. Separate forms are used for domestic and foreign firms. |
| Order of Operations: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Registrations do not expire, but firms must notify the board when entity information changes.
Individual Licenses
California Individual Engineering Licenses
California Civil Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $125 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $115 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Engineer-in-Training Certification (EIT)
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $50 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
California Engineering Geologist Certification
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $250 application fee + $100 examination fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $67.50 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Geologist-in-Training Certification
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $150 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
The certificate shall become invalid when the holder has qualified as a professional geologist.
California Geotechnical Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $275 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $115 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Hydrogeologist Certification
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $250 application fee + $100 examination fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $67.50 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Land Surveyor-in-Training Certification (LSIT)
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $50 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
California Professional Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $125 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $115 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Professional Geologist License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $250 application fee + exam fees. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $270 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Professional Geophysicist License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $250 application fee + $100 examination fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $270 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Professional Land Surveyor License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $125 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $115 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Structural Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $125 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $115 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
California Traffic Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $275 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Filing method: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
| Agency fee: | $115 |
| Due: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
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.
