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
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| 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. |
| How to Apply: | In California, entity registration with the Secretary of State and an Organizational Record Form with the Board for Engineers can be applied for concurrently. |
| Fact Checked: | 5/28/20 |
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 |
| Fact Checked: | 4/27/18 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $115 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the assigned quarterly renewal period. |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
California Engineering Geologist Certification
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 8/20/19 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for Licensure as a Professional Geologist or Geophysicist |
| Agency Fee: | $250 application fee + $100 examination fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $67.50 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the certificate holder's birth month. |
California Geologist-in-Training Certification
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 8/20/19 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for Certification as a Geologist-in-Training (GIT) |
| 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 |
| Fact Checked: | 7/3/18 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $275 |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $115 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the assigned quarterly renewal period. |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
California Hydrogeologist Certification
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 8/20/19 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for Licensure as a Professional Geologist or Geophysicist |
| Agency Fee: | $250 application fee + $100 examination fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $67.50 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the certificate holder's birth month. |
California Land Surveyor-in-Training Certification (LSIT)
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 6/4/19 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for Certification as an Engineer-in-Training or Land Surveyor-in-Training |
| Agency Fee: | $50 |
| Fact Checked: | 6/3/19 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
California Professional Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 7/3/18 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $115 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the assigned quarterly renewal period. |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
California Professional Geologist License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 8/20/19 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for Licensure as a Professional Geologist or Geophysicist |
| Agency Fee: | $250 application fee + exam fees. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $270 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the licensee's birth month. |
California Professional Geophysicist License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for Licensure as a Professional Geologist or Geophysicist |
| Agency Fee: | $250 application fee + $100 examination fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $270 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the licensee's birth month. |
California Professional Land Surveyor License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 6/4/19 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
| Fact Checked: | 6/3/19 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $115 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the assigned quarterly renewal period. |
| Fact Checked: | 6/3/19 |
California Structural Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
| Fact Checked: | 7/3/18 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $115 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the assigned quarterly renewal period. |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
California Traffic Engineer License
| Agency: | California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $275 |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $115 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the assigned quarterly renewal period. |
| Fact Checked: | 11/2/18 |
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.
