50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Illinois Professional Engineer Licensing—A Complete Guide

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Due to the immense responsibilities of professional engineers, such as ensuring the safety and functionality of structures or systems, the state of Illinois requires individuals and organizations to meet specific criteria and get certified to perform engineering work.

Researching and meeting these requirements can be quite demanding, potentially taking up considerable time that could be invested in advancing your career and growing your business.

To help reduce your compliance workload, this guide will go over the Illinois professional engineer licensing requirements, providing essential information on the state’s rules and regulations. You'll also discover Harbor Compliance—a dedicated partner that can help you simplify the licensing process.

Who Is an Illinois Professional Engineer?

An Illinois professional engineer is an individual authorized to provide engineering services in the state. To become a professional engineer in Illinois, you must meet the strict conditions specified in the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989, including educational and experiential requirements.

Individuals with the professional engineer designation can undertake projects that involve consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, and design of engineering works and systems.

Illinois offers two categories of licenses to engineers:

  1. Professional engineer—A license for individuals who have met all educational, examination, and experience requirements.
  2. Engineer intern—Issued to individuals in the process of meeting the full licensure requirements.

Illinois Engineering License Requirements

Depending on the entity applying, Illinois professional engineering license requirements fall into two groups:

  1. Individual
  2. Engineering firm

Individual Professional Engineer License Requirements

To become a professional engineer in Illinois, one must meet the following requirements:

  • Education—Applicants should hold a Baccalaureate degree from an EAC/ABET—or CEAB-accredited program. If they do not have such a degree, a National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) credential evaluation can be used if it meets the NCEES Engineering Education Standard.
  • Experience—Four years of acceptable professional (non-structural) engineering experience is required.
  • Examination—Applicants must pass two examinations. The first is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, typically taken after earning a bachelor’s degree. The second is the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which can be taken after gaining the required professional experience.
    • As of April 2024, the NCEES Civil/Structural Discipline of the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination is no longer accepted. Applicants must pass any other eight-hour professional engineering examination.

Engineering Firm License Requirements

Businesses offering professional engineering services in Illinois must meet the following conditions:

  • Registration—The firm must be registered as a Professional Design Firm with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
  • Authorization—They must be authorized by the Illinois secretary of state to operate in the jurisdiction.
  • Licensed engineer—The firm must have a managing agent-in-charge who is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois. This individual oversees the firm's services, ensuring they are performed according to the professional standards and regulations set by the state.

Illinois Engineering License Renewal

After securing a professional engineer license in Illinois, you are required to renew it every two years. As part of the process, you must obtain 30 hours of professional development (PDHs), which can be broken down into two categories:

  1. Three core hours
  2. Twenty-seven elective hours

If you have gained additional hours between June 1 and November 30 of the renewal year, you can carry over up to 15 hours to the next renewal cycle.

If an individual’s license has been expired for less than five years, the renewal process is slightly different. In this case, the person should initiate reinstatement by submitting a written request to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, including the following details:

  • Full name and email address
  • The license number
  • Current address
  • Proof of completion of 30 PDHs within the last 24 months
  • Child support statement

You must also pay a fee for each missed renewal. If your license has been inactive for over five years, contact the license maintenance unit.

While the renewal process seems straightforward, the requirements can change regularly. Given the demanding nature of the engineering profession, it can be helpful to partner with a provider who can keep you informed about regulatory updates. This strategic move can eliminate the need to track these changes manually and free up time for more impactful work.

At Harbor Compliance, we monitor professional license requirements and track updates across multiple states. We help you stay informed about legal changes, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

Harbor Compliance—Simplifying Engineering Licensing Process for Individuals and Firms

Harbor Compliance’s comprehensive Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions help professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors with their licensing needs, namely for:

  • Engineering Firms
  • Geoscience Firms
  • Land Surveying Firms

Our Software Suite, powered by Compliance Core™, has a database containing information on over 800 AEC licensing requirements in all states. It replaces traditional methods like manual tracking using spreadsheets, reducing the risk of errors.

In addition, Harbor Compliance’s software automatically updates license details and renewal dates, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in maintaining regulatory standing.

The table below shows the modules included in our Software Suite:

Module Value
Entity Manager

Entity Manager allows full visibility of your entities and compliance status. It helps automate annual report and compliance tracking, maintain good standing and avoid late fees and penalties, and ensure continuity through organizational changes. It also offers:

  • Data visualization
  • Reference database
  • Agency integration
License Manager License Manager eliminates the need for spreadsheets for tracking state requirements by enabling seamless license management, research, and renewal.
Tax Manager Tax Manager efficiently monitors federal, state, and local tax registrations, reducing the time spent gaining insights into key tax account information.
Records Manager This module helps you store organizational documents specific to your type of entity. It also lets you track ownership and leadership and customize meeting notifications.
Requirements Research Engine

This module enables you to research licensing requirements for your organization prior to expanding into new states/markets. It’s a searchable window into the proprietary reference database called “LicenseIQ™.” The database contains detailed information about license requirements, including the agencies they’re filed with, contact information for those agencies, links to agency websites and search tools, step-by-step instructions on how to file for a given license, fees, different prerequisites, required attachments, processing times, and links to state statutes.

Benefits of Opting for Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions by Harbor Compliance

Partnering with Harbor Compliance has several benefits, including the following:

  • Access to specialists—You gain direct access to a dedicated team of specialists who understand the unique regulatory challenges engineering firms face and can help with registration and licensing in multiple states. With our service, you can focus on your core competencies, knowing that regulatory matters are handled by experts.
  • Responsive support—We address your queries and concerns on time so you can have peace of mind and concentrate on regular operations without worrying about regulatory issues.
  • Fast service—Our service is designed for speed, from preparing applications to tracking renewals, helping you stay up-to-date with licensing requirements without delays. This approach ensures you can focus on your professional development and growth.

Ordering Harbor Compliance’s Engineering Licensing Service

To entrust us with handling your professional engineering licensing needs, complete the following steps:

  1. Visit the registration page
  2. Fill out the form with your personal information
  3. Select Engineering from the industry options
  4. Submit the form

Depending on the extent to which you wish to delegate your licensing workload, we offer three flexible service options:

  1. Fully managed—Harbor Compliance takes over most of the licensing duties, including application preparation and renewal tracking, freeing you from administrative tasks. This service option applies only to company licenses.
  2. Self-managed—This option is ideal if you prefer more control over the licensing process. While you handle most tasks, you’ll get access to our proprietary software (License Manager).
  3. Hybrid—This solution allows you to delegate certain activities to Harbor Compliance while retaining control over others, offering a balance between autonomy and support. This flexibility ensures you get the right level of assistance that suits your specific needs.

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

Beyond helping individuals and businesses obtain necessary licenses in the architecture and engineering sectors, we offer additional services to help you stay on top of other obligations. Check out the table below for more details:

Category Services
Document filing and retrieval Includes drop-off filing, obtaining certified copies, acquiring a certificate of good standing, articles of reinstatement, and a certificate of authority.
Entity lifecycle management Our services in this category include DBA registration, initial and annual reports, amendments, name reservation, and withdrawal.
Registered agent service We have local offices in every state, providing services like appointment and change of registered agent.
Business licensing support We provide licensing support for various sectors, including construction.
Beneficial ownership information reporting We assist with beneficial ownership information reporting through our Records Manager software and the BOI reporting service.
Nonprofit formation We help with nonprofit formation through services like incorporation, charitable registration, and 501(c) tax exemption.
Tax services We offer tax services like payroll tax registration, Employer Identification Number (EIN) acquisition, and sales and use tax registration.
Check Your Status For Free Understand your current status and see recommended actions. Get Your Free Harbor Compliance Score
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Company Licenses

Illinois Engineering Company Licenses

Illinois Geology Firm License

Not required



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

More information: Illinois Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists

Illinois Professional Design Firm Registration

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Law:

225 ILCS 305/21; 225 ILCS 325/23; 225 ILCS 330/25; and 225 ILCS 340/19

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships (GP, LP, LLP)
  • Sole Proprietorship
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least one Illinois licensed professional, who is a director and full-time employee, must be designated through a resolution as the managing agent in responsible charge of the practice for each professional service offered by the firm.
  • Firms that provide architectural services are required to have at least 2/3 of their board of directors licensed in any state to practice architecture, professional engineering, structural engineering or land surveying.

Professional Corporations:

  • All of the directors, officers, and shareholders must be individuals who are licensed in one of the professions offered by the firm or a related profession.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • All of the managers and members must be individuals who are licensed in one of the professions offered by the firm or a related profession.

Partnerships:

  • At least one Illinois licensed professional, who is a partner and full-time employee, must be designated through a resolution as the managing agent in responsible charge of the practice for each professional service offered by the firm.
  • Firms that provide architectural services are required to have at least 2/3 of their partners licensed in any state to practice architecture, professional engineering, structural engineering or land surveying.
Notes:

The Illinois Secretary of State requires that all businesses organized as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and who plan to provide professional services which are regulated/licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, must register as a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) with the IL SOS or have an assumed name listed as a PLLC.

 

Sole Proprietorships: Registration is not required for a licensed sole proprietor who offers or provides design services in his or her individual name and is not employing other individuals to perform work for which professional licensure is required. However, any sole proprietorship conducting business as a design professional under an assumed name must register as a professional design firm. Any sole proprietorship not owned by an Illinois licensed design professional is prohibited from offering professional services to the public.

Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • Managing Agent Requirement: The organization, through official Board Resolution of the organization's Board of Directors/Members/Partners, must appoint a Managing Agent who is licensed in Illinois for the profession(s) in which the organization plans to offer and who
    will be responsible for the respective profession(s) in Illinois.
    • The managing agent must be a full-time employee of the business organization. For the profession of architecture, the named Managing Agent must also be a director, member, or partner of the business organization. A Firm may appoint more than one managing agent for a profession if desired. 
    • An individual can only be named Managing Agent of a profession for one firm at a given time.
    • A Resolution must be made for each Managing Agent that is being appointed.
    • If the fi rm’s practice includes architecture, the licensee designated as the managing agent for architecture must be a member of the board of directors, full partner, or member of PLLC or LLP and stated as such in the resolution.
    • The engineering profession must be specifi ed as either Professional Engineering or Structural Engineering. 
Requirement Notes:

Special Requirement for the practice of Architecture: Two-thirds of the individuals who make up the business organization's Board of Directors/Members/Partners must be
licensed in any of the four applicable design professions (in Illinois or any U.S. State/territory), with one being licensed in Illinois as an architect who will function as the Managing Agent for the firm.

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Design Firm Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail your completed application, fee, and support documents to:


Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation,
Attn: Division of Professional Regulation, Design/PSS4
P.O. Box 7007
Springfield, Illinois 62791

Agency Fee:

$75

Turnaround:

~2 weeks. Confirmation will be sent to applicants via email.

Before you Apply:

Foreign Qualification - YES
Certificate of Good Standing - YES (from Illinois)
Certified Copy of Articles of Incorporation - YES, The Purpose Clause must note each profession your firm plans to offer. 
Annual Report - YES (a filed copy of the latest Annual Report with the Illinois Secretary of State identifying the current directors)
members, and partners.
Name: Requires board approval if an assumed name is used
Ownership/ Entity:

  • Business Corporations: The purpose clause must be specific to the profession(s) for which the design firm is seeking registration, (i.e. professional engineering).
  • Professional Corporations: All of the directors, officers, and shareholders must be individuals who are licensed in one of the professions offered by the firm or a related profession.
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies: All of the managers and members must be individuals who are licensed in one of the professions offered by the firm or a related profession.
  • Partnerships: At least one Illinois licensed professional, who is a partner and full-time employee, must be designated through a resolution as the managing agent in responsible charge of the practice for each professional service offered by the firm. Firms that provide architectural services are required to have at least 2/3 of their partners licensed in any state to practice architecture, professional engineering, structural engineering or land surveying.
  • The firm must provide the name of each director, member or partner of the firm who is a licensed design professional, as well as their license number and state of licensure. If the individual is licensed in more than one jurisdiction, only a copy of the active license of main practice is required.
  • The firm must provide a list of all Illinois office locations.

Qualified Party:

  • At least one Illinois licensed professional, who is a director and full-time employee, must be designated through a resolution as the managing agent in responsible charge of the practice for each professional service offered by the firm.
  • Obtain a copy of a signed board resolution designating the Illinois licensed design professional(s) as the managing agent(s) of the firm (to be filed with license application). The resolution must include the licensee's name and Illinois license number, that the licensee is a full-time employee of the firm, the licensee's relationship to the firm, e.g. director (if applicable), and that the licensee has been designated as the managing agent in charge of that professional practice in Illinois.
     
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Illinois Secretary of State - Business Services Department.
  2. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing and a copy of the most recently filed annual report from the Illinois Secretary of State - Business Services Department (these documents are not required if your entity was formed within one year of submitting your firm license application).
  3. If applicable, obtain a filed copy of the application with the Illinois Secretary of State to adopt an assumed name and the letter issued by the Illinois Secretary of State approving the assumed name (to be filed with the license application).
  4. Submit a Professional Design Firm Registration Application to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Illinois Secretary of State - Business Services Department.
  2. Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing and a copy of the most recently filed annual report from the Illinois Secretary of State - Business Services Department (these documents are not required if your entity was formed within one year of submitting your firm license application).
  3. If applicable, obtain a filed copy of the application with the Illinois Secretary of State to adopt an assumed name and the letter issued by the Illinois Secretary of State approving the assumed name (to be filed with the license application).
  4. Submit a Professional Design Firm Registration Application to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Required Attachments:
  • Articles of incorporation (or equivalent for any type of business entity)
  • Certificate of good standing with the Illinois Dept of State
  • Annual report identifying directors/members/partners designating licensed engineers
  • Resolution stating the designated licensed professionals and their license information
  • A filed copy of the application with the Illinois Secretary of State to adopt an assumed name and the letter issued by the state approving the assumed name (if applicable)
  • Limited Power of Attorney - Third Party Authorization Form (F2523), if applicable

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$75

Due:

By April 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewals may be filed as early as 3 months prior to the expiration date.

Notes:

Renewal notices are mailed 2 months prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:

Amendment

Form:

Change of Managing Agent

Filing Method:

Email to fpr.lmu@illinois.gov

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

If the managing agent status changes, the professional design firm must notify the Department by mail within 10 business days and notify within 30 days of the name and license number of the newly designated managing agent by submitting a Resolution of the board/members/partners and the seal and signature of the new managing agent.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Reinstatement

Form:

Professional Design Firm Reinstatement Request

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$75 for each renewal period missed + $50 late fee

Notes:

If the license has been expired for 5 or more years, the license holder should apply for a new license.

Required Attachments:
  • Certificate of Good Standing from the Illinois Secretary of State. Not required for partnerships or sole proprietors
    using their SSN.
  • A Board resolution appointing the Managing Agent for each profession that the firm offers. For an Architect Managing Agent, the individual must be a Director/Member/Partner of the Firm, pursuant to the Architecture Act that 2/3rds of the Board members are licensed design professionals in a U.S. jurisdiction.
  • A list of the current Board of Directors/Members/Partners with their applicable professional license numbers.
  • Limited Power of Attorney - Third Party Authorization Form (F2523), if applicable

Individual Licenses

Illinois Individual Engineering Licenses

Illinois Engineer Intern License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Engineer Intern enrollment - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$20

Notes:

Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Illinois Professional Engineer License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

The licensee may provide, at his or her sole discretion, an original signature in the licensee's handwriting, a scanned copy of the document bearing an original signature, or a signature generated by a computer.

Illinois Admin Code Title 68 § 1380.295

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

Every licensed professional engineer shall have a reproducible seal or facsimile, which may be computer generated, the impression of which shall contain the name, the license number of the professional engineer, and the words "Licensed Professional Engineer of Illinois". A professional engineer shall seal all documents prepared by or under the direct supervision and control of the professional engineer. Any document that bears the name of a professional design firm, rather than bearing the name of the individual licensed professional engineer responsible for the document, shall be deemed an invalid seal. The individual licensee's written signature and date of signing, along with the date of license expiration, shall be placed adjacent to the seal.

Illinois Admin Code Title 68 § 1380.295

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:
  • Applicants submitting an NCEES Record as supplemental documentation to the application are not required to submit exam or license certifications, official transcript(s) or complete the VE-PNG form as long as the information is included in the record.
  • NCEES record holders should request their record be sent to the Illinois PE Board prior to applying for their license as it may take NCEES up to four weeks to transmit the record.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$60

Due:

By November 30 of odd-numbered years.

Illinois Professional Geologist License

Agency:Illinois Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

The board generally allows for the use of electronic signatures although no official rules regarding their use have been published.

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The board generally allows the use of digital seals although no official rules regarding their use have been published.

Initial Registration

Form:

Geologist Examination Application

Agency Fee:

$250

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Geologist Endorsement

Agency Fee:

$250

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

By March 31 of odd-numbered years.

Illinois Professional Land Surveyor License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application

Agency Fee:

$150

Notes:
  • An official state certification/verification for proof of active licensure/registration in the current state/territory must be submitted through the NCEES system to the Illinois PLS Board OR via email from the state board to: FPR.DesignUnit@illinois.gov
  • If not submitting an NCEES Record, the Board allows for self-verification of land surveying experience under the applicant’s own license. Complete the VE-LSR form as your own supervisor.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$60

Due:

By November 30 of even-numbered years.

Illinois Professional Land Surveyor-in-Training License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application

Agency Fee:

$70

Renewal Not Required

Not required



A license for a Land Surveyor-in-Training is valid for 10 years and may not be renewed.

Illinois Structural Engineer Intern License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Initial Registration

Form:

Structural Engineering Examination/License Application

Agency Fee:

$50

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Illinois Structural Engineer License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

The licensee may provide, at his or her sole discretion, an original signature in the licensee's handwriting, a scanned copy of the document bearing an original signature, or a signature generated by a computer.

Illinois Admin Code Title 68 § 1380.295

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

Every licensed professional engineer shall have a reproducible seal or facsimile, which may be computer generated, the impression of which shall contain the name, the license number of the professional engineer, and the words "Licensed Professional Engineer of Illinois". A professional engineer shall seal all documents prepared by or under the direct supervision and control of the professional engineer. Any document that bears the name of a professional design firm, rather than bearing the name of the individual licensed professional engineer responsible for the document, shall be deemed an invalid seal. The individual licensee's written signature and date of signing, along with the date of license expiration, shall be placed adjacent to the seal.

Illinois Admin Code Title 68 § 1380.295

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for SE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online.

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Application for SE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:
  • Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online.
  • NCEES record holders should request their record be sent to the Illinois Board prior to applying for their license as it may take NCEES up to four weeks to transmit the record.
  • If not submitting an NCEES Record, the Board allows for self-verification of land surveying experience under the applicant’s own license. Complete the VE-SEG form as your own supervisor

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$60

Due:

By November 30 of even-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Illinois Swimming Facility Architect and Professional Engineer Prequalification

Agency:Illinois Department of Public Health - Division of Environmental Health
Law:

Illinois Administrative Code tit. 77 §820.500

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Prequalification Application for Architects and Professional Engineers

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

Approximately 30 business days

Required Attachments:
  • Copy of IDFPR Professional Engineer or Architect license
  • Project Experience Documentation

Registration Renewal

Form:

Prequalification Application for Architects and Professional Engineers

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

The initial prequalification will be valid for one year from the date of issuance. Subsequent prequalification will be valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. 

Notes:

Renewal notices will be sent out approximately 60 days prior to the expiration of the license. 

Required Attachments:
  • Copy of IDFPR Professional Engineer or Architect license
  • Proof of completion of the Department's required annual swimming facility prequalification training

Amendment

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 calendar days of the change.

Notes:

Any changes to information contained in the prequalification application should be submitted to the department in writing no less than 30 calendar days after the change. 

Illinois Professional Engineer FAQs

Below, we’ll answer some common questions about Illinois professional engineer licensing. For more details, visit our extensive Information Center.

Yes, you can get a PE license without an engineering degree in Illinois. You’ll have to submit an NCEES credential evaluation meeting the NCEES Engineering Education Standard and possess eight years of relevant (non-structural engineering) experience.

The difference between a professional engineer (PE) and a structural engineer (SE) in Illinois is that a PE is authorized to engage in any type of engineering work they have the knowledge, competency, and ability to perform, except for structural engineering. A structural engineer is licensed to perform services that may include designing or analyzing structures such as bridges, columns, girders, foundations, load calculations, retaining walls, and more. Both are licensed separately.

To maintain a PE license in Illinois, you are required to obtain 30 hours of professional development that meets specific requirements for each renewal cycle. This includes a minimum of one hour for each of the following:

  • Sexual harassment prevention training
  • Programs in the area of Illinois statutes and rules that regulate professional engineers
  • Programs in the area of professional conduct and ethics

You must also renew your license every two years.

Engage With Harbor Compliance To Secure Your Firm’s Professional Engineering License in Illinois

Obtaining and maintaining your engineering firm licenses requires staying informed about the relevant regulations, which often change with shifts in industry standards and state laws. Tracking these changes manually can be time-consuming and complex, potentially increasing your workload.

To stay informed on new regulations and have peace of mind knowing your licensing requirements are being managed effectively, order our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions.

If you need to assess your regulatory standing in Illinois or other states, use the Harbor Compliance Score™. You can also inquire about our additional services or schedule a demo of our software to see how it can help you with licensing across multiple jurisdictions. If you have questions about our services, reach out to us or visit our help center.

For more details on how we can help you obtain a professional engineer license in various states, refer to the table below:

Alabama Engineering License Alaska Engineering License Arizona Engineering License Arkansas Engineering License California Engineering License Colorado Engineering License Connecticut Engineering License Delaware Engineering License District of Columbia Engineering License Florida Engineering License Georgia Engineering License Hawaii Engineering License Idaho Engineering License
Illinois Engineering License Indiana Engineering License Iowa Engineering License Kansas Engineering License Kentucky Engineering License Louisiana Engineering License Maine Engineering License Maryland Engineering License Massachusetts Engineering License Michigan Engineering License Minnesota Engineering License Mississippi Engineering License Missouri Engineering License
Montana Engineering License Nebraska Engineering License Nevada Engineering License New Hampshire Engineering License New Jersey Engineering License New Mexico Engineering License New York Engineering License North Carolina Engineering License North Dakota Engineering License Ohio Engineering License Oklahoma Engineering License Oregon Engineering License Pennsylvania Engineering License
Rhode Island Engineering License South Carolina Engineering License South Dakota Engineering License Tennessee Engineering License Texas Engineering License Utah Engineering License Vermont Engineering License Virginia Engineering License Washington Engineering License West Virginia Engineering License Wisconsin Engineering License Wyoming Engineering License

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.

Revised April 11, 2025. Complete data last reviewed February 20, 2023.
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