50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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West Virginia Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in West Virginia.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in West Virginia 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

West Virginia Engineering Company Licenses

West Virginia Certificate of Authorization (Engineering)

Agency:West Virginia Board of Registration for Professional Engineers
Law:

WV Code § 30-13-17

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Limited Partnerships
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a West Virginia licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm in West Virginia.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a West Virginia licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm in West Virginia.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • All members must be licensed in a professional service performed by the PLLC.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a West Virginia licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm in West Virginia.
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Engineering Authorized Company Application

Agency Fee:

$0 for Sole Proprietorship, $100 for firms with 3 or fewer PEs, or $150 for firms with more than 3 PEs. 

Turnaround:

Applications are typically processed within 1-3 business days. Applicants will be notified by US mail. The total turnaround time to receive the approved certificate is usually 5-7 business days.

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a West Virginia licensed engineer to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's engineering activities in West Virginia.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a West Virginia licensed engineer to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's engineering activities in West Virginia.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate must dated within the same tax year as the date of filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File an Engineering Authorized Company Application with the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors for approval.
  2. After board approval, file the approved Authorized Company Application and entity formation documents with the West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division. Certain entitity types may also need to submit a Verification of Eligibility for Professional Business Organizations form.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File an Engineering Authorized Company Application with the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors for approval.
  2. After board approval, file the approved verification of eligibility and foreign qualification documents with the West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division. Certain entitity types may also need to submit a Verification of Eligibility for Professional Business Organizations form.

Registration Renewal

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

Form:Forms are sent in the mail.
Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$0 for Sole Proprietorship, $100 for firms with 3 or fewer PE's, or $500 for firms with more than 3

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Required Attachments:
  • List of officers of the firm including addresses and license numbers
  • Total number of employees in the firm
  • Total number of professional licensees employed by the firm
  • List of branch office locations

Amendment
Address Change

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

Firms can report a change in their address online.

Amendment
Name Change or Engineer-in-Charge Change

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Application (Amendment)

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Notes:

The Certificate of Authorization form can be used to :

  • Change compnay name 
  • Change engineer in responsbile charge
  • Obtain a new certificate or replace/duplicate certificates 
  • Request reinstatement 
  • Obtain first time COA 

Reinstatement

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Form

Agency Fee:

$0 for Sole Proprietor with no employees; $200 for Firm with 3 or fewer PE's; $700 for Firm with 4 or more PE's

West Virginia Certificate of Authorization (Land Surveying)

Agency:West Virginia Board of Professional Surveyors
Law:

W. Va. Code Chapter 30, Article 13 and West Virginia Code §30-13A-20 

Eligible Entity Types:

West virginia allows surveying firms to practice under most entity types, including corporations, professional corporations, LLCs, professional LLCs, and partnerships.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Surveying Certificate of Authorization Application

Agency Fee:

$100

How to Apply:
  1. Secretary of State: Foreign entity registration
  2. Board of Surveyors: Certificate of Authorization

Exception: If the firm’s name includes the word “Survey” or any version of that word, then a Certificate of Authorization must be applied for and granted from the Board of Engineers before submitting an application for registration with the WV Secretary of State.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Surveying Certificate of Authorization Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by December 31.

West Virginia Geology Firm License

Not required



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

Individual Licenses

West Virginia Individual Engineering Licenses

West Virginia Engineering Intern Certification

Agency:West Virginia Board of Registration for Professional Engineers
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Engineer Intern Certification Application Form

Agency Fee:

$25

Renewal Not Required

Not required



West Virginia Geologist License

Not required



Professional Geoscientist licensure is not required on the State level in West Virginia.

West Virginia Professional Engineer License

Agency:West Virginia Board of Registration for Professional Engineers
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The Board authorizes the electronic reproduction of a seal when the resulting facsimile meets the specifications of this rule. The registrant is repsonsible for the improper use of the seal on work not prepared either by the registrant or under his or her direct supervision.

CSR-WV § 7-1-11

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Engineer Exam Application or Professional Engineer Comity Application Form (Reciprocity/Comity applicants only). 

Instructions:
Agency Fee:

$80

Law:

WV Laws, Rules and Regulations for the engineering profession

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Notes:

The WV State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers will only accept application forms that print out exactly as the ones provided on this site. If the forms do not print out on your printer exactly as they appear on the screen, contact the WV Board office to request hard copies be sent to you through postal mail.

Before you Apply:
  • All comity applicants must submit evidence of an active PE license in the state where they live/work. If you have an up-to-date NCEES Record, the required documentation should be included in the transfer from NCEES.
Required Attachments:
  • One passport-like photo (headshot of applicant’s head and face) taken within six months of the date of application. Minimum size of photo is 2”x 3”. Printed digital photos or polaroids are acceptable. Your signature is required on the front of this photo. Improper or unrecognizable photos may result in your application being returned.
  • First-Time, Initial Licensure PE Applicant – An official copy of your Fundamentals of Engineering exam verification (excluding WV Engineer Interns) must be included in this package in a signed, sealed envelope from the granting State Board office or sent via the secure online NCEES Electronic Verification Process.
    • To expedite the paper process, it is recommended the applicant supply that State Board Office verifying the Examination/Licensure with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
    • The WV Board accepts electronic exam verifications from any state using the NCEES Verification System and recommends this quick, simple method to expedite the FE Exam verification process using the following link. 
  • Comity Applicant without NCEES Record – An official copy of Verification of Examination/Licensure Form for both your Fundamentals of Engineering certification and Professional Engineering license must be included in this package in a signed, sealed envelope from the granting State Board office(s) or sent via the secure online NCEES Electronic Verification Process.
    • WV Engineering Law also requires PE comity candidates to be licensed in the state where they currently live and/or work. Therefore, a completed Licensure Verification form (or electronic NCEES Verification) must be included in your packet from the State Board where you reside showing your license in that state is currently active.
    • The WV Board accepts electronic exam and license verifications from any state using the official NCEES Verification System and recommends this method to expedite the exam and license verification process.
  • Comity Applicant with NCEES Record - In order for the WV Board to receive your NCEES Record for consideration, it is your responsibility to contact NCEES to authorize transmittal of your Record files. Please do not submit your application until such NCEES Records have been requested. NCEES Record holders do not have to supply references, transcripts, employer verifications, or exam scores since this information is on file with NCEES. However, WV Law requires PE comity candidates to be licensed in the state where they currently reside. Therefore, a completed Licensure
    Verification form must be included in your packet from the State Board where you reside. The WV Board accepts electronic exam and license verifications from any state using the official NCEES Verification System and recommends this method to expedite the exam verification process. If your NCEES Record is up-to-date, the required documentation should already be included in the transfer from NCEES.

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

 Professional Engineer Comity Application Form

Instructions:
Agency Fee:

$80

Required Attachments:
  • One passport-like photo (headshot of applicant’s head and face) taken within six months of the date of application. Minimum size of photo is 2”x 3”. Printed digital photos or polaroids are acceptable. Your signature is required on the front of this photo. Improper or unrecognizable photos may result in your application being returned.
  • All comity applicants must submit evidence of an active PE license in the state where they live/work. If you have an up-to-date NCEES Record, the required documentation should be included in the transfer from NCEES.
  • Comity Applicant without NCEES Record – An official copy of Verification of Examination/Licensure Form for both your Fundamentals of Engineering certification and Professional Engineering license must be included in this package in a signed, sealed envelope from the granting State Board office(s) or sent via the secure online NCEES Electronic Verification Process.WV Engineering Law also requires PE comity candidates to be licensed in the state where they currently live and/or work. Therefore, a completed Licensure Verification form (or electronic NCEES Verification) must be included in your packet from the State Board where you reside showing your license in that state is currently active.
    The WV Board accepts electronic exam and license verifications from any state using the official NCEES Verification System and recommends this method to expedite the exam and license verification process.
  • Comity Applicant with NCEES Record - In order for the WV Board to receive your NCEES Record for consideration, it is your responsibility to contact NCEES to authorize transmittal of your Record files. Please do not submit your application until such NCEES Records have been requested. NCEES Record holders do not have to supply references, transcripts, employer verifications, or exam scores since this information is on file with NCEES. However, WV Law requires PE comity candidates to be licensed in the state where they currently reside. Therefore, a completed Licensure
    Verification form must be included in your packet from the State Board where you reside. The WV Board accepts electronic exam and license verifications from any state using the official NCEES Verification System and recommends this method to expedite the exam verification process. If your NCEES Record is up-to-date, the required documentation should already be included in the transfer from NCEES.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$70

Due:

By December 31 of even-numbered years.

West Virginia Professional Surveyor License

Agency:West Virginia Board of Professional Surveyors
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Registration to Practice Surveying

Agency Fee:

$200

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by June 30.

West Virginia Surveyor Intern Certification

Agency:West Virginia Board of Professional Surveyors
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

FS Education Application

Agency Fee:

$120

Renewal Not Required

Not required



All certificates shall expire 10 years from the passing date of the FS examination and cannot be renewed.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

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

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 February 20, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 20, 2023.
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