50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Philadelphia Structural Engineering

Learn everything you should know about structural engineering in Philadelphia. Discover Harbor Compliance—your dependable resource in managing licensing.

Your Guide to Structural Engineering in Philadelphia

Structural engineers immensely impact the safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of the city's built environment. As such, individuals who wish to practice as professional engineers in the state must meet stringent licensure requirements.

Still, the dynamic nature of the field and the relevant regulations can pose a challenge, especially for individuals who must balance work demands or engineering exam preparations and staying updated with state requirements.

To help reduce your licensure-related workload, this guide will explain the requirements for practicing structural engineering in Philadelphia. We will also introduce Harbor Compliance—a reliable partner who can help streamline the process and reduce potential lapses when seeking authorization to offer professional engineering services in the city or the entire state of Pennsylvania.

The Role of a Structural Engineer in Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, as in the rest of the commonwealth, a structural engineer is a professional with the legal authority to provide services in the design and oversight of construction projects. Whether working individually or as a firm, their responsibilities include:

  • Analysis of structural integrity—Structural engineers evaluate the load-bearing capacity of buildings and other structures to ensure they can withstand various forces. It includes assessing the strength of materials used, the stability of the ground, and the potential effects of environmental factors.
  • Formulation of design plans—They create detailed design plans for structures and specify the construction methods, materials to be used, and safety protocols to be followed. They also ensure designs meet building codes and regulations.
  • Supervision of construction processes—Philadelphia structural engineers oversee construction to ensure structures are built according to design plans. They monitor the quality of work, check for deviations from the plan, and suggest corrective actions when necessary.

Individuals are licensed by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, the agency that regulates professional engineers in the state. The Board sets the standards for practice, ensuring engineers uphold the highest levels of professionalism and technical competence in their work.

Philadelphia Structural Engineer—Qualification Requirements

The qualification requirements for offering structural engineering services in Philadelphia are the same as those for offering structural engineering services in the rest of the commonwealth and similarly vary depending on the entity seeking authorization, which can be:

  1. Individual structural engineers
  2. Structural engineering firms

Individual Structural Engineers

To operate as a licensed structural engineer in Philadelphia, an individual must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Education—The individual must have completed an undergraduate engineering program recognized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
  • Examinations—The individual must pass two examinations administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES): the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination and the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
  • Experience—The individual should have an engineer-in-training (EIT) certification and at least four years of experience after they secured the EIT authorizations.

Structural Engineering Firms

The state of Pennsylvania does not license structural engineering firms. Instead, it recognizes firms as individuals or groups of individuals working in a concerted effort. Still, businesses must meet certain conditions to provide structural engineering services statewide, including in Philadelphia. These requirements include:

  • Business registration—The organization must be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
  • Licensed engineer on staff—The business must have at least one licensed engineer on staff, also known as the “professional-in-responsible-charge,” ensuring a professional oversees and can take responsibility for the firm's work. If the professional-in-responsible-charge allows their license to lapse, the firm could lose its good standing. Companies should keep track of all the licenses held by employees (both by the professional-in-responsible-charge and other individuals) and their statuses to prevent such a situation from occurring. Monitoring the employees’ licenses can help with quickly finding a replacement for the professional-in-responsible-charge if needed.
  • Name registration—If a firm has "Engineer" in its name, it must register the name with the state, reducing the risk of misrepresentation and maintaining the profession's integrity.

Renewing Your Structural Engineering License in Philadelphia

After securing a professional structural engineer license in Pennsylvania, it enters a renewal cycle. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, licenses expire on September 30 of every odd-numbered year.

To renew your license, you must complete at least 24 Professional Development Hours (PDH) within the two-year cycle. These PDHs are educational units used to fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure. You can earn them through various activities, including the following:

  • Attending seminars
  • Engaging in self-study
  • Taking educational courses
  • Attending workshops and technical presentations

The renewal fee is $100. If the license is renewed more than 60 days after the due date, a late fee is charged.

You can apply for renewal online through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) or in person at the Permit and License Center.

Securing Your Professional Engineer License With Harbor Compliance

Designed for individuals and firms, Harbor Compliance's Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions can help reduce lapses during license application and renewal, providing structural engineers with peace of mind. A standout feature of these solutions is our License Manager. It provides information on over 800 licensing requirements throughout the U.S. and automatically updates changes in regulations, eliminating the need for tracking them using spreadsheets and file storage, which are time-consuming and prone to errors.

Our solutions can help architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals obtain critical licenses, such as:

  • Engineering Firm
  • Geoscience Firm
  • Land Surveying Firm

Besides the License Manager, our Software Suite includes the following modules:

Module Value
Entity Manager Offers a detailed view of your entities and their status in different states. It can be useful for firms operating in multiple states, as it helps manage the varying requirements seamlessly.
Tax Manager Provides a comprehensive view of your tax obligations, helping you stay on top of due dates and requirements.
Records Manager Helps you store the organizational documents specific to your type of entity. It also securely stores corporate records, allowing you to track ownership and leadership and stay ready to report Beneficial Ownership Information to FinCEN.
Requirements Research Engine Enables clients to research licensing requirements for their organizations prior to expanding into new states and markets. It also provides access to a database containing detailed information about license requirements, including:
  • The agencies they're filed with, their contact information, and links to agency websites and search tools
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to file for a given license
  • Application filing fees
  • Prerequisites like ownership requirements, legal entity requirements, and continuing education requirements
  • Required attachments
  • Processing times
  • Links to state statutes

Benefits of Using Harbor Compliance Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions

Entrusting your licensing needs to Harbor Compliance has several benefits, including:

  • Reduced workload—We handle the complex steps of license application and renewal, freeing up your time so you can focus on your professional exams and clients' projects.
  • Quick expansion into new jurisdictions—With Harbor Compliance's extensive resources, you can swiftly extend your services into new states, thanks to our detailed information on state-specific licensing steps.
  • Mitigated risks—We can help you understand different states' licensing requirements, reducing the risks of rejected applications.
  • Peace of mind—Our solutions provide a comprehensive view of your obligations, allowing you to relax knowing that your licensing needs are being managed by dedicated experts.
  • Efficient management of multiple licenses—Harbor Compliance has a centralized system for tracking and managing all your licenses, a strategic advantage for firms operating in multiple states.
  • Expert support—Our experts are ready to answer your questions and provide custom guidance on registration and licensing issues.

Ordering Harbor Compliance's Engineering Licensing Service

To order our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, follow four steps:

  1. Visit the solution page
  2. Click “Contact Us.”
  3. Enter your details.
  4. Verify that everything is correct and hit the “Let’s talk” button.

Depending on your firm's needs and preferences, you can choose from these three services offered by Harbor Compliance:

  1. Self-managed
  2. Fully managed
  3. Hybrid

The following table explains how each option works:

Option Description
Self-managed This option provides you with the tools to manage your licenses independently.
Fully managed It offers a comprehensive management solution where Harbor Compliance handles most of your licensing needs. This option applies only to company licenses.
Hybrid The hybrid option allows you to assign some licensing-related activities while your team handles the rest.

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

To ensure you meet other regulations as well, consider some of the other services Harbor Compliance offers:

Structural Engineering in Philadelphia FAQs

In this section, we'll answer frequently asked questions about structural engineering in Philadelphia. If you don't find what you're looking for, explore our in-depth Information Center.

A Professional Engineer (PE) is an individual licensed by the Board to practice engineering.

To qualify for the PE exam in Pennsylvania, you must meet these requirements:

  • Have a Bachelor's Degree from an ABET-accredited program
  • Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
  • have four years of progressive engineering experience under a PE
  • Hold an EIT certificate
  • Pass a criminal history records check
  • Pay the required fees to sit for the test

You can take the FE exam any time during or after your senior year of college as long as you are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program.

An examination is required even if you have a degree because it assures the public that you are adequately trained and knowledgeable in the subject matter.

Engage With Harbor Compliance and Make Securing a Professional Engineer License a Breeze

Harbor Compliance combines extensive experience and comprehensive software to help you track state-specific regulations and stay ahead of changes. Order our Architecture & Engineering Solutions and experience the effectiveness of our solutions firsthand.

To determine your standing in Philadelphia and other jurisdictions, get a free Harbor Compliance Score™. You can also see our solutions in action by scheduling a software demonstration.

We also offer additional services tailored to your needs. For more information on our services in various states, refer to the table below: