Engineer In Training
Encyclopedia
The term "Engineer-In-Training" is a professional designation from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
(NCEES) used in the United States (and other countries) to designate a person certified by the State as having:
Once an individual has passed the exam the state board awards that person an 'Engineer-In-Training' (EIT) or an 'Engineer Intern' (EI) designation. EIT and EI are equivalent variations in nomenclature that vary from state to state. Receiving an EIT designation is one step along the path toward Professional Engineer
(PE) licensure.
as people with this designation are already engineers, just not fully licensed Professional Engineers (PE). Although they are "in training," the term is misleading in that it sounds as if it implies that they have yet to become engineers. "Engineering Intern" is also a possibly misleading term as it may imply that the engineer is still in college and is working merely in an intern position.
An Engineer-in-Training can do engineering work, such as design things, but typically requires the supervision and direction of a Professional Engineer, who are exclusively able to perform certain tasks such as stamp and seal designs and offer services to the public.
Engineers with an EIT designation are often referred to as an "E.I.T.".
Having an EIT designation shows an understanding of fundamental engineering principles, as EITs have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. It also expresses some level of commitment towards the engineering profession as taking and passing the 8-hour FE exam requires a level of dedication and is not something that all engineers have attempted or completed.
Many engineers do not sit for the exam as the EIT designation is not necessary to do engineering work and some engineering professions are not as concerned with professional licensure as others. Depending on the profession, having an EIT designation can either be very important or have little bearing on an engineer's career.
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying is a national non-profit organization composed of engineering and land surveying licensing boards representing all U.S. states and territories...
(NCEES) used in the United States (and other countries) to designate a person certified by the State as having:
- Graduated from an ABET-accredited engineering program, or related science curriculum approved by the Board.
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- Many states allow for the substitution of several years of engineering experience in place of the engineering degree requirement.
- and
- Passed the NCEES 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) ExaminationFundamentals of Engineering examThe Fundamentals of Engineering exam, also referred to as the Engineer in Training exam, and formerly in some states as the Engineering Intern exam, is the first of two examinations that engineers must pass in order to be licensed as a Professional Engineer in the United States...
.
Once an individual has passed the exam the state board awards that person an 'Engineer-In-Training' (EIT) or an 'Engineer Intern' (EI) designation. EIT and EI are equivalent variations in nomenclature that vary from state to state. Receiving an EIT designation is one step along the path toward Professional Engineer
Professional Engineer
Regulation of the engineering profession is established by various jurisdictions of the world to protect the safety, well-being and other interests of the general public, and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes authorized to provide professional services to the...
(PE) licensure.
Clarification of the term
The term "Engineer-In-Training" is a bit of a misnomerMisnomer
A misnomer is a term which suggests an interpretation that is known to be untrue. Such incorrect terms sometimes derive their names because of the form, action, or origin of the subject becoming named popularly or widely referenced—long before their true natures were known.- Sources of misnomers...
as people with this designation are already engineers, just not fully licensed Professional Engineers (PE). Although they are "in training," the term is misleading in that it sounds as if it implies that they have yet to become engineers. "Engineering Intern" is also a possibly misleading term as it may imply that the engineer is still in college and is working merely in an intern position.
An Engineer-in-Training can do engineering work, such as design things, but typically requires the supervision and direction of a Professional Engineer, who are exclusively able to perform certain tasks such as stamp and seal designs and offer services to the public.
Engineers with an EIT designation are often referred to as an "E.I.T.".
Significance of the designation
Lack of an EIT designation does not necessarily represent a stigma for an engineer. The inverse is more appropriate: having the EIT designation represents a level of distinction.Having an EIT designation shows an understanding of fundamental engineering principles, as EITs have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. It also expresses some level of commitment towards the engineering profession as taking and passing the 8-hour FE exam requires a level of dedication and is not something that all engineers have attempted or completed.
Many engineers do not sit for the exam as the EIT designation is not necessary to do engineering work and some engineering professions are not as concerned with professional licensure as others. Depending on the profession, having an EIT designation can either be very important or have little bearing on an engineer's career.
EIT designation as a part of PE licensure
Each state's statutes delineate the requirements for the experience and education needed to become a PE once EIT or EI certification has been earned. The requirements vary depending on the State and the licensing board, but for most engineers the process typically includes the following steps:- Graduate from an ABET-accredited four-year university engineering program
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination to receive an EIT designation
- Accumulate a set amount of engineering experience, typically under the direction of a PE. In most states the requirement is four years, but in others the requirement is lower.
- Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering ExamPrinciples and Practice of Engineering ExamThe Principles and Practice of Engineering exam is the examination that is required to be passed before one can become a Professional Engineer in the United States...
to receive a PE designation