Licensed PE Day

Professional Engineers Day: What Being a PE Means to Palmer’s Engineers

Every year on Professional Engineers Day, observed this year on August 5, 2026, we recognize the licensed Professional Engineers (PEs) whose expertise, integrity, and commitment help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Established by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the day raises awareness about the vital role licensed engineers play in safeguarding the communities we serve while recognizing the professionals who uphold the highest standards of the engineering profession.

At Palmer, nearly 50 licensed Professional Engineers represent a wide range of disciplines and experience—from those who have held their licenses for more than three decades to those who have recently achieved this significant professional milestone. While each engineer's journey is unique, they all share a common commitment to serving others through safe, ethical, and thoughtful engineering.

A Tradition of Public Trust

Professional engineering licensure in the United States dates back to 1907, when Wyoming became the first state to establish a licensing law for engineers. Over the last century, licensure has become the recognized standard for demonstrating an engineer's competence, experience, and commitment to ethical practice. Today, more than 500,000 licensed Professional Engineers continue that tradition, designing and overseeing the infrastructure and systems that communities rely on every day while protecting the public's health, safety, and welfare.

If you'd like to learn more about the history of professional engineering licensure, the National Society of Professional Engineers offers an interesting look at how the profession has evolved over the past century.

Earning the PE Designation

Becoming a licensed Professional Engineer is no small feat. While specific requirements vary by state, the path to licensure typically includes:

• Earning a four-year engineering degree from an accredited program

• Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

• Gaining at least four years of qualifying engineering experience, typically under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer

• Passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam

• Meeting the requirements of a state engineering licensure board

The process requires years of education, experience, and preparation, reflecting the profession's commitment to technical competence, ethical practice, and public trust. For many engineers, earning a PE license represents far more than adding two letters after their name—it signifies a commitment to the profession and the responsibility that comes with it.

Recognizing the Day

To recognize Professional Engineers Day, we asked several of Palmer's licensed Professional Engineers one simple question:

What does being a licensed Professional Engineer mean to you?

While each response was unique, several common themes emerged.