Click to download Form 1011-EX
General Guidelines for Reciprocity Applicants
This document includes the requirements for applying to Ohio for a PE or PS license by reciprocity. Applications that do not meet the requirements in the document will be deemed incomplete or denied. The Ohio Board strongly suggests all applicants read through the guidelines carefully before applying for a reciprocity license in Ohio. The Board does not refund applications fees for those that submit applications without meeting the requirements for licensure in Ohio.
Reciprocity is Ohio’s application process whereby a currently-licensed professional engineer or professional surveyor in good standing may apply for an Ohio license based on their license in another state or U.S. jurisdiction. The Board does not automatically grant an Ohio license because an individual is licensed in another jurisdiction.
Go to P.E. reciprocity applications and procedures page
Go to P.S. reciprocity applications and procedures page
The length of time for approval depends on the type of application submitted. Applicants with an NCEES record showing they have a Model Law Engineer (MLE) designated PE can have their application approved as quickly as 1-2 business days from the date of submission assuming the board receives a completed applications, application fee, and NCEES record.
Applicants that either have an NCEES record but are not designated as an MLE applicant or do not hold an NCEES record will need to wait on board approved which can take 30-60 days depending on when we receive the completed application and when the next board meeting is held. These applicants have the option of applying for a temporary permit that would be approved within 1-2 business days of the board receiving their completed application packet (online application, application fee, transcripts, experience detail, exam/license verification). The temporary permit is valid for 60 days or until the license is approved by the board, whichever comes first
You may have your school send the official transcripts directly to the Board or you may obtain one and send it as long as it is in the original, sealed envelope. Keep in mind they must official transcripts and not copies. You cannot use transcripts you have already opened, photocopies, or scanned/emailed copies.
Ohio does not issue numbers for EI's. If filling out an application leave blank or write N/A.
The board will accept EAC/ABET accredited master’s degrees in engineering for the education requirement. If your Master’s degree is not EAC/ABET accredited but has a similarly named EAC/ABET accredited undergraduate degree, you may be able to have your degree evaluated to see if it meets the educations standards set by NCEES. These are approved on a case by case basis.
Unless your master’s degree in engineering is EAC/ABET accredited, you will need to have your undergraduate and master’s degree program evaluated through NCEES’s Credential Evaluations to see if your degrees meet the education standards set by NCEES.
The Ohio Board will only accept degree evaluations from NCEES Credential Evaluations
The evaluation of education by colleges does not use the standards set by ABET or NCEES to determine if your education meets the requirements for engineering licensure. The college is evaluating your education to see if you meet the requirements the individual college has set for their degree programs or advanced classes. Unless their master’s program is an EAC/ABET accredited engineering master’s program you will need to have your degree evaluated by NCEES Credential Evaluations. The Board cannot make exceptions to this law.
Unfortunately, Ohio law required all licensees to take and pass both the FE and PE examinations for all licensees. There are no exceptions to this law.
Ohio law only allows for two paths to licensure – examination and reciprocity. To obtain a license by examination, you must take and pass the PE exam in Ohio for your initial licensure. To obtain a license by reciprocity, you must have taken and passed both the FE and PE exams in another state and hold a current PE license, in good standing, in another US state or jurisdiction. No exceptions can be made to these requirements.
No, you must have an active PE license, in good standing, in another US state or jurisdiction to apply by reciprocity.
You can verify your own current experience however the board would still be looking for experience verified by a license engineer prior to your licensure. You would also still need 5 references, 3 of whom must be license engineers that are familiar with your work/education
The Board will need as much information on experience as possible. If you are unable to get a hold of the supervisor due to retirement, death, or loss of contact you must include a letter to state such.
If the supervisor is out of state, you may scan and email the experience page to them to sign and return to you the same way
The Board is generally looking for work experience gained under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. For work experience not gained under the supervision of a professional engineer, the Board would require additional information regarding your supervisor’s background (education and /or work experience). The information should show how your supervisor is qualified to oversee your engineering work. Documentation may include but is not limited to a written statement from your supervisor and/or a resume/CV.
All experience is evaluated on a case by case basis. Generally, the board is looking for experience under a licensed PE in the US so often cannot accept experience earned overseas. If you have experience you believe should count towards the experience requirement, the Board staff encourages you to include as much detail about not only the type of work you were doing, but you would also need your supervisor to sign off on the experience and if they supervisor does not have a US PE license, you would need to include information on his/her background (educations/experience/etc.) showing how they are qualified to oversee your engineering experience.
Experience is evaluated on a case by case basis. If you have experience you are unsure of, the board staff recommends including as much detail regarding your work experience as possible for evaluation so the board’s evaluators and board members can get a better idea of the type of work experience you have.