Professional Engineer (PE) / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Professional Engineer (PE) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides engineering services to the public. Requires FE + PE exams.

What the District of Columbia data shows for Professional Engineer (PE)s

To practice as a professional engineer (pe) in District of Columbia, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under District of Columbia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

Budget $319 to get started, plus $261 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For professional engineer (pe)s, the reciprocity picture is: NCEES model law: recognized in most states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
12/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · District of Columbia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$319
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$131/yr
$261 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$319
Renewal Fee
$261
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Professional Engineer (PE) All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Professional Engineer (PE) in District of Columbia? ▼
In District of Columbia, the license path calls for, a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam, and a $319 initial fee.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in District of Columbia? ▼
Certification as a professional engineer (pe) in District of Columbia means clearing the state's checklist plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The District of Columbia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to District of Columbia from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for professional engineer (pe)s nationally works like this: NCEES model law: recognized in most states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into District of Columbia. Verify the specifics with the District of Columbia licensing board.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
District of Columbia does not currently require a criminal background check for professional engineer (pe) licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in District of Columbia? ▼
To stay licensed as a professional engineer (pe) in District of Columbia, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $261.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

Professional Engineer (PE) in District of Columbia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a professional engineer (pe)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.