Professional Engineer (PE) / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Professional Engineer (PE) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

What the Illinois data shows for Professional Engineer (PE)s

To practice as a professional engineer (pe) in Illinois, 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 Illinois's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

Budget $466 to get started, plus $374 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, professional engineer (pe)s should know: NCEES model law: recognized in most states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
10/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · Illinois

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
$466
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$187/yr
$374 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$466
Renewal Fee
$374
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Professional Engineer (PE) in Illinois? ▼
Illinois's requirements cover, the FE Exam then PE Exam exam, and an initial fee of $466.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed professional engineer (pe) in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Professional Engineer (PE) licenses generally reciprocate as follows: NCEES model law: recognized in most states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
There's no state-level background-check requirement for professional engineer (pe) licensing in Illinois; some employers choose to screen candidates anyway.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in Illinois? ▼
Illinois ties continued professional engineer (pe) licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $374 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

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

  • See how Illinois's professional engineer (pe) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Professional Engineer (PE) in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state professional engineer (pe) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois 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.