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

Kentucky Professional Engineer (PE) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

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

Kentucky's path to professional engineer (pe) licensure runs through board-approved instruction, 4 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Kentucky folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

The initial price tag is $190, and renewal costs $163 every 2 years. 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: NCEES model law: recognized in most states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
21/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · Kentucky

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
$190
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$82/yr
$163 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 Kentucky

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$190
Renewal Fee
$163
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 Kentucky licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Kentucky licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Professional Engineer (PE) in Kentucky? ▼
Kentucky's requirements cover, the FE Exam then PE Exam exam, and an initial fee of $190.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Kentucky? ▼
Kentucky licenses professional engineer (pe)s who complete its requirements (4 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Kentucky licensing board.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Kentucky 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 Kentucky. Verify the specifics with the Kentucky licensing board.
Does Kentucky require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
No statewide background-check mandate applies to professional engineer (pe) licensing in Kentucky at this time - individual employers may still run their own screening.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in Kentucky? ▼
To stay licensed as a professional engineer (pe) in Kentucky, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $163.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

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

  • See how Kentucky'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 Kentucky's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Kentucky overview

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