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

Tennessee Professional Engineer (PE) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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

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

Tennessee sets the entry bar for professional engineer (pe)s at board-approved training and a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam, with 4 years of supervised work experience expected, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Tennessee's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

Budget $236 to get started, plus $198 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
17/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · Tennessee

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
$236
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$99/yr
$198 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$236
Renewal Fee
$198
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 Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Professional Engineer (PE) in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee requires, passing an exam (FE Exam then PE Exam), and an initial fee of $236.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed professional engineer (pe) in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Tennessee 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 Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
Tennessee doesn't condition professional engineer (pe) licensure on a criminal background check, though employers in the field may impose their own screening requirements.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in Tennessee? ▼
Licensed professional engineer (pe)s in Tennessee must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $198.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

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

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

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