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

Virginia 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 Virginia data shows for Professional Engineer (PE)s

Virginia'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. Virginia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

The initial price tag is $247, and renewal costs $207 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
17/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · Virginia

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
$247
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$104/yr
$207 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$247
Renewal Fee
$207
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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Professional Engineer (PE) in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires, passing an exam (FE Exam then PE Exam), and an initial fee of $247.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Virginia? ▼
To become a licensed professional engineer (pe) in Virginia, you must meet the state's requirements and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Virginia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for professional engineer (pe)s: NCEES model law: recognized in most states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Virginia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Virginia require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
There's no state-level background-check requirement for professional engineer (pe) licensing in Virginia; some employers choose to screen candidates anyway.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in Virginia? ▼
Virginia ties continued professional engineer (pe) licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $207 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

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

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

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