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

Washington 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

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

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

Upfront cost is $420, with renewal running $339 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.

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) · Washington

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
$420
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$170/yr
$339 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 Washington

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$420
Renewal Fee
$339
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 Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Professional Engineer (PE) in Washington? ▼
In Washington, the license path calls for, a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam, and a $420 initial fee.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Washington? ▼
Certification as a professional engineer (pe) in Washington means clearing the state's checklist plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Washington licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Washington 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 Washington licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Washington require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
Washington 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 Washington? ▼
Licensed professional engineer (pe)s in Washington must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $339.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

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

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

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