Professional Licensure - Worth it? (USA)

chemaddict

Preface:
This is aimed mainly at professional chemical engineers in the United States.

I'm about to finish my ChEn program and I was told it is a good time to take the FE exam to begin the professional licensure process. I understand the benefits of professional licensure in a broad sense, but I was wondering if anyone could speak from experience as to whether a professional license as a chemical engineer was beneficial, detrimental, or neutral to their career. Examples would be helpful.

For example, did your professional license get you a consulting gig or lead people to ask you to be an expert witness? Did the license elevate you above your peers? That kind of thing.

Thanks.

fss

I'm not a CE, but in general licensure can really only help you. Some positions require it, and if you apply to those that don't you'll look that much better than the applicant without it.

daichinger

I am not chemical, either, but I require achieving the PE to qualify for the Senior position in our engineering group. It is a heightened awareness of professionalism and responsibility and has been effective in a marketing approach to our customers.