TL;DR: Passing the FE exam does not make you an EIT by itself. You apply to a state engineering board for an Engineer in Training (EIT) certificate, and each state sets its own rules and fee: $15 in Texas, $100 in California (since July 1, 2026) and $70 in New York. The certificate shows you are on the PE track, but it does not let you practice independently, sign or seal drawings.
This is my guide on how to get EIT certification, written from the hiring side. I recruit for engineering roles on U.S. fab and battery plant projects, and I see two common mistakes. Some candidates write “EIT” on a resume right after passing the FE but never file with a state board. Others have the certificate but kept no record of their work, so four years later they scramble to rebuild it for the PE application. Both are easy to avoid.
Here is how the certificate works as of late October 2026, with three state examples I checked on the boards’ own websites.
EIT vs EI vs “Engineer Intern”: same idea, different labels
The FE exam is national. It is written and run by NCEES. The certificate is not. Each state board issues its own, and the name changes:
- EIT (Engineer in Training) is the term used by Texas TBPELS, California BPELSG and the New York State Education Department.
- EI (Engineer Intern) is the label you will see in some other states and in job posts. It means the same stage: passed the FE, not yet licensed.
- The legal meaning comes from the state that issued it. When you write it on a resume, name the state.
Is it required? Not always. Texas says plainly that “EIT status is not mandatory in Texas,” but it encourages all graduate engineers to become EITs (TBPELS FAQ). In practice, hiring managers on design teams treat it as a filter, so I tell candidates to file.
How to get EIT certification: the steps
- Pass the FE exam. It costs $225 and is taken at a Pearson VUE center (NCEES).
- Pick your state. Usually the state where you work or plan to get your PE. You can get a PE in another state later.
- Meet the education rule. Some states want a conferred degree; others accept a mix of school and work.
- File the state application and pay the fee. Most boards have an online portal.
- Send supporting documents. Usually an official transcript sent directly by your school, plus FE verification if you tested under another state.
- Wait for your certificate number. Then put it on your resume and LinkedIn.
- Start your experience record the same week. More on this below.
Three state examples: Texas, California, New York
| State | Requirements | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (TBPELS) | Board-approved engineering or related science degree, conferred before you apply; passed FE | $15 | Official transcript sent by your school; out-of-state FE needs verification from that board; certificate expires after 8 years and can be renewed |
| California (BPELSG) | Passed FE plus 3 years of engineering education, engineering-related work, or a mix | $100 (was $75 before July 1, 2026) | Apply in BPELSG Connect; fingerprints required; allow at least 60 days |
| New York (NYSED) | Completed a professional study program under Part 68 of the Commissioner’s Regulations; passed FE | $70 (Form 1EIT) | Form 2 from your school, or Form 20F if your New York school files it; no second fee if you already paid with Form 1 |
Fee sources: TBPELS fee page, BPELSG fee schedule, NYSED requirements page.
Texas in a bit more detail
Texas is where I see the most fab and plant design hiring, so it is worth a closer look. You apply online at the TBPELS site. A paper form exists, but it requires a check or money order and slows things down. Documents not in English need a translation. One benefit stands out: Texas EITs may register for the PE exam before they finish the four years of experience needed for the license (TBPELS FAQ). That lets you take the PE while exam material is still fresh.
How long it takes
Texas says EIT processing time varies with agency workload. California tells applicants to allow at least 60 days, and says the wall certificate arrives by mail in 6 to 8 weeks after approval (BPELSG FAQ). If you are job hunting, do not wait for the certificate. Put “Passed NCEES FE Exam, EIT application pending ([state])” on your resume, and update it the day your number arrives. Recruiters like me will ask, so keep the confirmation email handy.
If your degree is from outside the U.S.
Texas asks for a full evaluation if your curriculum is not board-approved. NCEES runs a credentials evaluation for $400, usually done within 15 business days after your documents are verified. Most people are referred to it by a state board, so ask your board first which evaluation it accepts.
What EIT lets you say on a resume, and what it does not
Both Texas and New York say clearly that the certificate is not a license to practice. Texas: EIT certification “does not entitle” you to practice as a professional engineer. New York: the certificate “does not qualify you to practice engineering in New York State.”
| Okay | Not okay |
|---|---|
| “Engineer in Training (EIT), Texas, Cert. No. ____” | “PE” or “Professional Engineer” anywhere |
| “Passed NCEES FE Exam (Mechanical), 2026” | Signing or sealing drawings, calcs or reports |
| “On track for PE licensure, [state]” | Offering engineering services to the public on your own |
| Working on designs under a licensed PE who takes responsibility | Implying you are the engineer of record |
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that licensure is not required for entry-level civil engineers, and that a PE can oversee other engineers’ work, approve design plans and sign off on projects. That is the line: as an EIT, you do the work; a PE signs for it. For how hiring managers read your resume overall, see how to list Korean on your resume.
Keep a record of experience under a PE from day one
This is the advice I repeat most. The PE application asks you to describe years of work in detail, and licensed engineers must vouch for it. Here is what three boards ask for:
- Texas: a Supplementary Experience Record (SER) describing your work in narrative form, plus 3 references who are currently licensed PEs (5 if you request exam waivers) (TBPELS).
- New York: each endorser signs Form 4A and sends it directly to the state; you cannot endorse yourself. Experience must be described in detail, in order, and at least two years must be on projects using codes and practices common in the U.S. (NYSED).
- California: at least four references who are authorized to practice in your discipline and know your experience (Board Rule 427.10).
A simple habit fixes this. Once a month, write a short entry:
- Project type (for example, “process cooling water system for a semiconductor fab project in Texas”), dates and your role
- Engineering decisions you made, codes and standards you used
- The PE who reviewed your work, with their license state and number
- Their current email, in case they change jobs
You can also start an NCEES Record. It is free to set up, has no yearly fee, and stores your transcripts, work history, references and exam results. You pay only when you transmit it to a board: $100 for a first initial licensure or PE exam approval transmittal, $175 for a first comity transmittal, and $100 for each later one. Past job verifications do not expire, which helps when managers leave.
What’s different at Korean-affiliated plant projects
On many U.S. plant projects with a Korean owner, part of the design comes from engineers in Korea and part from U.S. engineers who are licensed here. That has two effects for EITs:
- Your supervisor may not be a U.S. PE. Experience reviewed only by engineers licensed outside the U.S. can be harder to reference. Ask early who on the team holds a U.S. license.
- U.S. code experience counts. New York, for example, wants at least two years on U.S. codes. Make sure your log shows which U.S. codes you worked with.
- Bilingual EITs are valuable as the link between Korea-side design and U.S. reviewers. Read my Korean work culture guide before you start.
Questions to ask before you accept
- Who on this team is a licensed U.S. PE, and in which states?
- Will a PE review my work regularly so they can serve as a reference?
- Does the company pay for the EIT application, the PE exam and the NCEES Record transmittal?
- Will I rotate through design work, or mostly field and coordination tasks?
Check the full offer with my offer letter checklist, and if the role needs a move, use the relocation cost calculator.
FAQ
Am I an EIT as soon as I pass the FE?
No. You become an EIT when a state board issues your certificate. Until then, write “Passed NCEES FE Exam.”
Which state should I apply to?
Usually the state where you work or plan to get your PE. Rules differ, so compare fees, education rules and processing times on each board’s site.
Does the EIT certificate expire?
In Texas, yes: eight years after issuance, with renewal available. Other states have their own rules.
Can an EIT stamp drawings?
No. Only a licensed PE can seal engineering work. An EIT works under a PE who takes responsibility.
Do I need a U.S. PE as my supervisor?
Texas says PE supervision is recommended but not required, yet your PE references must be licensed engineers. Plan for that from the start.
Not legal advice; your state board’s rules decide. Fees and rules are as of October 2026 and can change. Sources: TBPELS EIT; TBPELS fees; TBPELS FAQ; TBPELS basic requirements; BPELSG EIT; BPELSG fees; BPELSG Board Rules; NYSED EIT certificate; NYSED license requirements; NCEES FE; NCEES Record; NCEES Credentials Evaluations; BLS OOH, Civil Engineers.
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