Biochemical Engineers

Certification or Licensing

Biochemical engineers who work in manufacturing can receive voluntary certification from SME.

Biochemical engineers and chemical engineers who provide services directly to the public must be licensed. Licensing requirements in all 50 states and the District of Columbia usually include graduation from an accredited engineering school, passing a written exam, and having four or more years of engineering experience. There are two levels of licensing for engineers: engineers in training (EITs) and professional engineers (PEs).

After graduation, engineers who pass the Fundamentals of Engineering examination are designated as engineers in training or engineer interns or intern engineers. The EIT certification usually is valid for 10 years. With several years of appropriate work experience, EITs are qualified for the second examination, the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, to gain full PE licensure. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (https://www.ncees.org) administers the exam.

PEs have graduated from an accredited engineering curriculum, have four years of engineering experience, and have passed a written exam. Engineering graduates can start the licensure process while they are working and before they have achieved four years of work experience.