Illinois Professional Engineer Licensing—A Complete Guide
Due to the immense responsibilities of professional engineers, such as ensuring the safety and functionality of structures or systems, the state of Illinois requires individuals and organizations to meet specific criteria and get certified to perform engineering work.
Researching and meeting these requirements can be quite demanding, potentially taking up considerable time that could be invested in advancing your career and growing your business.
To help reduce your compliance workload, this guide will go over the Illinois professional engineer licensing requirements, providing essential information on the state’s rules and regulations. You'll also discover Harbor Compliance—a dedicated partner that can help you simplify the licensing process.
Who Is an Illinois Professional Engineer?
An Illinois professional engineer is an individual authorized to provide engineering services in the state. To become a professional engineer in Illinois, you must meet the strict conditions specified in the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989, including educational and experiential requirements.
Individuals with the professional engineer designation can undertake projects that involve consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, and design of engineering works and systems.
Illinois offers two categories of licenses to engineers:
- Professional engineer—A license for individuals who have met all educational, examination, and experience requirements.
- Engineer intern—Issued to individuals in the process of meeting the full licensure requirements.
Illinois Engineering License Requirements
Depending on the entity applying, Illinois professional engineering license requirements fall into two groups:
- Individual
- Engineering firm
Individual Professional Engineer License Requirements
To become a professional engineer in Illinois, one must meet the following requirements:
- Education—Applicants should hold a Baccalaureate degree from an EAC/ABET—or CEAB-accredited program. If they do not have such a degree, a National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) credential evaluation can be used if it meets the NCEES Engineering Education Standard.
- Experience—Four years of acceptable professional (non-structural) engineering experience is required.
- Examination—Applicants must pass two examinations. The first is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, typically taken after earning a bachelor’s degree. The second is the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which can be taken after gaining the required professional experience.
- As of April 2024, the NCEES Civil/Structural Discipline of the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination is no longer accepted. Applicants must pass any other eight-hour professional engineering examination.
Engineering Firm License Requirements
Businesses offering professional engineering services in Illinois must meet the following conditions:
- Registration—The firm must be registered as a Professional Design Firm with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
- Authorization—They must be authorized by the Illinois secretary of state to operate in the jurisdiction.
- Licensed engineer—The firm must have a managing agent-in-charge who is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois. This individual oversees the firm's services, ensuring they are performed according to the professional standards and regulations set by the state.
Illinois Engineering License Renewal
After securing a professional engineer license in Illinois, you are required to renew it every two years. As part of the process, you must obtain 30 hours of professional development (PDHs), which can be broken down into two categories:
- Three core hours
- Twenty-seven elective hours
If you have gained additional hours between June 1 and November 30 of the renewal year, you can carry over up to 15 hours to the next renewal cycle.
If an individual’s license has been expired for less than five years, the renewal process is slightly different. In this case, the person should initiate reinstatement by submitting a written request to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, including the following details:
- Full name and email address
- The license number
- Current address
- Proof of completion of 30 PDHs within the last 24 months
- Child support statement
You must also pay a fee for each missed renewal. If your license has been inactive for over five years, contact the license maintenance unit.
While the renewal process seems straightforward, the requirements can change regularly. Given the demanding nature of the engineering profession, it can be helpful to partner with a provider who can keep you informed about regulatory updates. This strategic move can eliminate the need to track these changes manually and free up time for more impactful work.
At Harbor Compliance, we monitor professional license requirements and track updates across multiple states. We help you stay informed about legal changes, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Harbor Compliance—Simplifying Engineering Licensing Process for Individuals and Firms
Harbor Compliance’s comprehensive Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions help professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors with their licensing needs, namely for:
- Engineering Firms
- Geoscience Firms
- Land Surveying Firms
Our Software Suite, powered by Compliance Core™, has a database containing information on over 800 AEC licensing requirements in all states. It replaces traditional methods like manual tracking using spreadsheets, reducing the risk of errors.
In addition, Harbor Compliance’s software automatically updates license details and renewal dates, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in maintaining regulatory standing.
The table below shows the modules included in our Software Suite:
| Module | Value |
|---|---|
| Entity Manager |
Entity Manager allows full visibility of your entities and compliance status. It helps automate annual report and compliance tracking, maintain good standing and avoid late fees and penalties, and ensure continuity through organizational changes. It also offers:
|
| License Manager | License Manager eliminates the need for spreadsheets for tracking state requirements by enabling seamless license management, research, and renewal. |
| Tax Manager | Tax Manager efficiently monitors federal, state, and local tax registrations, reducing the time spent gaining insights into key tax account information. |
| Records Manager | This module helps you store organizational documents specific to your type of entity. It also lets you track ownership and leadership and customize meeting notifications. |
| Requirements Research Engine |
This module enables you to research licensing requirements for your organization prior to expanding into new states/markets. It’s a searchable window into the proprietary reference database called “LicenseIQ™.” The database contains detailed information about license requirements, including the agencies they’re filed with, contact information for those agencies, links to agency websites and search tools, step-by-step instructions on how to file for a given license, fees, different prerequisites, required attachments, processing times, and links to state statutes. |
Benefits of Opting for Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions by Harbor Compliance
Partnering with Harbor Compliance has several benefits, including the following:
- Access to specialists—You gain direct access to a dedicated team of specialists who understand the unique regulatory challenges engineering firms face and can help with registration and licensing in multiple states. With our service, you can focus on your core competencies, knowing that regulatory matters are handled by experts.
- Responsive support—We address your queries and concerns on time so you can have peace of mind and concentrate on regular operations without worrying about regulatory issues.
- Fast service—Our service is designed for speed, from preparing applications to tracking renewals, helping you stay up-to-date with licensing requirements without delays. This approach ensures you can focus on your professional development and growth.
Ordering Harbor Compliance’s Engineering Licensing Service
To entrust us with handling your professional engineering licensing needs, complete the following steps:
- Visit the registration page
- Fill out the form with your personal information
- Select Engineering from the industry options
- Submit the form
Depending on the extent to which you wish to delegate your licensing workload, we offer three flexible service options:
- Fully managed—Harbor Compliance takes over most of the licensing duties, including application preparation and renewal tracking, freeing you from administrative tasks. This service option applies only to company licenses.
- Self-managed—This option is ideal if you prefer more control over the licensing process. While you handle most tasks, you’ll get access to our proprietary software (License Manager).
- Hybrid—This solution allows you to delegate certain activities to Harbor Compliance while retaining control over others, offering a balance between autonomy and support. This flexibility ensures you get the right level of assistance that suits your specific needs.
Additional Services by Harbor Compliance
Beyond helping individuals and businesses obtain necessary licenses in the architecture and engineering sectors, we offer additional services to help you stay on top of other obligations. Check out the table below for more details:
| Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Document filing and retrieval | Includes drop-off filing, obtaining certified copies, acquiring a certificate of good standing, articles of reinstatement, and a certificate of authority. |
| Entity lifecycle management | Our services in this category include DBA registration, initial and annual reports, amendments, name reservation, and withdrawal. |
| Registered agent service | We have local offices in every state, providing services like appointment and change of registered agent. |
| Business licensing support | We provide licensing support for various sectors, including construction. |
| Beneficial ownership information reporting | We assist with beneficial ownership information reporting through our Records Manager software and the BOI reporting service. |
| Nonprofit formation | We help with nonprofit formation through services like incorporation, charitable registration, and 501(c) tax exemption. |
| Tax services | We offer tax services like payroll tax registration, Employer Identification Number (EIN) acquisition, and sales and use tax registration. |
Company Licenses
Illinois Engineering Company Licenses
Illinois Professional Design Firm Registration
| Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
| Law: | 225 ILCS 305/21; 225 ILCS 325/23; 225 ILCS 330/25; and 225 ILCS 340/19 |
| Eligible Entity Types: |
|
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
| Ownership Requirements: | Business Corporations:
Professional Corporations:
Professional Limited Liability Companies:
Partnerships:
|
| Notes: | The Illinois Secretary of State requires that all businesses organized as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and who plan to provide professional services which are regulated/licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, must register as a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) with the IL SOS or have an assumed name listed as a PLLC.
Sole Proprietorships: Registration is not required for a licensed sole proprietor who offers or provides design services in his or her individual name and is not employing other individuals to perform work for which professional licensure is required. However, any sole proprietorship conducting business as a design professional under an assumed name must register as a professional design firm. Any sole proprietorship not owned by an Illinois licensed design professional is prohibited from offering professional services to the public. |
| Qualifying Individual Requirements: |
|
| Requirement Notes: | Special Requirement for the practice of Architecture: Two-thirds of the individuals who make up the business organization's Board of Directors/Members/Partners must be |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail your completed application, fee, and support documents to:
|
| Agency Fee: | $75 |
| Turnaround: | ~2 weeks. Confirmation will be sent to applicants via email. |
| Before you Apply: | Foreign Qualification - YES
Qualified Party:
|
| How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
|
| Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $75 |
| Due: | By April 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewals may be filed as early as 3 months prior to the expiration date. |
| Notes: | Renewal notices are mailed 2 months prior to the expiration date. |
| Required Attachments: |
|
Amendment
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | If the managing agent status changes, the professional design firm must notify the Department by mail within 10 business days and notify within 30 days of the name and license number of the newly designated managing agent by submitting a Resolution of the board/members/partners and the seal and signature of the new managing agent. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Reinstatement
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $75 for each renewal period missed + $50 late fee |
| Notes: | If the license has been expired for 5 or more years, the license holder should apply for a new license. |
| Required Attachments: |
|
Individual Licenses
Illinois Individual Engineering Licenses
Illinois Engineer Intern License
| Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for Engineer Intern enrollment - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $20 |
| Notes: | Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online. |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Illinois Professional Engineer License
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for PE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Notes: | Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online. |
Reciprocal Registration
| Form: | Application for PE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $60 |
| Due: | By November 30 of odd-numbered years. |
Illinois Professional Geologist License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $250 |
Reciprocal Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $250 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $150 |
| Due: | By March 31 of odd-numbered years. |
Illinois Professional Land Surveyor License
| Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application |
| Agency Fee: | $150 |
Reciprocal Registration
| Form: | Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application |
| Agency Fee: | $150 |
| Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $60 |
| Due: | By November 30 of even-numbered years. |
Illinois Professional Land Surveyor-in-Training License
| Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application |
| Agency Fee: | $70 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
A license for a Land Surveyor-in-Training is valid for 10 years and may not be renewed.
Illinois Structural Engineer License
Initial Registration
| Form: | Application for SE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Notes: | Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online. |
Reciprocal Registration
| Form: | Application for SE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $60 |
| Due: | By November 30 of even-numbered years. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Illinois Professional Engineer FAQs
Below, we’ll answer some common questions about Illinois professional engineer licensing. For more details, visit our extensive Information Center.
Yes, you can get a PE license without an engineering degree in Illinois. You’ll have to submit an NCEES credential evaluation meeting the NCEES Engineering Education Standard and possess eight years of relevant (non-structural engineering) experience.
The difference between a professional engineer (PE) and a structural engineer (SE) in Illinois is that a PE is authorized to engage in any type of engineering work they have the knowledge, competency, and ability to perform, except for structural engineering. A structural engineer is licensed to perform services that may include designing or analyzing structures such as bridges, columns, girders, foundations, load calculations, retaining walls, and more. Both are licensed separately.
To maintain a PE license in Illinois, you are required to obtain 30 hours of professional development that meets specific requirements for each renewal cycle. This includes a minimum of one hour for each of the following:
- Sexual harassment prevention training
- Programs in the area of Illinois statutes and rules that regulate professional engineers
- Programs in the area of professional conduct and ethics
You must also renew your license every two years.
Engage With Harbor Compliance To Secure Your Firm’s Professional Engineering License in Illinois
Obtaining and maintaining your engineering firm licenses requires staying informed about the relevant regulations, which often change with shifts in industry standards and state laws. Tracking these changes manually can be time-consuming and complex, potentially increasing your workload.
To stay informed on new regulations and have peace of mind knowing your licensing requirements are being managed effectively, order our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions.
If you need to assess your regulatory standing in Illinois or other states, use the Harbor Compliance Score™. You can also inquire about our additional services or schedule a demo of our software to see how it can help you with licensing across multiple jurisdictions. If you have questions about our services, reach out to us or visit our help center.
For more details on how we can help you obtain a professional engineer license in various states, refer to the table below:
Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.
EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.
EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.
FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.
PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.
Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.
Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.
National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.
