50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Maryland Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Maryland.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Maryland for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Maryland Engineering Company Licenses

Maryland Engineering Firm Permit

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board for Professional Engineers
Law:

Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Code § 14-401

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a Maryland licensed engineer, who is a full-time employee, to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.

Professional Corporations:

  • All of the shareholders must be licensed in a professional service offered by the firm.
  • A majority of the directors and all of the officers of a Maryland PC, except the secretary and treasurer, must be licensed in a professional service offered by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a Maryland licensed engineer, who is a full-time employee, to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a Maryland licensed engineer, who is a full-time employee, to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.

Initial Registration

This section applies to engineering firms that are applying for a license in Maryland for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.

Filing Method:

File an application online then email a managing agent certification form to dloplperfirm-labor@maryland.gov.

Agency Fee:

$112

Turnaround:

Immediately upon registration with licensure information, via online.

Before you Apply:
  • Foreign qualify if an out-of-state entity.
  • Capture a screenshot of your good standing with the SDAT (corporate registrar). A certificate of good standing is not required.
  • Entity names require board approval if an assumed name is used.
  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a Maryland-licensed engineer, who is a full-time employee, to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.
  • Obtain Worker's Compensation number or confirmation of exemption
  • Collect information for the qualifying party. Name, Social Security number, and license number of the full-time employee, to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm.
  • Complete the Managing Agent/Responsible Charge Certification Form.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
  2. Obtain proof of the good standing of your business entity by searching for your entity and taking a screenshot of the View Business Details page (to be submitted with the licensee certification in step 4).
  3. Complete the online Firm Permit application with the Board for Professional Engineers.
  4. Email a completed Responsible Member Certification Form to dloplperfirm-labor@maryland.gov.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
  2. Obtain proof of the good standing of your Maryland entity by searching for your entity and taking a screenshot of the View Business Details page (to be submitted with the licensee certification in step 4).
  3. Complete the online Firm Permit application with the Board for Professional Engineers.
  4. Email a completed Responsible Member Certification Form to dloplperfirm-labor@maryland.gov.
Required Attachments:
  • All firms, except a partnership, must provide evidence of the business' good standing status with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Evidence may be provided by printing a results screen from SDAT's Maryland Business Express database. Once the business entity is located through the search, click on the "View Business Details" link. Print that window, and send it to the Board with the certification in step 3.

Registration Renewal

This section applies to engineering firms that are already licensed in Maryland and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$112

Due:Biennially by the registration date.
Notes:

Renewal notices are sent approximately 60 days before the expiration of the permit.

Amendment

Form:

Firm Name Change or Managing Agent Change Form and Affidavit of the Managing Agent

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 60 days of the effective date of the change.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Maryland Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.

Maryland Land Surveying Firm Permit

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board for Professional Land Surveyors

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

File an application online then email a managing agent certification form to dlopllandsurveyors-dllr@maryland.gov.

Agency Fee:

$135 (of which $35 is non-refundable application fee)

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Required Attachments:
  • All firms, except a partnership, must provide evidence of the business' good standing status with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Evidence may be provided by printing a results screen from SDAT's Maryland Business Express database. Once the business entity is located through the search, click on the "View Business Details" link. Print that window, and send it to the Board with the certification in step 3.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially by the registration date.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:

Renewal notices are sent approximately 60 days before the expiration of the permit.

Required Attachments:
  • Firms are required to submit their SDAT good standing status upon renewal

Individual Licenses

Maryland Individual Engineering Licenses

Maryland Engineer-in-Training License

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board for Professional Engineers

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$17

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Maryland Geologist License

Not required



Professional Geoscientist licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.

Maryland Professional Engineer License

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board for Professional Engineers
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

(1) A licensee who prepared or approved documents in accordance with the criteria set forth in this regulation shall place the licensee’s original signature and date of the signature on the documents required to be signed and sealed pursuant to Business Occupations and Professions Article, §14-4A-02, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, the term “original signature” means:

(a) A handwritten signature in permanent ink; or

(b) A digital signature, which satisfies the following requirements:

  1. It contains identification unique to a licensee using it, such as the licensee’s name and license number;
  2. It is under the exclusive control of the licensee using it;
  3. It cannot be repudiated and is independently verifiable; and
  4. It is linked to the document in such a manner that any subsequent modifications to the document after the digital signature was appended to it will result in the document no longer being prepared or approved by the licensee.

COMAR 09.23.03.09

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

See digital signing guidelines.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$56 exam fee + $86 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$56 application fee + $86 license fee

How to Apply:
  1. Determine your eligibility category
  2. Complete the Electronic Application for Reciprocity
  3. Pay application ($50.00) and license ($76.00) fees to the Board
  4. Transmit NCEES Record, if applicable
  5. Determine necessary supporting documents
  6. Send appropriate supporting documents to the Board’s staff at DLOPLPERFirm-LABOR@maryland.gov.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$86

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Maryland Professional Land Surveyor License

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board for Professional Land Surveyors

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensure by Examination

Agency Fee:

$76

How to Apply:
  1. Pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Examination.
  2. Apply to the board for an original license based on one of the above categories.
  3. Apply for the Principles and Practice (PS) Examination
  4. Schedule and pass the State Specific Examinations.
  5. Pay licensing fee

Reciprocal Registration

Instructions:

Apply for a Reciprocal License - Professional Land Surveyors

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$76

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$76

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

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.