] [Thread] [Date] [Author]

[Mark Nowmos <mnowmos(--nospam--at)compuserve.com>]

Albert,
I work with an engineer who was licensed in the former USSR who obtained his PA license
after he emigrated, some 20 years ago.  Unfortunately, the rules have changed a bit since
then, and I don't know what kind of red tape he had to go through, so I recommend visiting
here for any insight:
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/engbd/licensureinfo.htm
Good luck, but bear in mind that the state board is a bureaucracy, as I'm sure others are,
and goes strictly by the book.  Also, the deadline for the April 2002 exam has passed,
unless you want to try the re-examination route.  I'm not sure if that applies for
reciprocity, but you might want to consider it.

Mark Nowmos

Albert Zvarick wrote:

> Fellow engineers,
>
> I am sending this email on behalf of a colleague who works with me at Parsons:
> He is a very experienced engineer from Canada who holds a P.E. in Quebec.
> He wants to sit for the P.E. exam in Pennsylvania, but the board insists that
> he needs four years of local experience, despite the fact that he already has
> a P.E. in Canada and some 15 years of work experience there. The board also
> is requiring that he have all his original documentation from Poland translated
> into English. He has done this once already for his P.E. in Canada (from Polish
> to French). Naturally this could incur considerable expense. This gentleman was
> educated in Poland originally and then later in France (at the famed Ecole Pont
> et Chaussee). He has a wealth of engineering experience, and has worked in
> various countries around the world on some noteworthy projects (the Hybernia oil
> platform for one). In short, I cannot imagine that there is a more qualified
> professional than he who should be permitted to sit for the P.E. exam.
>
> I wholly understand that the board must exercise due diligence when reviewing
> an individual's education and work experience, but I think in this case, the reviewees
> are hindering his opportunity by sticking to the letter of the law. Has anyone out there,
> who has come from abroad, experienced this same difficulty? Were you able to file
> a petition and to appeal the arbitrary decision of the board? Replies are appreciated.
>
> Regards,
> Al Zvarick P.E.
> Parsons Energy and Chemicals
> Reading, Pennsylvania
>
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