National PE Day 2025: 10 Facts about Professional Engineers
Celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in August, this year’s Professional Engineers (PE) Day falls on August 6, 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of this national recognition of licensed engineers and their vital contributions to public safety and the built environment.
At AEI, PEs play a vital role in planning, designing, and commissioning the building systems that support everything from advanced research labs and state-of-the-art hospitals to clean energy facilities and high-performance data centers. Earning a PE license is more than a career milestone; it’s a mark of trust, responsibility, and technical excellence.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this meaningful day, we’re sharing 10 facts you might not know about Professional Engineers. Whether you’re an aspiring engineer or simply curious about what the PE title represents, take a closer look.
1. A PE license is a legal credential.
It gives engineers the authority to sign off on designs and take responsibility for engineering decisions that impact public safety.
2. Becoming a PE takes time and dedication.
It requires an ABET-accredited engineering degree (or equivalent), four years of experience under a licensed PE, and passing two comprehensive exams, the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.
3. Ethics are at the heart of the profession.
PEs commit to prioritizing public safety, health, and welfare in every decision they make, as outlined in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics.
4. Licensure happens at the state level.
Individual state licensing boards issue PE licenses. Engineers must be licensed in each state where they practice, and many PEs hold multiple active licenses to work across state lines legally.
5. The PE license opens doors to leadership.
While not required for every role, PE licensure is often essential for leading projects, consulting, or holding positions in the public sector.
6. Learning never stops.
Almost all U.S. states require PEs to complete regular continuing professional development (CPD) or professional development hours (PDH) to renew their licenses and stay current with evolving technologies and codes. This helps ensure engineers continue to provide safe, effective, and innovative solutions throughout their careers.
7. PEs work in many disciplines.
While most people think of civil engineers, PEs also specialize in mechanical, electrical, fire protection, plumbing/piping, structural, and other disciplines that are critical to designing and constructing buildings and infrastructure.
8. Mentorship is part of the role.
Many PEs serve as mentors and supervisors for early-career engineers working toward their own licensure. This includes guiding Engineer-in-Training (EIT) candidates through the experience requirements and preparing for the PE exam, supporting the next generation of licensed professionals.
- 270+
- Professional Engineers at AEI
9. Professional Engineers Day began in 2016.
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) launched PE Day to raise awareness and celebrate the profession’s contributions. The observance commemorates the first PE license issued to Charles Bellamy in Wyoming on August 8, 1907.
10. PEs empower AEI.
From system design to sustainable innovation, our PEs lead complex projects with technical expertise, integrity, and our additional core values that define our work. Thank you to the more than 270 AEI Professional Engineers who have taken the challenging, yet valuable steps to earn their license and for driving excellence in every project they undertake.
Want to Learn More About the PE License?
Explore AEI’s Professional Engineers Day 2024 blog, where we dive into the path to becoming a PE, offering insights into the FE exam and the EIT designation.