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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Alabama.
This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Alabama 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.
Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.
Professional Corporations:
All shareholders, at least one director and the president of a professional corporation must be qualified persons.
Limited Liability Companies:
Members and managers need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.
Professional Limited Liability Companies:
Members and managers need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.
Partnerships:
Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint an Alabama-licensed professional engineer to be the managing agent for the firm.
Notes:
A firm shall designate a resident professional engineer or a resident professional land surveyor, as applicable, in each branch office in which engineering or land surveying services for the state are offered or provided. The resident professional shall be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of that branch office.
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
A firm shall designate a managing agent and a resident professional if offering or performing Alabama services in multiple offices. The managing agent and the resident professional may be the same individual.
The following criteria shall apply to a firm’s designation of a managing agent:
A firm shall designate a professional engineer or a professional land surveyor to be a managing agent for the firm.
The managing agent is responsible for the engineering or land surveying work in the state and for projects within the state offered or provided by the firm.
A licensee may not be designated as a managing agent for more than one firm unless the firms share a location.
A licensee who renders occasional, part-time, or consulting engineering or land surveying services to or for a firm may not be designated as a managing agent.
The managing agent's responsibilities include all of the following:
Renewal of the firm's certificate of authorization and notification to the board of any change in the managing agent.
Overall administrative supervision of the firm's licensed and subordinate personnel providing the engineering or land surveying work in the state.
Ensuring that the policies of the firm are in accordance with the rules of professional conduct adopted by the board.
Initial Registration
This section applies to engineering firms that are applying for a license in Alabama for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.
If your company offers both engineering and land surveying services, you will need to have separate certificates of authorization for engineering and land surveying.
If your firm's name contains the word "engineering" (or any modification of that word), you must submit the certificate of authorization application to the Board before attempting to reserve the firm's name with the office of the Alabama Secretary of State
Before you Apply:
List all offices where engineering work is performed for projects in Alabama.
List the Alabama licensed PE physically located at each office.
The listed Alabama PE must be a full time employee of the firm and be in responsible charge of the engineering work performed for Alabama projects at that office
The managing agent must be the senior technical person that has a current Alabama PE license and make significant technical and/or contractual judgments on behalf of the firm.
How to Apply:
Domestic Applicants:
Apply for name reservation through the Secretary of State. Entities whose name contains some form of 'engineer' must have their name approved by the Board of Engineers before reserving their name.
Form your business entity with the Secretary of State and apply for a firm license through the Board of Engineers (these filings can be made concurrently).
Foreign Applicants:
Apply for name reservation through the Secretary of State. Entities whose name contains some form of 'engineer' must have their name approved by the Board of Engineers before reserving their name.
Foreign qualify your business entity with the Secretary of State (if required) and apply for a firm license through the Board of Engineers (these filings can be made concurrently).
Registration Renewal
This section applies to engineering firms that are already licensed in Alabama and need to renew their license.
Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
Professional Corporations
All shareholders, at least one director and the president of a professional corporation must be qualified persons.
Limited Liability Companies
Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
Professional Limited Liability Companies
Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
Limited Liability Partnerships
Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint an Alabama-licensed land surveyor to be the managing agent for the firm.
Notes:
A firm shall designate a resident professional engineer or a resident professional land surveyor, as applicable, in each branch office in which engineering or land surveying services for the state are offered or provided. The resident professional shall be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of that branch office.
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
A firm shall designate a managing agent and a resident professional if offering or performing Alabama services in multiple offices. The managing agent and the resident professional may be the same individual.
The following criteria shall apply to a firm’s designation of a managing agent:
A firm shall designate a professional engineer or a professional land surveyor to be a managing agent for the firm.
The managing agent is responsible for the engineering or land surveying work in the state and for projects within the state offered or provided by the firm.
A licensee may not be designated as a managing agent for more than one firm unless the firms share a location.
A licensee who renders occasional, part-time, or consulting engineering or land surveying services to or for a firm may not be designated as a managing agent.
The managing agent's responsibilities include all of the following:
Renewal of the firm's certificate of authorization and notification to the board of any change in the managing agent.
Overall administrative supervision of the firm's licensed and subordinate personnel providing the engineering or land surveying work in the state.
Ensuring that the policies of the firm are in accordance with the rules of professional conduct adopted by the board.
If your company offers both engineering and land surveying services, you will need to have separate certificates of authorization for engineering and land surveying.
How to Apply:
A firm required to be qualified by the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office to do business in Alabama may file such qualification documents concurrently with an Engineering Certificate of Authorization application. Exception: If the firm name contains the word “surveying” (or any derivation of the word), then Board approval must be gained before registering with the Secretary of State
If your company offers both engineering and land surveying services, you will need to have separate certificates of authorization for engineering and land surveying.
Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists
Allow Digital Signatures?
Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:
Electronic signatures may be used as long as all involved parties agree to their use.
Allow Digital Sealing?
Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:
The seal, signature, and serial number of a licensee on a document constitute a certification that the document was prepared by the licensee or under his/her direct supervision or that he/she has reviewed the document in sufficient depth to fully coordinate and assume responsibility for plans prepared by another geologist. A geological report, document, or illustration cannot be submitted in the name of a corporation, company, or partnership without the signature and seal of the licensed geologist accepting the responsibility for the work described. Geological documents include any document, illustration, or paper (including those electronically or photostatically reproduced), resulting from professional services or supervision of professional services, where such services requires the application of geological principles or data. When appropriate, use of electronic or digital reproduction of the seal or stamp is allowed, provided the reproduction is in accordance with 364-X-11-.02 and 364-X-11-.03(3).
Reciprocal applicants must request a Letter of Good Standing be sent from the reciprocal state directly to the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists.
Interns are not longer required to renew their certificates.
Alabama Professional Engineer License
Agency:
Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Exam Required?
Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?
Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:
Drawings, plans, specifications, plats, reports, and other documents considered work product issued by a licensee must be sealed, signed, and dated in accordance with rules of the board, thereby certifying that he or she is competent in the subject matter and is responsible for the work product. A digital signature may be used in lieu of a handwritten signature.
A computer generated seal or facsimile is acceptable only when the signature of the professional engineer or professional land surveyor and the date the document was signed are on or adjacent to the computer generated or facsimile seal. Any variation from this procedure must be submitted to and approved by the Board. Drawings, specifications, plans, reports, or documents which do not require certification may be transmitted electronically but shall have the generated seal, if any, removed before transmitting and shall have the following inserted in lieu of the signature and date: “This document originally issued and sealed by (name of licensee), P.E. #______/P.L.S.#______ on (date of sealing). This document should not be considered a certified document.”
Create an account to start the application process. You will be required to complete the following sections even if you have an NCEES Record - Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence, Exam Verification, Academic Degree, Licenses, Affidavit Questions and NCEES Record.
Once you indicate you have an NCEES Record, the Board will receive an email from the database system to check with NCEES to see if your record has been transmitted. Once it has, the record will be downloaded and reviewed.
The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the NCEES Record. If everything matches up, you will receive an email to log back into your My BELS account to pay and submit your application. If there are issues with your application and record, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to issue a license. You will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information.
Comity without NCEES Record & Initial Licensure
If you have not previously filed an application with the Board, create an account to start the application process. If you previously filed an application, you would log into your My BELS account to start the application process.
You will be required to complete the following sections:
Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence
Exam Verification
Academic Degree
Work Experiences
References
Licenses (if applicable)
Affidavit Questions
The application cannot be submitted until all of your verifiers and references have responded.
The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the exam verification, transcript(s), experience verifications, references and background check. If everything matches up, your application will go to final review. If there are issues with your application, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to issue a license. You will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information.
Create an account to start the application process. You will be required to complete the following sections even if you have an NCEES Record - Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence, Exam Verification, Academic Degree, Licenses, Affidavit Questions and NCEES Record.
Once you indicate you have an NCEES Record, the Board will receive an email from the database system to check with NCEES to see if your record has been transmitted. Once it has, the record will be downloaded and reviewed.
The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the NCEES Record. If everything matches up, you will receive an email to log back into your My BELS account to pay and submit your application. If there are issues with your application and record, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to receive notification you’ve been approved to sit for the ALSS exam.
You’ll then submit your ALSS exam fee when you are ready to test. If you pass the exam, you will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information. Your certificate will be mailed separately within 2 weeks to the primary address on file.
Comity without NCEES Record & Initial Licensure
If you have not previously filed an application with the Board, create an account to start the application process. If you previously filed an application, you would log into your My BELS account to start the application process.
You will be required to complete the following sections:
Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence
Exam Verification
Academic Degree
Work Experiences
References
Licenses (if applicable)
Affidavit Questions
The application cannot be submitted until all of your verifiers and references have responded.
The information provided in your BELS application will be reviewed against the exam verification, transcript(s), experience verifications, references and background check. If everything matches up, your application will go to final review. If there are issues with your application, you’ll receive an email with the issues.
Once your application and fee are submitted and there are no issues, it takes approximately 2 weeks to receive notification you’ve been approved to sit for the ALSS exam.
You’ll then submit your ALSS exam fee when you are ready to test. If you pass the exam, you will receive an email with your license number and links to additional information. Your certificate will be mailed separately within 2 weeks to the primary address on file.
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.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.
Filing fees depend on your individual situation. We do our best to calculate your filing fees
upfront and collect those fees today so we can get started. Your specialist will determine your
exact filing fees and invoice additional fees if required.
