50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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North Carolina Professional Engineer and Engineering Firm Licensing—Explained

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Securing a professional license is a mandatory step for individuals looking to offer engineering services in North Carolina. Obtaining this credential requires meeting specific knowledge, experience, and ethical requirements.

However, the licensure requirements are often changing, with the state continuously implementing new policies to ensure that only the most qualified professionals are allowed to practice. Those committed to maintaining their professional and legal right to operate in North Carolina must stay informed and be ready to fulfill any new regulatory requirements.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to secure and maintain a North Carolina professional engineer license. We’ll also introduce Harbor Compliance, a trusted partner that streamlines the licensure process for firms and helps you navigate the state’s evolving requirements.

Requirements for the North Carolina Professional Engineer License

The professional engineer (PE) license is the permit granted to individuals that allows them to secure senior engineering roles, offer engineering services to the public, and bid for government contracts.

All North Carolina firms that intend to practice engineering must have a licensed PE onboard before they can apply for a firm license. Furthermore, the specific requirements for each firm to obtain its license depend on whether it is a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company.

The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS) is the state’s designated body that oversees and regulates the practice of engineering and issues licenses to qualified professionals and firms.

Sole Proprietorships

Requirements for engineering sole proprietorships vary depending on whether you operate under your registered name or not. If you operate the business under a name that corresponds to the name in the NCBELS records, such as “John Doe & Associates,” there is no need to apply for an additional firm license.

However, if you operate under a name that differs from your licensee name, your firm is categorized as a non-exempt sole proprietorship. As such, you will need to apply for a firm license.

Partnerships

In North Carolina, partnerships are classified into three categories—general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability. The requirements for partnerships are outlined as follows:

  • All partners must be individuals. Firms can only act as partners if they are licensed by the NCBELS.
  • Domestic partnerships must provide a copy of their recorded or proposed secretary of state registration.
  • Foreign partnerships must supply a copy of the original registration from their home state along with amendments and a Certificate of Existence.

Corporations and Limited Liability Companies

Corporations and Limited Liability Companies in North Carolina are classified into two categories:

  1. Organizations established before June 5, 1969—These firms are known as business corporations. Such entities must submit a copy of the original Article of Incorporation or Article of Organization dated before June 5, 1969.
  2. Organizations established after June 5, 1969—These firms must qualify as a professional corporation or professional limited liability company based on the following requirements:
    1. At least two-thirds of the company must be owned by professional engineers.
    2. There must be at least one North Carolina licensee for each profession authorized, serving as a director (board of directors) and shareholder (corporation) or member and manager (limited liability company).
    3. Up to one-third of the company may be owned by non-licensed employees.
    4. No other company is permitted to be an owner of the firm, and all owners must be natural persons.

Obtaining the North Carolina Engineering Firm License

Once you’ve met the specific criteria based on the type of engineering firm you are operating, you can proceed to apply for a legal permit to operate in North Carolina. To obtain an engineering firm license, your business must follow these three steps:

  1. Apply to the NCBELS. Once the application has been processed, the board will issue a certificate to your firm.
  2. Use the certificate when filing with North Carolina’s secretary of state. After the paperwork has been filed and processed, it will be returned to your company.
  3. Submit a copy of this paperwork to the NCBELS and wait for the board to issue your firm license.

Renewing the North Carolina Engineering Firm License

After receiving your firm license from the NCBELS, you’ll need to renew it annually. Renewal applications must be submitted within 30 days of the former license's expiration.

Firms that don’t adhere to this timeline will have their engineering licenses suspended and must pay a fee to reinstate and renew them. If a suspended firm license is not reinstated for over a year, a new application must be filed to obtain licensure again.

Your firm’s professional engineers will also have to renew their licenses annually to ensure their continued practice. Renewal of North Carolina PE licenses requires meeting the Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) conditions.

These CPC requirements can be fulfilled through a range of activities, such as completing continuing education courses, delivering presentations at seminars, and authoring articles, papers, or books. During the renewal period, applicants must earn 15 Professional Development Hours (PDH) units.

Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions by Harbor Compliance—Simplify Your Licensure Process

In an ongoing effort to enhance professional standards, regulatory bodies in different states regularly revise engineering regulations.

For example, in 2023, NCBELS introduced a new requirement mandating that professional engineers earn at least one PDH unit dedicated explicitly to Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct to qualify for license renewal. Staying informed about such changes is crucial to maintaining an active license. This is where Harbor Compliance comes in.

At Harbor Compliance, we specialize in providing the resources and expert assistance you need to stay updated on changing licensing requirements. Our Architecture and Engineering Compliance Solutions provide the support and resources necessary to address your licensing needs and remain in good standing with the state.

Furthermore, we offer firsthand experience and help with obtaining and renewing licenses like the engineering business, geoscience, and land surveying firm registrations.

Benefits of Partnering With Harbor Compliance To Secure Your Engineering Licenses

Choosing Harbor Compliance’s Architecture and Engineering Compliance Solutions comes with multiple benefits, most notably:

  1. Direct access to a team of licensing experts who understand and have experience navigating the regulatory challenges engineering firms face.
  2. Peace of mind and more time to focus on running your firm and earning your PDH units that come from outsourcing your licensing workload.
  3. Access to Compliance Core™, our nationwide database, which contains information on over 800 architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) specific licenses.
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.
License Manager License Manager eliminates the need for spreadsheets for tracking state requirements by enabling seamless license management, research, and renewal.
Records Manager Records Manager helps you store organizational documents specific to your type of entity. It also lets you track ownership and leadership and customize meeting notifications.
Tax Manager This module efficiently monitors federal, state, and local tax registrations, reducing the time spent gaining insights into key tax account information.
Requirements Research Engine

This research engine 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, which 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, prerequisites, required attachments, processing times, and links to state statutes.

Ordering Harbor Compliance’s Licensing Services

When ordering Harbor Compliance’s services, you can select from any of these three options with varying degrees of autonomy:

  • Self-managed—This option is designed for individuals and firms who prefer to be more directly involved in the licensing process. We provide you with our management software solution, which gives you a comprehensive overview of your compliance status and helps you monitor changing requirements.
  • Fully managed—Here, you outsource the complexities of licensing to us. We take the lead in managing your licensing needs by assisting with tasks like submitting applications and tracking license renewals. Note that this option is suitable for company licenses only.
  • Hybrid—This option allows you to handle some of your licensing workload with our software solutions and outsource the rest to our team of experts.

To order the service, all you have to do is visit this page and fill out the form:

  1. Enter the required information:
    1. Name
    2. Email
    3. Phone number
  2. Choose Engineering from the drop-down menu.
  3. Hit the Submit button.

Harbor Compliance’s Additional Services

Aside from our Architecture and Engineering Compliance Solutions for firms and individuals, we offer other services to help you meet your statutory requirements and maintain good standing with state regulators. These services include:

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Company Licenses

North Carolina Engineering Company Licenses

North Carolina Firm License (Engineering and/or Land Surveying)

Agency:North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors
Law:

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 89C-24

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

Professional Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the shares of ownership must be held by licensed design professionals.
  • At least one director and one officer who is a shareholder must be a North Carolina licensee.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the owners must be licensed design professionals.
  • At least one member and manager must be licensed in North Carolina.
  • No company may be an owner of the Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a North Carolina licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in North Carolina.

Initial Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • A licensee that wishes to operate as a sole proprietor using a name other than their signature name as reflected in the Board records must apply for Firm Licensure as a Non-Exempt Sole Proprietorship. A sole member LLC or corporation is not a proprietorship. Refer to the Business Firm Chart on the Board web site (www.ncbels.org) for more information. 
Form:

License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or email to firms@ncbels.org

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

5-7 business days. Applicants will be notified by mail/email.

Original Ink:Required
Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:
  • This application may only be used for Non-Exempt Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Business Corporations or Limited Liability Companies that meet the exception in NCGS 55B-15(a)(1).
  • If the Corporation or Limited Liability Company was formed after June 5, 1969, it does not qualify for this exception and the firm should not use this application. Refer to the Business Firm Chart on the Board web site (www.ncbels.org) for more information.
  • Only Corporations and Limited Liability Company’s formed prior to June 5, 1969, may qualify as Business Corporations or Limited Liability Company’s. All others must qualify as Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Company’s and use the Professional Corporation Application or Professional Limited Liability Company Application per North Carolina General Statue 55B (Professional Corporation Act).
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your North Carolina entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 6 months old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. Email an Application for Licensure and entity formation documents to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.
  2. Once approved by the board, file the approved entity formation documents with the North Carolina Secretary of State - Business Registration Division.
  3. After Secretary of State approved, email proof of entity formation with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Email an Application for Licensure and foreign qualification documents to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.
  2. Once approved by the board, file the approved foreign qualification documents with the North Carolina Secretary of State - Business Registration Division.
  3. After Secretary of State approved, email proof of foreign qualification with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.
Required Attachments:
  • All entities
    • A copy of Form B-09 
    • The original firm Articles dating prior to June 5, 1969, must indicate that the firm was practicing engineering/land surveying at time of Incorporation/Organization. If they do not then evidence that the firm was performing engineering/land surveying prior to June 5, 1969, must be submitted
    • Each location of the firm that is or may be offering services should be listed
  • Foreign PLLC's:
    • Certificate of good standing from domestic jurisdiction (less than 6 months old)
    • Certified copy of Articles of Organization and any amendments to present (original, not a photocopy)
    • A copy of the firm's Operating Agreement and any amendments to present. 
  • Domestic Entities:
    • A copy of the firms original North Carolina Articles and any amendments to present. 
    • If the firm has already submitted and obtained a NC Certificate of Authority, a copy must be provided with the application. 
  • Foreign Entities
    • a copy of the corporations' original Articles of Incorporation and any Amendments to present from its State of formation, a copy of a Certificate of Existence less than (6) months old and a copy of the proposed North Carolina Certificate of Authority (Form B-09)
    • *If the firm has already submitted and obtained a NC Certificate of Authority, a copy must be provided with the application. 
  • Partnerhsips 
    • List all Partner(s) and corresponding ownership. All Partners must be individuals. A firm may only be a Partner if that entity is also licensed with the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.
    • If filing as a Domestic Partnership, along with the application, submit a copy of the recorded Secretary of State Registration. If the firm is not currently registered with the NC Secretary of State, submit a copy of the proposed Registration.
    • If filing as a Foreign Partnership (Non-North Carolina Entity), submit a copy of the original Registration from the firm’s home state of registration and any amendments to present. Also submit a copy of a Certificate of Existence less than (6) months old.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$75

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Penalties:
  • If the business firm does not apply for renewal of the Firm License within thirty (30) days after the date of the expiration of such license. In that case, the Firm License shall be automatically suspended. The Firm License may be reinstated within one year upon receipt of the renewal application and payment of the required renewal fee plus the reinstatement fee. 
  • Failure of a business firm to renew the license for a period of one (1) year shall require the business firm to submit a new application and meet all other requirements in effect for licensure
Required Attachments:
  • List of license holders who have stock ownership
  • List of non-licensed employees who have stock ownership
  • List of branch office locations including licensee in responsible charge
  • Disclosure of disciplinary actions taken against North Carolina licensees (if applicable)

Amendment

Form:

Business Firm Change Form or Professional Corporate Change Form or Professional Limited Liability Company Change Form

Agency Fee:

$15 for name changes and professional service changes. No fee is charged for all other changes.

Due:

The Board of Examiners must be notified within 30 days of any change in personnel status, locations, etc. contained in the license.

Reinstatement

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$175

Notes:

File for renewal online and email the board at firms@ncbels.org to inform them that the late renewal was filed online.

North Carolina Geological Corporation License

Agency:North Carolina Board for the Licensing of Geologists
Law:

NC GS § 55B-10 and NC GS § 89E-7

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Professional Corporation
  • Professional LLC
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:
  • For firms offering only geological services: North Carolina Licensed Geologist must be an officer and director if professional corporation, or member and manager if PLLC.
  • For firms offering multiple professional services: Each professional service offered must be represented by an officer and director (member and manager for PLLC). A North Carolina Licensed Geologist must hold both positions.
  • 2/3 of the shares or interest must be held by licensed professionals (professional geologists, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, architects or soil scientists in any state with comparable requirements)
  • For Domestic Corporations/LLC (In-State), the North Carolina Licensed Geologist must be a shareholder or interest holder
  • For Foreign Corporations/LLCs (Out-of-State), the North Carolina Licensed Geologist is not required to be a shareholder or interest holder
  • For partnerships, at least one partner must be a North Carolina Licensed Geologist
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

Every firm must designate a North Carolina Licensed Geologist in charge

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Corporate License

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$55

Notarization Required?:Required
Required Attachments:
  • Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Amendment, Certificate of Authority, or other business formation document
  • Copy of Bylaws or Operating Agreement or other document establishing membership structure

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notarization Required?:Not required
Penalties:
  • $50 late fee if not renewed on time
  • Licenses not renewed by July 31 must be reinstated

Individual Licenses

North Carolina Individual Engineering Licenses

North Carolina Engineer Intern Certification

Agency:North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Renewal Not Required

Not required



North Carolina Geologist License

Agency:North Carolina Board for the Licensing of Geologists
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

The board generally allows the use of electronic signatures but does not yet have official guidance regarding their use.

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The board generally allows the use of digital seals but does not yet have official guidance regarding their use.

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Individual License

Agency Fee:

$55

Notarization Required?:Required

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$85

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notarization Required?:Not required

North Carolina Professional Engineer License

Agency:North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Electronically Transmitted Documents. Documents, including drawings, specifications and reports, that are transmitted electronically beyond the direct control of the licensee shall have the computer-generated seal removed from the original file, unless signed with a digital signature as defined in Paragraph (e) of this Rule. After removal of the seal the electronic media shall have the following inserted in lieu of the signature and date: "This document originally issued and sealed by (name of sealer), (license number), on (Date of sealing). This medium shall not be considered a certified document." Hardcopy documents containing the original seal, signature and date of the licensee may be duplicated by photocopy or electronic scanning processes and distributed either in hardcopy or electronic medium. The scanned digital files of certified documents are not subject to the requirements of this Paragraph. The electronic transmission beyond the direct control of the licensee of CAD, vector or other files subject to easy editing are subject to the requirements of this paragraph. Easy editing is based on the file consisting of separate elements that can be individually modified or deleted. Documents that are excepted from certification by a statement meeting the requirements of Subparagraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this Rule are not subject to the requirements of this Paragraph.

(e) Documents to be electronically transmitted beyond the direct control of the licensee that are signed using a digital signature, shall contain the authentication procedure in a secure mode and a list of the hardware, software and parameters used to prepare the document(s). Secure mode means that the authentication procedure has protective measures to prevent alteration or overriding of the authentication procedure. The term "digital signature" shall be an electronic authentication process that is attached to or logically associated with an electronic document. The digital signature shall be:

  1. Unique to the licensee using it;
  2. Capable of verification;
  3. Under the sole control of the licensee; and
  4. Linked to a document in such a manner that the digital signature is invalidated if any data in the document is changed.

(f) A digital signature process may be submitted to the Board for approval that it meets the criteria set forth in Subparagraphs (e)(1) through (4) of this Rule. The licensee shall confirm that if another process is used, that it meets the criteria.

21 NCAC 56 .1103

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The seal may be a rubber stamp, embossed seal, computer-generated seal, or other facsimile that becomes a permanent addition to a plan sheet or map;

21 NCAC 56 .1103

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$75

Due:

Annually by December 31.

North Carolina Professional Land Surveyor License

Agency:North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $275 exam fee

Notarization Required?:Not required

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $275 exam fee

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$75

Due:

Annually by December 31.

North Carolina Surveyor Intern Certification

Agency:North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Certification as a Surveyor Intern

Agency Fee:

$0

Notarization Required?:Required

Renewal Not Required

Not required



The surveyor intern certificate does not expire and, therefore, does not have to be renewed.

North Carolina Professional Engineer FAQs

This section answers some common questions about the North Carolina professional engineer license. For more in-depth details, visit the Harbor Compliance Information Center.

For license reinstatement, you must submit an application to the NCBELS accompanied by five current references, three of which should be from licensed professional engineers.

A retired license status means the licensee is no longer practicing engineering in North Carolina and is exempt from CPC and license renewal requirements.

To maintain good standing, individuals and firms in North Carolina are expected to renew their engineering licenses annually.

Partner With Harbor Compliance on Your Journey to Professional NC Engineering Firm Licensure

Maintaining an active license and staying updated on changing requirements is essential for individuals and firms looking to practice engineering in North Carolina. At Harbor Compliance, we provide the database and expert assistance needed to make the license management process seamless. Want to see for yourself? Order our Architecture and Engineering Compliance Solutions here.

If you’re considering partnering with us and want to learn more about our services, you can schedule a demo to see our software’s capabilities firsthand. Afterward, you can choose a service option that works best for you. Additionally, our free Harbor Compliance Score™ can help you assess your compliance status.

For additional information on certifications and engineering licenses across different states, you can check out the table below:

Alabama Engineering License Alaska Engineering License Arizona Engineering License Arkansas Engineering License California Engineering License Colorado Engineering License Connecticut Engineering License Delaware Engineering License District of Columbia Engineering License Florida Engineering License Georgia Engineering License Hawaii Engineering License Idaho Engineering License
Illinois Engineering License Indiana Engineering License Iowa Engineering License Kansas Engineering License Kentucky Engineering License Louisiana Engineering License Maine Engineering License Maryland Engineering License Massachusetts Engineering License Michigan Engineering License Minnesota Engineering License Mississippi Engineering License Missouri Engineering License
Montana Engineering License Nebraska Engineering License Nevada Engineering License New Hampshire Engineering License New Jersey Engineering License New Mexico Engineering License New York Engineering License North Carolina Engineering License North Dakota Engineering License Ohio Engineering License Oklahoma Engineering License Oregon Engineering License Pennsylvania Engineering License
Rhode Island Engineering License South Carolina Engineering License South Dakota Engineering License Tennessee Engineering License Texas Engineering License Utah Engineering License Vermont Engineering License Virginia Engineering License Washington Engineering License West Virginia Engineering License Wisconsin Engineering License Wyoming Engineering License

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.

Revised June 25, 2024. Complete data last reviewed February 20, 2023.
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