Understanding the Process of Becoming a Structural Engineer in Colorado
Before offering engineering services to the public, structural engineers in Colorado must obtain a professional engineer (PE) license—the state does not issue a separate license for structural engineers. The Colorado PE license encompasses several engineering disciplines, including structural and civil engineering, making it the only recognized credential for practicing professional engineering in the state.
The Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors is the regulatory authority that evaluates and approves applications for the PE license. The Board also sets the standards for professional engineers and enforces state regulations that govern their practice.
Individuals who wish to obtain this credential must meet the Board’s specified requirements and periodically renew their licenses to uphold their rights to practice in this state.
In this article, we’ll outline the requirements for becoming a structural engineer in Colorado. Furthermore, we’ll introduce Harbor Compliance and demonstrate how its Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions can help you manage and streamline your firm’s licensure journey in Colorado and beyond.
Requirements for Becoming a Structural Engineer in Colorado
The PE license is a prerequisite for the legal practice of structural engineering in most U.S. states. It signifies that the licensee demonstrates high standards of competence and professionalism and is capable of providing structural engineering services safely and ethically. Consequently, professionals pursuing licensure must fulfill specific criteria set by the state in which they operate.
In Colorado, structural engineering firms, including partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and joint stock associations, are not required to secure or renew a company license to practice in the state.
However, according to Section 12-120-204 of the Colorado Professions and Occupations Act, these entities are only permitted to practice if the individual within the company who is responsible for overseeing their engineering services is a licensed professional engineer in Colorado.
This provision also mandates that all engineering documents, plans, or reports issued by or for the entity bear the seal and signature of the designated licensed professional engineer.
There are three licensure paths for engineers seeking a PE license in Colorado:
- Licensure by graduation, examination, and experience
- Licensure by experience and examination
- Licensure by endorsement
1. Licensure by Graduation, Examination, and Experience
Section 12-120-213 of the Colorado Professions and Occupations Act states that individuals can qualify for a professional engineering license by passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination, which tests their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
To take the PE examination, applicants need to meet specific requirements based on their level of education and professional experience. The table below shows the combination of education and experience that will qualify an applicant for the PE exam:
| Education | Experience (Education Included) |
|---|---|
| Graduate from an engineering technology curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), with a duration of at least four years | 8 years |
| Graduate from an engineering curriculum or a related science curriculum lasting four years or more not approved by ABET | 10 years |
The education and experience requirements outlined in the table above apply only to individuals who are currently registered as engineering interns (EI) in Colorado and have already passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
Engineering interns transferring from another state or those not registered as such in Colorado must pass the FE exam before taking the PE exam. However, you can waive the EI requirement altogether if you meet the following criteria:
- Having an engineering or science-related degree with a duration of four years or more
- Having over 20 years of progressive work experience, of which education may be a part
2. Licensure by Experience and Examination
This pathway applies to applicants who have the required years of experience to apply for a PE license, regardless of their level of education. To be eligible for licensure, applicants in this category must:
- Have 12 years of progressive engineering experience (which may include education)
- Be enrolled as EIs in Colorado or elsewhere—if this requirement is not met, the applicant will have to pass the FE exam before qualifying for the PE exam
- Pass the PE examination
3. Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants in this category must have previously been licensed and be in good standing in another jurisdiction. Additionally, the qualifications for licensing in that state must be substantially equivalent to those of Colorado.
The Process of Obtaining a Colorado Structural Engineer License
Upon meeting the state’s licensure requirements, applicants must apply online on the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations website. Applicants will also need to submit relevant documentation, which may include:
- Information regarding their National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) council records
- Information regarding engineering education and training
- Answers to questions regarding criminal history
Renewing a Colorado Structural Engineer License
After obtaining your license, you must renew it periodically to maintain your right to practice in the state. Unlike most other states, Colorado does not require continuing education credits to be eligible for renewal.
Colorado PE licenses expire on October 31 of odd-numbered years. To reinstate an expired license, you need to provide information to the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations regarding the following:
- Details of practice as an engineer since the license expiration date
- Answers to questions regarding general and criminal history
In addition, applicants whose licenses have been expired for more than two years must complete and upload an Engineer Experience Summary form & Engineer Experience Verification form.
Securing a Company Structural Engineering License With Harbor Compliance
Obtaining and maintaining a PE license in Colorado involves meeting various requirements, filing initial and renewal applications, and keeping track of any changes to relevant state regulations.
While this process might sound straightforward, it can consume precious time and resources that could otherwise be dedicated to your primary engineering responsibilities. More importantly, failing to keep up with the regulatory requirements can result in license lapses and additional fees.
However, partnering with a professional service provider like Harbor Compliance and leveraging our expert support can make your licensure journey easier, more efficient, and error-free.
In particular, our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions include various tools and resources designed to help firms in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors secure legal permits to operate in different states across the U.S.
Our team of experts is highly specialized in navigating the complexities of the licensure process, while our cutting-edge software solutions help you keep track of state requirements, regulations, and license renewal dates.
Benefits of Partnering With Harbor Compliance To Manage Your Engineering Licenses
Harbor Compliance focuses on helping entities navigate complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring they can operate legally in various jurisdictions. When you choose to entrust us with your licensure process, you’ll enjoy several benefits, such as:
- Access to Compliance Core™, our proprietary algorithm that compares your company data against a vast, nationwide database containing more than 22,000 regulatory and licensing requirements. By having access to the most current licensing information in all jurisdictions on a single platform, you’ll save valuable time that you would otherwise spend manually researching licensing state requirements.
- Personalized expert support throughout the licensure journey—from filing applications to tracking renewals—allows you to focus on key aspects of running your business.
- Reduced risk of licensing gaps and the associated interruptions to your operations.
In addition, you can utilize our proprietary Software Suite, offered separately, which gives you access to tools designed to help you manage your entity’s operations, track license statuses, and monitor tax registrations. Three notable modules in this suite include:
- License Manager—This tool helps you oversee and manage your entity’s licensing process, from research to tracking renewals. It also allows you to store information regarding your various licenses in a single location.
- Entity Manager—This tool stores corporate records in a single, easily accessible location. It also helps you track deadlines for filings to ensure your entity remains in good standing.
- Tax Manager—This software monitors tax registrations, preventing renewal or filing lapses. You can access tax identification numbers, store payroll information, and manage sales and corporate income accounts.
The Process of Ordering Harbor Compliance Solutions
Before ordering our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, you’ll need to decide how much of your licensure process you’d like to delegate to us. Depending on your needs, you can choose any of our three service options:
- Fully Managed—This service option lets you delegate the bulk of your licensing tasks to our team of experts, allowing us to handle everything from preparing applications to tracking renewals. Note that this option is available only for company licenses.
- Self-Managed—This option is designed for clients who prefer a more hands-on approach. We provide access to our proprietary software suite, allowing you to independently research and monitor state requirements and license renewal deadlines.
- Hybrid—When you choose the Hybrid option, our expert team handles some licensing tasks on your behalf and allows you to oversee the rest with our proprietary software suite.
Once you’ve decided what service option best suits your entity’s needs, you can schedule a quick introductory call with our team by taking the following steps:
- Visit our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions page and click on the Contact Us button.
- Complete the provided form with your name, email address, and phone number. You can also include your company name and website.
- Let us know if you have a preferred meeting time and share any questions you’d like us to address during the meeting.
Harbor Compliance’s Additional Services
Aside from our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, Harbor Compliance offers numerous services designed to help you meet all state and regulatory requirements. The table below outlines our most popular services in various categories:
| Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Document filing and retrieval | We assist firms with filing initial and annual reports and help them retrieve their certified copies and certificates of good standing. |
| Nonprofit formation | We help nonprofit organizations file for incorporation and tax exemption. |
| Business licensing support | This service enables organizations to obtain the business licenses they need to operate in different states in the U.S. |
| Tax registration | We assist organizations in completing their payroll tax registrations and obtaining their Employer Identification Numbers (EIN). |
| Entity lifecycle management | We help firms throughout their entire lifecycle—from incorporation, LLC formation, and amendment to reinstatement, dissolution and withdrawal, and name reservation. |
| Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting | We assist firms with reporting their beneficial ownership information in accordance with the Corporate Transparency Act. |
| Registered agent service | If you appoint us as your registered agent, we’ll receive your important legal notices and forward them to you timely. |
Colorado Structural Engineer License FAQs
Below, you’ll find answers to some frequently asked questions about the Colorado structural engineer license. For more information, you can visit our Information Center.
Professional engineering licenses in Colorado, which are required for practicing structural engineering in the state, expire on October 31 of odd-numbered years. After this, you must renew them to maintain an active license status.
Engineering Interns transferring from another state must take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) exams to qualify for a professional engineering license in Colorado.
No. However, all firms that intend to offer structural engineering services to the public must employ a licensed professional engineer to oversee their operations.
Entrusting Harbor Compliance With Your Colorado Structural Engineer Licensing Journey
Obtaining a PE license in Colorado is mandatory for practicing as a structural engineer in the state. Additionally, this license must be renewed periodically to maintain your right to practice and remain in good standing.
Opting for Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions can help you achieve a more efficient licensing process and stay on track with constantly evolving state requirements.
To get started with our services, schedule a quick call with our team, and we’ll find the service option that best suits your licensing needs. You can also request a demo session to see our award-winning software in action.
If you want to assess your compliance with various state and regulatory requirements across the U.S., you can get a free Harbor Compliance Score™. If you notice any red flags, give us a call, and we’ll advise you on the best path forward.
Lastly, you can check the table below for additional resources on engineering licensing requirements across various states in the U.S.:
