How Long Does It Take to Become a Civil Engineer?
Reviewed by: Weiyi Lu, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies
Civil engineers design and maintain the roads, bridges, water systems and buildings that keep communities functioning, and demand for their expertise continues to grow as aging U.S. infrastructure requires modernization.
The shortage of licensed civil engineering professional engineers (PEs) represents a growing challenge to the sustainability of the civil engineering workforce and the nation’s infrastructure delivery capacity. As infrastructure investment and renewal demands increase, the profession faces a significant demographic shift, with nearly 30% of civil engineers over the age of 55 and many approaching retirement. Given the PE’s critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability and regulatory compliance of public infrastructure systems, expanding the pipeline of licensed PEs is essential to maintaining professional capacity and meeting future infrastructure needs.
An M.S. degree can strengthen the pathway to PE licensure by providing advanced technical knowledge, enhancing engineering judgment and improving preparedness for professional practice and licensure examinations. In some states, graduate education may also count toward a portion of the experience requirements for licensure.
Most people can become licensed civil engineers in 8-12 years, but the exact timeline depends on several factors.
The process of becoming a civil engineer covers everything from earning an accredited degree to passing two national exams and gaining the required professional experience. The sections that follow break down each milestone and explain what can shorten or extend the path.
Timeline to Becoming a Civil Engineer
The path to licensure moves through a predictable sequence of education, examination and experience milestones:
| Phase | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | About 4 years |
| Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam | Senior year or shortly after graduation |
| Entry-level engineering experience | About 4 years |
| Master’s degree (optional) | About 1 to 2 years |
| Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam | After the experience requirement is met |
| Continuing education | Ongoing throughout the career |
How Do You Become a Civil Engineer?
Each phase in the timeline involves specific requirements set by accreditors, state licensing boards and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited civil engineering program. Accreditation is a prerequisite for licensure in most states and signals that the curriculum meets established standards in math, science and engineering design.
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Administered by NCEES, the FE is the first of two licensure exams and is best taken while undergraduate coursework is still fresh.
- Gain qualifying engineering experience under a licensed professional engineer. Most states require about four years of documented, supervised experience relevant to the candidate’s discipline.
- Consider earning a master’s degree in civil engineering for comprehensive expertise. Graduate study can be pursued before, alongside or after work experience and may count toward the experience requirement in some states.
- Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. The PE is the discipline-specific exam that qualifies engineers for state licensure and the authority to sign off on public projects.
- Complete continuing education to maintain licensure. Most states require professional development hours each renewal cycle, with specific totals and deadlines set by the licensing board.
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What Education Do You Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
The educational path into civil engineering begins with a bachelor’s degree, which serves as the entry point to the profession, and often extends to a master’s degree for engineers seeking specialization, leadership roles or faster advancement.
Undergraduate Education
A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering represents the minimum credential for entry into the field. Employers generally prefer graduates of programs accredited by ABET, and most state licensing boards require an accredited degree for eventual professional licensure.
Coursework blends foundational science with applied engineering. Under ABET’s criteria for civil engineering programs, students get their foundation in mathematics through:
- Differential equations
- Calculus-based physics
- General chemistry
- Engineering mechanics
- Materials science
- Numerical methods
The remaining portion is design-based, covering principles of sustainability, risk and resilience, along with equity and inclusion considerations that shape modern infrastructure practice.
Many programs also offer cooperative education arrangements or internships that let students accumulate practical experience while still enrolled. These placements can strengthen a resume and, in some cases, count toward the work experience required for licensure later on.
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Graduate study is not required to enter the profession, but a Master of Science in Civil Engineering can support advancement into a variety of civil engineering roles, deepen technical expertise and, under Michigan’s rules, count as one additional year toward the four-year work experience requirement for licensure.
Master’s programs generally allow students to concentrate their curriculum around a specific focus area. At Michigan State University, we offer three focus areas focused on high-demand engineering areas:
- Pavement Engineering: Focuses on the design, materials and long-term performance of pavement systems, with an emphasis on durability and sustainability.
- Transportation Engineering: Covers the planning and design of highways, mass transit and related systems that move people and goods.
- Structural Engineering: Addresses the analysis and design of buildings, bridges and other load-bearing structures.
What Licensing and Certification Do You Need to Become a Civil Engineer?
Licensure is not required for entry-level civil engineering work, but according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineers who provide services directly to the public or sign and seal design plans typically must hold a state-issued Professional Engineer (PE) license. That license is earned by passing two national exams and completing a period of qualifying work experience.
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
The first exam is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE is designed for students in the final year of an ABET-accredited undergraduate program or recent graduates.
It contains 110 questions, runs on a six-hour appointment and is offered year-round at test centers across the country. Candidates who pass typically earn Engineer-in-Training (EIT) status and can begin accumulating the work experience required for full licensure.
Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
The second exam is the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). The NCEES requires engineers to have a minimum of four years of post-college experience in their discipline. The PE Civil exam includes 80 questions across a nine-hour appointment and is offered in five sub-disciplines:
- Construction
- Geotechnical
- Structural
- Transportation
- Water Resources & Environmental
Requirements to sit for the PE and receive a license vary by state, so candidates should confirm the rules of the state where they plan to practice.
In Michigan, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) requires:
- ABET-accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Four years of qualifying post-bachelor’s engineering experience
- Passing scores on both the FE and PE exams
- Evidence of good moral character
A master’s degree adds one year of experience credit, and a doctorate adds one additional year, which can shorten the total time to licensure.
Once licensed, Michigan PEs must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to keep the credential active, setting the stage for long-term career growth.
What Career Advancement Opportunities Are There for Civil Engineers?
Civil engineering careers tend to follow a clear progression tied to credentials and experience. New graduates typically start in entry-level engineering roles, earn Engineer-in-Training status after passing the FE exam and move into full Professional Engineer positions once they complete their qualifying work experience and pass the PE exam.
From there, engineers often advance into senior engineer, project manager or discipline lead positions before moving into roles such as engineering manager or principal engineer. Graduate-level education, combined with a PE license and experience, supports advancement into these supervisory roles.
Specialization is another common route for growth. Engineers who pursue a master’s degree often move into focused positions such as transportation engineer, pavement engineer, structural engineer, geotechnical engineer or water resources engineer.
Together, strong wage data and steady demand help explain why so many prospective engineers see the credentialing path as worth the investment.
About Michigan State University’s Online M.S. in Civil Engineering
Students in Michigan State University’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering develop the skills to design and maintain the next generation of infrastructure. Designed to fit into the schedules of busy professionals, this 100% online master’s program explores data-driven strategies to design pavements and transportation systems for optimal safety, durability and sustainability.
As an R1 research university with its own vast transportation system on campus, MSU offers students exceptional access to industry resources and real-world data. Our faculty features top thinkers in transportation and pavement engineering who teach advanced quantitative methods and industry-standard software tools. Master’s students create customized program plans so they can graduate with the skills they need to solve real problems and excel in their careers.
Considering advancing your engineering career?
Build the skills that help you solve complex problems, lead technical projects and stay competitive as the field evolves through the online M.S. in Civil Engineering.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Civil Engineers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm
- ABET, Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs, 2025–2026. https://www.abet.org/accreditation/accreditation-criteria/criteria-for-accrediting-engineering-programs-2025-2026/
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), FE Exam. https://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), PE Civil Exam. https://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/civil/
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Professional Engineers. https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/occ/prof/engineers
- DAVRON Executive Search and Outplacement Services for the Engineering, Architecture, Construction, and Manufacturing Industries. https://www.davron.net/navigating-the-talent-shortage-for-civil-structural-and-environmental-engineers-in-the-wake-of-natural-disasters/
