Industrial Engineering Licensure or Certification

By

Jose F. Rafols, P.E.Facilities Project Engineer 4Boeing Shared Services Group

Seal Beach, California

January 6, 2006Presented to Senior Industrial Engineering Student at

Mapua Institute of Technology, Manila, Philippines

CONTENTS

1. What is Industrial Engineering2. The Industrial Engineer 3. Professional Engineers versus Certified Engineers4. Why licensing of IE’s in the US is required?5. How to become a Professional IE in the US?6. Benefits of Professional Engineer in IE.7. Sample copy of Professional Registration Certificate8. The need for IE Certification9. Some suggested IE certification programs10. IE Certification Process11. Benefits of IE Certification12. Recertification Programs13. Five Reasons for Certification14. About PIIE Certification Program15. Summary

Industrial Engineering …is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of

people, material, information, equipment, and energy. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skills in the

mathematical, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results

to be obtained from such system.

What is Industrial Engineering?

The industrial engineer is a broadly-trained integration engineer, concerned with enabling complex systems to function effectively. Managing the inventory of a production facility, for

example, involves issues of production and stocking policy, manufacturing equipment, human resources, customer demand, and supplier relationships. The industrial engineer must understand

the interaction of the components of a system, and coordinate the flow of materials and information to effectively manage the operation. The industrial engineer plays an important role in

defining information needs and developing strategies for decision making based on incomplete knowledge. However, the skills of the industrial engineer have much greater application than to traditional production environments. In a growing service sector of the economy including health

care delivery, public safety, air transportation, and banking, for example, issues of resource management, scheduling, quality of service, and systems design are important.

The Industrial Engineer

Institute of Industrial Engineer, 2004

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERVS CERTIFIED ENGINEER

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

CERTIFIED ENGINEER

Professional Engineers (PEs) have fulfilled the education and experience requirements and passed the rigorous exams that, under state licensure laws, permit them to offer engineering services directly to the public. PEs take legal responsibility for their engineering studies, designs and are bound by a code of ethics to protect the public health and safety.

Engineering licensure laws vary from state to state, but, in general, to become a PE an individual must be a graduate of an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) , pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gain four years of experience working under a PE, and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.

Certified Engineers (CEs) have fulfilled the education and experience requirements and passed the rigorous exams that, under the organizations constitution and by-laws provisions, validates an individuals qualifications in the field of professional practice.

He has a mastery of basic industrial engineering knowledge a command of the methodologies used by industrial engineers in applying that knowledge to the design of a product, process, or environment; and has applied his or her knowledge to the analysis, design, test, implementation and evaluation of products, processes, and environments.

WHY LICENSING IN THE US IS REQUIRED?

Licensure, first of all, is the mark of a professional. The licensure process demands an extra measure of competence and dedication. While not all engineers find licensure mandatory for their chosen career paths, the PE initials after their names can provide many advantages.

Employers in all disciplines indicate that they find licensed professional engineer employees to be more dedicated, with enhanced leadership and management skills. These employers look to licensure in evaluating the advancement potential of employees.

Licensed engineers also achieve an enhanced status in the eyes of the public, which equates the engineer with professionals licensed in other fields.

Licensure is an indicator of dedication to integrity, hard work, and creativity, and an assurance that the individual engineer has passed at least a minimum screen of competence. Of course, licensure is just a starting point for professional growth and participation in professional activities is part of the ongoing activities of a true professional.

HOW TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERIN THE US?

1. Take the EIT (Engineer-in-Training) Test.

The first step for engineering graduates is to take the EIT test common to all branches of engineering. It is an 8-hr test and multiple choice problems covering

all areas of the engineering fundamentals.

2. Take the PE (Professional Engineers) Test

A. ABET Certified School Graduates requires 4 years of professional experience in a specific branch of engineering.

B. Non-ABET Certified School Graduates requires 6 years of professional experience in a specific branch of engineering.

3. EIT Waived.

Verifiable 12 years of professional experience on a specific branch of engineering qualifies to take the 8-hr PE exam.

Content of the application package: Application form, certified transcript of School records forwarded by the School to the Board of Examiners, Five References from former professors, supervisors and licensed engineers (3 required) submitted direct to the Board of Examiners, and Professional work engagement list.

BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN INDUSTRIAL

ENGINEERING

Licensed engineer prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering studies, plans and drawings to a public authority for approval, or seal engineering work for public and private clients.

Licensure is required for individuals who pursue career as a consulting engineer or a private practitioner. It is a legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of work, be they principals or employees.•

Licensure for engineers in government has become increasingly significant. Many federal, state, and municipal agencies require that certain governmental engineering positions, particularly those considered higher level and responsible positions, be filled only by licensed professional engineers.•

For those in education, many states are now requiring that those individuals teaching engineering must be licensed. Exemptions to state laws are under attack, and in the future, those in education, as well as industry and government, may need to be licensed to practice.

BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN INDUSTRIAL

ENGINEERING

The growing complexity and the increasing diversity of modern manufacturing processes and techniques, the industrial engineer in this industry must readily be able to communicate and exchange ideas and views with other licensed design engineers.• Licensure has recently taken on increased meaning with heightened public attention concerning ergonomics, product safety, environmental issues, and design defects. Employers have found it advantageous to identify to the courts and the public those employees who have met at least a minimum level of competence.•

The scope of industrial engineering practice is constantly changing, and engineering activities that may be exempt today may eventually shift into a practice area that one day requires a license (for example, research and development may find practical application in the facilities design/planning process, requiring the practitioner to be licensed).• State engineering boards are increasingly seeking and obtaining the authority to impose civil penalties against unlicensed individuals who unlawfully engage in the practice of engineering.• Engineers must adapt to a rapidly changing workplace-restructuring, downsizing, outsourcing, privatization, and re-engineering. Engineers should prepare to make the transition into a consulting relationship with former employers and clients in the event of a corporate outsourcing and respond if their corporation decides to bring design and engineering services in-house. Only by becoming licensed can an engineer perform the broad scope of engineering services within an area of competence as defined under state law.

My PROFESSIONAL

ENGINEER LICENSES

State of California License

State of Wisconsin License

State of California License Seal

THE NEED FOR CERTIFICATION

Career Opportunities

Earning a PIE certification verifies your expertise in working with industrial engineering principles and practices. A PIE certification shows that you are a technical leader with the ability to successfully implement industrial engineering solutions for your organization or client.

Validation of Knowledge and Skills

The industry, your employer, clients, and peers will recognize your PIE credential as validation of the knowledge and skills you have gained through experience.

A Firm Foundation of Skills

Preparation for certification requires that you cover all aspects of the industrial engineering principles and practices you are studying. The rigorous exam development process includes extensive job task analyses, reviews by industrial engineering experts to ensure the relevancy and accuracy of each certification.

Access to career-related tools, private newsgroups, a one-stop product resource center, and product support guide direct from PIE through a security-enhanced area of the PIE Member Site. Industry recognition of your knowledge and proficiency with PIE services and technologies.

Access to exclusive discounts on products and services from selected sponsor companies. Individuals who are currently certified can learn more about exclusive discounts by visiting the secured PIE Member Site. Electronic files presentations and transcripts may be downloaded from the secured PIE Member Site upon certification.

Invitations to Microsoft conferences, technical training sessions, and special events. Free access to a career and professional development Chat line with industrial engineering and other technical experts. Discount on membership to PIE and continuing educational opportunities.

SOME SUGGESTEDIE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

Minimum Related Total Experience and Work Experience Education

Certified IndustrialTechnologist – CIT none 4 yr*Certified IndustrialEngineer – CIE 4 yr 8 yr**Certified EngineeringManager – CEM 4 yr 8 yrCertified EnterpriseIntegrator – CEI 4 yr 8 yr

Earning the CIE recognizes your comprehensive knowledge of industrial engineering processes and practices. It requires a minimum of 8 years of combined industrial engineering-related education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 4 years of work experience.Steps to CIE CertificationAssess your readiness: CIE Practice Exam , Self-Assessment Program Prepare for the examTo earn this certification you should demonstrate your understanding of the CIE Body of Knowledge (including facilities planning and design, ergonomics, plant layout and material handling. Apply for the exam: Online or by Mail, Fax or E-mail Take the testThe Industrial Engineering Exam is a three-hour exam containing 150 multiple-choice questions. Of these questions, 110 cover a breadth of knowledge in industrial engineering. The other 40 questions are designed to test in-depth knowledge in one of the following focus areas: Work Measurement -- CIM, robotics, machine vision, common networks, computer systems, CAM. Processes -- Electronics manufacturing, material removal, material forming, fabrication, assembly, finishing, molding, casting. Support Operations -- Maintenance, material handling, scheduling, planning, management, design. Management -- Quality, systems, projects, leadership, planning, staffing, organization, laws and regulations. Operation Research and Networking Quality -- Probability and statistics, inspection, metrology, reliability, continuous improvement. Online testing is available. Prices are based on status as a student, member of PIIE, and other factors. Interpret your resultsUse your exam results to make decisions about your professional development. Your Examination Analysis report will tell you about your areas of strength and where you can improve. Sample.Plan your next stepDepending on your test results, you will be able to retake the exam, start planning for recertification or aim for another certification. Continuing education is part of the recertification process and will prepare you to the CEI or CEM.

IE Certification Process

Your IE Certification (CIT, CIE, CEI, CEM) is good for three years. You maintain it using the recertification process.

Recertification requires 36 credits.If you have more than one IE certification:

Earning 54 credits will let you maintain all of them. Credits will apply to all certifications, rather than separately.

The Recertification Fees for Single certifications are P_____ for a PIE member and P_____ for a non-member.

The Recertification Fees for Multiple certifications are P____ for a PIE member and P______ for a non-member.

RecertificationPrograms

1. Individuals holding certifications form an elite group of professionals who have demonstrated their industrial engineering knowledge.

2. The educational requirements of recertification give you one more reason to continuously maintain and upgrade your knowledge.

3. Certification gives you a sense of achievement, enhancing your self-confidence, and helping you excel at your job.

4. Your certification shows employers you are a leader in your field. Let them know about your achievement. Do they understand the hard work it involved? Invite your boss to look at the practice exam.

5. When you change jobs, your certification credentials travel with you. They look good on your resume and show you are serious about your career.

Five Reasons To Maintain Certification

PIIE CERTIFICATION

  IE Certification is a voluntary process, which validates an individual's qualifications in the field of industrial engineering (IE)

professional practice.   It demonstrates to employers, clients, and peers the individual's knowledge and experience and signifies his or her commitment

to continued excellence in IE professional practice.   In addition, it increases visibility, builds credibility, and validates

expertise with those outside the profession.

ACCREDITION

  In the absence of Industrial Engineering Licensure the PIIE is not listed in the accredited organization at the

Philippine Regulatory Commission. You can check the listings on their website.

SUMMARY

IE Licensure is mandated and regulated by the Government Board of Commissioners. It can restrict the use of the title “industrial engineers”

without passing the required government examinations. It can also restrict instructors that have not possessed the IE licensure from teaching

industrial engineering courses. 

IE Certification is a voluntary process, which validates an individual's qualifications in the field of industrial engineering (IE) professional practice. It is mandated by the organizations rules and regulations,

notably the PIIE.