Temporary International Licensure
Temporary Licensure in Texas through NAFTA
Temporary Licensure in Canada through NAFTA
Temporary Licensure in Mexico through NAFTA
Temporary Licensure in Texas through AUSFTA (Australia)
Temporary Licensure of Texas PE in Australia through AUSFTA
Texas and South Korea Sign Engineering Licensure Agreement
Temporary Licensure Process
Texas has signed international agreements with Canada and Mexico through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and with Australia through the Australia – United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) to allow for cross-licensure of engineers between jurisdictions. The applicant must be currently licensed and a citizen of Canada, Mexico or Australia.
These agreements provide for the temporary licensure of individuals in the 'host' country of individuals licensed in their 'home' country. The intent of these agreements is to provide a method for individuals living in their home country to get a temporary license to do work in the host country for short durations, for specific projects. The agreements are NOT for individuals that have moved to the host country with intent to stay and wish to bypass the standard licensure process in the local jurisdiction.
In Texas, temporary licensure results in a license that is good for one year, and it may be renewed twice for a total duration of three years. This means that after three years, the license expires and if you wish to continue to practice in Texas, you must re-apply for a standard license. One may not get another temporary license. While holding a temporary license, you may apply for a ‘standard' license which requires taking the NCEES PE examination. For more information on the PE examination refer to: http://pels.texas.gov/lic_exams.htm#pe
Licensure in Texas through NAFTA (Canada and Mexico)
If you are currently a licensed engineer in good standing in Canada or Mexico and wish to receive a temporary license in Texas, the application materials and requirements are listed below. Please see section 133.27 of the rules for more information.
1. Completed international licensure application form (Form EB-04C)
2. Proof of education credentials including: official transcripts of accredited degrees and commercial evaluations of non-accredited degrees
3. Supplementary experience records (SERs) describing engineering experience. Applicants who are licensed in Canada or Australia, must have a minimum of seven years of engineering experience, three of which must be as a registered engineer. Applicants who are licensed in Mexico, must have a minimum of twelve or sixteen years of experience, depending up on their educational qualifications.
4. A minimum of three references from licensed, registered, or chartered professional engineers are required to document engineering experience. The engineer references must complete the full reference statement forms, and sign copies of the SERs
5. Completed Texas Engineering Professional Conduct and Ethics Exam
6. Verification of license in good standing for Canada or Mexico (Form EB-38_INT)
7. Application fee of $75.
8. Passing scores on the TOEFL (if necessary)
9. A statement describing criminal history, if any, and supporting documentation
10. A statement describing engineering practice violations from your home jurisdiction
11.
Effective January 1, 2014, an applicant for professional engineer licensure in Texas must submit a legible set of fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the TXDPS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. See more information at https://pels.texas.gov/recordcheck.html.
All forms can be found on the Download Page.
Each application for temporary licensure is reviewed on an individual basis by the Director of Licensing. Additional information may be requested as needed. The application will be processed according to the procedure outlined in section 133.85 of the Board rules.
Please note that the Texas Board of Professional Engineers does not currently have reciprocity with any other U.S. state. Licensees in Texas that wish to be licensed in another state must apply to each state board according to that state's application process.
Licensure of Texas PE in Canada NAFTA
If you are currently a licensed engineer in good standing in Texas and wish to become licensed in Canada, please contact the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers at www.engineerscanada.ca. You may also contact each provincial authority directly.
CCPE has developed a Power Point presentation regarding Licensure in Canada via NAFTA.
[Download the Presentation]
Note: There is no "industrial exemption" in Canada. This means that if you are currently practicing engineering without a license in Texas based on an exemption through the Texas Laws and Rules, you may have to be licensed to perform the same work in Canada.
Licensure of Texas PE in Mexico through NAFTA
* NOTE: (June 2014) TBPELS is working with authorities in Mexico to review and revise the licensure agreement. Currently, provisions for a Texas PE to become licensed in Mexico are unclear and may not be acknowledged.
If you are currently a licensed engineer in good standing in Texas and wish to become licensed in Mexico, please contact the Dirección General de Profesiones de la SEP:
Director de Colegios
Dirección General de Profesiones de la SEP
Direccion Insurgentes Sur #2387, 2do piso
Col. San Angel, Del Alvaro Obregón
México, D.F.
Tel. 3601-3800 Ext. 61043
Licensure in Texas through AUSFTA (Australia)
If you are currently a registered engineer in good standing in Australia through Engineers Australia and wish to receive a temporary license in Texas, the application materials and requirements are listed below. Please see section 133.27 of the rules for more information.
1. Completed international licensure application form (Form EB-04C)
2. Proof of education credentials including: official transcripts of accredited degrees and commercial evaluations of non-accredited degrees
3. Supplementary experience records (SERs) describing engineering experience after registration in Australia. Applicants must have a minimum of seven years of engineering experience, three of which must be as a registered engineer.)
4. A minimum of three references from licensed professional engineers are required to document engineering experience. The engineer references must complete the full reference statement forms, and sign copies of the SERs
5. Completed Texas Engineering Professional Conduct and Ethics Exam
6. Verification of license in good standing in Australia from Engineers Australia (Form EB-38_INT)
7. Application fee of $75.
8. Passing scores on the TOEFL (if necessary)
9. A statement describing criminal history, if any, and supporting documentation
10. A statement describing engineering practice violations from your home jurisdiction
11.
Effective January 1, 2014, an applicant for professional engineer licensure in Texas must submit a legible set of fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the TXDPS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. See more information at https://pels.texas.gov/recordcheck.html.
All forms can be found on the Download Page.
Each application for temporary licensure is reviewed on an individual basis by the Director of Licensing. Additional information may be requested as needed. The application will be processed according to the procedure outlined in section 133.85 of the Board rules.
Please note that the Texas Board of Professional Engineers does not currently have reciprocity with any other U.S. state. Licensees in Texas that wish to be licensed in another state must apply to each state board according to that state's application process.
Licensure of Texas PE in Australia through AUSFTA
If you are currently a licensed engineer in good standing in Texas and wish to become registered in Australia, please contact Engineers Australia.
All information and forms should be obtained from Engineers Australia.
Engineers Australia has reported that the current registration requirements as of 12/01/2008 are:
- A completed MRA application form along with payment of 2008-2009 subscription fee of $437.80 (GST inclusive), an entrance fee of $55.00 and NPER fee of $77.00, a total of $569.80 for Australian residents, or $518.00 for overseas residents.
- A verified Curriculum Vitae (CV). The CV should be verified by a Member or Fellow of Engineers Australia, or an employer who can attest that the information in the CV is a true record of the applicant's employment history. The name, status and contact details of the verifier(s) should be provided.
- A certified copy of the undergraduate academic qualification.
- Certified evidence of TBPELS registration, such as a certified copy of a registration card or certificate. The name, status and contact details of the certifier should be provided.
Agreement with South Korea
On March 10, 2016, an agreement between Texas and South Korea was signed which will streamline mutual recognition of engineering qualifications and licensing arrangements to work on projects in both jurisdictions.
The agreement will open up opportunities for Texas Professional Engineers to provide engineering services in South Korea by making it much easier for suitably qualified engineers to be licensed with KPEA.