Most states issue engineering firm licenses through their Board of Professional Engineering. These states may also have unique name requirements which may limit the names under which a firm may provide services. The applications generally consist of tedious forms and varying supporting documentation. Errors and deficiencies in the application process are likely to cause considerable delay in the issuance of your engineering industry license.
Professional Engineering Firm licenses, or “Certificates of Authorization,” may be denied if your firm name conflicts with the specific requirements of a state. The first step in applying for a firm license is to comply with the name requirements that often necessitate registration of a DBA (“doing business as”). The second step is to obtain an individual license in the appropriate state for your “Professional Engineer in Responsible Charge” who will qualify your engineering firm for a license. To do so, the individual may be required to take an examination or qualify by reciprocity with a state in which they are already licensed.
Businesses functioning without the proper license are generally penalized based on the size of the operation and the gravity of the offense.