Civil engineers usually earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, work several years under a licensed engineer, then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam to become a licensed Professional Engineer. You can start working right after college; the PE license usually comes about four years later and is what lets you sign off on public projects.
What civil engineers do on a normal week
Civil engineering is the design and upkeep of the things a community runs on: roads, bridges, water systems, drainage, rail, airports and the foundations under buildings. The public picture is a hard hat on a job site, but most weeks are a mix of desk work and field visits.
- Design work: calculations, modeling software, drawings and specifications, much of it checked and rechecked by others.
- Field work: site visits, inspections, soil and materials testing, and meetings with contractors when the plan meets reality.
- Paperwork and people: permits, public hearings, budgets, schedules and long email threads with agencies, owners and builders.
- Specialties: structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, environmental and construction management. Most engineers settle into one.
Public agencies, consulting firms and contractors all hire civil engineers, and the pace differs: agency work tends to be steadier, consulting more deadline driven, construction more hands-on.
The degree that opens the door
- Bachelor’s in civil engineering: four years of calculus, physics, statics, materials, fluids and design courses, ending in a senior design project. ABET accreditation matters because most state boards require it for the standard licensing path.
- Engineering technology degrees: more applied and still useful, but some states require extra experience before a technology graduate can be licensed.
- Master’s degree: common for structural and geotechnical work and sometimes counted toward experience, but not required to start.
- Civil engineering technician: a two-year degree leads to drafting, surveying and testing roles, and some technicians later finish a bachelor’s.
If engineering is on the list but you are not sure which branch, our guide to what you can do with an engineering degree lays out the options.
Licensing, step by step
Each state licenses its own engineers through a state board, and most use national exams written by NCEES. The usual sequence is: pass the FE exam, often during senior year or right after graduating, which earns a title like Engineer in Training (EIT) or Engineer Intern; build roughly four years of qualifying experience under a licensed PE; then pass the PE Civil exam. Some states now let you take the PE before your experience is complete, and rules on references and continuing education vary, so check your state engineering board.
A path from high school
- Take the most math and science you can, ideally through calculus and physics. Dual enrollment can give you a head start.
- Try a robotics team, a bridge building contest or a summer engineering camp.
- Choose an ABET-accredited civil engineering program, or start at community college with a transfer plan that keeps you on track for the math sequence.
- Land at least one internship with an agency, consultant or contractor before graduating.
- Take the FE exam while the coursework is fresh.
- Work under a licensed engineer, keep a detailed log of your projects and pass the PE when you qualify.
Testing the fit before you commit
- Ask your city’s public works or engineering department about a job shadow day or a summer aide role.
- Set up informational interviews with a design engineer and a construction engineer; the jobs feel very different.
- Take an intro engineering or drafting class and see whether solving structured problems holds your attention.
- Visit an active construction site with a guide and notice whether the scale excites you.
Who thrives, and why some leave
Civil engineers who last like seeing physical results, are careful with details and can work patiently inside codes, budgets and public review. People leave because projects move slowly, approvals and politics can stall good designs, and the early years involve a lot of checking other people’s work. Many move into project management, construction, planning or public works leadership. The careers for people who like math guide covers related paths.
Changing into civil engineering later
Without an engineering degree, the main route is going back for one, often after finishing math prerequisites at a community college. Surveyors, drafters, construction workers and military engineers often bring field experience that counts. See changing careers and going back to college as an adult. For current pay and job outlook, check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Where a mentor helps
Engineering programs reward steady weekly work and punish cramming. A mentor helps students explore whether civil engineering fits, plan the math sequence and internships, stay accountable through hard semesters and FE prep, prepare applications and settle into the first job. Mentors are not tutors, credentialed career counselors, admissions counselors or licensing experts. Learn about career and education mentoring and mentoring for college students.
Related
- All career path guides
- How to become a mechanical engineer
- How to become an architect
- How to become an electrical engineer
- How to Become a Financial Advisor: Licenses, Training and Paths
Common questions
Do civil engineers need a license?
You can work as an engineer without one under a licensed engineer’s supervision. A PE license is needed to sign and seal plans and to take legal responsibility for public projects, and it matters for promotion.
How long does it take to become a licensed civil engineer?
Usually about four years of college plus about four years of supervised experience before the PE license. Rules differ by state.
Is civil engineering mostly outdoors?
It depends on the role. Design engineers spend most of their time at a desk, while construction and inspection roles spend much more time on site.
What is the FE exam?
A computer-based national exam on engineering fundamentals, usually taken near graduation. Passing it is the first formal step toward a PE license.
Get started
Thinking about engineering and want help planning the next few years? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.