Top 10 Chief Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for a chief engineer in the job market as they demonstrate to employers that the candidate has met established standards of knowledge and expertise in their field. Certification shows employers that the individual has taken the initiative to pursue additional education or training in their area of expertise, and is dedicated to staying current on industry trends. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement within an organization, as they indicate that the individual is knowledgeable enough to take on increased responsibility. Finally, certifications can increase a chief engineer’s earning potential by making them more attractive to potential employers.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Chief Engineers and explain how they can help enhance a chief engineer's career.

What are Chief Engineer Certifications?

Chief engineer certification is a professional qualification that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills required to safely operate, maintain and repair complex engineering systems. This certification is especially important for those in the maritime industry, where regulations are stricter and vessel safety is paramount. Chief engineers are responsible for overseeing the operations of an entire engineering department on board a ship, as well as ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained.

Having a chief engineer certification can be beneficial in many ways. It proves a person has the necessary qualifications to safely and efficiently manage an engineering department, which helps employers make sure they have qualified personnel on board their vessels. Additionally, having this certification allows individuals to gain access to higher positions in the maritime industry with greater responsibility and potential earnings. Furthermore, it can help increase job security since employers may be more likely to hire someone with this qualification over someone without it. Finally, having this certification also demonstrates dedication to one’s career as it requires significant study and training to obtain.

Pro Tip: When pursuing chief engineer certification, be sure to research all of the requirements in your state, as they may vary. Make sure you are familiar with the local regulations and laws that may apply to your certification. Additionally, take advantage of any available resources such as online courses or study guides to ensure that you have a complete understanding of the material.

Related: What does a Chief Engineer do?

Top 10 Chief Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Chief Engineers today.

1. Professional Engineer (PE)

Professional Engineer (PE) is a designation given to engineers who have met the educational, experience, and examination requirements set by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). A PE license is required to practice engineering in most states.

It typically takes four to six years to become a Professional Engineer. This includes earning an accredited engineering degree, gaining relevant work experience, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.

To get a PE license, you must fill out an application with your state board of engineering. The application will require you to provide proof of your education and work experience. You will also need to submit transcripts from your college or university showing that you have earned an accredited engineering degree. Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by the board and you may be asked to take additional exams or complete additional training before being approved for licensure.

The cost of getting a PE license varies by state but typically ranges from $100-$500 depending on the type of license you are applying for. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with taking the FE and PE exams such as registration fees and study materials.

2. Certified Professional Engineer (CPE)

Certified Professional Engineer (CPE) is a professional certification program that recognizes engineers who have met the highest standards of engineering practice. It is an internationally recognized accreditation that demonstrates a commitment to quality and excellence in engineering.

To become a CPE, an engineer must meet certain criteria set by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). These criteria include having a degree from an accredited engineering school, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, completing four years of professional experience, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.

The process to become certified typically takes two to three years. The first step is to take and pass the FE exam. After that, you must gain four years of professional experience under the guidance of a PE-licensed engineer before taking the PE exam. Once you’ve passed both exams, you can apply for your CPE certification through NCEES.

The cost of becoming a Certified Professional Engineer varies depending on which state you are applying in and which exams you need to take. Generally speaking, it will cost around $1,000-$2,500 in total fees for application processing, exam registration and other related expenses.

3. Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)

Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of manufacturing engineering. The certification is based on a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as quality management, design, production systems, process control, and automation.

It typically takes between two and three years of work experience in the manufacturing engineering field to be eligible to sit for the CMfgE exam. Candidates must also have a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or a related field.

The CMfgE exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and is administered at various locations throughout the United States. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $300 to $400. In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also submit an application with supporting documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Once certified, individuals can use their credentials to demonstrate their expertise in manufacturing engineering and pursue career opportunities in the field.

4. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CQE credential is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a mastery of quality engineering principles and practices. It is a valuable asset for those working in fields such as manufacturing, engineering, research and development, product design, and quality assurance.

The CQE certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as quality control, statistical process control, design of experiments, process capability analysis, reliability engineering, and more. The exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within four hours.

To qualify for the CQE exam, applicants must have at least eight years of work experience in quality engineering or related fields. Those with less than eight years of experience may be eligible if they have a degree in engineering or science from an accredited university.

The cost of the CQE exam varies depending on your location and membership status with ASQ. In the US, it typically costs around $400-$500 USD to take the exam. You can also purchase study materials from ASQ which range from $50-$100 USD depending on what you need.

Once you pass the CQE exam, you will receive your official certification from ASQ which is valid for three years. To maintain your certification status after this time period has expired, you will need to complete continuing education credits or retake the exam.

5. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected certification for project management professionals. The PMP credential demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, experience, and competency to lead and direct projects.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to prepare for the PMP exam. This time frame can vary depending on your level of experience and how much time you are able to dedicate to studying. To get started, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria set out by PMI, which includes having a minimum of three years of project management experience and 35 hours of formal project management education.

Once you have fulfilled the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the PMP exam online through the PMI website. The application fee is $555 USD for members of PMI or $700 USD for non-members. After submitting your application, it will be reviewed by PMI and if approved, you will receive an authorization to test (ATT) letter with instructions on how to schedule your exam.

The cost of taking the actual exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $405-$555 USD. Once you have passed your exam, you will become a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Congratulations!

6. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

A Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional who has achieved formal recognition of their knowledge and experience in the field of reliability engineering. A CRE is an individual who has demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and maintain systems that ensure product reliability. The CRE designation is awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

It typically takes between two to four years of work experience in the field of reliability engineering to become eligible for the CRE certification. Candidates must also pass a comprehensive exam administered by ASQ. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as risk management, reliability modeling and analysis, system design and maintenance, failure analysis, quality control and assurance, root cause analysis, and more.

To get certified as a CRE, candidates must first complete an application form with ASQ. After that, they will need to pay a fee which varies depending on their membership status with ASQ. Once the application has been approved, candidates can then register for the exam which costs $450 USD for non-members or $350 USD for members.

The cost of becoming a Certified Reliability Engineer includes both the application fee and examination fee. The total cost can range from $400-$550 USD depending on whether or not you are an ASQ member.

7. Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise and knowledge in the principles, practices, and tools of Six Sigma. It is designed to help organizations improve their processes and operations by reducing waste, improving quality, and increasing efficiency.

It typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete the certification program depending on the provider. The program consists of classroom instruction, online learning modules, and hands-on projects that require the use of Six Sigma tools and techniques.

To get certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt, you must first pass an exam administered by a recognized certification body such as ASQ or IASSC. You will also need to demonstrate your understanding of Six Sigma concepts through a series of written assignments or projects.

The cost of obtaining a Six Sigma Black Belt certification varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $2,000-$4,000 USD.

8. Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE)

Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE) is a professional certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). The CPDE certification is designed to recognize the knowledge and experience of engineers who design, develop, and implement process control systems. It demonstrates that an individual has attained a high level of expertise in the field of process control engineering.

The CPDE certification requires an individual to pass two exams: one on process control fundamentals and one on advanced process control topics. Both exams are offered through ISA’s online testing platform. The exams are multiple-choice and take approximately 2 hours each to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CPDE certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in process control engineering or related fields. They must also have completed a minimum number of hours of formal training in areas such as instrumentation, automation, and system integration.

The cost for the CPDE certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take the exams online or in-person at an ISA testing center. Online exams cost $395 USD per exam; in-person exams cost $495 USD per exam.

Overall, obtaining the Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE) certification can take anywhere from several months to several years depending on an individual’s experience level and availability for studying and taking tests.

9. Certified Plant Engineer (CPE)

Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) is a professional certification offered by the Association of Facilities Engineering (AFE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of plant engineering.

The CPE certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as electrical systems, HVAC systems, fire protection systems, industrial safety, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about four hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CPE certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in plant engineering or a related field. They must also submit proof of their education and training in the form of transcripts or certificates from accredited institutions.

The cost of the CPE certification varies depending on the applicant's location and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$1,000 USD depending on where you live.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) certification can help demonstrate your expertise in plant engineering and open up new job opportunities in this field.

10. American Society of Mechanical Engineers Certification (ASME).

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an international professional organization that provides certification for engineers and other professionals in the mechanical engineering field. ASME certification is a voluntary process that demonstrates a person’s knowledge and experience in the field, and it can be used to demonstrate competency when applying for jobs or promotions.

It typically takes between six months and two years to become certified through ASME, depending on the type of certification you are seeking. To get started, you must first submit an application to ASME along with any required documents such as transcripts, work experience verification, and references. Once your application is approved, you will need to complete an examination process which consists of both written and practical tests. After passing the exam, you will receive your certification from ASME.

The cost of becoming certified through ASME varies depending on the type of certification you are seeking. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars for more advanced certifications. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking exams or attending workshops or seminars related to your certification.

Overall, obtaining an ASME certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the mechanical engineering field and can help open up new career opportunities or advancement possibilities in this field.

Do You Really Need a Chief Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question is ultimately up to you and the specific job requirements for which you are applying. If the job requires a Chief Engineer Certificate, then yes, you will need one in order to be considered for the position. However, if the job does not specifically require a Chief Engineer Certificate, then it may not be necessary.

In general, having a Chief Engineer Certificate can be beneficial as it demonstrates your knowledge and expertise in engineering principles and practices. It also shows that you have taken the initiative to pursue additional education or training beyond what was required of you by your employer. Having this certification can help set you apart from other applicants who do not possess the same credentials.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue a Chief Engineer Certificate should depend on your individual career goals and how they align with the job requirements at hand. If having this certification could give you an edge over other candidates or open up new opportunities in your field, then it may be worth exploring further.

Related: Chief Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Chief Engineer Certifications

1. What is a Chief Engineer Certification?

Answer: A Chief Engineer Certification is a professional certification issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and recognizes an individual's expertise in the design, analysis, testing, and operation of complex machinery. It also demonstrates knowledge of safety regulations and standards related to engineering operations.

2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Chief Engineer Certification?

Answer: Applicants must have experience in engineering roles such as project manager, lead engineer, or chief engineer; have at least four years of relevant experience; pass an approved exam administered by ASME; and complete continuing education credits every three years.

3. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The process typically takes around six months from application to certification. This includes time for taking the exam and completing any required continuing education credits.

4. How much does a Chief Engineer Certification cost?

Answer: The cost varies depending on the type of certification you are seeking, but typically ranges from $250-$500 USD.

5. Is a Chief Engineer Certification required for certain jobs?

Answer: It depends on the employer’s requirements for the role you are applying for – some employers may make it mandatory to have a certification while others may not require it at all.