Top 10 Resident Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for a resident engineer in the job market because they demonstrate an individual's knowledge and skills in their field. They also demonstrate that the individual is committed to professional development and has taken the initiative to pursue additional education. Certifications can provide potential employers with assurance that the individual has a high level of expertise, making them more attractive candidates when it comes to hiring decisions. In addition, having certifications can open up opportunities for higher salaries and more prestigious positions.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Resident Engineers, and explains how they can help to advance a resident engineer's career.

What are Resident Engineer Certifications?

Resident engineer certification is a professional certification program designed to help engineers gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful in their field. The certification is offered by universities, engineering societies, and other organizations that specialize in engineering education.

The certification requires applicants to possess a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited college or university, as well as three years of work experience in the field of engineering. Applicants must also pass an exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of the principles of engineering. Once certified, engineers can use the designation on their resumes and job applications, demonstrating their expertise and commitment to the profession.

By obtaining resident engineer certification, engineers are able to demonstrate their professional qualifications and competency to potential employers. This can be especially helpful for those who want to pursue leadership positions within an organization or move into different areas of engineering. It also indicates a dedication to continuing education and staying abreast of industry trends and advancements. In addition, many employers prefer to hire certified professionals because they know they have met certain standards set by a reputable organization.

Pro Tip: When seeking a resident engineer certification, be sure to research the requirements of the certifying organization and make sure that you have met all of the necessary qualifications. Additionally, consider taking extra courses or workshops to expand your knowledge and experience in order to make yourself a competitive candidate.

Related: What does a Resident Engineer do?

Top 10 Resident Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Engineer (CPE)

Certified Professional Engineer (CPE) is a professional designation awarded by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). It is an internationally recognized certification that shows a high level of competency in engineering.

To become a CPE, an engineer must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university, pass two examinations administered by the NCEES, and have at least four years of experience as a professional engineer. The exams are the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) and the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE). The FE exam covers general engineering topics while the PE exam covers specific areas of practice such as civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering.

The process to become certified typically takes three to five years depending on the individual's experience level. After passing both exams, applicants must submit their transcripts, references, experience reports, and any other required documents to the NCEES for review. Once approved by the NCEES Board of Directors, applicants will be granted their CPE certification.

The cost to become certified varies depending on where you live and which state you are applying in. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 for registration fees plus additional costs for study materials and exam fees.

2. Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP)

Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) is a certification that demonstrates knowledge and expertise in the field of building commissioning. The CBCP certification is offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).

Building commissioning is a process that ensures all systems in a building are designed, installed, functionally tested, and maintained to meet the owner’s operational needs. The CBCP certification verifies an individual’s knowledge and understanding of this process.

To become certified as a CBCP, individuals must have at least three years of experience in the building commissioning field and pass an exam administered by AEE. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as energy management systems, project management, system design and installation, functional testing, documentation and reporting, and operations/maintenance.

The cost for taking the exam is $395 for AEE members or $495 for non-members. The test can be taken at any Prometric Testing Center located around the world. It takes about two hours to complete the exam.

3. Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is a professional certification program developed by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of construction managers who are engaged in all aspects of the construction management process.

To become a Certified Construction Manager (CCM), applicants must have at least four years of experience in a leadership role in construction management or related fields. They must also pass an exam administered by CMAA that tests their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to construction management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as project planning and scheduling, cost estimating, contract administration, quality assurance, safety management, risk management, and other areas related to construction management.

It typically takes about 6 months to prepare for the CCM exam. Applicants can use online resources such as study guides and practice exams to help them prepare for the test. Additionally, CMAA offers courses and workshops that provide more detailed instruction on specific topics covered on the exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) varies depending on how much preparation you need for the exam. The cost of taking the exam itself is $595 USD for members of CMAA or $795 USD for non-members. Additionally, you may need to pay additional fees for any courses or workshops you take to prepare for the exam.

4. Certified Energy Manager (CEM)

A Certified Energy Manager (CEM) is an individual who has been trained and certified to manage energy use in a building or facility. The CEM program was developed by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) to provide a professional certification for individuals responsible for energy management and conservation in commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities.

The CEM program is a two-part process that includes a written exam and an oral examination. The written exam covers topics such as energy auditing, energy efficiency technologies, energy economics, and energy policy. The oral exam focuses on the candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge of energy management principles, practices, and technologies in an actual setting.

The CEM program requires applicants to have at least five years of experience in the field of energy management or engineering. Applicants must also have completed at least 40 hours of approved training in the areas covered by the CEM program.

It typically takes up to six months to complete the CEM program requirements after submitting an application with all necessary documentation.

The cost of becoming a Certified Energy Manager varies depending on the country where you are applying from. Generally speaking, it can range from $400 - $1,000 USD for all associated fees including registration costs and examination fees.

5. LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)

LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) is a professional designation for individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of green building principles and practices. LEED APs are knowledgeable about the LEED rating system, which is a certification program that evaluates the environmental performance of buildings and homes.

To become a LEED AP, one must first complete an approved training course that covers the fundamentals of green building and the LEED rating system. After completing the training course, applicants must pass an exam administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The exam tests knowledge of green building principles, practices, and processes as well as specific information about the LEED rating system.

The cost to take the exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. It usually takes around two hours to complete the exam. Once passed, applicants will receive their LEED AP credential within 4-6 weeks.

6. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Certified Structural Engineer

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Certified Structural Engineer (CSE) is a professional certification that recognizes the expertise and experience of qualified structural engineers. The CSE program is designed to validate the knowledge and skills necessary to practice structural engineering at a professional level.

It typically takes about two years to become certified as a CSE. The process begins with an application, which must include verification of education and experience, references, and payment of an application fee. Once approved, applicants must pass an exam administered by ASCE that covers topics such as structural analysis, design principles, materials selection, building codes, and construction methods. After passing the exam, applicants must meet continuing education requirements every three years in order to maintain their certification.

The cost for applying for the CSE certification varies depending on your membership status with ASCE. For non-members it costs $500; for members it costs $400; and for student members it costs $250.

7. National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Principles and Practice of Engineering

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam is a professional licensing exam used by state boards to assess the competency of engineers to practice in their respective fields. It is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the safe and competent practice of engineering. The PE exam is offered twice a year in April and October.

The PE exam consists of two parts: the morning session which covers general engineering topics such as mathematics, probability, statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, strength of materials, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics; and the afternoon session which covers specific engineering disciplines such as civil, electrical/computer or mechanical engineering. Candidates must pass both sections in order to receive their PE license.

In order to take the PE exam, candidates must first meet certain eligibility requirements set by their state board. Generally these include having a degree from an accredited engineering program, four years or more of relevant work experience in their field, passing a Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to taking the PE exam, and completing any other requirements specified by their state board.

The cost for taking the PE exam varies from state to state but typically ranges from $200-$400 depending on where you are taking it. Additionally there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam or obtaining your results after you have taken it.

Overall it can take several months or even up to a year before you can take the PE exam depending on when you start preparing for it and how quickly you complete all necessary steps such as meeting eligibility requirements or studying for the FE exam.

8. American Institute of Architects (AIA) Registered Architect

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Registered Architect is a professional credential that recognizes architects who have met the highest standards of professional practice and experience. This credential is recognized throughout the United States and in many other countries.

In order to become an AIA Registered Architect, applicants must first complete a three-year accredited architectural degree program and then pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The ARE consists of seven divisions, which cover topics such as building design, construction documents, building systems, and professional practice. After successfully completing the exam, applicants are eligible to apply for registration with the AIA.

The process of becoming an AIA Registered Architect typically takes two to five years depending on individual circumstances. Applicants must first complete their architectural degree program and then pass the ARE. Once they have passed the exam, they can submit their application to the AIA for review. The review process usually takes several months before an applicant is approved or denied registration.

The cost of becoming an AIA Registered Architect varies depending on individual circumstances but typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 USD including fees for taking the ARE and submitting applications for registration with the AIA.

9. Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)

Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to demonstrate knowledge and experience in project management. It is designed for professionals who have experience leading and directing projects and programs, as well as those who are new to the field of project management.

To be eligible for the PMP certification, individuals must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) with at least five years of project management experience, or a four-year degree with at least three years of project management experience. Additionally, individuals must complete 35 hours of formal education in project management topics.

The process of obtaining the PMP certification involves completing an application, passing an exam, and submitting proof of professional experience. The application process typically takes 1-2 weeks to complete. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The cost for the exam is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.

Once an individual has passed the exam, they will receive their PMP certification which is valid for three years. To maintain their certification, individuals must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years through activities such as attending conferences or taking courses related to project management topics.

10. International Code Council Residential Building Inspector Certification

The International Code Council Residential Building Inspector Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of individuals who inspect one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses that are three stories or less in height. This certification is offered through the International Code Council (ICC), which is a non-profit organization that develops codes, standards, and certifications for the construction industry.

To become certified as an ICC Residential Building Inspector, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as building codes, building inspection techniques, and safety regulations. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Applicants must also have at least two years of experience in residential building inspection or a related field.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the location but typically ranges from $200 to $400. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from the ICC and be eligible to work as a residential building inspector in many jurisdictions across the United States.

Do You Really Need a Resident Engineer Certificate?

A Resident Engineer Certificate is an important document that can help you to become a professional engineer. It is a certificate issued by an accredited engineering school or college, and it provides proof that you have the qualifications necessary to practice as an engineer in your chosen field.

The certificate shows employers and clients alike that you have the training, knowledge, and experience required for the job. It also helps to demonstrate your commitment to professional development, as well as showing potential employers that you are committed to learning more about your profession and staying up-to-date on industry trends.

Whether or not you need a Resident Engineer Certificate depends on what type of work you plan to do. If you are looking for employment in engineering-related fields such as mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering or any other related discipline, then having a valid certificate will be beneficial.

It can open doors for better job opportunities and demonstrate your commitment to professional development. Even if you don’t plan on working in the engineering field, having a certification can be helpful when applying for jobs or internships in other industries since it shows employers that you have taken the time to further your education and develop skills that could be valuable in their company.

In short, whether or not you need a Resident Engineer Certificate depends on what kind of work you want to do and how important it is for you to demonstrate your commitment and skill level in the profession. If it’s something that matters to potential employers or clients then obtaining this certificate could be beneficial for helping you secure jobs and/or internships down the line.

Related: Resident Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Resident Engineer Certifications

1. What is a Resident Engineer Certification?

Answer: A Resident Engineer Certification is a professional certification in engineering that demonstrates expertise in the field of engineering, specifically in the areas of project management, design and construction. The certification requires successful completion of an accredited program and passing an exam.

2. What are the benefits of a Resident Engineer Certification?

Answer: Benefits of having a Resident Engineer Certification include increased job opportunities, higher salary potential, recognition as a professional engineer, enhanced credibility with colleagues and customers, and the ability to work on larger projects with greater technical complexity.

3. How long does it take to get a Resident Engineer Certification?

Answer: The time frame for obtaining a Resident Engineer Certification varies depending on individual experience and educational background. Generally, most individuals can obtain their certification within 1-2 years by completing an accredited program and passing the exam.

4. Is there any continuing education requirement after obtaining my Resident Engineer Certification?

Answer: Yes, many certifying bodies require that certified professionals complete periodic continuing education activities to maintain their certification status. This typically includes attending approved courses or seminars related to engineering principles and practices.

5. How much does it cost to become certified as a Resident Engineer?

Answer: The cost for becoming certified as a Resident Engineer can vary depending on the certifying body chosen, as well as any additional fees associated with taking the required exams or completing an accredited program. Generally speaking however, most certifications cost between $500 - $1000 USD