How to Fill Out Washington DOL Professional Engineer License + FAQs

The Washington Professional Engineer (PE) application is the single form, Form ENLS-651-013, that every person who wants to legally call themselves a “professional engineer” in Washington must file with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). It is reviewed by the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, often shortened to BRPELS, the agency that decides who gets to sign and seal engineering work in the state.

This one form covers three very different people. It serves the new graduate applying to take the PE exam, the engineer who passed the PE exam in another state but never got licensed, and the engineer already licensed elsewhere who wants a Washington license by comity. The state-rule that requires this single form for all three groups is WAC 196-12-014, and getting one section wrong can push your file to the back of a review queue that already runs 10 to 14 weeks long, as many applicants report on the r/PE_Exam timeline threads.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📋 How to complete every section of Form ENLS-651-013 line by line, in plain words.
• 🗂️ Which documents, transcripts, and references you must gather before you start.
• 💵 The exact fees for exam applicants versus comity applicants, and how to pay them.
• ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that cause holds, rejections, and lost months.
• ✅ Three full walkthroughs for a new grad, an out-of-state PE, and a foreign-educated engineer.

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

Form ENLS-651-013 is the Professional Engineer application and statement used to request a Washington PE license from the DOL. The form was last released on May 1, 2017, and remains the current edition listed by the Washington State Department of Licensing, so check that revision marker before you start to be sure you have the right version. The form does one job: it gives the Board the facts it needs to confirm you meet the law’s education, experience, and examination rules.

The legal duty to file comes from RCW 18.43, the chapter that makes it illegal to practice or offer to practice engineering in Washington without a license. The Board that receives and judges your form is BRPELS, which sits inside the DOL. The detailed rules it uses to grade your file live in WAC 196-12-010, the section that spells out the eight-year experience rule and the exam rules.

Three groups must use this exact form. First are people applying for the PE exam and licensure at the same time, who fill in every part except the exam date and location. Second are people who passed the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in another state but never got an initial license. Third are people already licensed in another jurisdiction seeking a Washington license by comity, the path most engineers call “reciprocity.” The Board confirms all three groups share one form in WAC 196-12-014.

The penalty for getting this wrong is rarely a fine at the application stage. Instead, the cost is delay. A form with a missing reference, an unsigned page, or a fee mismatch gets set aside, and you wait for the Board to send a deficiency notice, which adds weeks to an already slow process.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything before you open the form, because the application moves fast once your records are in hand and stalls hard when they are not. The Board cross-checks your statements against outside records, so a gap in your paperwork becomes a gap in your file. Below is your pre-filing checklist, with the reason each item matters.

• Your NCEES Record or experience verification forms. The Board needs proof of your eight years of experience, and a transferred NCEES Record is the cleanest way to supply it; without it, your file cannot be graded.
• Official college transcripts. You need these if you want your degree to count toward the eight-year experience rule, and a missing transcript means the Board credits you zero years for school.
• Four professional references. At least three should come from licensed PEs familiar with your work, because the Board weighs references from licensed engineers far more heavily than those from non-licensed coworkers.
• Exam verification from an NCEES member board. Your FE and PE exam results must be independently verified, and an unverified exam claim freezes the file under WAC 196-12-010.
• Your current out-of-state license details, if any. Comity applicants need the license number, issue date, and standing, since the Board confirms your license is active and in good standing before granting comity.
• A foreign degree evaluation, if your degree is not ABET-accredited. You must order an NCEES Credentials Evaluation, or the Board will not accept the degree toward your requirements.
• The Washington engineer law review exam. You must complete this open-book exam and include it with the application, because the Board will not issue a license without a passing law review.
• Your payment. Have a card ready for online filing or a check or money order ready for mail, since a fee that does not match your application path stops processing on day one.
• A consistent legal name across all documents. Your name must match your transcripts, references, and exam records, because a name mismatch triggers a manual review and a request for proof.
• Employment dates and supervisor contacts. You will list every relevant job, and vague or conflicting dates invite follow-up questions that delay approval.

If any single item is missing, do not file a partial form hoping to add it later. The Board reviews files as a whole, and an incomplete packet usually sits untouched until the deficiency is cured.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

You get Form ENLS-651-013 directly from the Washington DOL engineering pages, where the Board posts the current application package. Start at the DOL engineers and land surveyors section, which links the application, the experience verification forms, and the law review exam in one place. Always download the form fresh rather than reusing an old PDF, because the Board updates fees and instructions on a quarterly cycle.

You can file two ways. The online channel runs through a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account, where you upload electronic copies of your documents and pay the fee by card. The mail channel uses the printed PDF, which you complete by hand or on screen, then send with a check or money order to the Board’s Olympia address.

Pick your channel based on your records. If your transcripts, references, and exam verifications already sit in digital form, the online path is faster to assemble and gives you an instant payment receipt. If you rely on sealed paper envelopes from a university or a former employer, the mail path keeps those seals intact, which the Board requires for certain documents.

A common misconception is that filing online skips steps. It does not. The same eight years of experience, the same four references, and the same law review exam apply to both channels, so the choice is about document format, not about a shorter list of requirements.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form ENLS-651-013 Line by Line

The application is organized into logical sections that march from who you are, to what you have done, to who vouches for you. Complete them in order, because later sections build on earlier ones. Each field below tells you what it asks, how to answer, a sample entry, an edge case, a common mistake, and a myth to drop.

Section 1: Application Type

This field asks which of the three paths you are using: exam and licensure together, exam passed elsewhere without a license, or comity. You answer by checking the single box that matches your situation, and you check only one. For example, Daniel Cho, a new graduate, checks Examination and Licensure, while Priya Anand, already a licensed PE in Oregon, checks Comity.

The edge case to watch is the applicant who passed the PE exam in another state years ago but never got licensed there; that person checks the middle option, not comity, because comity requires an active out-of-state license. The most common mistake here is a comity applicant checking the exam box, which routes the file to the wrong review track and adds weeks. The myth to drop is that the application type is a formality. It is not, because it tells the Board which rules in WAC 196-12-010 to apply to your file.

Section 2: Personal Information and Legal Name

This field asks for your full legal name, mailing address, phone number, and email. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card and your college transcripts, with no nicknames. For example, Daniel Cho writes Daniel Min-Jun Cho, not Dan Cho, so every record lines up.

If you have a P.O. Box, you may use it for mail, but provide a physical address too if the form asks, because the Board may need a residence on file. The most common mistake is using a maiden name on the form while transcripts carry a married name, which forces a manual identity check and a request for marriage or court records. The misconception to drop is that small name differences are ignored; the Board cross-checks names against NCEES and exam records, and any mismatch puts a hold on processing.

Section 3: Education History

This field asks for every college and degree, with school names, degree types, majors, and graduation dates. List each institution in full, and mark whether the program is ABET-accredited. For example, Daniel Cho enters B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Washington, ABET-accredited, June 2018.

The edge case is a foreign degree. If your degree is not accredited by ABET or the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, you must attach an NCEES Credentials Evaluation and an English translation of your transcripts. The common mistake is leaving the accreditation box blank, which makes the Board assume the degree gives you zero experience credit. The myth to drop is that any engineering degree counts the same; only qualifying degrees earn the up-to-four years of credit toward the eight-year rule.

Section 4: Experience Record

This field asks you to document your engineering experience, job by job, toward the eight years the law demands. Enter each position with employer, dates, your title, your supervisor, and a clear description of your engineering duties. For example, Priya Anand lists Project Engineer, Cascade Structural, Jan 2019 to present, supervised by Mark Reyes, PE.

The Board requires eight years of broad, progressive engineering work, and an ABET degree can supply up to four of those years, as set in WAC 196-12-010. The edge case is internship or co-op time during school, which can count, but no more than one year of credit is allowed for any single calendar year. The common mistake is writing vague duties like “engineering tasks,” which reads as non-qualifying and invites a request for detail. The misconception to drop is that any job at an engineering firm counts; only progressive, responsible engineering work of a character satisfactory to the Board qualifies.

Section 5: Examination Information

This field asks for your FE and PE exam history, including dates, jurisdictions, and disciplines. Enter the date and state for each exam, and leave the PE date and location blank only if you are applying to take the PE exam concurrently. For example, Daniel Cho enters his FE passed October 2017, Washington, and leaves the PE line blank because he has not taken it yet.

Both exams must be independently verified by an NCEES member board or a Board-approved foreign jurisdiction. The edge case is the FE waiver: an engineer licensed and active in good standing for at least 10 years in a recognized jurisdiction can have the FE waived under WAC 196-12-010. The common mistake is claiming an exam without arranging verification, which freezes the file until NCEES confirms the score. The misconception to drop is that a Structural exam alone qualifies you; Washington still requires a separate eight-hour PE exam in another discipline for structural applicants.

Section 6: Comity / Out-of-State License Details

This field asks comity applicants for each license they hold elsewhere, with number, issue date, discipline, and current standing. Enter every active license, not just one, and confirm it is in good standing. For example, Priya Anand enters Oregon PE #98765, issued March 2014, Civil, active and in good standing.

The FE exam waiver is tied to this section, because it depends on 10 years of active, good-standing licensure in a recognized branch. The edge case is a lapsed or disciplined out-of-state license, which can block comity entirely until you resolve the standing. The common mistake is reporting only the home-state license while omitting others, which can read as concealment if the Board finds them through NCEES. The misconception to drop is that comity is automatic for any licensed PE; the Board still confirms your experience, your exams, and your standing before it grants a Washington license.

Section 7: Professional References

This field asks for your references, the people who confirm your character and competence. Provide four references, with at least three from licensed PEs who know your work directly, and give each person’s full name, license number, and contact details. For example, Marcus Lee lists three current PEs and one engineering manager, each with a phone and email.

The edge case is the applicant whose supervisors are not licensed, common in some industries; in that case, find PEs in your professional network who can speak to your work, because non-licensed references carry far less weight. The common mistake is listing references without telling them, so when the Board reaches out, they are caught off guard and slow to respond, stalling your file. The misconception to drop is that references are a rubber stamp; the Board actually contacts them, and weak or unresponsive references can sink an otherwise strong application.

Section 8: Washington Engineer Law Review Exam

This field is the open-book law review exam covering Washington engineering law and the rules in Chapter 196-12 WAC. Complete every question and include the finished exam with your application, since the Board will not issue a license without it. For example, Daniel Cho answers all questions using the linked statutes and submits the completed sheet with his packet.

The edge case is that some applicants receive the law review result separately, sometimes within days and sometimes a couple of weeks, as engineers note on engineerboards.com. The common mistake is skipping a question or leaving the law review out entirely, which is grounds for an incomplete file. The misconception to drop is that the law review is hard; it is open-book, so the real risk is forgetting to include it, not failing it.

Section 9: Affidavit, Signature, and Date

This field is your sworn statement that everything on the form is true, followed by your signature and the date. Sign in ink for mail filings or apply your electronic signature online, and date it the day you submit. For example, Priya Anand signs and writes 05/30/2026 in MM/DD/YYYY format.

The edge case is signing too early, then mailing weeks later; keep the signature date close to your filing date so it reflects the true submission. The common mistake is leaving the form unsigned, which is the single fastest way to get a file rejected, because an unsigned affidavit is legally void. The misconception to drop is that the affidavit is boilerplate; you are swearing under penalty, and false statements can lead to denial or later discipline by the Board.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

These three named filers show how the same form serves very different paths. Follow each from the top of the application to the signature line.

Scenario 1: Daniel Cho, recent graduate applying for exam and license.

Form Section	What Daniel Enters
Application Type	Examination and Licensure
Legal Name	Daniel Min-Jun Cho
Education	B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Washington, ABET, 2018
Experience	4 years degree credit + 4 years at a civil firm
FE Exam	Passed October 2017, Washington
PE Exam	Left blank, applying concurrently
References	3 licensed PEs, 1 engineering manager
Law Review	Completed and attached
Fee	$65, exam path
Signature	Signed, dated 05/30/2026

Scenario 2: Priya Anand, out-of-state PE seeking comity.

Form Section	What Priya Enters
Application Type	Comity
Legal Name	Priya Anand
Education	B.S. Civil Engineering, Purdue, ABET, 2012
Experience	8+ years documented via NCEES Record
FE Exam	Passed 2011, verified by NCEES
PE Exam	Passed 2015, Oregon, verified by NCEES
Out-of-State License	Oregon PE #98765, active, good standing
References	4 licensed PEs
Law Review	Completed and attached
Fee	$110, comity path

Scenario 3: Mei Tan, foreign-educated engineer using the FE waiver.

Form Section	What Mei Enters
Application Type	Comity
Legal Name	Mei Ling Tan
Education	B.Eng, foreign university + NCEES evaluation attached
Experience	12 years progressive engineering work
FE Exam	Waived, 10+ years active licensure
PE Exam	Passed and verified by NCEES
Out-of-State License	California PE, active 12 years, good standing
References	4 licensed PEs
Transcripts	English translation + evaluation
Fee	$110, comity path

How to File the Completed Form

You can submit Form ENLS-651-013 online or by mail, and each channel has its own steps, fees, and proof of filing. Choose the one that fits how your documents are stored, then keep a copy of everything you send.

For online filing, log in to your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account, add the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors service through the DOL, and upload your documents and completed law review. The fee is $65 for the exam path and $110 for the comity path, paid by card, and you receive an instant electronic confirmation that serves as your proof of filing. Keep that confirmation, because it is your dated record that the file was received.

For mail filing, print the application, the experience and verification forms, and the law review, then send them with a check or money order to the Board’s Olympia mailing address listed on the DOL engineers page. The same $65 or $110 fee applies, and your proof of filing is the canceled check plus a tracked mailing receipt. Use certified mail so you have a delivery date on record.

For either channel, expect a review that commonly runs 10 to 14 weeks, with the law review result often arriving first, as applicants describe on the r/PE_Exam approval thread. Do not contact the Board before the posted minimum review window, because early inquiries do not speed the queue.

What Happens After You File

Once the Board has your file, a reviewer checks your education, experience, exams, references, and law review against the rules in WAC 196-12-010. If anything is missing or unclear, the Board sends a deficiency notice, and the clock effectively pauses until you respond. A clean file moves through review without that back-and-forth, which is why front-loading your documents matters so much.

If you applied to take the PE exam concurrently, approval clears you to sit for the exam, and passing it completes your path to licensure. If you applied by comity or had already passed the PE exam, approval leads straight to license issuance once the law review and references clear. Many applicants report the license number posting within days to a couple of weeks after the law review passes, as noted on engineerboards.com.

After issuance, your Washington PE license renews every two years on your birthday. Washington is unusual in that it does not require continuing education hours for PE renewal, though many engineers pursue professional development anyway. Watch your renewal date, because practicing on a lapsed license is a violation of RCW 18.43.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Each error below has cost real applicants weeks of delay. Read them as a final pass before you submit.

• Checking the wrong application type, which routes your file to the wrong review track and delays grading.
• Using a nickname or maiden name that does not match transcripts, which triggers a manual identity hold.
• Leaving the ABET accreditation box blank, which makes the Board credit zero years for your degree.
• Writing vague experience duties, which read as non-qualifying and prompt a request for more detail.
• Claiming an exam without arranging NCEES verification, which freezes the file until the score is confirmed.
• Omitting one of your out-of-state licenses, which can look like concealment when the Board finds it.
• Listing references you never told, who then respond slowly or not at all and stall your file.
• Using non-licensed references when licensed PEs are available, which weakens your application.
• Forgetting to include the completed law review exam, which makes the packet incomplete.
• Leaving the affidavit unsigned, which voids the application and forces a restart.
• Paying the wrong fee for your path, which stops processing on day one.
• Mailing unsealed documents that the Board requires in sealed envelopes, which the Board will not accept.
• Filing a partial packet hoping to add documents later, which usually sits untouched until cured.

Do’s and Don’ts

These quick rules keep your file clean and moving.

Do:

• Do download the current Form ENLS-651-013 fresh, because fees and instructions change quarterly.
• Do match your legal name across every document, since the Board cross-checks names against NCEES.
• Do transfer an NCEES Record when possible, because it bundles your exams and experience cleanly.
• Do tell your references before you list them, so they respond fast when the Board calls.
• Do keep your proof of filing, since it is your dated record of submission.
• Do confirm your out-of-state license is active and in good standing before claiming comity.

Don’t:

• Don’t sign the affidavit weeks before you file, because the date should reflect true submission.
• Don’t describe experience in vague terms, since the Board needs progressive, responsible duties.
• Don’t omit any license you hold, as missing ones can read as concealment.
• Don’t contact the Board before the posted review window, because it will not speed your file.
• Don’t reuse an old PDF, since you may pay an outdated fee or miss a new requirement.
• Don’t assume comity is automatic, because the Board still verifies experience, exams, and standing.

Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Most engineers file this form themselves, but some use an employer’s licensing coordinator or a credentialing service. Weigh the trade-offs before you decide.

Pros of filing on your own:

• You save the cost of any third-party service, keeping your outlay to the $65 or $110 fee.
• You control the timeline directly, since you know the moment each document is ready.
• You learn the requirements firsthand, which helps at renewal time.
• You avoid miscommunication that can happen when a coordinator handles your records.
• You keep your personal data in fewer hands, reducing privacy exposure.

Cons of filing on your own:

• You carry the full burden of chasing transcripts, references, and exam verifications.
• A first-time filer can misread the experience rule and undercount or overcount years.
• You have no second set of eyes to catch an unsigned page or a fee mismatch.
• You must track the NCEES Record transfer and law review yourself.
• Mistakes fall entirely on you, and each one adds weeks to an already slow queue.

FAQs

Do I check the comity box if I passed the PE exam elsewhere but never got licensed?

No. You check the middle option for exam passed without an initial license, because comity requires an active out-of-state license, not just a passed exam.

Do I write my maiden name or married name in the name field?

Yes, use the name that matches your transcripts and exam records; if it differs, attach proof of the change so the Board can reconcile your file.

Do I need eight years of experience even with an engineering degree?

Yes, but an ABET-accredited degree can supply up to four of those eight years under WAC 196-12-010.

Do I leave the PE exam date blank if I have not taken it yet?

Yes, concurrent applicants leave the PE exam date and location blank and complete every other section of the form.

Do internships count toward the experience requirement?

Yes, qualifying internship or co-op time can count, but no more than one year of credit is granted for any single calendar year.

Do I need to verify my exams through NCEES?

Yes, both the FE and PE exam results must be independently verified by an NCEES member board or a Board-approved foreign jurisdiction.

Do I have to take the FE exam if I have been licensed for over 10 years elsewhere?

No, the Board may waive the FE for an applicant active and in good standing for at least 10 years in a recognized jurisdiction.

Do all four references have to be licensed PEs?

No, but at least three should be licensed PEs who know your work, because non-licensed references carry far less weight.

Do I need official transcripts if my degree is on my NCEES Record?

Yes, if you want education to count toward experience, official transcripts are required, even when other records are on file.

Do foreign degrees need a separate evaluation?

Yes, unless your degree is ABET or CEAB accredited, you must order an NCEES Credentials Evaluation and submit translated transcripts.

Do I pay the same fee for exam and comity applications?

No, the exam path costs $65 and the comity path costs $110, so confirm your path before you pay.

Do I have to include the law review exam with my application?

Yes, the completed Washington engineer law review must accompany the application, because the Board will not issue a license without it.

Do I need continuing education to renew my Washington PE license?

No, Washington does not require continuing education hours for PE renewal, which sets it apart from most other states.

Do online and mail filings have different requirements?

No, the experience, references, exams, and law review are identical; only the document format and payment method differ between the two channels.