Me? A Professional?!?!?

So I did some homework and it turns out that I am eligible to apply for a Professional Engineer's (PE) license. Here are the requirements:

1. Graduate from an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited engineering program

Check - NDSU's Electrical Engineering program is accredited. Graduated 2002.

2. Obtain an Engineer-In-Training certificate

Check - Took the test and passed it in June, 2002

3. Build 4 years of experience under the supervision of another PE

I am approaching my 4-year anniversary at Boeing. While I haven't been under the "direct supervision" of a PE, Washington has an industrial exemption that will allow me to reference anyone in the company. I can find someone without too much effort.

4. Pass the PE exam

This is the only requirement I still need to satisfy. It's a day-long exam, offered twice a year. The exam is divided into 2, 40 question, 4-hour parts. The "breadth" section is a high-level exam on general aspects of engineering. There are 3 different "depth" exams where I choose which one to take: Computer; Electronics, Controls, and Communications; or Power. I'm leaning toward the Power exam since I would like to (someday) be self-employed with an off-the-grid power systems consulting business. The next exam is in October followed by one in April. This October seems a bit soon since I'll have to sign up for a 6-week review class at the University of Washington and study some myself. Next April would work but I am getting married in March so that might be a slight distraction. So I am planning to take the exam next October. It turns out that Boeing will pay for the cost of the review class and the exam fee. I think they'll reimburse me for the study material too. Can't beat that!

Or maybe I should just forget that plan and go back to school for an MBA...yeah, right!