Structural Engineer (SE) applicants must use BPELSG Connect to submit an application for licensure. For BPELSG Connect related questions view the Application and Licensing BPELSG Connect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
How to submit a Structural Engineer (SE) application in BPELSG Connect:
1) Create a user profile in BPELSG Connect using an email address as your username. Once registered, you will receive an email with a temporary password to log in and create a personalized password. If during the registration process you did not opt out of receiving SMS (text) messages, you will also receive a SMS message alerting you that you have received a new email from BPELSG Connect.
2) Upon confirming registration with a new password, you will be asked if you have a current license/certification with BPELSG (if your license is not already linked within your account). Answer “Yes” and link your California Civil Engineer license; if you do not link your Civil Engineer license at this step, you will be required to use the “Link Existing” button on the dashboard. You will not be able to start your application for licensure until you have linked your Civil Engineer license. Structural Engineer applicants must hold an unexpired, valid California Civil Engineer license prior to submitting a Structural Engineer application.
3) From the dashboard click on “Profile” to enter your preferred address of record or confirm that what is currently shown, is accurate.
4) From the dashboard, click on the “New Application” button to start your application. When prompted, use the dropdown box to choose the application type.
5) When the application loads, application tabs will appear to the left side of the screen. As you progress through the tabs, the tabs will change color based on the status. A green check mark indicates that the tab is complete; a red “X” indicates that the tab has been started but is not complete. You will be required to complete all tabs before you submit the application.
- Instructions: Read the instructions carefully.
- General Information: Verify and/or enter all required personal information.
- Qualifications: You are required to pass the NCEES PE Structural Exam prior to application submittal. You will be asked which of the qualifying Structural Engineer exams you have passed and upload your exam results. For information on the exams acceptable for Structural Engineer licensure view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding the Structural Engineer (SE) Exam. You will be asked if you are currently licensed as a Professional Engineer or Structural Engineer in another state. If “yes”, you will be asked to provide your current license information and to upload a license verification. You will also be asked if you are using a NCEES Record (comity applicants may use a NCEES Record in lieu of providing Work Experience Engagements/References).
- Experience: You will complete Part A of the Work Experience Engagements/References within BPELSG Connect. For each Part A of the Work Experience Engagement/Reference submitted, contact information for the professional reference will be required. After you submit your application in BPELSG Connect, each of your professional references will be emailed a link that will allow them to review Part A of the Work Experience Engagement/Reference and instruct them to complete Part B. A minimum of three (3) completed Work Experience Engagements/References, demonstrating a sufficient number of months of qualifying engineering experience, are required. For detailed information view the Work Experience Engagement/Reference Instructions for Structural Engineer Applicants and Professional References. If your professional references have not responded within two (2) weeks, it is recommended you contact them because your application will not be reviewed until the minimum number of Work Experience Engagements/References have received responses. If you are using a NCEES Record in lieu of Work Experience Engagements/References, you will be asked to include a summary of all engagements listed within the NCEES Record. In the case that the NCEES Record does not provide the information the Board needs to determine if you meet the requirements for licensure in California, you will be asked to provide additional information.
- Special Considerations: You will be asked to answer questions to determine if you are eligible for an expedited application review process in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 115.4, Business and Professions Code section 115.5 or Business and Professions Code section 135.4. If you are eligible and wish for your application to be expedited, you will be required to upload the appropriate documents.
- Fingerprint: All applicants are required to submit a full set of fingerprints prior to certification/licensure. Applicants residing in California must use the electronic Live Scan fingerprinting process and will be asked to upload a copy of their completed Live Scan Form in the Fingerprint Tab. Out-of-state applicants may either submit the traditional fingerprint cards or travel to California to use the Live Scan process. Out-of-state applicants will be mailed two (2) FD-258 fingerprint cards after submitting an application and fees in BPELSG Connect. Both completed fingerprint cards need to be mailed to the Board along with the BPELSG Connect payment receipt received after application submittal. There is a separate fee for submitting fingerprint cards. If you have submitted fingerprints to this Board within the last 24 months, you will not be required to supply any fingerprinting documents or information. For more information regarding fingerprinting please visit the Board's Fingerprinting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- Action By Another State: You will be asked if you have ever had an engineering, land surveying, geologist or geophysicist related certificate or license denied, disciplined, suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any state (other than for lack of minimum qualification or failure of examination). If you answer “Yes”, you will be asked to explain and upload any applicable documents.
- Affidavit: You will be asked to sign and date the application declaration.
- Fee and Payment: You will have the option to make the payment for the application fee and fingerprint card fee (if applicable) by credit card, debit card, personal check, money order, or cash. If you choose to pay by check, money order, or cash, BPELSG Connect will provide you with a confirmation document that you will need to print and mail to the Board along with the payment. Please be aware that choosing the check, money order, or cash option will significantly delay the processing of your application, since application review will not start until payment is received and processed.
6) After application payment and submittal, you will be returned to your dashboard, where you can view the status of your application. If you click on the application number, you can download and print or save a PDF version of your application for your records. If you pay by credit card or debit card, you will receive a payment confirmation receipt via email. You can also view and print your payment receipt by clicking on the “Profile” link on your dashboard and finding the view/print link under the “Payment Detail” section.
Application Deficiencies:
If your application is determined to be deficient, Board staff will send you an email. An application goes through two reviews by Board staff: evaluator initial review and technical review. A deficiency can be issued during one or both review stages. To correct the deficiency, log in to BPELSG Connect, from your dashboard click on “Resolve Deficiency”, and follow all directions within the email and within BPELSG Connect. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all identified deficiencies are resolved within BPELSG Connect.
How to check the status of your application:
Once you have submitted your application through BPELSG Connect, you will be able to monitor the status of your application and address any deficiencies by logging into BPELSG Connect. Do not contact the Board for status updates; log in to your BPELSG Connect account and refer to your dashboard for status updates. View the Application Status Definitions for detailed information.
