Engineer's Office

Requirements for County Engineer

As you may have noticed, the Fayette County Engineer's name is followed by the letters "P.E., P.S." All County Engineers in Ohio are required to be both, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and a licensed Professional Surveyor (P.S.).

To attain a Professional Engineer license, a degree from an accredited four-year engineering college or university is required which grants eligibility to take an eight-hour Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Upon passing, the title of Engineer Intern or EI. is earned. Then an internship for four years in the field of engineering is required. After passing an eight-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which demonstrates one's engineering proficiency, the Professional Engineers license for Ohio from the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors is granted.

To qualify as a Professional Surveyor, one must first graduate from an accredited four-year engineering college or university. Additionally and at least 24 credit hours in surveying or related courses, as determined by the State Board of Registration. Now eligible to take an eight-hour Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam and upon passing the title of Surveyor Intern. or SI. is granted. After an internship for four years in the field of land surveying, an eight-hour Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam is taken to demonstrate surveying proficiency. Upon passing the exam, a Professional Surveyors license for Ohio is earned from the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors

The reason for requiring both Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors licenses for the County Engineer is the knowledge and experience to carry out Section 315.08 of the Ohio Revised Code which states the county engineer "… shall prepare all plans, specifications, details, estimates of cost, and submit forms of contracts for the construction, maintenance, and repair of all bridges, culverts, roads, drains, ditches, roads … within and for the County." Additionally, the County Engineer reviews all land descriptions for deeds and prepares tax maps of all parcels in the county. To perform this service properly, he or she must have land surveying knowledge and experience.

The County Engineer must also have the engineering and surveying knowledge to work closely with the Township Trustees and the Ohio Department of Transportation in cooperative efforts to improve township roads and state highways. The County Engineer is also involved with the Regional Planning Commission in matters relating to our local highway system.