Do Multiple PE Licenses Really Matter? A Reality Check for Forensic Engineering

Question: Has the reader ever reviewed an expert profile that shows multiple state professional engineering licenses? What if we told you that this tactic is simply a concept called credential padding and has little to no correlation on the expert's chosen expertise?

In our last post, we outlined the importance of a PE license in the realm of forensic engineering. No doubt, a PE license is important in Forensic Engineering. But, what about multiple PE licenses? Do these experts have to take PE exams over and over for each state in which they have a license? Or, more importantly, do the laws of physics change in each state? We bet that you already know the answer to this, but read on to learn more.

In the marketing world of expert witnesses and forensic engineers, it’s common to see long credential lists—especially pages filled with state-by-state Professional Engineer (PE) licenses. At first glance, this can look impressive. Dozens of states. Coast-to-coast coverage. It creates the impression of authority, reach, and experience.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: listing a large number of state PE licenses often says very little about actual expertise—and leaning on it too heavily can backfire.

What a PE License Actually Represents

A PE license is important. It demonstrates that an engineer has:

• Met education requirements

• Gained qualifying experience

• Passed a standardized exam

  
  

It is a baseline credential, not a specialization. It does not tell you:

• What types of cases the engineer has worked on

• Whether they have testified in court

• Their experience with specific failure modes or industries

• If the expert has real-world experience (or, have they limited their career to act solely as a "hired gun")

• Their ability to communicate complex findings clearly

  
  

In forensic engineering, those factors matter far more than the number of licenses held.

The Reality of Multi-State Licensure

There’s a perception that being licensed in 10, 20, or even 40 states reflects superior capability. In reality, once an engineer has:

• Passed the PE exam, and

• Established an NCEES Record

  
  

Obtaining additional licenses is usually an administrative process, not a technical one.

Most states allow licensure by comity (reciprocity), which typically involves:

• Submitting an application

• Paying a fee

• Transmitting an existing record

  
  

That's it. In many cases, no additional engineering exam is required. At most, a short ethics or law quiz may be included. So while maintaining multiple licenses may be useful for business logistics, it does not indicate deeper technical knowledge or better analytical ability.

Why Overemphasizing Licenses Can Hurt Credibility

Here’s where things get tricky. When an expert prominently advertises a long list of state licenses as a primary selling point, it can raise questions rather than build trust. To a knowledgeable attorney—or worse, opposing counsel—it may signal:

• Credential padding instead of substance

• A focus on optics over actual expertise

• A lack of stronger differentiators (case experience, publications, testimony history)

  
  

In a deposition or trial setting, that list can even become a liability. It opens the door to questions like:

• “Isn’t it true you didn’t take any additional engineering exams to obtain these licenses?”

• “So these licenses don’t reflect additional training or specialization, correct?”

That line of questioning can quickly re-frame what was meant to impress into something that looks superficial.

The “Grifter” Perception Problem

Let’s be blunt: when someone leans too heavily on credentials to project authority, it can come across as disingenuous. In forensic engineering—where credibility is everything—that perception is dangerous. Attorneys are not just hiring an engineer. They are hiring a communicator and someone who can stand up to cross-examination. If an expert appears to be “selling” their qualifications based on quantity rather than depth, it can create doubt about how their opinions will hold up under scrutiny. This doesn’t mean having multiple licenses is bad. It means using them as a primary signal of expertise is misguided.

What Actually Matters to Attorneys

When attorneys evaluate forensic engineers, they are typically looking for characteristics that will help them with their case. Things like:

Relevant Case Experience

Have you handled similar incidents? Can you speak directly to the type of failure or accident in question?

Technical Depth

Do you understand the underlying engineering principles well enough to analyze and explain them clearly?

Testimony Experience

Have you been deposed? Testified at trial? Can you handle aggressive cross-examination?

Clarity and Communication

Can you translate complex technical concepts into language a jury can understand?

Methodology

Are your opinions grounded in reliable, defensible methods?

None of these are captured by the number of states listed next to “PE.”

When Multiple Licenses Do Matter

There are legitimate reasons to maintain licensure in multiple states. For example, you regularly work on cases across jurisdictions, or you need to comply with local requirements for certain types of work. Also, it makes sense to have multiple licenses if you want flexibility to take on projects without administrative delay. In those contexts, multi-state licensure is a practical business tool, not a measure of expertise.

A Better Way to Present Credentials

Instead of leading with a long list of licenses, forensic engineers are better served by highlighting:

• Types of cases handled (e.g., vehicle accidents, product failures, slip/trip incidents)

• Industries served

• Years of relevant experience

• Publications or presentations

• Testimony history

A simple line like “Licensed Professional Engineer (multiple states; NCEES Model Law Engineer)” is often more effective—and more honest—than listing dozens of jurisdictions. A PE license matters. It establishes credibility and, in some cases, is required. But the number of states in which an engineer is licensed is largely a function of paperwork, not proficiency. In forensic engineering, where opinions are tested under oath, substance always outweighs optics. Overemphasizing multi-state licensure risks sending the wrong message—one that savvy attorneys and opposing experts will notice immediately. If the goal is to build trust and win cases, the focus should be where it belongs: on experience, analysis, and the ability to defend opinions when they matter most. Contact Veritech today to learn more about our expert witness services.