The current requirements under this section for taking the PE examination state that a potential candidate needs to have some educational background, generally in the form of a college degree.  Even without a degree, the board may judge that academic coursework meets the equivalent requirement.  The results of this regulation is that an individual with either limited or no academic background has no chance of ever becoming a Professional Engineer, regardless of the years of qualifying engineering experience.  I believe this requirement creates a needless barrier to entry for the engineering field in Virginia by discouraging otherwise talented individuals from entering the field if there is a fixed ceiling on professional advancement.  I believe this also creates an economic burden in the state by restricting both the supply of our native engineering talent pool and the earnings potential of Virginia citizens. 

I suggest the current regulations should be amended to allow 20 years of qualifying engineering experience to be an acceptable means of satisfying the requirements of 18 VAC 10-20-210 without having any college level education. 

Personally and professionally, I would respect any individual, with 20 years of qualifying engineering experience and having passed the PE exam, as a colleague and peer as a professional engineer.