[slavik81]

The work experience requirement is pretty important, though. That's how you learn the practical side of the field.

I have a degree in EE, but there's a 0% chance I could safely design electrical equipment. In school they taught me how to analyze circuits, but I know nothing of the electrical code, let alone practical matters like mechanical stresses on wires. Without somebody to learn from, I would learn a lot of things the hard way—when the design fails.

[NOGDP]

You learn those things the same whether you will get an engineering license in the future or not. The engineer exams don't actually test this kind of knowledge.

[SECProto]

You have to have 4 years of accredited experience working under an already-certified professional engineer. This experience get audited, and references get called to confirm the types of experience and whether it is adequate. The auditor is free to say "this two month period and that six month period were not adequate experience. You have to get 8 more months experience before you can qualify." It's not the exam alone, but rather the combination of multiple factors: required education, required experience, examinations, and ongoing professional training (required to do several dozen hours per year of certified professional training to stay current).

[slavik81]

In my jurisdiction there are no technical exams for applicants with a degree from an accredited program. I regard the exams as much less important than work experience under the supervision of someone who knows what they're doing.

I am a licensed professional engineer with a B.Sc. in EE, so I've gone through every part of the process for designing electrical equipment except for acquiring work experience in that subfield. The only thing preventing me from signing off on an electrical drawing is that I do not believe I am qualified.