The Legal Risks Licensed PEs Don’t Prep for (But Should) With Matthew Fornaro

From dreaming of the Air Force to finding his calling in civil engineering and becoming a PE, today’s guest is a testament to the twists life throws at us…and some of them can be a blessing! 👇In this episode, we have Jared Foulk on the show. He’s a civil engineer in Washington who recently passed the Water Resources PE Exam, and is here to spill the beans on everything he learned on this journey.He talks about the ups and downs of prepping for (and passing) the PE exam himself, what he did to prep, and how passing it can boost your career almost instantly — just like it did for him.He also dives into why civil engineering is a fantastic field right now, especially with the current demand for PEs and the lack of workforce to fill in those shoes the companies are hiring for.If you're gearing up for the PE to boost your career and want to hear the hard-learned lessons from someone who’s walked the walk and crossed the finish line, this episode is packed with golden nuggets of wisdom you’ll love.Go check it out!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:His Journey into Civil Engineering from an Initial Air Force Dream JobIs a Civil Degree Easier to Get Than a Mechanical Degree?How He Learned (the Hard Way) That the Civil FE Exam is Required After SchoolWhat Pushed Him to Go Get the PEDo You Need a Master's to Do Well in Civil Engineering?His Experience Taking the Water Resources PE ExamWhat He Worried About and Struggled With the Most When Prepping for the PEHow He Found CEA Using AI...and Decided to Go With ItWhat He Liked About CEA's PE Review Course That Helped Him (a Lot!)Another Aspect of the Course That Streamlined His StudiesWhat His Exam Prep Journey Looked Like from Start to FinishThe Score to Shoot for on Practice ExamsDid He Feel Confident Going into the Exam With Our Course?The Importance of a Support System When Studying for the PEHow He Prepped to Apply for Licensure...Before He Even Took the ExamThe Immediate Impact of Passing the PE Exam on His CareerWhy It's a Really Good Time to Be a Civil EngineerHis Hard-Learned Lessons for Those Taking the PE Soon🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONEDCivil PE Review CourseAir Force ROTCUniversity of Washington💬 CONNECT WITH JAREDLinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOUThe Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE Floodplain Manager Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSESCivil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseFloodplain Manager Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMSFE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFloodplain Manager Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEAWebsiteNewsletterFREE CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

Civil engineering shapes the world around us, but not everyone sees themselves in it. For some, finding role models who’ve been there is tough…and that’s exactly what Azael Garza had  to overcome. 👇Azael is civil engineer with a latino heritage that went from a small-town math student to launching his own firm and working for himself at Aztlan Engineering, all while keeping the memories of his ancestors alive.In this episode, he dives into this solo journey and everything had to push through to get where he’s at right now given the lack of representation problem in the industry.The FE and PE exams. The challenges of running a firm. What pushed him to finally go all in on building something of his own.All of this as a Latino Civil Engineer in a small town in Georgia! 😲So, if you’ve ever thought about starting your own thing one day, or you’re looking for a latino who’s carved out their own lane in this field, this episode is worth your time.It’s honest, inspiring, and full of lessons you can immediately apply…from someone who’s walked the walk.Go give it a listen!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:How His First Job After School Motivated Him to Start His Own FirmWhat He Did to Prepare to Start Working for HimselfHow He Finally Took the Leap and Ventured Out on His OwnThe Biggest Issue He Faces Building His Firm (And You Will Too If You Start Yours)A Big Business Secret Any Engineering Firm Owner Needs to Know to Get More ClientsOne of the Biggest Downsides of the Civil Engineering FieldWhat Makes a Civil Engineering Degree Difficult (And It's Not Academic Rigor)The Hidden Nature of Civil Engineering Most People Don't RecognizeWhy Small Engineering Firms are Better to Work at Than Giant ConglomeratesHis Experience With the FE & PE Exams (And How Totally Different They Are!)A Shift in Education Pursuits by the Younger GenerationHow CEA Helped Azael in His Journey to PE and Firm Owner🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Civil PE Review CourseUniversity of GeorgiaToyota Industries💬 CONNECT WITH AZAEL:Aztlan [email protected]🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE Floodplain Manager Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CourseFloodplain Manager Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFloodplain Manager Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFREE CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

AI is making its way into civil engineering fast. Whether you like it or not, it’s changing the rules of the game already. So, the only possible question left is: are you keeping up…or getting left behind? 🤔In this episode, we chat with Peter Nabhan, a PE who pioneered the transition of a big AEC firm to adopting technology and now works at the intersection of civil engineering, business leadership, and tech.After seeing the negative impacts of a lack of AI mastery on civil engineers’ careers, he decided to help them get ready for the “AI age” that’s coming for all of those in the industry — again, whether you like it or not.So, if you want to future-proof your career and not get blindsided — or worse, fired! — by what’s coming, this is one of those conversations you don’t want to miss.It’s practical, honest, and a bit of a wake-up call, to be honest. As the saying goes, “the only thing constant is change.” So, you’ll need to change if you want to keep your job in the (very) near future. 😲🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The Biggest Challenge AEC Firms Face TodayWhat He Created to Help Firms Solve This Big Challenge (+ How to Do It)How He Gravitated Toward the Tech Side of Civil EngineeringHow He Manages the Different Initiatives He Works on the Tech SideWhy He Got into Civil Engineering SpecificallyThe Gap in Civil Engineering Education That Engineers Need to Fill on Their OwnHow AI is Making Its Way into Civil Engineering (And Why You Need to Master It)His Tips for Young Engineers to Find Mentors...Based on His Own ExperienceA Lesson from Peter's Journey That All Engineers Should Learn FromThe Life Advice Every Single Engineer Should Listen to🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Engineering News RecordTerraconECS Group of Companies💬 CONNECT WITH PETER:[email protected]🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup GuideFREE Floodplain Manager Course Module🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review CoursesFloodplain Manager Review Course📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFloodplain Manager Practice ExamFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEAWebsiteNewsletterFREE CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

Most people think an engineering career locks you into one path. Design, build, repeat. Endlessly. But what if it could actually open doors you never knew were there — even totally unrelated to engineering? 🤔This week, we chat with Lorri Zella. She’s a licensed PE who took her career in a totally different direction, going from engineering to full-time real estate investing with a stop in forensic analysis today.In this episode, Lorri dives deep into this awesome journey. She details how her education, work experience in engineering, and PE license helped her prep for the non-engineering stuff she’s done…all the way to how to come back into engineering if you leave it to try something new.(🚨Spoiler alert: it’s easier than you trick yourself to think it is!)If you’re feeling boxed in by your degree or current job and wondering what else is out there beyond the typical path, this episode might just flip a switch for you.There’s more you can do as a civil engineer than designing and constructing buildings. And the good news? Your education and experience preps you really well for that already. 😉So, go give this episode a listen  to see how the PE can take you way beyond engineering!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:Why She Went for an Engineering Degree (Even Without Liking Math)What's the CPESC Credential?What's the LEED and Certification?How She Keeps All Her Credentials Active in Every StateHow Engineering Prepped Her to Invest in Real EstateIs It Difficult to Go Back into Engineering If You Get Out of It?Her 3-Attempt Journey to Get Over the PE ExamHer Experience with the LEED and CPESC Certification ExamsWhat She Does in Forensic Engineering TodayHer Tips for All Engineers Who Want to Get into Real Estate on the Side2 Tips for All Women Pursuing a Career in Engineering (And Win!)🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CPESC CertificationLEED certificationUniversity of Dayton💬 CONNECT WITH LORRI:[email protected]🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEAWebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

🚨 ATTENTION 🚨 The latest stats on licensure exams are out — and some of it that’s never happened before on any point in history will make you jaw drop big time! 😯In this episode, we dive into the 2025 Squared Report by the NCEES and break down the biggest takeaways from it regarding the civil FE and PE exams.What are the latest pass rates? What’s the perfect time to take them in your career based on those who passed it? Do test-takers prefer a specific period of the year to go sit for them? 🤔These are all things we cover in this episode. Plus, there’s some interesting stuff about how the NCEES is evolving the licensure requirements to support engineers mobility, both in and out of the US. 🌍If you’re planning to take the FE or PE — or are already in the middle of your prep for it — this episode has all the latest numbers about them so you know exactly what you’re up against. Go give this episode a listen to see what the latest FE and PE trends mean for you! 🫵🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The Latest Stats on the Number of Test-Takers Per ExamA Brand-New NCEES Program to Train People to Come Up With the Exam QuestionsThe NCEES Reports for University Teachers to Help Them Tailor Their ClassesThe Latest Pass Rates for the Civil FE ExamOverall vs. EAC vs. ETAC vs. Other Takers (And How FE Pass Rates Differ for Each)The Most Preferred Testing Window by FE Test-TakersThe Top Universities With the Highest FE Exam CandidatesFE Pass Rates Per Graduation Date: Does It Matter When You Take It?The Latest Pass Rates for the Civil PE ExamsPE Exam Pass Rates Per Years of Experience: When Are Your Chances at Each Stage?The Latest Pass Rates for the SE ExamAverage Age of Examinees by Exam TypeThe Highlights of the Latest Stats for the Surveying ExamsThe NCEES Records Program to Get Licensed in Other States by ReciprocityThe Credentials Evaluations Service for International Civil EngineersAre the NCEES Exams Offered in Other Countries?The Number of Licensed Engineers in Each StateThe Historical Growth in the Number of Engineering & Surveying Licenses in the US🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:2025 NCEES Squared ReportCEA Episode #312 (SE Exam With Brandon Dashwood)🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

Does the PE equal a 6-figure salary?! 😯 This is one of the trends in the civil engineering job market today that, if you don’t pay attention, you may be leaving big opportunities on the table. 👇This week, Brandon McGill jumps back on the show to pull back the curtain on what’s really going on in the civil engineering hiring scene in 2026. As The Civil Recruiter himself, he’s in the trenches every day placing civil engineers at their dream jobs. Therefore, he sees firsthand what companies and candidates want…and what the biggest trends and shifts are right now in the industry.In this episode, he talks about why licensed PEs are gaining more leverage, the biggest mistake people make when thinking about switching jobs, the pay differences across fields, and more!If you’ve been wondering whether you’re underpaid or thinking about making a move but don’t know what things look like right now for civil engineers, this is a must-listen!It's a real talk about the current state of the civil engineering job market by someone who works with it every day of every week. No fluff. No sugarcoating.Go check it out!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:What's Going on in the Civil Engineering Industry Right NowA Big Shift in the Industry Hiring Scene That Favors Licensed PEsShould You Really Change Jobs to Get a Higher Pay After Passing the PE?What Companies are Doing That's Causing Good Engineers to LeaveWhat Leads Civil Engineers to Being Underpaid (And What the New Gen Does Today)The Biggest Mistake Civil Engineers Make When Considering a Job ChangeIs There a Difference in Pay Among the Different Civil Engineering Fields?Do You Get a Higher Pay When Working with a Recruiter or Applying on Your Own?What the Future of the Civil Engineering Hiring Scene Looks LikeThe Impact of AI on Hiring and Paying Civil Engineers in the FutureWhat Makes The Civil Recruiter Stand Out (And Why You Should Try It)💬 CONNECT WITH BRANDON:LinkedInThe Civil [email protected]🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

Having trouble passing the Civil PE Exam in your current discipline? 🤔 If yes, then switching exams can be the game-changer you’ve been looking for…if you do it right. 👇While sticking with the same exam is (and always will be) your best bet, there are a few exemptions to that rule that can really turn things around for you.In this episode, we cover the only six possible scenarios in which changing exams makes a whole lotta sense and can help you (finally!) get it over with.If you’ve been failing this exam over and over again, go check this out to see which one of these scenarios applies to you and how you could shake things up for your next try.🧠 IN THIS EPISODE:Scenario 1: Career ShiftScenario 2: Past Work ExperienceScenario 3: Scope of Work Scenario 4: Comfort With Exam ContentScenario 5: College Background Scenario 6: Most Favorable Exam🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Why You Should Stick With The Same Exam After a Fail?Which Civil PE Exam to Take?Joe Ebinger InterviewEsteban Valderrama InterviewBrett Van Hazel InterviewGrant Junghans interviewCameron McLaurin Interview🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

Most licensed civil engineers don’t think about the legal risks in their career…until something goes wrong. But according to attorney Matthew Fornaro, when it does go sideways, it’s usually too late. 👇Matthew works right in the intersection of construction and business law. He’s seen it all in the AEC industry — from small contract disputes and ethical violations…all the way to full-blown, million-dollar litigation cases.In this episode, we dive into the legal risks licensed PEs like you face every day — and that will follow you for years after any project you touch is done. Why?!Once you’ve got that PE stamp, you’re not just approving projects. You’re taking on real responsibility that lasts through the lifetime of the building you signed off on.Everything you do now can be traced back to you years down the road if anything happens to the building you approved. (I know. Wild! 😟)So, if you’re a licensed PE — or on your way there — this is one of those conversations you’ll not want to skip.It’ll open your eyes to the legal side of engineering nobody really teaches, but everyone should understand. Otherwise, it’ll come back to bite you in the butt.Go check it out to learn how to protect yourself and your career legally with the help of an attorney!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:How the Construction Law Is Different From Other LawsThe Different Situations in Which Engineers Need Legal CounselingThe Legal Weight of Getting the PE LicenseThe Life-Long Responsibility of Stamping a Project's PlansThe Big Issue With AI to Do the Legal Work (And How to Use it Right)The First Thing Engineers Wanting to Start Their Own Business Should DoNuances of Construction Litigation Cases (And Why It Matters to Engineers)The Most Common Construction Litigation Case That Attorneys HandleAre Ethical Violations Common in Construction Lawsuits?💬 CONNECT WITH MATTHEW:[email protected]🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

If you want to practice in California, the journey isn’t quite over after you pass the PE Exam. 😅 There are two extra tiny little things standing between you and the PE license in the Golden State. 👇In this episode, Taylor Austin jumps back on the show, but now to talk about her experience tackling these California-specific hurdles — the Seismic and Surveying Principles exam.After passing the Water Resources PE Exam with our review course, she had to face these two exams to advance her career in California. The problem?Her background is environmental engineering with no in-depth structural engineering training…which made the seismic portion a whole new ball game. 😯In our chat, she spills the beans on everything you can expect when prepping for and taking the CA exams. From the top-notch study resources to use and prep time you should give yourself…all the way to what the exam experience is like (and how it differs from the PE!)If you’re planning to get licensed in California — or even thinking about it down the road — this episode breaks down the nuts and bolts of the process with helpful, real-world tips from someone who’s walked the walk. 👍Go give it a listen to see what it really takes to pass the California Seismic and Survey exams!🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:The Nuts and Bolts of Taking the CA Seismic & Survey ExamsWhat the CA Seismic & Survey Exams Look LikeWhat Her License Got Held Up in California (And What She Did to Fix It)Her Journey Prepping for the CA Seismic & Survey ExamsHow Much Prep Time Should You Give Yourself?The Test-Taking Strategy for the CA Exams That Got Her Passed 3 Tips for Anyone Gearing up for the Seismic and Survey ExamsHow Many Practice Exams She Took in Her PrepThe Often Forgotten Benefit of Getting a PE in CaliforniaHow Much Does It Cost to Take the CA Exams?Does Reciprocity Rules Apply in California...Without the Seismic and Survey Exams?The Value of Getting the PE (in and out of California)The Study Resources She Recommends for the CA ExamsHer Biggest Tip for Anyone Facing the Seismic Exam Without a Structural Background🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:CEA CA Seismic and Survey Courses WaitlistHiner's Seismic Design ReviewAdvanced Engineering Institute (AEI) Seismic Review CourseCivil PE Surveying Review CourseCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoWSPWater Works Engineers💬 CONNECT WITH TAYLOR:LinkedIn🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

Every year, we like to hit pause, look in the rearview mirror, and reflect on everything that happened in the past year. We just did that with our 2025 Year in Review…and that was a crazy one! 😅In this episode, we dive into the 2025 highlights that made all the late nights and weekends of work totally worth it. Both in terms of traction we’ve gotten, the number of students we’ve had…all the way to our 10-year anniversary (which still feels a little surreal! 😯).On the flip side, we also dive into the biggest issue we’ve battled here at CEA for pretty much the entire year. It was a monumental task that, thankfully, is now over with the launch of our PE Structural Review Course. 🙌Then, at the end, we also dive into the opportunities we see for CEA moving forward. What we have planned for you. How we’re thinking about AI. And even how you can join the CEA Team to help with our exam prep materials. 👍It’s been a long ride and we’re really thankful for everybody who’s been here with us, using our materials and giving us feedback so we can keep improving. So, if you’re in the online “CEA sphere,” give this episode a listen to learn what went down at CEA in 2025 — and where we’re headed next.This one’s transparent, forward-looking, and straight from the heart. 🤝🧠 IN THIS EPISODE:Our Biggest Challenge Since the NCEES Updated the SpecsThe Highlight of Last Year (2025) Here at CEAThe Traction We've Gotten on Our Social Media ChannelsThe Growth of the Civil Engineering Academy Podcast in 2025How Many Students Used CEA's Review Courses in 2025Our 10-Year Anniversary in 2025...and the Sale We Ran to Celebrate ItThe Opportunities at CEA Heading into 2026Is CEA Implementing AI Into Their Exam Prep Materials?How We'll Keep Tightening Up Our PE Review CoursesHow You Can Help CEA With Its Study Materials in 2026🎙️ SOME OF THE CEA STUDENT STORIES IN 2025:Alberto Ortigão (PE Geotech)Yameli (PE Transportation)Aggie Lie (Civil FE)Colin Tinsley (PE Construction)Haddi Azzawi (PE Water Resources)Josiah Ferguson (PE Water Resources)Raymond Muñoz-Tabares (Civil FE)Kenneth Wilson (PE Water Resources)Ryan Turley (PE Water Resources)Mudasir Gulzar (PE Geotech)Scott Pelath (CFM Exam)Jimmy Daughtry (PE Construction at 60!)Seirra Patrick (PE Water Resources)Scott Williams (Civil FE)Hunter McCabe (PE Construction)Bill Bollman (PE Transportation)🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]