Comity licensure is the process for an engineer licensed in one jurisdiction to seek a license in another based on existing credentials and records.
Definition
Comity licensure is an application route through which an engineer with a license in one jurisdiction seeks licensure in another. It is also sometimes called reciprocity, but the receiving jurisdiction sets its own eligibility rules and may require additional information, examinations, or steps. The process can involve verification of education, experience, examination history, and existing licenses, according to that board's requirements. Owners use license planning to match staff availability with project locations and procurement schedules. A firm's ability to serve clients across borders can depend on both the individual engineer's license and any separate firm authorization. Comity licensure is not an automatic transfer of a license, and an existing license does not always grant temporary practice rights. Requirements and timing vary, so firms should treat each jurisdiction as a separate compliance check.
How owners use it
- Plan staffing and application lead time for work in jurisdictions where team members are not yet licensed.
- Track application status, required verifications, and the jurisdiction's stated practice rules.
- An engineer licensed in one state applies in another; the firm separately checks the second state's requirements for firm authorization before bidding.
- Distinguish an individual license application from firm registration and project approvals.
