We are proud to announce that Surna Cultivation Technologies‘ Ian Atkins has earned his Professional Engineer (PE) license in the mechanical engineering discipline.

Atkins has been part of the Surna Cultivation Technologies team since 2019. He has over three years of experience in climate control engineering consultancy, and has a Masters of Science degree in Biological Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

“I value the engineering experience I’ve gained at Surna,” Atkins said. “It has been instrumental in my pursuit of becoming a licensed engineer.”

Attaining the PE licensure is a symbol of the trust we as a society place in the abilities and character of the engineer. “We count on PEs to safely design the built world we all occupy – and to make sure it’s safe and effective,” said our CEO Tony McDonald. “Much like a licensed doctor who prescribes medications and performs procedures, we place great trust in PEs for our health and safety.”

This was no small feat. To obtain a PE license, one must first complete a 4-year engineering degree. Atkins went further and obtained a Master’s degree as well. The next step is to pass the rigorous, 6-hour long Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which covers a range of engineering topics. After the test, the candidate must practice for several years under a licensed PE to obtain proficiency and experience, and to demonstrate character such that several other licensed PEs will provide positive references. The final step is an 8-hour long exam in the candidate’s field, in this case Mechanical Engineering.

With this license, Atkins can provide engineering services to the general public and sign off (stamp) engineered drawings for submission to obtain building permits.

“Controlled environment agriculture has been an area of great interest to me for several years now,” said Atkins. “So it has been incredible working with our clients and gaining the experience necessary for this milestone in my career. I am excited to continue working to help deliver high-quality HVACD systems to our clients.”