The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the mandatory first step for aspiring professionals seeking licensure in the United States. This rigorous assessment ensures that candidates possess a baseline of technical knowledge required for protecting the public’s welfare in engineering practice. Passing the FE exam is a necessary milestone that precedes the required period of supervised work experience and the final licensing examination for a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Defining the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is a national, standardized test administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This organization develops and maintains the examinations used for the licensure of engineers and surveyors across the country. The FE exam assesses a candidate’s understanding of the broad range of fundamental principles taught in an accredited undergraduate engineering curriculum.
Passing the FE exam is the prerequisite for receiving the official designation of Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineer Intern (EI), depending on the state’s licensing board. This designation marks the formal beginning of the licensure journey and affirms a candidate’s academic readiness. The EIT/EI certification does not grant the legal authority of a licensed Professional Engineer.
Who Should Take the FE Exam and When
The FE exam is designed primarily for students nearing graduation from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program, or for recent graduates. The test content covers material from a bachelor’s degree curriculum, making the period immediately following or just before graduation the most advantageous time to take the examination while the academic material is still fresh in mind.
Many engineering students choose to sit for the exam during the final semester of their senior year. Some state boards permit students with a specified number of credit hours remaining to sit for the test. Graduates from non-ABET programs or those with extensive experience may have alternative paths to eligibility, but candidates must verify their requirements directly with the relevant state licensing board before registering for the exam.
Understanding the FE Exam Format and Disciplines
The FE exam is a computer-based test (CBT) that is offered year-round in four testing windows at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE centers. The total exam appointment time is six hours, which includes a tutorial, a non-disclosure agreement, a scheduled break, and the examination period itself. The actual time allotted for answering the 110 multiple-choice questions is 5 hours and 20 minutes.
During the exam, candidates are provided with an electronic copy of the NCEES FE Reference Handbook, which is the only reference material permitted in the testing room. The test is discipline-specific, requiring candidates to select the exam version that aligns most closely with their undergraduate degree program. This structure ensures the examination is relevant to the foundational knowledge required for a specific field of practice. Candidates must select one of seven discipline-specific exams:
- FE Chemical: Covers fundamental principles of chemical engineering, including chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, mass transfer, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and process control.
- FE Civil: Focuses on core areas of civil engineering, such as structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, water resources, transportation engineering, surveying, construction, and materials science.
- FE Electrical and Computer: Tests knowledge in circuits, electromagnetics, computer hardware and software engineering, digital systems, control systems, and signal processing.
- FE Environmental: Covers subjects like water and wastewater engineering, air quality engineering, solid and hazardous waste, and environmental science fundamentals.
- FE Industrial and Systems: Focuses on concepts such as engineering economics, production systems, facility planning, quality control, probability and statistics, and modeling and simulation.
- FE Mechanical: Assesses proficiency in mechanical design and analysis, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, machine design, materials science, and measurement and instrumentation.
- FE Other Disciplines: Intended for candidates with degrees in engineering fields not covered by the six specific exams, or those with a general engineering degree, covering a broad range of general engineering topics.
The Path to Professional Engineer Licensure
The PE license grants an individual the legal authority to sign and seal engineering plans and drawings, taking full responsibility for the safety and integrity of the work for the public. The licensure process requires three distinct components: education, examination, and experience.
Following the successful completion of the FE exam and the attainment of the EIT or EI designation, the aspiring engineer must complete a mandatory period of progressive, supervised work experience. State licensing laws typically require a minimum of four years of experience under the guidance of a licensed Professional Engineer. This period is designed to transition the EIT from academic knowledge to practical, real-world application, ensuring they develop sound professional judgment.
The final requirement for licensure is passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which is also administered by the NCEES. The PE exam is significantly different from the FE exam because it is a comprehensive, discipline-specific test that focuses on practical application and problem-solving in a chosen engineering field. While the FE exam tests fundamental knowledge across a broad spectrum, the PE exam assesses the readiness to practice independently and competently within a specific area of engineering.
Strategies for FE Exam Preparation
Effective preparation for the FE exam begins with a thorough understanding of the test specifications for the chosen discipline, which are published by NCEES. Candidates should use the official NCEES practice exams to simulate the testing environment and gain familiarity with the types of questions asked. Practicing under timed conditions is helpful for building the necessary pace and endurance for the six-hour testing session.
Familiarity with the NCEES FE Reference Handbook is necessary, as this is the only resource available during the exam. Candidates should download the free PDF version and practice using the search function to quickly locate formulas and tables. Many candidates benefit from enrolling in structured review courses, which provide organized content refreshers and extensive practice problem sets. Logistical preparation involves registering with NCEES for authorization to test and scheduling the exam date at an approved Pearson VUE testing center.