What Is the FE Exam?

Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer in the United States (PE). The exam is taken by most engineering students in their final year of college, but it is also available to people who have already graduated. Depending on the state, those who pass the FE exam are certified as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or an Engineer Intern (EI).

In April and October of each year, the FE exam is offered. During their last two semesters of school, students studying engineering or engineering science at a university accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) are eligible to take the exam. These students are automatically approved to take the exam in some states, but they must apply in others. Others who are eligible to take the exam, such as those who have already graduated or who qualify based on work experience, must submit an application to be approved.

The FE exam is developed and administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The “Fundamentals of Engineering Supplied-Reference Handbook,” which is the only reference material allowed on test day, is published by the organization. The formulas and facts needed for each section of the exam, as well as units and conversion factors, are all included in this handbook. It is available ahead of time so that test takers can study using the handbook. Most exam day materials, such as pencils and scratch paper, are provided by NCEES; test takers are only permitted to bring an approved calculator.

The FE exam is divided into two four-hour sessions separated by an hour break. The general section of the exam, which consists of 120 multiple choice questions, is given in the morning. Math questions make up the majority of the general section’s questions, accounting for about 15% of all questions. Each section of the test (statics and dynamics, chemistry, and electricity and magnetism) accounts for nine or ten percent of the total. The general section also covers statistics, computers, ethics, engineering economics, material strength, material properties, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics.

Test takers choose an exam module based on their engineering discipline in the afternoon. Chemical, civil, environmental, electrical, mechanical, and industrial modules are available, as well as a general module with more in-depth questions on the subjects covered in the morning exam. There are 60 multiple choice questions in each module.

The FE exam is graded as a pass/fail. Subject-matter experts determine what score indicates “minimal competence,” which is then used as the passing score. About eight to ten weeks after taking the exam, examinees receive their results.