Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first step in the process of becoming a licensed professional engineer (P.E.), which requires several years of experience and passing the "Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam."

The exam tests general engineering knowledge in various categories such as mathematics, physics, and so on. It is designed to test foundational knowledge and easiest recommended for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program.

There are specific exams by engineering discipline.

The FE exam is a computer-based exam administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.

The FE exam includes 110-questions. The exam time is 6 hours long and includes:

• Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
• Tutorial (8 minutes)
• Exam (5 hours and 20 minutes)
• Scheduled break (25 minutes)

Exam results are generally available in  7-10 business days.

The exam is pass or fail. If you fail, you can take the exam again but no more than 3 times in a 12-month period.

Pass rates are available at the NCEES FE page.

The FE is offered in seven disciplines:

• FE Chemical
• FE Civil
• FE Electrical and Computer
• FE Environmental
• FE Industrial and Systems
• FE Mechanical
• FE Other Disciplines