The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first step in the process of becoming a licensed professional engineer (P.E.).

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

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