Next Steps

FE exam

The FE exam is typically the first step in the process leading to the P.E. license. It is designed for students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree. The exam lasts 8 hours and is administered in April and October.

View scheduled exam administrations.

FE exam specifications

The FE exam contains 180 multiple-choice questions and is split into a morning session (120 questions) and an afternoon session (60 questions). 

The morning session is the same for everyone. For the afternoon session, you will be asked to select the module that best corresponds to your undergraduate degree. 

Download FE exam specifications (PDF):
Chemical

Civil
Electrical
Environmental
Industrial
Mechanical
Other Disciplines

Upcoming changes to the FE exam

Beginning in October 2010, the afternoon (PM) exam book for the FE exam will be split into seven individual books. When registering with NCEES, you will have to choose your PM module. On exam day, you will receive only the PM module you selected when registering.

Reference materials

The FE is a closed-book exam. You will be provided with an FE Supplied-Reference Handbook at your seat on exam day. 

Scoring and reporting

NCEES typically releases exam results to the licensing boards 8–10 weeks after the exam. Depending on your state, you will be notified of your exam result online through your My NCEES account or via postal mail from your state licensing board.

Learn more about how NCEES exams are scored.

FE pass rates

These pass rates represent April 2010 FE candidates who attended EAC/ABET-accredited engineering programs.

Exam Module First-time takers Repeat takers
Chemical 86% 46%
Civil 75% 33%
Electrical 72% 27%
Environmental 82% 38%
Industrial 69% 33%
Mechanical 83% 34%
Other Disciplines 78% 32%

Other Disciplines module breakdown by examinee degree*

Examinees' college/university degree discipline First-time takers Repeat takers
Aeronautical/Aerospace 84% 57%
Agricultural 83% 53%
Architectural 77% 37%
Biological 80% 40%
Biomedical 81% 33%
Chemical 79% 41%
Civil 70% 29%
Computer 52% 15%
Electrical 61% 24%
Engineering Mechanics 67% 17%
Engineering Physics 80% 18%
Environmental 79% 23%
General Engineering 82% 26%
Geological and Geophysical 56% 21%
Materials 86% 0%
Mechanical 84% 41%
Mining and Mineral 67% 48%
Naval Architecture and Marine 84% 38%
Nuclear 90% 0%
Ocean 71% 29%
Petroleum 61% 69%
Structural 81% 53%

*Only EAC/ABET degrees with more than 50 examinees are reported.