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 and afternoon modules

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 during registration to select the module (options are listed below) that best corresponds to your undergraduate degree.

Download FE exam specifications (PDF):
Chemical

Civil
Electrical
Environmental
Industrial
Mechanical
Other Disciplines

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 October 2011 FE candidates who attended EAC/ABET-accredited engineering programs.

Exam Module	First-time takers	Repeat takers
Chemical	83%	47%
Civil	79%	37%
Electrical	67%	26%
Environmental	83%	46%
Industrial	67%	30%
Mechanical	79%	40%
Other Disciplines	72%	32%

Other Disciplines module breakdown by examinee degree*

Examinees' college/university degree discipline	First-time takers	Repeat takers
Aeronautical/Aerospace	87%	50%
Agricultural	74%	60%
Architectural	79%	36%
Biological	69%	21%
Biomedical	78%	33%
Chemical	89%	36%
Civil	64%	25%
Electrical	58%	29%
Mechanical	79%	43%
Mining and Mineral	52%	43%
Nuclear	86%	100%
Petroleum	65%	62%
Structural	74%	56%

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