|
|
|
 |
|
Home  Exams Fundamentals (FE/FS)
|
  |
Summary — Below are answers to commonly asked questions regarding the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exams:
Why take a Fundamentals (FE/FS) exam?
To pursue a professional license, you must pass one of the Fundamentals (FE/FS) examinations:
| • |
Engineering licensure candidates: take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.* |
| • |
Surveying licensure candidates: take the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam.* |
* Exam waiver: The Fundamentals exam may be waived for an engineer or surveyor who has earned an advanced academic degree and/or acquired many years of work experience. Guidelines vary greatly for each jurisdiction. Please check with your licensing board and/or
review licensing requirements.
To register for an exam, contact your licensing board or go to ELS-EXAMREG.org.
Who is eligible to take a Fundamentals exam?
Rules vary greatly for each jurisdiction, so please contact your licensing board and/or go to ELS-EXAMREG.org for details.
What material is covered in the exams?
| • |
The FE exam covers subject matter taught in a typical EAC/ABET-accredited baccalaureate engineering program. It appropriately covers a comprehensive range of subjects in engineering.
|
| • |
The FS exam covers subject matter taught in a typical ASAC/ABET-accredited baccalaureate surveying program. It appropriately covers a comprehensive range of subjects in surveying. |
Go to Study Materials for reference books and sample exam questions.
What is the format of the Fundamentals exams?
Each exam is 8 hours long, with one 4-hour session in the morning and another in the afternoon. Examinees must participate in both sessions on the same day. Both exams are closed book, and reference material is supplied. All questions are multiple choice.
| • |
The FE exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions. During the morning session, all examinees take a general exam common to all disciplines. During the afternoon session, examinees can opt to take a general exam or a discipline-specific (chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, or mechanical) exam. See exam specifications for more details.
|
| • |
The FS exam
consists of 170 multiple-choice questions. Examinees take a general exam in both the morning and afternoon sessions. See the exam specifications for more details. |
What can I bring to the exam room?
The following materials are NOT permitted in the exam room:
- Devices or materials that might compromise the security of the examination or examination process are not permitted.
- Only models of calculators as specified by NCEES are permitted in the examination room. Click here for a list of calculators that are allowed in the exam room.
- Devices having a QWERTY keypad arrangement similar to a typewriter or keyboard are not permitted. Devices not permitted include but are not limited to palmtop, laptop, handheld, and desktop computers, calculators, databanks, data collectors, and organizers.
- Communication devices such as pagers and cellular phones are not permitted.
- Only NCEES-supplied marking and erasing instruments are permitted for use in the examination room. Mechanical pencils will be provided . Each pencil has an eraser and is preloaded with three pieces of 0.7-mm HB lead. This is the only writing instrument allowed. Candidates may NOT bring lead or erasers. If necessary, proctors will issue additional pencils to examinees during the exam.
|
No books can be taken into the exam:
| • |
FE examinees will be furnished a copy of the FE Supplied-Reference Handbook at the exam site. This is the only reference material you will use during the exam.
|
| • |
FS examinees will be furnished a copy of the FS reference formulas at the exam site. This is the only reference material you will use during the exam. |
|
For more information, contact your licensing board or go to ELS-EXAMREG.org.
After I pass a Fundamentals exam, what's next?
Examinees must earn a scaled score of 70 or higher to pass the FE or FS exam. (See Exam Scoring and Pass Rates.)
Passing a Fundamentals exam is the first step toward licensure. To continue the licensure process, complete the following:
Contact your licensing board regarding its requirements and recommendations for licensure.
How do the Fundamentals exams differ from the Principles and Practice exams?
| • |
The Fundamentals (FE/FS) exams cover subject matter in a typical EAC/ABET-accredited baccalaureate engineering curriculum or ASAC/ABET-accredited baccalaureate surveying curriculum.
|
| • |
The Principles and Practice (PE/PS) exams go beyond testing academic knowledge and require knowledge gained in engineering or surveying practice. |
Both exams are required for professional licensure.
|
