FE Exam Requirements by State: What Engineering Candidates Need to Know Before Registering
The FE Exam is administered by NCEES, but your state licensing board decides whether you are eligible to sit for it. That distinction catches many candidates off guard. You can create a MyNCEES account, pay the $225 fee, and still be blocked if your state board has not approved your application.
This guide walks through what determines eligibility, how ABET accreditation affects your options, what foreign-educated engineers need to prepare, and how to register step by step so nothing delays your exam date.
Clinical & Academic Content Verified
This educational resource has been reviewed by Dr. Ran Wilkosin, MD, FACP, FRCP (GMC No. 3489021) to guarantee alignment with current sittings, board guidelines, and peer-reviewed clinical data.
What Determines FE Exam Eligibility
FE Exam eligibility is not set by NCEES itself. NCEES develops, scores, and delivers the exam, but each of the 55 U.S. licensing jurisdictions (50 states plus D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) sets its own rules for who may take the test.
Most states allow senior-year engineering students and graduates of EAC/ABET-accredited programmes to register with minimal friction. Others require pre-approval, additional documentation, or specific coursework verification before the candidate can schedule their exam.
The result is that two candidates with identical degrees may face different requirements depending on where they apply. Always check your state board's website before assuming you qualify.
NCEES vs State Licensing Boards
NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) is the national body that creates, administers, and scores the FE Exam. It maintains the MyNCEES portal where candidates register and schedule their test appointments at Pearson VUE centres.
State licensing boards are the regulatory authorities that decide who may take the exam in their jurisdiction. They review your education, approve your application, and ultimately issue the EIT or EI designation after you pass. Some boards handle everything through NCEES; others require a separate state application first.
- NCEES handles: exam content, scoring, Pearson VUE scheduling, the FE Reference Handbook, and the $225 exam fee.
- State boards handle: eligibility approval, education verification, EIT/EI certification after passing, and any state-specific fees.
EAC/ABET-Accredited Engineering Degrees
The most straightforward path to FE Exam eligibility is holding a degree from a programme accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. Nearly all state boards accept an EAC/ABET degree as meeting the education requirement without additional review.
ABET accredits programmes — not institutions. A university may have some ABET-accredited engineering departments and some that are not. Verify your specific programme at abet.org before assuming eligibility.
If you graduated from an ABET-accredited programme, most states will let you register for the FE Exam during your senior year or immediately after graduation, with no pre-approval needed beyond creating a MyNCEES account.
Engineering Technology Degree Holders
Graduates of engineering technology (ET) programmes face more varied rules. Some states treat TAC/ABET-accredited technology degrees the same as EAC/ABET engineering degrees. Others require additional coursework, additional years of experience, or do not accept ET degrees at all for FE Exam eligibility.
If you hold an engineering technology degree, contact your state board directly to confirm whether you qualify. States like Texas, Ohio, and Florida tend to be more permissive; others may require you to demonstrate additional engineering-level coursework.
Foreign Engineering Degree Considerations
International engineering graduates can take the FE Exam in most U.S. states, but the path involves additional steps. Your degree must be evaluated for equivalency to a U.S. ABET-accredited programme.
The most commonly accepted credential evaluation services are NCEES Credentials Evaluations (which NCEES runs directly), WES (World Education Services), and ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Some state boards accept only specific evaluators.
Processing times for credential evaluations typically range from 4 to 12 weeks, and fees range from $200 to $500 depending on the service and turnaround time. Plan well ahead of your intended exam date.
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States That May Require Pre-Approval
While many states allow candidates to register directly through MyNCEES, some require you to submit a separate application to the state board and receive approval before you can schedule the exam.
States with pre-approval requirements often need you to submit official transcripts, a completed application form, and sometimes references. Processing can take 2 to 6 weeks, so do not wait until the last minute.
| Registration Pattern | How It Works | Example States |
|---|---|---|
| Direct NCEES registration | Create MyNCEES account, pay, schedule — no separate state application | Texas, California, Ohio, Florida |
| State pre-approval required | Apply to state board first, receive approval, then register through NCEES | New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania |
| Hybrid | Register through NCEES but board reviews eligibility concurrently | Virginia, Georgia, Michigan |
Documents Candidates May Need
Even in states that allow direct NCEES registration, you should have the following documents ready. Some boards request them after you pass the FE Exam (when applying for EIT/EI), and having them prepared saves weeks.
- Official university transcripts showing your engineering degree and graduation date.
- Credential evaluation report (for foreign-educated candidates) from an approved evaluation service.
- Valid government-issued photo ID matching your MyNCEES profile exactly.
- State board application form (if pre-approval is required in your jurisdiction).
- Application fees — the NCEES exam fee is $225; state board fees vary from $0 to $100 or more.
Common Mistakes Before Registration
The most frequent registration issues are surprisingly simple. Name mismatches between your MyNCEES profile and your government ID will prevent you from sitting the exam. Your name must match character-for-character.
Other common mistakes include registering in a state where you do not intend to practise (which may complicate later EIT/EI reciprocity), waiting too long to order credential evaluations for foreign degrees, and not checking whether your state requires pre-approval before paying the NCEES fee.
Registration Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Confirm Your State Board's Rules
Visit your state board's website (NCEES maintains a directory at ncees.org/licensure/licensing-boards) and read the FE Exam eligibility requirements for your jurisdiction.
Step 2 — Create a MyNCEES Account
Go to account.ncees.org, create an account, and complete your profile with your legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID.
Step 3 — Submit State Application (If Required)
If your state requires pre-approval, submit your state board application and wait for approval before proceeding.
Step 4 — Register and Pay
In your MyNCEES account, select the FE Exam, choose your discipline, and pay the $225 exam fee. You will receive an authorization to schedule.
Step 5 — Schedule at Pearson VUE
Use the Pearson VUE scheduling link provided by NCEES to choose your test centre, date, and time. Appointments are typically available within 2-4 weeks.
Cost Breakdown
The total out-of-pocket cost for most U.S.-educated candidates ranges from $225 to $325. Foreign-educated candidates should budget $425 to $725 including credential evaluation.
| Cost Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NCEES FE Exam fee | $225 | Paid through MyNCEES; non-refundable after scheduling |
| State board application fee | $0 – $100+ | Varies by state; some states charge nothing |
| Credential evaluation (foreign degrees) | $200 – $500 | If required; processing time 4-12 weeks |
| FE Reference Handbook | Free | Provided electronically during the exam |
| Study materials | $50 – $500+ | Optional; prep courses, practice exams |
After You Register: What Happens Next
Once registered and scheduled, you have access to the NCEES FE Reference Handbook (a searchable PDF that will also be provided during the exam). You should study using this handbook as your primary reference.
After passing the FE Exam, your next step is applying for EIT/EI certification through your state board. This is a separate application from the exam registration, and requirements vary by state. Read our full guide on EIT vs EI Certification for details.
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Dr. Bruno Grindewald, MD, MRCP
Senior Medical Instructor & Lead Clinical Editor
Dr. Bruno Grindewald is a specialist in postgraduate medical training and clinical diagnostics with over two decades of experience preparing international medical graduates for Royal College sittings and licensing examinations worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the FE Exam in any state?
You register through the state board where you intend to seek licensure. Some states have reciprocity agreements, but your initial FE approval comes from a specific state board.
Do all states require an ABET degree for the FE Exam?
No. Most states strongly prefer ABET-accredited degrees, but many accept non-ABET degrees with additional documentation or credential evaluation. Foreign degrees are typically accepted after evaluation.
How much does the FE Exam cost?
The NCEES exam fee is $225. State board application fees range from $0 to over $100. Foreign-educated candidates may pay an additional $200-$500 for credential evaluation.
Can I take the FE Exam before graduating?
Most states allow senior-year students (within 1-2 semesters of graduation) to take the FE Exam. Check with your state board for the specific timeline.
What happens if my name does not match my ID?
You will not be admitted to the test centre. Your name on MyNCEES must match your government-issued ID character-for-character. Contact NCEES to update your profile if needed.
How long does state board pre-approval take?
Processing times vary from 1 to 6 weeks depending on the state. Apply well ahead of your intended exam date.
Can engineering technology graduates take the FE Exam?
Some states allow graduates of TAC/ABET-accredited engineering technology programmes to sit for the FE Exam. Requirements vary — contact your state board directly.
Is the FE Exam the same in every state?
Yes. The exam content, format, and scoring are identical nationwide. NCEES administers the same test regardless of which state board approved your application.
How many times can I take the FE Exam?
NCEES allows up to three attempts in a 12-month period. After three failed attempts, you must wait 12 months before your next attempt.
Do I need to pass the FE Exam to get a job as an engineer?
Not necessarily. Many engineering jobs do not require licensure. However, passing the FE Exam and earning EIT/EI status positions you for eventual PE licensure, which is required for certain roles including signing engineering documents and offering services directly to the public.
