This certification preparation program is reviewed by Dr. Ran Wilkosin, MD, FACP, FRCP, Chief Advisor at Royal Medical Pathways, for alignment with current sittings and registry requirements.
What is FE Exam?
- Full name
- Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
- Administering body
- The FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam) is the first of two examinations required for professional engineering licensure in the United States
- Purpose
- First major step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the United States, administered by NCEES.
- Format
- Exam Format · FE Exam Disciplines · Reference Material · Scoring & Results
- 2026-2027 cycle
- Sittings open across the 2026-2027 academic year — contact us for the next available date.
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Overview
The FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam) is the first of two examinations required for professional engineering licensure in the United States. Developed and administered by NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying), it is designed for recent graduates and students near completion of an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program.
Passing the FE Exam is the first step toward obtaining Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineering Intern (EI) status, depending on the state. This credential positions candidates on the path to eventually taking the PE Exam and earning a Professional Engineer license.
The FE Exam is offered in seven discipline-specific versions: Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. It is a computer-based test administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centres across the United States.
Exam Structure
Exam Format
- Computer-based test with 110 questions.
- 6-hour total appointment time including tutorial, exam, and scheduled break.
- 5 hours 20 minutes of actual exam time.
- Includes alternative item types beyond traditional multiple choice.
FE Exam Disciplines
- FE Chemical — for chemical engineering candidates.
- FE Civil — for civil engineering candidates.
- FE Electrical and Computer — for electrical, electronics, and computer engineering.
- FE Environmental — for environmental engineering candidates.
- FE Industrial and Systems — for industrial, systems, and operations candidates.
- FE Mechanical — for mechanical engineering candidates.
- FE Other Disciplines — for general, interdisciplinary, aerospace, biomedical, or other backgrounds.
Reference Material
- Closed-book exam with an official NCEES FE Reference Handbook provided electronically during the test.
- Candidates may not bring personal reference materials.
Scoring & Results
- Results reported as pass/fail within 7–10 business days.
- No penalty for guessing — answer every question.
- Diagnostic report provided if unsuccessful, showing performance by topic area.
Eligibility & Registration
- Students near completion of an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering degree.
- Graduates of EAC/ABET-accredited engineering programs.
- Some engineering technology graduates, depending on state board rules.
- Foreign-educated engineers — eligibility varies by state, credential evaluation may be required.
- Registration through MyNCEES account — NCEES exam fee is $225.
- State boards control eligibility; some require pre-approval before registration.
- Candidates may attempt the exam once per testing window, up to three times in 12 months.
How to Register for FE Exam in 2026
Check FE Exam eligibility
Verify your qualifications meet the FE Exam requirements for the 2026-2027 cycle.
Speak with a Royal Medical Pathways advisor
Book a free consultation to map your prep plan and decide which study package suits your timeline and budget.
Register for FE Exam
Complete the official registration on the FE Exam portal and confirm your sitting window.
Receive your tailored study plan
Get a structured study schedule, syllabus-aligned materials and mentor calls scheduled around your test date.
Sit the exam
Attend your FE Exam sitting with confidence, supported by structured preparation aligned to the real exam format.
Collect and verify your certificate
We assist with certificate collection, verification and onward registration with your regulator.
FE Exam vs PE Exam
| Feature | FE Exam | PE Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Fundamentals of Engineering | Principles and Practice of Engineering |
| Purpose | Tests broad engineering fundamentals | Tests discipline-specific advanced practice |
| Typical candidate | Recent graduate or senior student | Engineer with 4+ years experience |
| Questions | 110 questions | 80 questions (varies by discipline) |
| Duration | 5 hours 20 minutes exam time | 8 hours (16 hours for Structural) |
| Fee | $225 (NCEES) | $375 (NCEES) |
| Prerequisite | Engineering degree (ABET preferred) | FE Exam + EIT/EI + experience |
| Outcome | EIT/EI certification | Professional Engineer (P.E.) license |
FE Exam FAQs
What is the FE exam?
The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam is the computer-based licensing exam from NCEES that engineering graduates and students take as the first step toward becoming a Professional Engineer. It tests broad engineering fundamentals and passing earns you EIT (Engineer-in-Training) certification.
How many questions is the FE exam and how long does it take?
The FE exam has 110 questions across two sessions with a scheduled break, and you get 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time in total. It is computer-based and taken at an approved Pearson VUE centre.
Which FE exam disciplines are available?
NCEES offers the FE in 7 disciplines: Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. You choose the discipline that matches your degree or engineering role.
How much does the FE exam cost?
The NCEES FE exam fee is $225 USD, with additional costs for rescheduling, changing your exam discipline or choosing an international test centre. Verify the exact total on the NCEES website when you register.
How hard is the FE exam and what is the pass rate?
The FE is a breadth exam across many subjects, so it is challenging mainly because of the wide syllabus rather than depth. NCEES reports a first-time pass rate of roughly 70% for recent engineering graduates, and the result is reported as pass/fail rather than a percentage.
How long should I study for the FE exam?
Most candidates prepare for 8-12 weeks and 100-150 focused study hours. The best plans combine a review of your weak subjects, the NCEES reference handbook (the only reference allowed in the exam) and timed practice questions.
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