Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

Here's your guide to the FE exam!

The NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first of the two exams engineers must pass in order to become licensed professional engineers (PE).

FE Exam overview

- Recent graduates
- Students who are completing their undergraduate engineering degree
You can take the FE exam as early as your last year in an undergraduate engineering degree program.

If there is something all engineers can agree on is that you should take the FE exam during your senior year of college or immediately after graduation while your courses are still fresh in your mind. The exam tends to become significantly more difficult for people who have been out of school for a year.

You must gain relevant work experience if you decide to take your PE exam in the future; therefore, it is recommended that you take your FE exam as soon as possible.
- Review the FE exam specifications, fees, and requirements
- Read the reference materials
- Understand scoring and reporting
- View the most up-to-date FE exam pass rates
The FE exam is comprehensive and covers most topics you would see in an undergraduate engineering curriculum. There are several different types of FE exams (civil, mechanical, electrical-computer, environmental, chemical, industrial, and other disciplines), all with different lists of topics.
The FE exam includes 110 questions. The exam appointment time is 6 hours long and includes:
- Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
- Tutorial (8 minutes)
- Exam (5 hours and 20 minutes)
- Scheduled break (25 minutes)
Learn more at the NCEES YouTube channel.