FE exam disciplines: Which FE exam should you take?
Table of contents
- The FE exam format
- Types of FE exams
- FE exam content areas across disciplines
- Which FE exam is the hardest?
- How the FE exam fits into your career path
- Engineering salaries and career information
- Civil engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Computer engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- What’s the right FE exam for me?
- Key takeaways
The right FE exam is almost always the one that matches your engineering degree or the field you plan to enter. The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, administered by NCEES, is offered in seven disciplines: Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. Each is a major step toward engineering licensure in the U.S., testing students and early professionals on the core concepts needed to practice safely and effectively. Your best choice depends on your educational background, interests, and salary goals.
The FE exam format
Before diving into individual FE exams, let’s review the key details that apply across all disciplines:
- Administration: This is a computer-based exam administered at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers.
- Schedule: The FE exam is offered year-round, but testing is limited to four quarterly windows (e.g., January-March, April-June).
- Cost: A $225 exam fee must be paid directly to NCEES when registering.
- Number of questions: The FE exam includes 110 multiple-choice questions that test a wide array of engineering fundamentals.
- Length of exam: The appointment is 6 hours total, including a tutorial and a 25-minute scheduled break; you get 5 hours and 20 minutes of actual testing time.
- Calculator policy: Examinees may use calculators only if they meet NCEES guidelines; only certain models are permitted.
- Open-book policy: Candidates cannot use their own books or notes, but they may access the official, exam-specific FE Reference Handbook during the test.
- Remote exam options: The FE exam cannot be taken remotely or at home; all sessions must be held in person at authorized testing centers.
- Units of measurement: The test uses both the International System of Units (SI) and the U.S. Customary System (USCS).
The FE exam is the essential first step toward an engineering license. Passing it and fulfilling work requirements grants the title of “engineer-in-training” (EIT), signaling to employers that you are committed to your engineering career.
Types of FE exams
Future EITs can select from seven FE exam types, each tailored to evaluate fundamental engineering principles in a particular discipline.
- FE Chemical: Covers core engineering principles applied to chemical processes, such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and reaction engineering.
- FE Civil: Includes fundamental civil engineering fields like structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, environmental, and construction engineering.
- FE Electrical and Computer: Covers the fundamentals of electrical and computer engineering, including circuits, electronics, power systems, digital systems, communications, and computer networks.
- FE Environmental: Encompasses environmental engineering principles concerning water and wastewater management, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, environmental health, and remediation.
- FE Industrial and Systems: Includes topics like probability and statistics, engineering economics, operations research, quality, manufacturing, and systems engineering.
- FE Mechanical: Covers the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, such as statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mechanical design.
- FE Other Disciplines: Offers a broad, multidisciplinary overview of essential engineering subjects, including mathematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical engineering, materials, and engineering economics.
Each exam assesses your fundamental knowledge in its area, prepares you for related careers, and sets the foundation for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams, which license professional engineers with years of field experience.
FE exam content areas across disciplines
FE exam questions are highly practical and often mirror real-world engineering problems. They cover a wide range of general topics, such as:
- Mathematics
- Physical sciences
- Statistics
- Economics
- Materials science
- Process design
- Safety
- Professional and ethical standards
Expect questions that involve analyzing scenarios, such as the effect of incline and friction on an object’s motion or the deformation of a pipe under load. Many questions feature diagrams to help you understand the problem.
Roughly half of the FE exam tests broad general engineering knowledge, while the remaining questions focus on specialized topics such as chemical reaction engineering, electrical systems, waste management, and structural engineering. Although specific subject areas vary by discipline, fundamental concepts such as calculus, physics, geometry, and core math and science principles are evaluated across all exam versions.
Which FE exam is the hardest?
Pass rates give us an inside look into which exams candidates find the most difficult.
FE exam pass rates for first-time test takers in 2025 were as follows:
| FE exam name | First-time test-takers volume | First-time pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical | 1,873 | 68% |
| Civil | 16,639 | 61% |
| Electrical & Computer | 5,882 | 64% |
| Environmental | 2,543 | 67% |
| Industrial & Systems | 547 | 62% |
| Mechanical | 11,552 | 69% |
| Other Disciplines | 2,386 | 61% |
In general, Chemical, Mechanical, and Environmental candidates pass at higher rates than those in other disciplines. However, all exams are considered equally rigorous, and your preparedness will depend on your familiarity with the topics covered. For example, a civil engineering major who wants to move into electrical engineering will likely need to devote more time to studying unfamiliar material.
How the FE exam fits into your career path
To become a professional engineer (PE) and advance your career, it helps to understand the typical licensure timeline. Earning the PE title grants you the authority to sign and seal documents, take legal responsibility for engineering projects, and lead teams.
Here’s how the path typically breaks down:
- Education (four years): Earn a four-year bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program. Depending on your state, you may major in engineering or a closely related field such as mathematics or chemistry.
- First exam (two to three months): Study for and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam in your discipline (such as Civil or Mechanical).
- Work experience (four years): Accumulate four years of progressive engineering experience under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer. This is the practical component of the standard engineering track.
- Second exam (three to six months): Prepare for and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which is required for full professional standing.
Altogether, candidates often spend eight to ten years reaching full PE licensure, including their degree and both exams. The timeline varies based on individual study schedules, exam prep, and how quickly required experience is obtained.
Engineering salaries and career information
If you’re still stuck on which FE exam to pursue, comparing earnings and job outlooks can help you decide.
Many of these fields require diverse, cross-functional skills, and many engineers eventually choose a deep industry focus, such as aerospace or automotive engineering. Engineers work for private companies, government agencies, or as independent consultants across many projects:
Civil engineering
Median U.S. annual salary: $100,840 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Potential career areas:
- Government and public development
- Industry roles
- Transportation, bridges, highways, and infrastructure projects
- Construction and architecture firms
- Consulting services
- Academic and education positions
Projected job growth (2025-2035): 6% (faster than the average for all occupations)
Great for those interested in urban development, infrastructure, civil service, and public works.
Chemical engineering
Median U.S. annual salary: $125,040 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Potential career areas:
- Agriculture (sustainable food production, resource management)
- Automation and process integration
- Automotive manufacturing
- Biotechnology and biomedical fields
- Food and beverage production
- Nuclear energy
- Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
- Space and aeronautics
- Specialty chemical manufacturing
- Water treatment and environmental management
Projected job growth (2025-2035): 5% (faster than average)
Great for those interested in the private sector, cross-industry collaboration, and the intersection of engineering and chemistry.
Computer engineering
Median U.S. annual salary: $161,740 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Potential career areas:
- Computer hardware and software
- Aerospace and defense
- Automotive
- Healthcare
- Finance
Projected job growth (2025-2035): 9% (much faster than average)
Great for those interested in hardware, electronics, and applying engineering principles across diverse industries.
Electrical engineering
Median U.S. annual salary: $120,630 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Potential career areas:
- Aviation, aerospace, and defense
- Utilities and telecommunications
- Robotics
- Microelectronics
- Other high-tech fields
Projected job growth (2025-2035): 8% (much faster than average)
Great for those interested in wiring, infrastructure, power transmission, and designing functional, well-crafted electrical products.
Environmental engineering
Median U.S. annual salary: $107,110 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Potential career areas:
- Energy and natural resources
- Environmental restoration
- Water treatment
- Waste management
- Transportation
- Public planning and development
- Consulting
Projected job growth (2025-2035): 6% (faster than average)
Great for those interested in renewable energy build-outs, infrastructure improvements, and power generation.
Industrial engineering
Median U.S. annual salary: $102,440 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Potential career areas:
- Manufacturing
- Quality assurance
- Industrial design
- Supply chain management
- Occupational health and safety
- Production supervision
Projected job growth (2025-2035): 12% (much faster than average)
Great for those interested in process optimization, product manufacturing, and logistics processes across sectors.
Mechanical engineering
Median U.S. annual salary: $104,110 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Potential career areas:
- Renewable and green energy
- 3D printing
- Smart materials
- Aerospace and automotive
- Advanced manufacturing
- HVAC and refrigeration
- Robotics and automation
Projected job growth (2025-2035): 11% (much faster than average)
Great for those interested in engineering innovation, mechanical and industrial design, and working across different fields.
Remember: You can take an FE exam in any discipline you choose, regardless of your major. Most of the content is generalizable across engineering domains, so a strong foundation in mathematics and science matters more than hyper-specific knowledge in a single area. And if you want more flexibility, you can always take the Other Disciplines exam and explore different areas in your career.
What’s the right FE exam for me?
When deciding which FE exam to take, ask yourself:
- How does my educational background prepare me for this discipline? What gaps do I need to fill?
- What is the typical career path for this area of engineering?
- What do job prospects look like in this field in my state of licensure?
- What is my salary potential in my chosen field?
There’s no single “right” or “wrong” answer, and there is versatility in your choice. Many engineers go on to take PE exams in different disciplines, diversifying their skills and options. If you’re still unsure, interview people in the field or take on internships in the areas that interest you most: exposure is the best way to learn whether it’s an area you want to specialize in.
Key takeaways
The FE exam is available in seven disciplines, including civil, chemical, and industrial engineering. It’s a key milestone for aspiring U.S. engineers, confirming that candidates can work safely and effectively. Your best choice depends on your educational background, interests, and salary goals. Whether you want to design jaw-dropping bridges or work at the forefront of the next breakthrough in space exploration, there’s a path in engineering for you, and it all begins with the FE exam.
