What is the FE exam? Everything engineering students need to know

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a computer-based test from NCEES and the first major step toward becoming a licensed engineer in the U.S. Offered in several disciplines, the FE exam assesses students and early professionals on the core concepts and principles they need to practice safely and effectively.

Engineering licensure is a structured, rigorous process. Students nearing their final year, or who have recently graduated from a four-year engineering program, should start considering their testing requirements now. Passing the FE exam isn’t strictly required to work in engineering, but it is required to qualify for professional licensure. Understanding what the exam covers lets candidates approach it confidently and improve their chances of passing on the first attempt.

First things first: Are you eligible to take the FE exam?

The first thing to know about the FE exam is that it isn’t open to everyone: it’s generally taken by engineering candidates who have completed or are close to completing an accredited four-year undergraduate program. Some engineers choose to gain work experience after graduating before attempting the test. While the exam certifies U.S.-based professionals, international students and professionals are also eligible if their experience is commensurate with U.S. requirements.

There are exceptions: candidates with extensive work or educational experience (such as a master’s or PhD) can file a petition with their state licensing board to take the test. While the FE exams are standardized and administered nationwide, state boards ultimately award licensure. Always double-check whether your state requires a pre-approval application to sit for the exam, as requirements can vary by jurisdiction.

What is the FE exam format?

Once you’ve confirmed you can take the FE exam, you can dive into the details and start prepping. These key facts are the same regardless of your specialty:

• Administration: A computer-based exam administered at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers.
• Schedule: The FE exam is offered year-round at Pearson VUE centers, but four quarterly testing windows (January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December) limit how often you can retake it (once per window, up to three times in a rolling 12-month period).
• Cost: A $225 exam fee is payable directly to NCEES at the time of registration.
• Number of questions: The FE exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions covering a broad range of engineering fundamentals.
• Length of exam: The total appointment is about six hours, which includes a tutorial, a nondisclosure agreement, and a scheduled break, leaving roughly five hours and 20 minutes of actual testing time.
• Calculator policy: Examinees may use only specific approved calculator models (more on those below).
• Reference materials: Outside books and notes aren’t allowed, but candidates get access to the official, exam-specific FE Reference Handbook throughout the test.
• Remote exam options: No remote or at-home testing is currently available; all testing is in person at authorized centers.
• Units of measurement: Both the International System of Units (SI) and the U.S. Customary System (USCS) appear on the test.

Passing the FE exam and meeting your state’s work requirements earns you the “engineer-in-training” (EIT) designation, a title that signals to firms and employers that you’re serious about your engineering career.

What kinds of questions are on the FE exam?

FE exam questions are highly practical and often simulate real-world engineering challenges. They cover a broad spectrum of topics, including:

• Mathematics
• Physical sciences
• Statistics
• Economics
• Materials science
• Process design
• Safety
• Professional and ethical standards

Expect questions that ask you to analyze scenarios, such as the effects of incline and friction on an object’s motion, or how much a pipe deforms under different loads. Many questions include diagrams to clarify the problem visually.

About half of the FE exam questions cover broad general engineering knowledge, with the rest focusing on specialized topics like chemical reaction engineering, electrical systems, waste management, and structural engineering. While specific subjects vary by discipline, concepts such as calculus, physics, geometry, and core math and science principles are consistently tested across all exam versions.

Types of FE exams

Future EITs can choose from seven types of FE exam, each designed to assess core engineering principles within a specific discipline.

• FE Chemical: Covers foundational engineering principles applied to chemical processes, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and reaction engineering.
• FE Civil: Covers core civil engineering topics such as structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, environmental, and construction engineering.
• FE Electrical and Computer: Covers electrical and computer engineering fundamentals, including circuits, electronics, power systems, digital systems, communications, and computer networks.
• FE Environmental: Covers environmental engineering principles related to water and wastewater, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, environmental health, and remediation.
• FE Industrial and Systems: Covers industrial and systems engineering topics such as probability and statistics, engineering economics, operations research, quality, manufacturing, and systems engineering.
• FE Mechanical: Covers mechanical engineering fundamentals, including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mechanical design.
• FE Other Disciplines: A broad, multidisciplinary exam covering general engineering topics such as mathematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical engineering, materials, and engineering economics.

Each exam assesses your fundamental knowledge in its respective area. The FE Other Disciplines exam is the most comprehensive, covering general engineering principles such as probability, chemistry, instrumentation, statics, fluid mechanics, and basic electrical engineering.

What is the FE exam passing score?

All FE exams are scored using a standardized method: of the 110 questions, 100 count toward your final score, while 10 are pretest questions that don’t affect your results. Your score depends solely on the number of correct answers, with no penalties for wrong ones. After grading, raw scores are adjusted to scaled scores to account for minor differences in exam difficulty.

There is no fixed passing score for any FE exam. Instead, the passing standard for each exam is set based on both its difficulty and overall candidate performance.

FE exam pass rates for first-time test takers in 2025 were as follows:

Across disciplines, first-time pass rates typically fall between 60% and 70%. Because the exact number of correct answers needed can’t be predicted in advance, the most effective approach is simply to aim for as many correct answers as possible.

What do you need to pass the FE exam?

Studying for the FE exam means reviewing engineering content, practicing math-heavy problems, and taking practice tests that mirror the real thing:

• Devote at least three months to preparation.
• Start with a diagnostic test, ideally near the end of your undergraduate program.
• Use your preliminary results to build a study plan focused on your weakest areas.
• Seek out high-quality FE exam materials for your specialty.
• Review notes from your engineering classes, and supplement them with materials that mimic the exam’s wording.
• Put each problem in context: if you have work experience, think about how you apply engineering principles day to day.
• Complete realistic practice questions and quizzes.
• Take full-length exams to prepare for the demands of test day.
• Practice with an NCEES handbook and an approved calculator, since you’ll have both on the test.

A key part of your prep should be learning to use the NCEES Reference Handbook efficiently: as a quick look-up guide, not a crutch. The handbook is filled with definitions, equations, and other materials you won’t need to memorize verbatim, but you will have to know how to apply them in context. Many FE exam questions require you to apply engineering knowledge in practical scenarios, so make sure you understand how what you learned in school translates to real-world projects.

How the FE exam fits into your career path

To become a professional engineer (PE) and advance your career, it helps to understand the timeline most engineering candidates follow. PE licensure allows you to sign and seal documents, assume legal responsibility for projects, and lead engineering teams.

Here’s a step-by-step look at the path, with the major milestones along the way:

• Earn a four-year bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program. Depending on your state, your major might be in engineering or a related field, such as mathematics or chemistry.
• Prepare for and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam relevant to your field, such as Civil or Mechanical.
• Gain four years of progressive engineering experience under a licensed Professional Engineer. This is the hands-on part of the pathway.
• Prepare for and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, the final step to full professional licensure.

All told, candidates typically take eight to ten years to reach full PE licensure, counting their engineering degree and all professional exams. Your timeline can differ depending on your study schedule, exam prep, and how quickly you gain the required experience.

FE exam FAQs

Is the FE exam multiple choice?

Yes: all FE exam questions are multiple-choice, with a predictable, plug-and-chug format for math-based questions.

How long is the FE exam?

The FE exam consists of 110 questions (100 scored, 10 unscored) within a roughly six-hour appointment, with about five hours and 20 minutes of actual testing time.

What topics are on the FE exam?

Topics tested on the FE exam, according to the NCEES specs, include:

• Mathematics and statistics
• Ethics and professional practice
• Engineering economics
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Statics
• Dynamics
• Mechanics of materials
• Materials
• Fluid mechanics
• Applying formulas
• Interpreting engineering diagrams

Each FE exam also includes discipline-specific topics on top of these general subject areas.

How much does the FE exam cost?

The FE exam costs $225. Depending on your state, you may also pay up to $150 in additional application fees to earn the Engineer-in-Training title.

How hard is the FE exam?

The FE exam is a moderately challenging test that spans four years of undergraduate engineering coursework. It evaluates your engineering and math skills, plus your ability to apply key principles in practical situations. Its length, about five hours and 20 minutes of testing, can be mentally taxing, since you’ll have roughly two minutes per question.

You’re allowed a calculator, which saves time on complex calculations. Under the current NCEES policy, only these approved calculator models are permitted:

• Casio fx-115 or fx-991
• Hewlett-Packard HP 33s or HP 35s
• Texas Instruments TI-30X and TI-36X models

A basic on-screen calculator is also provided during the test, but you must bring your own approved device: testing centers don’t supply physical calculators. Even with a calculator and the NCEES Reference Handbook in hand, you can’t just look up answers; you need a solid grasp of the material.

Conclusion

The FE exam demands a substantial commitment, but it’s a key milestone on the path to becoming a licensed professional. Passing it makes you an Engineer-in-Training, opening the door to full professional licensure. While the entire process can take nearly a decade, earning these credentials can unlock advanced career prospects and leadership opportunities in engineering.

Especially in competitive or specialized fields, tackling the FE exam soon after graduation can be a game-changing investment. Passing shows you’re ready to take on complex projects, drive innovation, and shape outcomes that benefit communities and industries alike.