FE Mechanical Exam information
What it is, what's tested, and how it's scored.
FE Mechanical exam details
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Mechanical exam, administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), is the first step for early-career mechanical engineers seeking a Professional Engineer (PE) designation. The exam is designed for students nearing completion of an undergraduate engineering program or recent graduates preparing to enter the field.
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and build mechanical devices, thermal sensors, and engines, from small components to large machinery. Only licensed PEs can sign, seal, and stamp technical documentation verifying that a project complies with applicable codes and regulations.
The FE Mechanical exam is hosted by NCEES and costs $225 to register. Participants have 6 hours to answer 110 multiple-choice questions. The passing score is ~70%.
FE Mechanical exam eligibility
State licensing boards determine the detailed requirements for the FE Mechanical exam. Generally, applicants must hold a degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited undergraduate program or be in their final year of study to sit for the exam. In some cases, candidates must obtain state board approval and pay an additional fee to register for the exam.
Examinees are typically allowed one attempt per testing period, though the total number of retakes can vary by state. The exam is offered year-round within these testing windows:
January - February
April - May
July - August
October - November
FE Mechanical exam structure
The total exam appointment time is 6 hours long and includes:
Nondisclosure agreement and signature: 2 minutes
Tutorial: 8 minutes
Exam: 5 hours and 20 minutes
Scheduled break: 25 minutes
You may take the scheduled break after completing the first half of the exam, or choose not to take it.
FE Mechanical registration
Examinees can register for the FE Mechanical exam by creating an account through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, the organization that administers engineering licensing exams. The FE Mechanical can be taken at an approved Pearson VUE test center, either in the U.S. or in select countries. Remote testing is not available for the FE Mechanical.
NCEES' FE Mechanical exam summary
Mathematics
5-8%
6-9 questions
Assesses fundamental mathematical and quantitative skills in analytic geometry, calculus, linear algebra, and algorithm and logic development.
Probability and Statistics
4-5%
4-6 questions
Evaluates knowledge of probability distributions, measures of central tendencies and dispersions, expected value, and regression analysis.
Ethics and Professional Practice
4-5%
4-6 questions
Evaluates knowledge of ethical and safety codes, professional liability, standards for licensure, intellectual property, and societal considerations (environmental, economic, etc.).
Engineering Economics
4-5%
4-6 questions
Tests the ability to accurately calculate costs associated with construction and engineering projects (time value of money, fixed costs, variable costs, cost-benefit analysis, uncertainty, and risk assessments are all covered in this section).
Electricity and Magnetism
5-7%
5-8 questions
Introduces electrical fundamentals such as charge, current, voltage, and power, DC and AC circuit analysis, and the inner workings of motors and generators.
Statics
8-13%
9-14 questions
Covers physics and geometric concepts relevant to engineering, including force systems, equilibrium, inertia, the centroid of an area, and static friction.
Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations
9-14%
10-15 questions
Dives into the physics of motion, covering kinetics, mass moments of inertia, force acceleration, and work, energy, and power.
Mechanics of Materials
8-13%
9-14 questions
Requires an understanding of how materials respond to stress and physical pressure, covering shear and moment diagrams, deformations, combined stresses, and Mohr's circle.
Material Properties and Processing
6-10%
7-11 questions
Covers practical knowledge of material properties (chemical, electrical, mechanical, physical, thermal, etc.), stress-strain diagrams, ferrous and nonferrous metals, failure mechanics, and materials selection.
Fluid Mechanics
9-14%
10-15 questions
Includes questions on flow measurement, fluid properties, fluid statics, and energy, impulse, and momentum of fluids.
Thermodynamics
9-14%
10-15 questions
Covers properties of ideal gases and pure substances, energy transfers, performance of components, power cycles, refrigeration and heat pump cycles, ventilation and heating systems, psychrometrics, and combustion.
Heat Transfer
6-10%
7-11 questions
Introduces conduction, convection, radiation, transient processes, and heat exchangers.
Measurements, Instrumentation, and Controls
5-7%
5-8 questions
Evaluates knowledge of sensors and transducers, control systems, dynamic system response, and measurement uncertainty.
Mechanical Design and Analysis
9-14%
10-15 questions
Covers structural analysis and design, including stress analysis of machine elements, failure theories, deformation and stiffness, springs, pressure vessels and piping, bearings, quality and reliability, and other related topics.
Achievable FE Mechanical content outline
1
Mathematics
Covers foundational math concepts, including calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and numerical methods. Emphasizes problem-solving techniques used across engineering applications.
2
Probability and Statistics
Introduces probability laws, distributions, and statistical analysis methods. Covers hypothesis testing and data interpretation for engineering decision-making.
3
Ethics and Professional Practice
Explains engineering ethics, professional responsibilities, and legal considerations. Includes contracts, liability, intellectual property, and societal impacts.
4
Engineering Economics
Covers financial decision-making tools such as time value of money, depreciation, and cost analysis. Emphasizes evaluating engineering alternatives and economic feasibility.
5
Electricity and Magnetism
Introduces electrical fundamentals, circuit analysis, and electromagnetic principles. Covers DC and AC circuits, as well as motors and generators.
6
Statics
Covers force systems, equilibrium, and analysis of structures such as trusses and frames. Includes centroids, moments of inertia, and friction.
7
Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations
Explores the motion of particles and rigid bodies using kinematics and kinetics principles. Includes energy methods, momentum, and vibration analysis.
8
Mechanics of Materials
Introduces stress, strain, and material behavior under loading. Covers axial, torsional, and bending effects along with failure theories.
9
Material Properties and Processing
Explains the mechanical properties of materials and their behavior under different conditions. Covers material selection, manufacturing processes, and treatment methods.
10
Fluid Mechanics
Covers fluid properties, statics, and dynamics. Includes flow behavior, conservation laws, and applications such as pipe flow and fluid systems.
11
Thermodynamics
Introduces the relationships among energy, heat, and work in systems. Covers laws of thermodynamics and analysis of cycles and processes.
12
Heat Transfer
Explains conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer mechanisms. Covers thermal systems and practical engineering applications.
13
Measurements, Instrumentation, and Controls
Introduces measurement systems, sensors, and data acquisition. Covers control systems, feedback, and system response.
14
Mechanical Design and Analysis
Covers design principles, stress analysis, and component selection. Emphasizes safety, reliability, and performance in mechanical systems.