{"id":6328,"date":"2025-08-29T06:32:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T14:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcclatchymhstg.wpenginepowered.com\/sabe-careers-education\/?p=6328"},"modified":"2026-08-18T15:52:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T23:52:26","slug":"fe-exam-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the FE Exam? Helpful Guide"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did you know that, according to data reported by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (<a href=\"https:\/\/ncees.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FEOAT-white-paper-2025.pdf\">NCEES<\/a>) for 2025, nearly 50,000 engineering graduates take the FE exam every year? <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of those candidates are following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/become-a-civil-engineer\/\">the route into civil engineering<\/a>, where the FE sits at step four of seven.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re wrapping up your undergraduate engineering studies or just curious about possible next steps on the path to becoming a licensed professional engineer, you\u2019ve probably heard a lot about the FE exam. Got questions? Maybe you\u2019re wondering what the test is, who takes it, and why it\u2019s such a big deal. <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s where I come in. <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ll break it down for you in plain English\u2014and I won\u2019t ever ask you to break out some old textbook as a reference. <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you book a seat, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-long-is-fe-exam\/\">how long the FE really takes on test day<\/a> is worth a look, because the appointment runs well past the scored time.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Essential First Step<\/strong>: The FE exam is the first of two exams that you need to pass to become a licensed professional engineer in the U.S.<\/li> <li><strong>Who Takes It<\/strong>: Usually senior year engineering students or recent grads from an ABET-accredited program.<\/li> <li><strong>It Covers the Fundamentals<\/strong>: The questions cover most topics in undergraduate engineering courses, including chemistry, physics, and specific discipline topics like mechanical or civil engineering.<\/li> <li><strong>Year-Round Testing<\/strong>: You can take the FE exam on various dates throughout the year.<\/li> <li><strong>It Can Jumpstart Your Career<\/strong>: Passing the FE sets you up for actual licensure, more responsibility, and a bigger paycheck.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-fe-exam-exactly\"><strong>What Is the FE Exam, Exactly?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FE exam, which stands for Fundamentals of Engineering exam, is like the gateway or gatekeeper boss in a video game. You need to beat it before you can move on to the next level of your engineering career. The exam is designed to test what you learned and, ahem, remember from college, and covers a range of topics. For most engineers, it\u2019s the first step in the licensure process.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The test is officially administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). You can also take the FE exam for several different types of engineering disciplines, including civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, computer, industrial, and environmental engineering. <\/p> <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"738\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/What-Is-the-FE-Exam-info-738x1024.png\" alt=\"FE exam matrix\" class=\"wp-image-6330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/What-Is-the-FE-Exam-info-738x1024.png 738w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/What-Is-the-FE-Exam-info-216x300.png 216w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/What-Is-the-FE-Exam-info-768x1066.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/What-Is-the-FE-Exam-info-108x150.png 108w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/What-Is-the-FE-Exam-info.png 1030w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 738px) 100vw, 738px\" \/><\/figure> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-should-take-the-fe-exam\"><strong>Who Should Take the FE Exam?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re in your senior year of a bachelor\u2019s degree program in engineering or your graduation was recent, then the FE is calling your name. A lot of students will tackle it before the ink dries on their diplomas, but they may depend on your career path. Some won\u2019t take the FE exam until they\u2019re already established engineers, and that might be because the company they work for wants them licensed. <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s who usually needs to take the exam:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Recent college grads<\/strong> from ABET-accredited engineering programs. <\/li> <li><strong>Students <\/strong>in their final year of college. And honestly, I think this is a good idea, because you still have everything fresh in mind. <\/li> <li><strong>Engineers already in the field<\/strong> who want the licensure process. <\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-does-the-fe-exam-cover\"><strong>What Does the FE Exam Cover?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a little off the wall, but think of the engineering exam as something like a greatest hits album. The test covers the fundamentals of engineering\u2014the name of the exam is a pretty big clue there!\u2014and pulls questions from all the core classes that you powered through in school. <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The specific discipline you\u2019re going for will shape your exam, but you\u2019ll see topics like: <\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Mathematics and statistics. <\/li> <li>Chemistry and physics. <\/li> <li>Engineering economics.<\/li> <li>Ethics and professional practice. <\/li> <li>Discipline-specific content (civil, mechanical, chemical engineering, and more). <\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So if you\u2019re a chemical engineer, you can expect lots of chemistry. If you\u2019re into electrical and computer engineering, brush up on circuits and code. Whatever version of the FE you take will focus on the NCEES fundamentals of that discipline. <\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-you-register-for-the-fe-exam\"><strong>How Do You Register for the FE Exam?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ready to take the plunge? Here\u2019s a quick breakdown of what your next steps: <\/p> <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Create an account<\/strong> with NCEES and find your state board\u2019s requirements. <\/li> <li><strong>Choose your discipline<\/strong>. Pick the FE exam that matches your field. <\/li> <li><strong>Find FE exam dates<\/strong>. The exam is offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers across the country. <\/li> <li><strong>Pay your fee<\/strong> and click the register button. <\/li> <li><strong>Show up on exam day<\/strong> with your approved calculator and photo ID. <\/li> <\/ol> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Word to the wise: Make sure your calculator is on the NCEES-approved list! Nobody wants to get booted out over a TI-89. <\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-happens-after-you-pass-the-fe-exam\"><strong>What Happens After You Pass the FE Exam?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passing is a big deal. It means you\u2019ve completed the first two exams you need to become licensed as a professional engineer. You\u2019ll have earned the title Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineering Intern (EI). Some might say it\u2019s just a fancy way of saying that you\u2019re only halfway to where you really want to be, but I say, \u201cOwn it!\u201d You worked hard for this. <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After you pass, you\u2019ll need to:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Gain four years of engineering experience<\/strong> under a licensed professional engineer (PE).<\/li> <li><strong>Apply for and pass the PE exam<\/strong>, which is the second exam you\u2019ll need for full licensure. <\/li> <li><strong>Celebrate! <\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-the-fe-exam-so-important\"><strong>Why Is the FE Exam So Important?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s the deal. The FE exam will open doors for you. Once you pass, you\u2019re in the pipeline to a licensed professional engineer, and that can mean bigger projects, signing off on plans, or even running your own business someday. Plus, engineers who have their FE license often make more money and have a bit more job security. <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of passing the FE as leveling up your career. Like you\u2019ve finally beaten that impossible boss level you\u2019ve been stuck on for weeks. <\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts-nbsp\"><strong>Final Thoughts <\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re serious about a career in engineering, the FE exam is just part of the journey. But it\u2019s a big one. So whether you\u2019re a student, a recent grad, or a professional who\u2019s ready to level up, start planning now. With the right prep, an approved calculator, and probably a boatload of caffeine, you\u2019ll be ready for exam day. <\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1756449170494\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How many people pass the FE exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Pass rates vary by discipline, but most hover between 70% and 79% for recent graduates taking the test for the first time. While it isn\u2019t a guarantee, be sure to prepare!<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1756449176721\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What&#8217;s the difference between an FE and PE exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The FE exam covers the basics from your undergraduate engineering curriculum, while the PE exam tests your knowledge after you\u2019ve had some experience in the field. You need to pass both to become a licensed professional engineer. <\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1756449185903\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is 2 months enough to study for FE?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">For a lot of students, two months of focused study will be enough, especially if you\u2019ve just recently finished school. But it will depend on several variables. <\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1756449192394\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do engineers with FE get paid more? <\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Just having passed the exam probably won\u2019t be enough for a pay increase, but it\u2019s definitely a step in the right direction. <\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1756449197542\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is the FE exam a big deal?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Absolutely! It puts you on the path to becoming a licensed professional engineer. It will open doors to more responsibility, potentially better job opportunities, and even a bigger paycheck down the line. <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that, according to data reported by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for 2025, nearly 50,000 engineering graduates take the FE exam every year? Most of those candidates are following the route into civil engineering, where the FE sits at step four of seven. Whether you\u2019re wrapping up [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":6329,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,243],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-engineering"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":true,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/What-Is-the-FE-Exam-feature-img-768x427.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.4 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is the FE Exam? 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