FE Exam
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is generally the first step in the process of becoming a licensed professional engineer (P.E.). It is designed for recent graduates and for students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. It is a computer-based exam administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers, and candidates register and schedule through a MyNCEES account, choosing an exam location and then selecting from available dates; if the local choices do not suit them, they can browse dates at other approved test centers. The appointment is 6 hours long and includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time, and a 25-minute scheduled break. The exam contains 110 questions, and a $225 fee is payable directly to NCEES. Content spans foundational engineering subjects such as mathematics, probability and statistics, engineering economics, ethics and professional practice, mechanics, materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical and computer engineering, and safety, health, and environment, with depth depending on the discipline selected. Preparation usually means reviewing the exam specifications for your discipline, rebuilding core theory and unit discipline, and practicing timed problem sets. Results are reported as pass or fail, typically within 7–10 business days.
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About FE Exam preparation
What is the FE exam format?
It is a computer-based exam given year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers and contains 110 questions. The 6-hour appointment includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time, and a 25-minute scheduled break. Registration and scheduling happen through your MyNCEES account.
How much time do I get per question?
The exam block is 5 hours and 20 minutes for 110 questions, roughly 2.9 minutes per question on average. That average hides wide variation: quantitative problems can absorb several minutes, so bank time on quick conceptual items instead of letting any single question stall you.
When and how do I get my results?
Results are typically available within 7–10 business days. NCEES emails you with instructions to view them in your MyNCEES account, and results are reported only as pass or fail. If you fail, you receive a diagnostic report showing performance in each major topic area; passing candidates do not get one.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes, within limits. NCEES policy provides one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period. Because a testing window can close before you feel ready, plan a realistic gap between attempts rather than assuming you can retest immediately.
How much does it cost?
The exam fee is $225, payable directly to NCEES as part of the registration process. Any fees or requirements imposed by your state licensing board are separate from that NCEES fee, so check your board's registration information before you schedule.
Am I eligible to take it?
The exam is designed for recent graduates and students close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. Actual eligibility to sit is set by your state licensing board, which maintains its own registration requirements, so confirm those rules before you register.
What subjects does it cover, and in what order should I study?
Content spans mathematics, probability and statistics, engineering economics, ethics and professional practice, engineering mechanics, materials science, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical and computer engineering, and safety, health, and environment, with depth set by your discipline. Start from the exam specifications for that discipline, then allocate study hours toward your weakest areas.
How hard is it, and where do candidates lose points?
Results are reported only as pass or fail, so preparation has to be about breadth and speed rather than chasing a score. Common failure modes are underestimating how many distinct topic areas appear, losing time to unit conversions, and never practicing a full timed set of 110 questions.
Can I request testing accommodations?
Reasonable accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their request. Documentation takes time to assemble, so begin the request well before your intended test date rather than after you have already scheduled the appointment.