FE Industrial & Systems
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
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.). NCEES designs it for recent graduates and for students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. The Industrial and Systems discipline version samples the toolkit that operations-focused engineers rely on: quantitative methods and statistics, engineering economics, ethics and professional practice, manufacturing and production systems, production planning and control, facilities and logistics, human factors and ergonomics, quality engineering, operations research, and systems engineering and management. It is a computer-based exam administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers and contains 110 questions. 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 fee is $225, payable directly to NCEES. Results are typically available within 7–10 business days, are reported only as pass or fail, and failing candidates receive a diagnostic report by major topic. Preparation means working systematically through the NCEES topic list, using the NCEES exam prep materials and calculator policy, and practicing under the real clock.
What you'll study
About FE Industrial & Systems preparation
What does the 6-hour appointment actually consist of?
Inside the 6 hours you get 2 minutes for a nondisclosure agreement, 8 minutes of tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time, and a 25-minute scheduled break. All 110 questions sit inside that 5-hour-20-minute window, so pacing matters. Budget roughly three minutes per question as a starting pace and leave time to revisit flagged items.
How and when 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 the report links to your licensing board for state-specific information. All results are reported as pass or fail; no numeric score is released.
If I fail, what feedback do I get?
Failing candidates receive a diagnostic report showing performance for each of the major topics covered on the exam. Passing candidates do not receive a diagnostic report. Use the topic-level results to target your restudy rather than rereading everything from scratch.
How many times can I retake the exam?
NCEES policy provides one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period. Because the exam is offered year-round at Pearson test centers, plan your study so that a retake is not forced into the same window.
How much does it cost and how do I register?
A $225 exam fee is payable directly to NCEES. You register and schedule through your MyNCEES account: you select your exam location, then choose from the available exam dates, and you can browse dates at other NCEES-approved test centers if the local options don't suit you.
Who is the exam intended for, and do I need state approval?
It is designed for recent graduates and students close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. Registration requirements and authorization vary by state and territory, so confirm your licensing board's requirements before you schedule, since the board-not NCEES-controls licensure.
Is the exam hard, and where do candidates typically lose points?
The challenge is breadth rather than trick questions: ten distinct topic areas, results reported only as pass or fail, and no partial credit signal to tell you how close you were. It is easy to lose points on subjects you barely touched in school, such as engineering economics or operations research, so give every area at least one pass.
In what order should I study?
Take a timed diagnostic first so your plan is based on evidence, then attack your weakest areas while you still have energy and time. Rotate topics rather than blocking one for weeks, and finish with full-length timed sets so the 5-hour-20-minute session feels routine on exam day.
Can I get accommodations or reschedule?
Reasonable accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their request, so apply early. For cancellations, refunds, rescheduling, and discipline changes, refer to the computer-based exam section of the NCEES Examinee Guide, since terms depend on the exam administration.