The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, also known as the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, is the first of two exams that engineers must pass to become licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the United States. The exam is comprehensive and covers most topics seen in an undergraduate engineering curriculum. It is a computer-based exam that is administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers. The exam fee is $175, payable directly to NCEES. The exam includes 110 multiple-choice questions and lasts for 6 hours. The exam is open to anyone with a degree in engineering or a related field, or currently enrolled in the last year of an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited engineering degree program. Some state licensure boards permit students to take it prior to their final year, and numerous states allow those who have never attended an approved program to take the exam if they have a state-determined number of years of work experience in engineering.
Passing the FE exam is not required for all engineering disciplines, but it can be beneficial for career advancement and professional development. The value of passing the FE solely depends on how much your employer values it. Unlike civil engineers, other engineering disciplines are not expected to have passed the FE exam before their first day of work. However, passing the FE exam can impress your boss and likely become a contributing factor in you getting your next promotion faster than you normally would, which is a way of you making more money.
The FE exam is offered year-round at Pearson Vue test centers throughout the country, and you can take the FE up to 3 times in a 12-month period.
