Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

The NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first of the two exams engineers must pass in order to become licensed professional engineers (PE).

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eLearning webinar available on-demand

What You Need to Know and How to Prepare for the FE Exam

Start preparing for the FE Exam, your first step to becoming a professional licensed engineer. View ASCE’s free eLearning webinar on what you need to know about preparing to take the FE Exam.

FE Exam overview

Who is the FE exam for?

When should I take my FE exam?

You can take the FE exam as early as your last year in an undergraduate engineering degree program. If there is something all engineers can agree on is that you should take the FE exam during your senior year of college or immediately after graduation while your courses are still fresh in your mind. The exam tends to become significantly more difficult for people who have been out of school for a year. You must gain relevant work experience if you decide to take your PE exam in the future; therefore, it is recommended that you take your FE exam as soon as possible.

How should I prepare for my FE exam?

What's on the FE exam?

The FE exam is comprehensive and covers most topics you would see in an undergraduate engineering curriculum. There are several different types of FE exams (civil, mechanical, electrical-computer, environmental, chemical, industrial, and other disciplines), all with different lists of topics.

What should I expect at the FE exam?

What are the FE exam dates and how do I register?

The FE exam is computer based and offered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson Vue test centers. You can take the FE up to 3 times per year.

Know someone ready to take their PE exam?

Ensure your readiness with PE civil exam prep on-demand courses that are newly updated and aligned with the April 2024 NCEES Reference Handbook and Exam Specifications.

ASCE together with NCEES

Sponsorship

NCEES as ASCE's 2024 National Education Sponsor

“NCEES is a longstanding, trusted, and valued partner of ASCE with an aligned mission of advancing engineering excellence and safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of the public,” said ASCE Executive Director Tom Smith. “ASCE and NCEES make a formidable team, and I know we can accomplish great things together.”

NCEES will be the title sponsor of the new Cities of the Future Campus Screening program that will give ASCE student chapters around the world access to the recently released IMAX film.

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