FE exam

The FE exam is typically the first step in the process leading to the P.E. license. It is designed for students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree. The exam lasts 8 hours and is administered in April and October.

View scheduled exam administrations.

FE exam specifications and afternoon modules

The FE exam contains 180 multiple-choice questions and is split into a morning session (120 questions) and an afternoon session (60 questions).

The morning session is the same for everyone. For the afternoon session, you will be asked during registration to select the module (options are listed below) that best corresponds to your undergraduate degree.

Download FE exam specifications (PDF):
Chemical
Civil
Electrical
Environmental
Industrial
Mechanical
Other Disciplines

Reference materials

The FE is a closed-book exam. You will be provided with an FE Supplied-Reference Handbook at your seat on exam day.

Scoring and reporting

NCEES typically releases exam results to the licensing boards 8–10 weeks after the exam. Depending on your state, you will be notified of your exam result online through your My NCEES account or via postal mail from your state licensing board.

Learn more about how NCEES exams are scored.

FE pass rates

These pass rates represent October 2012 FE candidates who attended EAC/ABET-accredited engineering programs.

Exam ModuleFirst-time takers (%)Repeat takers (%)
Chemical8135
Civil6728
Electrical6320
Environmental8035
Industrial6535
Mechanical8142
Other Disciplines6730

  

Other Disciplines module breakdown by examinee degree*

Examinees’ college/university degree disciplineFirst-time takers (%)Repeat takers (%)
Aeronautical/Aerospace8233
Agricultural7333
Architectural7250
Biological6642
Biomedical6720
Chemical6041
Civil6125
Electrical5222
Environmental7833
General Engineering6923
Mechanical7140
Mining and Mineral5375
Nuclear82100
Petroleum7056
Structural6147

*Only EAC/ABET degrees with more than 50 examinees are reported.