NCEES sees growth in engineering licensure exam candidates

The number of candidates attempting NCEES exams has risen in recent years, with a particularly sharp increase in candidates sitting for the Principles and Practice of Engineering examinations this year.

According to NCEES records, 26,193 candidates attempted the PE exam during the October 2008 and April 2009 exam administrations. This is more than a 5 percent increase from the previous year’s numbers and is the largest one-year increase in PE candidate numbers since the 1998–99 exam administrations.

While candidate numbers for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam did not show a similar one-year upswing, they continued a steady climb that has contributed to a 20 percent increase in candidate numbers over the past four years. More than 49,000 candidates attempted the FE exam in 2008–09. This coincides with NCEES efforts to promote awareness of the career benefits of engineering licensure among college students majoring in engineering. The awareness efforts highlight the higher salaries, professional prestige, and career versatility enjoyed by licensed professional engineers.

“The higher candidate numbers are probably due to several factors, including the economic downturn,” said NCEES Executive Director Jerry Carter. “In a tight job market, a professional title such as the P.E. can help set a candidate apart even in a crowded field of high achievers. The P.E. also opens the door for an engineer to pursue consulting or firm ownership.”

The FE exam is often the first step toward attaining the P.E. license. After passing the FE in college, the typical PE candidate then completes a four-year internship period before attempting the PE exam that corresponds to the candidate’s career discipline.
Contact: Jerry T. Carter, Executive Director