A typical answer sheet for a multiple choice test, such as the FE exam.
Anyone wishing to obtain a professional engineer (PE) license in the United States must take the Foundations of Engineering (FE) exam as one of the first steps in the licensing process. Registering for the FE exam is more complicated than simply registering to take an exam; Registration requirements vary by state, but there are certain minimum requirements that anyone taking the test must meet, such as studying or graduating from a properly accredited university. Most students must apply to the state licensing board for approval, but some states waive this requirement. The registration itself is done online through the website of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
The Foundations of Engineering (FE) exam is typically administered during a student’s final year of undergraduate study.
The qualification process for FE exam registration begins long before anyone can take it. To become a licensed professional engineer, a person generally must earn a degree from an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Therefore, the first step in qualifying for the FE exam is to apply to an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree program. A person can take the FE exam after successfully completing about three years in the FE program.
Some non-engineering degrees may also qualify someone to register for the FE exam. A four-year degree in engineering technology from an ABET-accredited program or an engineering or science degree that meets certain minimum requirements will typically qualify. Any degree that qualifies a person to take the FE exam must have a minimum amount of coursework in mathematics and engineering sciences, such as courses in mechanical and electrical engineering.
The FE exam is usually taken during a student’s final year of undergraduate study, although it can also be taken by graduate students and people who already have an engineering degree. Many states require students to be within two semesters of graduating with a bachelor’s degree to take the exam. The applicant must submit an application form to the state licensing board in most states. A person can apply for the FE exam only after receiving board approval from her. Some states do not require an FE exam registration application as long as the candidate is an enrolled student or already has a qualifying diploma.
Registration for the FE exam is done online through the website of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), which also develops the exam. Once an individual is granted permission to register or meets the minimum requirements, they can go to the NCEES website and complete the registration process and pay the exam fee. The FE exam is administered in April and October of each year. Application deadlines are mid-February for the April exam and mid-July for the October exam. In states where candidates must apply to take the exam, the application deadline is usually about a month before the application deadline.