Frequently Asked Questions about the FE Exam

Taking the NCEES FE exam is the first step toward becoming a licensed engineer. After you pass the FE exam, you are considered an “Engineer-in-Training." Choose your exam FAQ below to find essential information about your exam. If you have additional questions about the FE exam or would like to work with our Customer Support team, just contact us.

General FE FAQs

They test overlapping fundamentals, but the FE Civil exam is tailored to civil topics (surveying, structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, construction), while FE Other Disciplines is broader and more general. Most civil candidates find FE Civil a better fit because the questions mirror their coursework and daily work. Choose FE Civil if you're pursuing civil or structural licensure.
Plan for 2–4 months of consistent study if you're a recent graduate, and 3+ months if you've been out of school for several years. Many civil engineering undergraduate programs run their own FE review, so recent grads often need only to shore up weak topics. Focus your time on the highest-weighted areas and work as many exam-like practice problems as possible.
PPI's FE Civil practice questions are built to mirror the real exam: they reference the correct NCEES FE Reference Handbook sections, match the exam's length and multiple-choice format, and cover a realistic difficulty range. Materials are updated through continuous improvement whenever NCEES revises the specifications or Handbook.
The most effective FE Civil prep combines three things: mastering the NCEES FE Reference Handbook so you can find equations fast, working topic-by-topic practice problems weighted to the exam specifications, and taking full-length timed practice exams to build pace. PPI's FE Civil Review and Practice, plus the study plans in the PPI Learning Hub, structure all three for you.
No. Once you pass the FE exam, the result does not expire. Your Engineer-in-Training (EIT) status remains valid indefinitely in nearly all states. There are no continuing education (CE) requirements. You can take the PE exam years later without re-taking the FE. (Always confirm with your specific state licensing board, as a few have their own rules.)
They're two sides of the same milestone. The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) is the exam; the EIT (Engineer-in-Training, also called Engineer Intern or EI in some states) is the designation you earn after passing it and applying to your state board. You take the FE, then become an EIT on the path to full PE licensure.
The FE exam is a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) of 110 multiple-choice and alternative-item-type questions. You cannot bring reference books; the only available reference is the NCEES-provided searchable electronic FE Reference Handbook provided on-screen during the test. The total appointment is 6 hours (2-minute NDA, 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours 20 minutes of testing, and a 25-minute break).
The FE exam fee is $225, paid directly to NCEES. Some state licensing boards charge an additional, separate application fee.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (or passport/military ID) that matches your NCEES registration, and your appointment confirmation. You may bring one NCEES-approved calculator, eyeglasses, and any item on the NCEES Comfort Aid List. No personal reference materials, notes, or phones are allowed. The FE Reference Handbook is provided on-screen.
You can take the FE exam once per three-month testing window and a maximum of three times per year.
The FE exam is offered year-round. To register, create or log in to your MyNCEES account, select the FE exam and your discipline, pay any fees, and schedule your date and Pearson VUE test center location.

Yes. The FE exam consists of 110 computer-based, multiple-choice questions.

The FE exam is challenging but very passable, especially if you take it near graduation. Per NCEES (January 2026), first-time pass rates were: FE Chemical 68%, FE Civil 61%, FE Electrical & Computer 64%, FE Environmental 67%, FE Industrial & Systems 62%, FE Mechanical 69%, and FE Other Disciplines 61%. Examinees who test within 12 months of finishing their degree pass at notably higher rates compared to those who sit for the exam later in their careers. Please see the NCEES website for more details.
PPI uses a continuous-improvement process to keep materials aligned with the latest NCEES exam specifications and FE Reference Handbook. We hire subject matter experts (SMEs) current to the latest exam for each discipline to create and review all published content. Our practice questions are exam-like: they reference the correct Handbook sections, match the real exam's length and multiple-choice format, and span a realistic difficulty range so you're prepared for exam day.
Our exam practice questions are exam-like, which means they reference the appropriate NCEES Handbook, they are a similar length to the real exam, and they use multiple-choice questions like the exam. Some questions may be a little easier or a little harder than the actual exam, but they are all designed to bring you success on exam day.

You can divide your time between the two sessions any way you’d like. For example, if you want to spend 4 hours in the first section, and 1 hour and 20 minutes in the second section, you could do so. Between sessions, you can take a 25-minute break. You can take less time if you would like, but you cannot work through the break, and the break time cannot be added to the time permitted for either session.

Once each session begins, you can leave your seat for personal reasons, but the “clock” does not stop for your absence. Unanswered questions are scored the same as questions answered incorrectly, so you should use the last few minutes of each session to guess at all unanswered questions.

The NCEES FE Exam is a 6-hour-long, computer-based exam given over two consecutive sessions separated by a break. There are 110 questions total, split evenly between the two sessions. Questions will be multiple choice or AITs (Alternative Item Types). Questions with the same exam-specified knowledge area may not be grouped together, but no knowledge area will span both sessions.  

You will have to register to take the exam beforehand on the NCEES website at NCEES.org. NCEES partners with Pearson VUE to administer their exams at their test centers. You may have to travel a long distance away from where you live to arrive at the closest one to you. In that case, it is recommended you get a hotel nearby. It is also highly recommended that you visit the testing center before exam day to ensure that day goes smoothly.

The exam includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, a 25-minute break between the two sessions, and a brief survey at the conclusion of the exam. You will have 5 hours and 20 minutes to actually answer the questions, working out to approximately 3 minutes per question. You may work through the problems in any sequence, and may return to questions within the same session. Once the session is submitted, you will not be able to return to those questions.

PPI’s FE Learning Hub is designed to mimic the exam-day experience and prepare you for the computer-based test format, so we recommend utilizing that resource before your exam day. 

For more information about what to expect, see this article from our Resource Center.

It really depends on the individual. The recommended advice is 12 to 14 weeks of serious study for a minimum of 3 hours a day.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your FE exam appointment, you can do this through your MyNCEES account. Depending on the date that you cancel or reschedule the exam, you may be entitled to a refund.

FE Civil FAQs

The FE Civil exam is a 6-hour, computer-based exam given in two consecutive sessions separated by a scheduled break, with 110 questions split evenly between sessions. Questions are multiple-choice or alternative item types. You register on the NCEES website, and NCEES partners with Pearson VUE to administer the exam at test centers. You may need to plan for possible travel to your nearest test center location.
For most civil engineers, yes. The FE is the first step to the PE license, and PE licensure is common (and often required) in civil engineering for signing/sealing public-infrastructure work and for promotions. While not every employer mandates it, the majority of civil career paths expect an EIT/PE credential.
The FE Civil exam is demanding but very passable with preparation. It is the highest-volume FE exam (roughly 25,000 examinees a year). Examinees who take it near graduation pass at higher rates. Consistent practice with exam-like problems is the strongest predictor of success.
They test overlapping fundamentals, but the FE Civil exam is tailored to civil topics (surveying, structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, construction), while FE Other Disciplines is broader and more general. Most civil candidates find FE Civil a better fit because the questions mirror their coursework and daily work. Choose FE Civil if you're pursuing civil or structural licensure.
Plan for 2–4 months of consistent study if you're a recent graduate, and 3+ months if you've been out of school for several years. Many civil engineering undergraduate programs run their own FE review, so recent grads often need only to shore up weak topics. Focus your time on the highest-weighted areas and work as many exam-like practice problems as possible.
PPI's FE Civil practice questions are built to mirror the real exam: they reference the correct NCEES FE Reference Handbook sections, match the exam's length and multiple-choice format, and cover a realistic difficulty range. Materials are updated through continuous improvement whenever NCEES revises the specifications or Handbook.
The most effective FE Civil prep combines three things: mastering the NCEES FE Reference Handbook so you can find equations fast, working topic-by-topic practice problems weighted to the exam specifications, and taking full-length timed practice exams to build pace. PPI's FE Civil Review and Practice, plus the study plans in the PPI Learning Hub, structure all three for you.
NCEES does not publish a fixed passing score. The exam is scored with a scaled, psychometric method, so the exact number varies by administration. In practice, examinees typically need roughly 60% of questions correct to pass. PPI recommends aiming for 75% on practice exams to build a comfortable buffer; our quizzes benchmark you against that 75% target.
The FE Civil exam is a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) of 110 questions delivered in two sessions over a 6-hour appointment. You cannot bring reference books. The only reference is the searchable electronic NCEES FE Reference Handbook provided on-screen. Questions are multiple-choice and alternative item types, and a knowledge area never spans both sessions.
The FE Civil exam covers: Mathematics & Statistics; Ethics & Professional Practice; Engineering Economics; Statics; Dynamics; Mechanics of Materials; Materials; Fluid Mechanics; Surveying; Water Resources & Environmental Engineering; Structural Engineering; Geotechnical Engineering; Transportation Engineering; and Construction Engineering. Each area carries a set number of questions, so weight your study time accordingly: PPI's study plans do this automatically.
The NCEES FE Exam is a 6-hour-long, computer-based exam given over two consecutive sessions separated by a break. There are 110 questions total, split evenly between the two sessions. Questions will be multiple choice or AITs (Alternative Item Types). Questions with the same exam-specified knowledge area may not be grouped together, but no knowledge area will span both sessions.  

You will have to register to take the exam beforehand on the NCEES website at NCEES.org. NCEES partners with Pearson VUE to administer their exams at their test centers. You may have to travel a long distance away from where you live to arrive at the closest one to you. In that case, it is recommended you get a hotel nearby. It is also highly recommended that you visit the testing center before exam day to ensure that day goes smoothly.

The exam includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, a 25-minute break between the two sessions, and a brief survey at the conclusion of the exam. You will have 5 hours and 20 minutes to actually answer the questions, working out to approximately 3 minutes per question. You may work through the problems in any sequence, and may return to questions within the same session. Once the session is submitted, you will not be able to return to those questions.

PPI’s FE Learning Hub is designed to mimic the exam-day experience and prepare you for the computer-based test format, so we recommend utilizing that resource before your exam day. 

For more information about what to expect, see this article from our Resource Center.

FE Mechanical FAQs

Examinees most often report Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Mechanics as the toughest FE Mechanical areas because they combine heavy formulas with multi-step problems, followed by Mechanics of Materials and Dynamics. Because these are also high-weight topics, prioritize them early and drill exam-like practice problems until the Handbook lookups feel automatic.
The best FE Mechanical prep depends on how much review you need and your learning style, but effective courses share three traits: structured topic review aligned to NCEES specifications, a large bank of exam-like practice problems referencing the FE Reference Handbook, and full-length practice exams. PPI offers self-paced and structured FE Mechanical options that combine review, practice, and diagnostics in one platform.
Plan for 2–4 months of consistent study and prioritize working practice problems over re-reading notes. A proven approach: master navigating the NCEES FE Reference Handbook, study topic-by-topic weighted to the exam specifications, target your weak areas, and take full-length timed practice exams to build pace (about 3 minutes per question). PPI's FE Mechanical Learning Hub build this routine for you.
Taking the FE Mechanical exam isn't legally required for every mechanical engineering job, but it is the first step toward PE licensure and is strongly encouraged. A PE license opens doors to senior roles, consulting, and the ability to sign and seal work, and many employers reward the EIT/PE credential with promotions and higher pay. If there's any chance you'll want a PE, take the FE while the material is fresh.
The FE Mechanical exam has 110 questions delivered over two sessions within a 6-hour appointment (5 hours 20 minutes of testing). Questions are multiple-choice and alternative item types, with a set number drawn from each topic area according to the NCEES specifications.
PPI's FE Mechanical practice questions mirror the real exam: correct Handbook references, exam-matched length and format, and a realistic difficulty range. We keep materials aligned with the latest NCEES specifications and FE Reference Handbook through a continuous-improvement process, so what you study reflects the current exam.
The FE Mechanical exam is challenging but has one of the highest FE pass rates. Per NCEES (January 2026), the first-time pass rate was 69%. It is most passable for examinees who test near graduation and who work many practice problems. Consistent, problem-focused study is the strongest predictor of passing.
The FE Mechanical exam covers: Mathematics; Probability & Statistics; Ethics & Professional Practice; Engineering Economics; Mechanics (Statics & Dynamics); Mechanics of Materials; Material Properties; Fluid Mechanics; Thermodynamics; Heat Transfer; Measurements, Instrumentation & Controls; and Mechanical Design & Analysis. Each area has a set question range, so weight your study time toward the heaviest topics.
NCEES does not publish a fixed passing score — the exam uses scaled, psychometric scoring, so the exact threshold varies by administration. In practice, examinees generally need roughly 60% of questions correct. PPI recommends aiming for 75% on practice exams to keep a comfortable buffer on exam day.
The FE Mechanical exam is a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) of 110 questions inside a 6-hour appointment: a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours 20 minutes of testing, and a 25-minute break. Questions are multiple-choice and alternative item types, and the only reference is the searchable electronic NCEES FE Reference Handbook provided on-screen.
No. The FE Mechanical exam is closed-book and computer-based (a 'limited reference' exam). The only reference allowed is the electronic, searchable NCEES FE Reference Handbook shown on-screen — you cannot bring physical books. PPI's FE Mechanical Learning Platform are designed to familiarize you with locating equations in that Handbook quickly.

FE Chemical FAQs

The passing score varies, but we recommend aiming for at least 70% on exam day.
The FE exams are 6 hours long. They include a nondisclosure agreement, a tutorial of 8 minutes, the exam for 5 hours and 20 minutes, a scheduled break of 25 minutes, and a brief survey.
Unfortunately, no. This exam is computer-based and considered a “limited reference exam,” which means that during the exam, the only reference material you can use is the NCEES FE Reference Handbook which is provided on screen. You can't bring any reference books to the exam. The FE Chemical Review and FE Chemical Practice books will prepare you for exam day by familiarizing you with the handbook.

The FE Chemical exam covers the following topics:

  • Mathematics
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Engineering Sciences
  • Materials Science
  • Chemistry and Biology
  • Fluid Mechanics/Dynamics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Material/Energy Balances
  • Heat Transfer
  • Mass Transfer and Separation
  • Solids Handling
  • Chemical Reaction Engineering
  • Economics
  • Process Design
  • Process Control
  • Safety, Health, and Environment
  • Ethics and Professional Practice
For more information on specifications for the exams effective July 1, 2020, please view this PDF.

FE Electrical & Computer FAQs

Yes. A single FE Electrical & Computer exam covers both fields, alongside electrical topics like Circuit Analysis, Power Systems, and Electromagnetics, it includes Computer Networks, Digital Systems, Computer Systems, and Software Engineering. There is no separate 'FE Computer' exam, so computer engineering candidates take this same exam.
The FE Electrical & Computer exam has 110 questions delivered over two sessions within a 6-hour appointment (5 hours 20 minutes of testing). Questions are multiple-choice and alternative item types, drawn from the 17 NCEES topic areas according to the published specifications.
It depends on your career path. For electrical engineers in public power, infrastructure, or consulting, PE licensure is often required and the FE Electrical & Computer exam is the first step. In some private-industry roles (such as product development), a PE may never be required. Because licensure keeps the most doors open, many electrical engineers take the FE while the material is fresh after graduation.
The best FE Electrical & Computer prep course gives you structured topic review aligned to NCEES specifications, a deep bank of exam-like practice problems tied to the FE Reference Handbook, and full-length practice exams. PPI offers FE Electrical and Computer review and practice options that combine review, practice, and diagnostics in one platform.
Students most often cite Communications as the hardest FE Electrical & Computer topic, followed by Computer topics, Control Systems, Probability & Statistics, Linear Systems, and Signal Processing. Each blends heavy theory with multi-step problems. Because the exam covers 17 areas, target these tougher topics early and practice until Handbook lookups are automatic.
The FE Electrical & Computer exam is challenging because it spans 17 topic areas across nearly an entire EE/computer engineering undergraduate curriculum. Examinees who test near graduation and drill exam-like problems pass at notably higher rates.
Plan for 2–4 months of consistent study and prioritize practice problems. Because the exam covers 17 broad areas, narrow your focus: master the NCEES FE Reference Handbook, study weighted to the exam specifications, hit your weak topics first, and take full-length timed practice exams to build pace. PPI's FE Electrical and Computer Learning Platform structure this for you.
NCEES does not publish a fixed passing score — scoring is scaled and psychometric, so the threshold varies by administration. In practice, examinees generally need roughly 60% correct. PPI recommends aiming for 75% on practice exams to keep a comfortable margin. (For reference, the NCEES first-time pass rate for FE Electrical & Computer was 64% in January 2026.)
The FE Electrical & Computer exam is a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) of 110 questions inside a 6-hour appointment: a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours 20 minutes of testing, and a 25-minute break. Questions are multiple-choice and alternative item types, with the searchable electronic NCEES FE Reference Handbook as your only reference.
Unfortunately, no. This exam is computer-based and considered a “limited reference exam,” which means that during the exam, the only reference material you can use is the NCEES FE Reference Handbook which is provided on screen. You can't bring any reference books to the exam. The FE Electrical and Computer Review and FE Electrical and Computer Practice Problems books will prepare you for exam day by familiarizing you with the handbook.

The FE Electrical & Computer exam covers the following topics:

  • Mathematics
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Ethics and Professional Practice
  • Engineering Economics
  • Properties of Electrical Materials
  • Circuit Analysis
  • Linear Systems
  • Signal Processing
  • Electronics
  • Power Systems
  • Electromagnetics
  • Control Systems
  • Communications
  • Computer Networks
  • Digital Systems
  • Computer Systems
  • Software Engineering

FE Industrial FAQs

The passing score varies, but we recommend aiming for at least 70% on exam day.
The FE exams are 6 hours long. They include a nondisclosure agreement, a tutorial of 8 minutes, the exam for 5 hours and 20 minutes, a scheduled break of 25 minutes, and a brief survey.   
Unfortunately, no. This exam is computer-based and considered a “limited reference exam,” which means that during the exam, the only reference material you can use is the NCEES FE Reference Handbook which is provided on screen. You can't bring any reference books to the exam. The FE Industrial Engineering Review and practice books will prepare you for exam day by familiarizing you with the handbook.
The FE Industrial exam covers the following topics:

 

  • Mathematics
  • Engineering Sciences
  • Ethics and Professional Practice
  • Engineering Economics
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Modeling and Quantitative Analysis
  • Engineering Management
  • Manufacturing, Service, and Other Production Systems
  • Facilities and Supply Chain
  • Human Factors, Ergonomics, and Safety
  • Work Design
  • Quality
  • Systems Engineering, Analysis, and Design
For more information on specifications for the exams effective July 1, 2020, please view this PDF.

FE Environmental FAQs

The passing score varies, but we recommend aiming for at least 70% on exam day.
The FE exams are 6 hours long. They include a nondisclosure agreement, a tutorial of 8 minutes, the exam for 5 hours and 20 minutes, a scheduled break of 25 minutes, and a brief survey. 
Unfortunately, no. This exam is computer-based and considered a “limited reference exam,” which means that during the exam, the only reference material you can use is the NCEES FE Reference Handbook which is provided on screen. You can't bring any reference books to the exam. The FE Review Manual and FE Environmental Practice books will prepare you for exam day by familiarizing you with the handbook.
The FE Environmental exam covers the following topics:

  • Mathematics
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Ethics and Professional Practice
  • Engineering Economics
  • Fundamental Principles
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Health Hazards and Risk Assessment
  • Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Surface Water Resources and Hydrology
  • Groundwater, Soils, and Sediments
  • Water and Wastewater
  • Air Quality and Control
  • Solid and Hazardous Waste
  • Energy and Environment

For more information on specifications for the exams effective July 1, 2020, please view this PDF.

FE Other Disciplines FAQs

The FE Other Disciplines exam covers the following topics:

  • Mathematics
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Chemistry
  • Instrumentation and Controls
  • Engineering Ethics and Societal Impacts
  • Safety, Health, and Environment
  • Engineering Economics
  • Statics
  • Dynamics
  • Strength of Materials
  • Materials
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Basic Electrical Engineering
  • Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
For more information on specifications for the exams effective July 1, 2020, please view this PDF. 
The passing score varies, but we recommend aiming for at least 70% on exam day.
The FE exams are 6 hours long. They include a nondisclosure agreement, a tutorial of 8 minutes, the exam for 5 hours and 20 minutes, a scheduled break of 25 minutes, and a brief survey.
Unfortunately, no. This exam is computer-based and considered a “limited reference exam,” which means that during the exam, the only reference material you can use is the NCEES FE Reference Handbook which is provided on screen. You can't bring any reference books to the exam. The FE Other Disciplines Review Manual and FE Other Disciplines Practice Problems books will prepare you for exam day by familiarizing you with the handbook.

Shop FE Exam Bundles

 

Industry Insights

fe exam 2026 pass rates
2025-2026 FE Exam Pass Rates
Review the latest 2026 FE exam pass rates and learn about the FE exam scoring process.
The engineer’s journey to licensure and why your company should care
Boost retention & performance with FE & PE licensure. See how PPI develops licensed, future-ready engineering talent.
scholarships for engineers
Scholarships for engineers
Top engineering scholarships, plus tips to find, apply, and fund your education while preparing for licensure.

Explore More Insights