Can you take the FE exam without an engineering degree?
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is typically associated with earning an engineering degree, but graduating from a traditional engineering program is not always required to take it.
Depending on where you plan to pursue licensure, you may be able to take the FE exam with an engineering technology degree, a degree in a related field, a non-accredited or international engineering degree, or even no college degree. However, FE exam eligibility requirements are established by individual state and territorial licensing boards, so the options available to you will depend on the jurisdiction where you apply.
Before registering, it is important to confirm that you meet your board’s requirements. Passing the FE exam does not automatically make you an engineer-in-training (EIT) or guarantee that you will qualify for a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
What are the standard FE exam education requirements?
The FE exam is generally the first exam taken by candidates pursuing professional engineering licensure in the United States. The traditional path begins while earning, or shortly after completing, a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, commonly referred to as an EAC/ABET-accredited program.
According to the National Council for Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the FE exam is designed primarily for recent graduates and students who are close to completing an undergraduate engineering degree. Students and graduates of EAC/ABET-accredited programs are automatically eligible to register for the exam in many jurisdictions.
This is the most common route, but it is not the only route available nationwide. Some licensing boards allow candidates with different educational or professional backgrounds to apply for the FE exam. These candidates may need to obtain board approval before registering with NCEES.
When can you take the FE exam without an engineering degree?
You may be eligible to take the FE exam without an engineering degree if your state licensing board accepts an alternative combination of education and professional experience.
Although NCEES develops, administers, and scores the FE exam, state and territorial boards determine who is eligible to take it. Depending on the jurisdiction, a board may consider:
- The type and accreditation status of your degree
- Completed engineering, mathematics, and science courses
- Relevant engineering work experience
- References from licensed professional engineers
- An evaluation of your academic credentials
- Additional education completed after earning your degree
Some boards require candidates without EAC/ABET-accredited engineering degrees to obtain approval before registering with NCEES. Review the requirements in the jurisdiction where you intend to become licensed before scheduling the exam.
Is taking the FE exam without an engineering degree difficult?
Taking the FE exam without an engineering degree can be more challenging, particularly if your education or work experience did not cover all the topics included in your chosen exam discipline. However, the exam itself is the same for every candidate. NCEES does not provide a different version or scoring standard based on your educational background.
The eligibility process may also require additional steps, such as submitting transcripts, documenting engineering experience, completing a credentials evaluation, or obtaining approval from your state licensing board. If you are approved to take the exam, reviewing the NCEES exam specifications and completing a diagnostic assessment can help you identify knowledge gaps and create a study plan that fits your background.
FE exam eligibility for different educational backgrounds
Candidates without an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering degree do not all follow the same eligibility path. Your options will depend on your education, work history, and state board requirements.
What is “progressive engineering experience”?
For most non-EAC/ABET-accredited EIT pathways, the licensing board will require a certain number of years of engineering experience. Depending on the board, some college degrees will count in lieu of those years up to a certain number of years. For example, a state board may require that an EIT candidate without an ABET-accredited degree must have 8 years of experience, of which certain college degrees count for up to 4 years of experience.
Progressive engineering experience is performed under the supervision of a professional engineer (PE). The engineering experience must also utilize the application of physical and mathematical sciences to solve engineering problems. A candidate may also need to demonstrate that the work involved engineering analysis, design, or other responsibilities considered acceptable by the board.
Simply working for an engineering company does not necessarily qualify as engineering experience. Boards may review the nature and complexity of the work, the candidate’s level of responsibility, and whether the experience was supervised or verified by a licensed PE.
Taking the FE exam with a non-technical degree or no college degree
Taking the FE exam with a degree in a non-technical field such as a humanities degree, or without any college degree, may be possible in a limited number of jurisdictions, but this is generally the most difficult alternative path.
Jurisdictions will typically require several years of progressive engineering experience for candidates in this pathway. Some jurisdictions will additionally require that the candidate complete supplemental college coursework, such as mathematics and physics, before they can be considered eligible for an EIT license.
Some jurisdictions do not offer a path to the FE exam without formal postsecondary education. Contact the applicable licensing board directly if its published requirements do not clearly address your experience.
Taking the FE exam with a technical non-engineering degree
A degree in mathematics, physics, computer science, architecture, construction, or another technical field may help demonstrate that you have relevant academic preparation. However, it does not automatically satisfy the education requirements for the FE exam.
The board may review your transcript to determine whether you completed enough higher-level mathematics, science, engineering science, and engineering design coursework. It may also require you to supplement your education with qualifying progressive engineering experience.
Taking the FE exam with an engineering technology degree
Engineering and engineering technology programs are evaluated under different ABET commissions:
- Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission, or EAC.
- Engineering technology programs are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission, or ETAC.
Some licensing boards allow students and graduates of ETAC/ABET-accredited engineering technology programs to take the FE exam. Others have additional education or experience requirements, and some do not treat an engineering technology degree as equivalent to an engineering degree for licensure purposes.
An engineering technology graduate may therefore be eligible to take the FE exam but still face a longer progressive engineering experience requirement before qualifying for the PE exam or a license.
Verify both your FE exam eligibility and your full licensure path before registering.
Taking the FE exam with a non-ABET-accredited engineering degree
Graduating from an engineering program that is not EAC/ABET-accredited does not necessarily prevent you from taking the FE exam.
Depending on the board, you may need to submit official transcripts, course descriptions, or an evaluation of your academic credentials. The board will determine whether your education is substantially equivalent to its requirements and whether you need additional coursework or engineering experience.
ABET accreditation applies to specific academic programs, not an entire college or university. You can use the official ABET Accredited Program Search to verify your program and the dates during which it was accredited.
Taking the FE exam with an international engineering degree
Candidates who earned an engineering degree outside the United States may be eligible to take the FE exam, but their education often requires additional review.
A licensing board may request an NCEES Credentials Evaluation to compare the candidate’s academic background with the education standards used in the United States. This process may identify areas in which additional coursework is needed.
Not every candidate or jurisdiction requires the same evaluation. Follow your licensing board’s instructions before ordering an evaluation or submitting documents.
Why do FE exam requirements vary by state?
Licensure requirements vary by state and territory, so review the rules of the board where you intend to apply.
That means one jurisdiction may allow a candidate to register for the FE exam directly through NCEES, while another may require a separate board application and approval first.
Requirements can also vary for:
- EIT or Engineer Intern (EI) certification
- Qualifying engineering experience
- Eligibility for the PE exam
- Acceptable degree programs
- Academic credentials evaluations
- References and experience verification
- Licensure by comity in another jurisdiction
Passing the FE exam in one state does not necessarily mean that you meet the education requirements for licensure in every other state. If you expect to practice in multiple jurisdictions, consider how your education and experience may affect future licensure by comity.
You can find contact information and licensing requirements through the NCEES Member Licensing Boards directory.
How to determine whether you are eligible for the FE exam
If you do not have an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering degree, follow these steps before registering:
1. Identify where you plan to pursue licensure
Start with the state or territory where you expect to practice as a licensed engineer. This may not necessarily be the jurisdiction where you currently live, work, or attended college.
2. Review the licensing board’s requirements
Look for the board’s rules concerning the FE exam, EIT or EI certification, and professional engineering licensure.
Confirm whether you can register directly through NCEES or must submit a separate application to the board first. Pay particular attention to requirements for non-ABET programs, engineering technology degrees, related science degrees, and experience-based pathways.
3. Verify your program’s accreditation
Use ABET’s official program search to verify whether your specific degree program was accredited when you graduated.
Do not rely on whether your university advertises ABET-accredited programs. Accreditation applies to individual programs and may only cover certain locations, degree levels, or graduation years.
4. Gather your academic and professional records
Depending on your background, the board may request:
- Official college transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Course descriptions or syllabi
- Employment verification
- A detailed engineering experience record
- References from licensed professional engineers
- Documentation from a credentials evaluation
Gathering these materials before applying can help prevent delays.
5. Complete a credentials evaluation if required
Candidates with international or non-ABET-accredited degrees may need an academic credentials evaluation. Contact your board and wait for instructions before ordering one so you know which evaluation service and documents it accepts.
6. Obtain approval before registering
If prior board approval is required, wait until you receive it before paying the NCEEs exam registration fee or attempting to schedule an appointment.
If the published requirements do not clearly address your situation, contact the board directly and request clarification. Written confirmation can help you understand both your immediate FE exam eligibility and your long-term licensure options.
Does passing the FE exam make you an EIT?
Passing the FE exam is a major step toward becoming an EIT or EI, but it does not automatically grant that designation in every state.
The terms Engineer-in-Training and Engineer Intern are often used to describe candidates who have passed the FE exam and met their board’s education requirements. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may need to submit a separate application, transcripts, a fee, or other supporting documentation before receiving an EIT or EI certificate.
This distinction is especially important for candidates without an accredited engineering degree. A board may allow someone to sit for the FE exam but require additional education or experience before issuing an EIT or EI certification.
Check your board’s certification requirements instead of treating exam eligibility, passing the exam, and becoming an EIT or EI as the same step.
Can you become a Professional Engineer without an engineering degree?
Most jurisdictions provide alternative paths to PE licensure for candidates without an engineering degree, but these routes are typically longer and more restrictive than the traditional path.
The standard path to PE licensure generally includes:
- Earning an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering degree
- Passing the FE exam
- Gaining an EIT/EI license
- Completing the required progressive engineering experience
- Passing the PE exam
- Meeting all remaining state licensure requirements
Candidates with an engineering technology degree, a related degree, a non-accredited engineering degree, or no degree may need additional years of qualifying experience. Some boards may also require more education or may not offer a nontraditional pathway at all.
Passing the FE exam only satisfies the examination portion of one stage in this process. It does not guarantee an EIT/EI certification or override a licensing board’s education or experience requirements.
Before pursuing an alternative path, review the entire licensure process in your intended jurisdiction. This will help you avoid passing the FE exam only to discover that you cannot satisfy the board’s requirements for the next step.
Which FE exam should you take?
NCEES offers seven discipline-specific FE exams:
- FE Chemical
- FE Civil
- FE Electrical and Computer
- FE Environmental
- FE Industrial and Systems
- FE Mechanical
- FE Other Disciplines
If you do not have an engineering degree, you are not necessarily required to take FE Other Disciplines. Choose the exam that most closely aligns with your education, engineering experience, and career goals.
Review the official NCEES exam specifications for each discipline before deciding. The specifications show the topics covered and the approximate number of questions assigned to each area. Comparing those topics with your existing knowledge can help you identify the exam that best fits your background.
Your FE discipline does not always have to match the PE exam you eventually take, but your state’s rules and intended area of practice should factor into your decision.
How to prepare for the FE exam with a nontraditional background
The FE exam covers a broad range of engineering concepts. Candidates who did not complete a traditional engineering curriculum or who have been out of school for several years may need additional time to identify and address knowledge gaps.
Start by downloading the current exam specifications for your discipline and reviewing the topics one by one. Then, take a diagnostic assessment or practice exam to determine where you need the most review.
An effective FE exam study plan should include:
- Learning how to navigate the NCEES FE Reference Handbook
- Reviewing foundational mathematics and engineering concepts
- Studying each topic included in your exam specifications
- Solving exam-style practice problems
- Practicing with an approved calculator
- Completing timed quizzes and practice exams
- Reviewing both correct and incorrect answers
PPI FE exam prep courses and study materials provide structured review with live instructors to help answer your exam questions, exam-like practice problems, and tools designed to help you prepare efficiently. See PPI’s FE exam prep to find resources for your exam discipline and study preferences.
Take the next step toward the FE exam
You may be able to take the FE exam without an engineering degree, but eligibility varies by jurisdiction and depends on your education and experience. Confirm your eligibility with the appropriate licensing board before registering, and evaluate the full licensure path–EIT or EI certification, qualifying experience, and PE requirements–rather than focusing only on whether you can sit for the exam.
Once you’re approved, the real work begins: preparing thoroughly enough to pass. PPI has helped engineers pass licensing exams for decades, and our FE prep is built to get you ready no matter your background, which matters most if you’re coming to the exam without a traditional engineering education to fall back on.
PPI’s FE prep courses walk you through the full body of knowledge tested on your chosen discipline, reinforcing the core concepts you’ll need and closing gaps that self-study alone can leave behind. You’ll get expert instruction from engineers who know the exam, practice problems that mirror its format, and confidence to perform on test day. Structured study schedules keep you on pace, so you always know what to study next.
Explore PPI FE exam prep courses and study materials to find the practice resources, expert instruction, and support tailored to your FE discipline–and take the next step toward becoming a licensed engineer.
Frequently asked questions about FE exam eligibility
Do you need an engineering degree to take the FE exam?
Not in every jurisdiction. Some licensing boards allow candidates to qualify through an engineering technology degree, related education, engineering experience, or another approved pathway. Other boards require an accredited engineering degree or prior approval.
Can you take the FE exam with an engineering technology degree?
Some licensing boards accept ETAC/ABET-accredited engineering technology degrees for FE exam eligibility. However, these candidates face different education or experience requirements for EIT or EI certification, the PE exam, or professional licensure.
Can you take the FE exam with a mathematics or physics degree?
Possibly. A board may review your transcripts, engineering coursework, and professional experience before determining whether you are eligible. A mathematics or physics degree alone does not guarantee approval.
Can you take the FE exam with an international degree?
International engineering graduates may be eligible, but the licensing board may require an evaluation of their academic credentials. The evaluation helps the board determine how the candidate’s education compares with its requirements.
Does passing the FE exam mean you can take the PE exam?
Not necessarily. PE exam eligibility is determined separately and may include education and experience requirements. Passing the FE exam does not guarantee eligibility for the PE exam or professional licensure.
Can engineering experience replace an engineering degree?
Some jurisdictions allow qualifying engineering experience to provide an alternative pathway, but not all boards offer this option. The required amount and type of experience vary considerably by jurisdiction.
Generally, engineering experience must be performed under the supervision of a professional engineer (PE), and a candidate must show that the work includes using mathematical and physical sciences to solve engineering problems.
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