Fundamentals in Engineering (FE) Exam - Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Exam

Sep 18, 2026

Prepared guidance for taking the Fundamentals in Engineering (FE) and Engineer-in-Training (EIT) exams, explaining why they matter for obtaining professional engineering licensure. It outlines legal and practical motivations, recommends timing while still in college, and provides licensing steps from ABET-accredited graduation to the PE exam. It also summarizes logistics: scheduling via My NCEES, NJ availability, test length, computer-based delivery, closed book-reference materials, and multiple-choice structure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Importance, Application, Format

Why Take the FE/EIT Exam?

Why Take the FE/EIT Exam Now?

Steps to Obtaining a License

Exam Information

Where and When to Take It

Format, Duration, and Question Type

Reference Materials

Fundamentals in Engineering (FE) Exam AKA Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Exam Importance, Application, Format Prepared by Maria Garlock September 2014 Why Take the FE/EIT Exam? • Need it to become a licensed professional engineer (PE) . • By law, many jurisdictions require engineers tobe licensed in order to practice . Why Take the FE/EIT Exam Now? • “The best time to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is while you are enrolled in college, typically the last semester of your final year. Taking the FE exam while you're still in school or just finishing up gives you flexibility. You're most prepared and in test-taking mode while you're in your final year of the engineering program. If you decide later that you want professional licensure, you will have to take the FE exam first.” [[www.engineeringlicense.com](www.engineeringlicense.com)] Steps to Obtaining a License • Graduation from an ABET-accredited engineering program. • Pass the FE/EIT exam. • Work experience. Most jurisdictions require 3 or 4 years of experience under a licensed PE. • Pass the PE exam. Exam Information [http://ncees.org/](http://ncees.org/) • In NJ, can take it Junior year. • Take it as many times as you want ($225 each time!) • FE exam will be offered year-round as computerbased exams at Pearson VUE testing centers (there isone in Princeton). • You will register and schedule your appointment through your My NCEES account on the NCEES website. Exam Information • 6 hours long (includes 25 min break) • No longer have a broad/common engineering portion; it is all discipline specific. See content of each discipline by clicking the appropriate link at: [http://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/](http://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/) • Closed book-reference material is supplied (can find it online at [http://ncees.org/exams/study](http://ncees.org/exams/study)materials/download-fe-supplied-referencehandbook/). • All questions are multiple choice (110 questions total). A message from Dean Peter Bogucki: Translation from Russian: Be a hero-student…take the FE exam!

FAQs

Why should you take the FE/EIT exam?

It is needed to become a licensed professional engineer (PE). Many jurisdictions also require licensing to legally practice engineering.

When is the best time to take the FE exam?

While enrolled in college, typically during the last semester of the final year, when you are most prepared and flexible about future licensure.

What is the FE exam format and how long is it?

It is a computer-based, discipline-specific exam that lasts 6 hours (including a 25-minute break) with 110 total multiple-choice questions.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Maya Linwood