The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first step to becoming a licensed professional engineer (PE) and is designed for recent graduates or students who have nearly completed their undergraduate engineering degree. Passing the FE exam is a clear demonstration to future employers that one has learned and is able to apply the fundamental principles of their engineering discipline. At BYU-Idaho, all civil and mechanical engineering students are required to take the exam prior to graduation.
General facts about the FE exam
- The FE exam is a computer-based exam offered in seven disciplines
- Costs $175
- Consists of 110 multiple-choice questions
- Takes 6 hours to complete
- Is offered all year long at the BYU-Idaho Testing Center on Mondays between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Administered by Gloria Horrocks (ext 1756) in the Testing Center
- You are allowed to retake the exam if needed, but it can only be taken once per three-month testing window
- A link to view your results will be emailed to you within 7-10 business days after taking the exam
Registration
To register for the exam, follow the link below to create an NCEES account
https://account.ncees.org/login
After creating an account and logging in, follow these steps to register for the exam:
- Select the "Exams" tab on the left, and then select "to register for an exam."
- Select the "Fundamentals of Engineering" exam option and then select your exam discipline (FE Civil or FE Mechanical).
- Select the Idaho board.
- Acknowledge that you are only given one attempt per 3-month testing window and only three attempts per year.
- Read the "Attestation" information and select that you agree.
- Select whether or not you need any accommodations (ADA, Military, Religious).
- If you are interested, buy any preparation materials, then pay and checkout.
- After you pay for the exam, you will then be able to pick a date and time to take the exam. The exam is only offered in the BYU-Idaho Testing Center on Mondays. The exam is 6 hours long, and the 6-hour timeframe needs to be scheduled to fit within the Testing Center proctor's work hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Read any further instructions provided.
- After scheduling the exam, you don't need to contact the Testing Center; they will be notified through your online registration.
- After making an account, you can log back into myNCEES to download a free copy of the FE Reference Handbook. Use this handbook while studying for the exam.
- On the day of the exam, bring the materials required on your admission ticket, including a government-issued photo ID.