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
Register for the exam and create an NCEES account.
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.