# FE Exam Requirements and Eligibility
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**Featured Image:**
[Two students sit at desks taking a test in a classroom with large windows and a wall clock.] (https://educatingengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/10/Gemini_Generated_Image_gwhtrcgwhtrcgwht-scaled.jpg)
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**Author:** Educating Engineers Editorial Team
**Published:** October 1, 2026
**Updated:** October 1, 2026
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The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is typically the first exam on the path to professional engineering licensure. It is designed primarily for engineering students nearing graduation and recent graduates, although eligibility requirements can vary by state.
If you plan to [become a professional engineer (PE)] (https://educatingengineers.com/blog/how-to-become-a-professional-engineer/) , the FE exam is an important early milestone. Before registering, make sure you understand the education, timing, and state-specific requirements that may apply to you.
## **What Are the FE Exam Requirements?**
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) designs and administers the FE exam, but individual licensing boards determine who is eligible to take it. NCEES describes the exam as intended for recent graduates and students close to completing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program.
The basic **FE exam requirements** depend on several factors:
| **Factor** | **What to know** |
| **Education** | The most straightforward path is enrollment in or graduation from an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program, but other educational backgrounds may qualify under state rules. |
| **Student status** | Many students can take the FE exam before graduation. How early they may take it depends on the licensing jurisdiction. |
| **Engineering experience** | Professional engineering experience is generally not required simply to take the FE exam, although some alternative eligibility pathways may consider experience. |
| **State requirements** | Licensing boards may set their own education, timing, or approval requirements. |
| **NCEES registration** | Candidates register through NCEES and provide contact and education information. NCEES does not require academic transcripts as part of FE exam registration. |
Because eligibility rules differ, check the requirements of the licensing board that applies to you before registering.
## **Who Is Eligible to Take the FE Exam?**
Eligibility is simplest for students and graduates of accredited engineering programs, but other educational backgrounds can also qualify. The exact rules depend on the licensing jurisdiction.
### **Engineering Students**
Students do not always have to wait until graduation to take the FE exam. NCEES describes the exam as intended in part for students who are close to finishing an EAC/ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering degree.
How close to graduation you must be can vary. For example, Texas allows undergraduate students to take the FE exam when they are within two full-time semesters of graduating from an approved program.
### **Engineering Graduates**
Graduates of EAC/ABET-accredited engineering programs generally have the most straightforward path to FE eligibility. Taking the exam after graduation is common, and graduating without taking it does not mean you have missed your opportunity.
However, the FE exam tests material drawn largely from undergraduate engineering coursework. Candidates who wait several years may need more time to review subjects they have not used recently.
### **Engineering Technology Graduates**
An engineering technology degree can also provide a path to the FE exam, but eligibility varies by state. Some licensing boards recognize four-year ETAC/ABET-accredited engineering technology programs for this purpose.
Because engineering and engineering technology programs are accredited by different ABET commissions, students considering eventual PE licensure should check how their state treats their specific degree.
### **Graduates of Non-ABET Engineering Programs**
Graduating from a program without EAC/ABET accreditation does not necessarily prevent you from taking the FE exam. Some states provide alternative pathways for graduates whose coursework meets specified engineering and mathematics requirements.
The details can differ considerably, particularly for international degrees or degrees that require an education evaluation. If your program is not EAC/ABET-accredited, check with the relevant licensing board before assuming that you either qualify or do not qualify.
### **Can You Take the FE Exam Without an Engineering Degree?**
In some states, yes. Eligibility may extend to people with degrees in related sciences or other educational backgrounds that meet the licensing board’s requirements.
Texas, for example, allows certain graduates in related science fields to take the FE exam if their education includes specified mathematics and engineering-science coursework. Requirements for candidates without a traditional engineering degree can vary considerably, so check your licensing board before registering.
## **Do FE Exam Requirements Vary by State?**
Yes. The FE exam itself is national, but engineering licensure is regulated by individual states and territories. NCEES develops and administers the exam, while licensing boards determine the requirements candidates must meet in their jurisdiction. NCEES therefore advises candidates to verify the rules where they plan to pursue licensure.
Those differences can affect when you are allowed to take the exam, what education qualifies, and what happens after you pass. For example, Texas allows undergraduate students to take the FE exam when they are within two full-time semesters of graduating from an approved program. Graduates with engineering or related-science degrees may register through NCEES.
California separates FE passage from Engineer-in-Training certification. Candidates take and pass the FE exam first; those who want an EIT certificate must then meet California's education or experience requirements and apply to the state board. California also makes EIT certification optional.
The practical takeaway is simple: use NCEES for exam information, but use your state or territorial licensing board to confirm the eligibility and licensure rules that apply to you.
## **Does Your Degree Need To Be ABET-Accredited?**
Not necessarily. An EAC/ABET-accredited engineering degree provides the most straightforward route through many states’ education requirements, but it is not a universal prerequisite for taking the FE exam.
[ABET accredits] (https://www.abet.org/accreditation/what-is-accreditation/) individual academic programs, not entire colleges or universities. Its Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) accredits engineering programs, while engineering technology programs are typically accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC).
If your engineering degree is not EAC/ABET-accredited, your state may still provide a path to the FE exam or eventual licensure. Depending on the jurisdiction and your educational background, you may need additional coursework or a formal evaluation of your degree.
[NCEES offers a credentials] (https://ncees.org/ncees-services/credentials-evaluations/) evaluation service that compares a candidate’s college-level education with its Engineering Education Standard. The service is used primarily for applicants educated outside the United States and for other candidates referred by a state licensing board. NCEES advises candidates to check with their licensing board before beginning an evaluation.
If PE licensure is one of your long-term goals, checking a program’s accreditation status before enrolling can make the path easier to understand. ABET maintains a searchable database of currently and previously accredited programs.
## **What Is on the FE Exam?**
The FE exam is a computer-based test with 110 questions. The full appointment lasts six hours, including a tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time, and a scheduled 25-minute break. NCEES offers the exam year-round at approved Pearson test centers.
Candidates choose from seven FE disciplines:
- Chemical
- Civil
- Electrical and Computer
- Environmental
- Industrial and Systems
- Mechanical
- Other Disciplines
The subjects tested vary by discipline, but each exam covers undergraduate-level engineering knowledge. NCEES provides an electronic FE Reference Handbook during the exam along with any specified design standards.
As of September 2026, the NCEES fee for each FE exam attempt is **$225** . Some licensing boards may also require a separate application or fee.
The FE exam is a licensure exam rather than a standalone professional certification. Engineers may pursue various [types of engineering certifications] (https://educatingengineers.com/certifications/types-of-engineering-certifications/) that recognize specialized skills or knowledge.
## **How Do You Register for the FE Exam?**
Registration is handled through NCEES, but it is worth checking your licensing board's requirements first in case your jurisdiction requires approval or an additional application.
1. **Check your eligibility.** Review the requirements for the state or territory where you plan to pursue licensure.
2. **Create or sign in to your MyNCEES account.** You will enter or confirm your contact and education information.
3. **Select the FE exam.** Choose the exam discipline that best matches your engineering background.
4. **Complete registration and pay the exam fee.** Some jurisdictions may also charge a separate application fee.
5. **Schedule your exam.** After registration is complete and any required approval is granted, you can choose an available appointment at an NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test center.
NCEES does not require academic transcripts simply to register for the FE exam. Candidates enter their education information during registration; formal education verification generally comes later as part of a credentials evaluation, NCEES Record, or licensing application when required.
## **What Happens After You Pass the FE Exam?**
Passing the FE exam is an important step toward PE licensure, but it does not make you a licensed professional engineer. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may next apply for an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineer Intern (EI) designation.
EIT or EI status is handled at the state level, so the process is not identical everywhere. California, for example, requires applicants to pass the FE exam before applying for EIT certification, but the certificate itself is optional. Applicants must also meet the state's education or engineering-experience requirements.
From there, the path toward PE licensure generally involves meeting the experience and examination requirements established by the licensing board in the jurisdiction where you apply. Passing the FE exam is therefore best viewed as an early milestone in that process rather than the final credential.
## **When Should You Take the FE Exam?**
For many engineering students, the best time to take the FE exam is near the end of their undergraduate program or soon after graduation. At that point, the mathematics, science, and engineering concepts covered on the exam are still relatively fresh.
You do not have to take the FE exam immediately after graduating, however. Engineers who have been out of school for several years can still take it if they meet the applicable eligibility requirements, though they may need more preparation to review material they have not used recently.
If you are still enrolled, check your licensing board’s rules before registering. Some jurisdictions allow students to take the exam before graduation, but the permitted timing varies.
## **Check Your FE Eligibility Before You Register**
The FE exam is a national exam, but eligibility and licensure rules can vary by jurisdiction. Before registering, check both NCEES requirements and the rules of the state or territory where you plan to pursue licensure.
That step is especially important if you are still in school or have an engineering technology, non-ABET, international, or otherwise nontraditional educational background. Confirming your eligibility first can help you avoid unnecessary delays or application problems.