NCEES Media

The time is now to consider pursuing the Professional Engineer (PE) license. The Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE exam) is your first step towards this professional license. If you take and pass the FE exam, you have the choice after roughly four years of progressive experience as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam (PE exam).

Great work!

Your PE License Sets You Apart

  • A PE License generally means a higher salary
  • A PE License can be a differentiator in the hiring process
  • A PE License give you the ability to sign and seal plans and drawings
  • You can officially call yourself an engineer only if you have a PE License
  • You can work anywhere in the Country (the FE and PE exams are standardized nationally)
Steps in obtaining a Professional Engineering LicenseBenefits of obtaining a PE LicenseBackground Information about the FE ExamStudying for the FE ExamPreparing to take the FE ExamSelect Test DateWhat to Expect in a Pearson VUE Test CenterExaminee guide from NCEES

(State of Utah: http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/forms/applications/046_engineer.pdf)

  1. Graduate from an ABET-accredited engineering program (the ME program at the U is accredited by ABET)
  2. Take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam — recommended that this is taken prior to graduation or at least within 12 months of obtaining your engineering degree.
  3. Complete 48 months of full-time qualifying engineering work experience after obtaining your engineering degree.
  4. Take and pass the Professional Engineer (PE) Exam: more info found here [http://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/]
  5. Complete the “Utah Professional Engineer Law and Rules Examination” (completed at home and submitted with licensure request form)
  6. Fill out request for licensure form and pay the processing fee

– Benefits of getting a PE license (forthcoming)

-Video from ME alum PE guest speaker (forthcoming)

– Testimonials from alumni (forthcoming)

– Jobs that require a PE license (forthcoming)

– Other things that you can do with a PE license (forthcoming)

 

(NCEES YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiZ0hjHNi9jzR8RW69ndkjIgH8bzj0ew-)

  • Administered and graded by the National Council for Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
  • The FE exam is offered in seven disciplines. Specifications for the FE Mechanical Exam are here [link to pdf file, http://ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/FE-Mec-CBT-specs.pdf]
  • Computer based exam: 110 multiple-choice questions. 6-hr long appointment includes tutorial (8 min), exam (5 hrs, 20 min), scheduled break (25 min), nondisclosure agreement
  • $225 exam fee payable to NCEES at time of registration
  • Exam is taken at a designated testing center at a time arranged by the examinee
  • Calculator policy — acceptable models for 2015 [http://ncees.org/exams/calculator-policy/

Casio: all fx-115 models
Texas Instruments: all TI-30X and TI-36X model
Hewlett Packard: HP 33s and 35s only
Access to an online calculator is provided with the test materials

  • Students are supplied with an online, searchable FE Reference Handbook []. Students may ONLY use the online version. Hard copy versions of the handbook are not allowed. To obtain a free downloadable handbook, you must provide your email address here  [http://ncees.org/exams/study-materials/download-fe-supplied-reference-handbook/]. A passcode is then emailed to you. Copy and paste the passcode back into appropriate location on the same webpage

 

Register with NCEES (To register for an FE exam, log in to your MyNCEES account, select the REGISTER button, and follow the onscreen instructions)

  • create an account
  • enter address and contact information
  • select your degree and enter Institution, program name, graduation date (this is the degree that you are in the process of earning)
  • select exam type (“Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)”)
  • select licensing board (“Utah”) and Exam (“FE Mechanical”)
  • agree to terms and conditions
  • answer whether you need special accommodations
  • you can use to purchase discounted study materials
  • pay the registration fee of $225

Select testing Center: NCEES computer-based exams are administered exclusively at approved Pearson VUE test centers. The two centers closest to the U of U campus are

  1. Pearson Professional Centers-Bountiful
    1551 South Renaissance Towne Dr
    Suite 560
    Bountiful, Utah 84010
  2. Pearson Professional Centers-Draper
    11820 South State Street
    Suite 300
    Draper, Utah 84020

Appointments for the FE exam are currently available during the following testing windows:

  • January-February
  • April-May
  • July-August
  • October-November

— this animated short outlines the types of security you can expect at the center and what is/is not permitted in the testing room (http://home.pearsonvue.com/test-taker/security.aspx)

[http://ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ExamGuide_June-20151.pdf]