How to Get a PE License? (Registration Process, Passing Score)

If you are looking for ways to discover how to get a PE License, you landed at the right place. To continue your trajectory on the right path to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the US requires a commitment to high-end engineering and academic competence, leading to both success and continuous thriving in the career after getting a PE license.

Acquiring the PE license involves a series of strategic steps, with the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam as the initial milestone you must achieve.

Let’s look at the key steps you must go through before going into the technicalities of how to get a PE license.

Let’s unwrap these steps in the following section to understand how to get a PE license and other important sections:

1. 4 Steps to Get a PE License (Eligibility Criteria Included)
2. How to Register For the PE Exam?
3. State-Specific Requirements for Your PE License
4. What is the PE Exam Passing Score?
5. How Hard Is the PE Exam – What you should know!
6. How Long To Study for PE Exam?
7. Is a Professional Engineer License Worth It?
8. How Long Does it Take to Get PE Exam Results?

4 Steps to Get a PE License (Eligibility Criteria Included)

Some secondary PE license requirements by the state may differ in accordance with your state regulatory guidelines and principles, but the general requirements for licensure are absolute. Below is a simple roadmap, listed on Engineering Licensure NCEES®, which explains how can get their PE license.

1. Obtaining a 4 Years Engineering Degree From ABET-Accredited Program or Institute
2. Pass the FE Exam
3. At least 4 Years of Work Experience Under the Supervision of PE Licensed Engineer
4. Pass the PE Exam

Let’s discuss each step in detail.

1. Obtaining a 4 Years Engineering Degree From ABET-Accredited Program or Institute

Your ABET-accredited engineering degree is one of the most significant milestones and certainly the perfect investment you will ever commit to making your way toward a PE license in the US.

The depth of knowledge and expertise you get with your ABET-accredited engineering degree gives you some exceptional exposure and skillset to become eligible for a PE license.

ABET-recognized degrees is intended to give more licensing engineers by allowing students to cover engineering course that fulfills some exceptional standards. These standards are vital to equip students with high-end theoretical and practical knowledge of the engineering discipline required globally.

If you don’t have an ABET-accredited engineering degree and just wondering how to get a PE license, start your journey with an ABET-accredited degree program or institute.

Before getting enrolled in any 4 years degree, you need to check whether your degree or institute is recognized by ABET or not at ABET Accredited Programs website.

 Some of the state licensing boards in the US allow you to get a PE license without a degree. Read our detailed step-by-step guide about how to get a PE license without a degree for more details.

2. Pass the FE Exam

The next most crucial step is to pass the FE exam and get an FE license to become eligible for the PE exam. FE exam is a more detailed and complex computer-based licensure exam that covers more broad and general academic areas than PE.

You need to plan your study map to efficiently complete your FE Electrical exam preparation. Then choose from four examination windows opened each year at the start of the quarter.

• Jan – Feb
• April – May
• July – August
• Oct – Nov

If you failed to crack the FE exam by making 3 attempts per year, you are not eligible to appear in the fourth window and need to wait for the next year round. To maximize the chances of your success on the first attempt it is recommended to:

• Go through the entire syllabus before starting your preparation
• Stay relevant to the FE course outline throughout the preparation journey
• Check the FE exam passing ratio of last year specifically for your Engineering domain

These practices will put you on the right preparation track to ace the FE exam and complete one more milestone toward your final journey to PE licensure.

3. At least 4 Years of Work Experience Under the Supervision of a PE Licensed Engineer

Once you get your ABET-accredited engineering degree and pass your FE exam, the next step is to complete at least four years of working experience under the supervision of a PE-licensed engineer. This 4 years of work experience will give you an insightful experience in your engineering field.

You will get to know about the standard industry procedures, industry-accepted KPIs, QA strategies and compliances, etc. PE license requirements demand a market-ready, qualified, and experienced professional and this step is a significant building block in this regard.

4. Pass the PE Exam

Here comes the final puzzle piece to get your PE license. Now you are eligible to attempt your PE exam and crack it to get your PE license. The PE exam is meant to assess your skills and evaluate if you are equipped enough to become a professional licensed engineer in the US.

With an effective and smart PE exam preparation strategy, you can easily pass your PE exam and complete all the requirements of licensure. The PE exam course outline covers core theoretical and practical areas that you covered during your entire academic period and work experience.

The PE online course is much more focused and concise than the FE exam preparation course which covers a broad academic area. But you still need to cover all the topics in detail to maximize your chances of success on the first attempt. To learn more about what to expect on the PE exam day, we suggest reading our detailed blog.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive resource for your Electrical Power PE exam preparation, explore our PE Exam Preparation Program for PE Power.

Our proven, on-demand content and live training have successfully helped thousands of students pass their PE exam.

How to Register For the PE Exam?

Here are the five steps to register for the PE exam that you can follow:

Step 1: Sign up/into your NCEES® account

Create an NCEES® account if you haven’t already. The email address you use here will be associated with your account permanently, so make use of a workable and suitable email profile.

It’s also best if you can avoid work email addresses because, in the case of changing jobs, you might lose access to that email.

Step 2: Register for the exam

You will see the option of registering for an exam under the “Common Tasks” option.

Step 3: Choose your exam

In the left panel, you will have options like Dashboard, Exams, Exam Prep, and more. It will stay there all through the registration process, and the option “Exam Registration” is where you can select the kind of test you’re undertaking. Here’s an overview of each option you will see:

• FE: The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the key to becoming an Engineer in Training. Before you can take the PE exam, you must pass FE.
• PE: This is the option you are looking for here.
• SE: The Structural Engineering test is for engineers who have acquired a PE license and want some additional qualifications.
• As a final option, you will find Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practice of Surveying.

You will also find a series of disciplines under each option. However, there will be cases where their exam details are not available. This is because the period of registration would be closed, and you would need to wait around some time. So, keep an eye on the registration dates so that you know exactly when to go for it.

Step 4: Exam board and requirements

After selecting your board, you will see a page where there will be a set of requirements detailed about the exam prompted by your state. In the case of Texas, there are certain rules to abide by. It largely depends on the state regulations, and you must acknowledge these terms before proceeding further.

It is highly recommended that you do not skip past this page and blindly acknowledge all terms because understanding them would be crucial going forward.

Step 5: Attestation of documents

So far, so good. This is one crucial step that you must not skip before proceeding further. Here’s a roundup of what you will need to do in the following steps further:

• Be sure about the correct spelling of your name. Make sure your legal name is fully written there. No nicknames, please.
• Acknowledge the electronic mode of payment.
• Agree that the information you are entering is true and validated.
• Confirm if you have read and fully understood the NCEES® Examinee Guidelines, which will be stated at the end of the line. If you have not opened those guidelines, it’s time to do so.
• Make sure that you acknowledge all policies associated with the NCEES® Examinee Guide and agree to your state’s regulations.
• Further, agree to the dispute-resolution policies in the same guide. It means that in case you encounter a problem on any step, it will be dealt with by a specific course of action that you must agree to.
• Finally, acknowledge that clearing this particular test would not ensure that you are a state-licensed Professional Engineer because you will still need to receive your license. To actually acquire that, you will need to fill out an application with your state. We have a guide on how to get a PE license. Maybe consider checking that out. 

Again, it is really important that you carefully go through all the detailed NCEES® Examinee Guide. It will prepare you for what to expect on the day of the test and what you are not entitled to do. If you fail to follow the rules in the guidelines, you may unfortunately not be able to appear in the test.

For example, there are instances where examinees show up with expired IDs. NCEES® would strictly go against it because that is a fundamental requirement and would ask anyone to leave. 

Step 6: Inform if you need accommodation

If you do not require any help with accommodation, you can proceed with the option: “I do not need any accommodations.” It is located at the top.

In case you are differently abled, you can seek accommodations as per the Americans with Disabilities Act. It should be noted that NCEES® highly encourages differently-abled candidates to seek accommodations. NCEES® is keen on building an inclusive community, which is why they highly stress it.

Then there is a section on examinees currently serving in the military. This is important for people who need to appear in the exam but are based internationally and serving their military term. For example, a military candidate based in Europe and registered in a US state can still take the test in their current location.

The final section is the “religious section,” where you can request accommodation terms according to your religious requirements. For example, if a sacred holiday clashes with your exam date, you can sort it out with them. NCEES® is also moving all exams to an electronic basis to ensure no candidate faces a problem.

Step 7: Double-check your information to avoid any hassle

This is a fairly simple process, where you ought to review the information you have filled in. Make sure you choose the right exam to appear in as well as the correct board and, if necessary, accommodation arrangements.

Step 8: Check your address, cart, financial options, checking out

Not many complicated steps are involved here. It is a simple and straightforward checkout page, but for your information, we will break down each step so that your registration is successful.

Let’s start with the right side of the page:

• On the top, you will find the cart, which will detail the exam you are undertaking as well as the cost. PE exams are currently priced at $375. 
• Next, you will find a box to enter a promo code. If you have any promo code for the NCEES® pe exam available, you can check its validity and avail a discount.

On the left side:

• Now you will find Order Information on the top which would contain the billing address and credit card details.

The next thing here to check are Financial Policies that are applicable to computer-based tests. The PE test in 2022 will be computer-based, so this information is all the more relevant to you than ever before. Here’s what you need to know:

When it comes to fee disputes, this is the standard “you’ll be penalized if your check bounces or there’s not enough money in your account” scenario. NCEES® may cancel your exam as a result of this, so be warned.

In the event that your exam is computer-based, you have the option of canceling up to 48 hours in advance and receiving a refund, minus $50 in administrative fees.

Since the computer-based examination for April 5 at 8 a.m. is already scheduled, you can cancel it for a partial refund at any time before 8 a.m. on April 3. Afterward, you will not be entitled to a refund.

CBT exam registration costs forfeiture – merely repeats the information above so that you don’t lose your money if you cancel within the 48-hour timeframe or don’t show up for your exam.

For CBT tests, rescheduling fees are only applicable if you reschedule less than 48 hours in advance. Therefore be aware of this information.

In states where taking the PE exam necessitates an authorization period of 12 months, this information is only relevant to individuals who live there. It simply states that you will not be refunded your money if you do not take the test within that time period.

Your registration is complete once you’ve submitted your payment information and agreed to our financial conditions, and clicked “Complete Order.”

State-Specific Requirements for Your PE License  

While this guide has outlined the general roadmap to becoming a PE, it’s crucial to remember that the engineering licensing landscape in the USA operates on a state-by-state basis.

Each state has its own engineering licensing board that establishes and enforces specific requirements for PE licensure, which may go beyond the national standard steps we’ve discussed.

What is the PE Exam Passing Score?

NCEES® does not provide a specific PE exam passing score. However, after each result, students discuss their PE passing scores with one another, providing a general picture of how the students should perform to clear the exam.

Based on that, students must, on average, attain a score of at least 70% to pass, but this score is determined only by the students’ experiences and isn’t always true. In addition, it’s essential to remember that these figures are subject to rapid change. This is because the NCEES® set the benchmark score on the examinee’s minimal ability score.

The NCEES’s CBT Exam Scoring Procedure

The NCEES® PE exam pass rate is determined by the total number of right answers you choose. Wrong or empty answers are not considered, so they have no deductions. The score is then converted into a scaled score, compensating for slight changes in the difficulty among the several exam variants.

This scaled score reflects the test taker’s ability level. It is assessed against the minimal competence level required for that examination as established by subject-matter experts using psychometric statistical methods. This is comparable to how exams are scored in primary school; the passing result is centered on how well the entire class performed on the examination.

How Hard Is the PE Exam – What you should know!

When preparing for the Professional Engineers exam, the question “how hard is the PE exam” is bound to pop up in your head.

Both the content and the time given for the exam account for the PE exam difficulty. It is not easy to sit in one place for 8 hours, much less if you are taking one of the most difficult exams in the world. The mental energy required for you to stay focused for over 8 hours is humongous.

By the end of it, you are not just drained mentally but also physically. Come to think of it, if an engineer cannot successfully pull through this test, how will they be able to sustain themselves in the far more challenging professional world? You can say it is the first real taste of what the future holds for them if they want to be competent and successful engineers.

Secondly, the content is diverse and complicated.

If you are taking the PE Power exam, you must answer 80 questions in 8 hours. The questions will revolve around:

• General Power Engineering
• Circuits
• Rotating Machines and Electrical Power Devices
• Transmission and Distribution

If you are planning on taking the PE Civil Exam, which is the most common, then the 80 questions broadly fall under 5 categories. They are:

• Construction
• Geotechnical
• Structural
• Transportation
• Water

You can assess for yourself how broad these topics are, and what elaborate preparation and practice would be required to answer them. The questions themselves are so advanced that you can only understand what they are asking if you are highly equipped with the relevant knowledge.

However, none of this is to say that you should not take the exam. Instead, all this is to make you realize that the PE exam is going to be the most difficult test of your life. So, buckle up for some intense hard work.

With the right resources and preparation material, you can certainly be one of the successful candidates in your first attempt. Speaking of the right preparation material, you might want to check out our PE Power practice exam.

How Long To Study for PE Exam?

The time you need to invest in your exam preparation entirely depends on your understanding of the subject, interest, and dedication. The rule of thumb is to invest 2-3 hours in your exam preparation daily. The approximate time frame for in-depth preparation and promising success comprises 200-300 hours. On average, students can easily pass the PE exam after studying for 3-4 months.

But that may not be the case for everyone.

For instance, we come across different scenarios where someone passes their PE exam with only 100 hours of studying, and someone still fails after 5 months of preparation.

How Long Does it Take to Get PE Exam Results?

So you burnt the midnight oil, prepared well, and finally took the PE exam.

You are hopeful that your dream of becoming a professional engineer will be a reality soon.

You have crossed your fingers and are waiting for your PE exam results.

But when will they come out?

Well, here is a piece of good news for you:

You will obtain your results in a few days or weeks. To be accurate, the NCEES® releases the PE results within 7-10 days following the date you took your examination.

It seems like a blink of an eye, right?

The PE exam is centered on a computer-based testing format, and the results for such exams are released much more swiftly than those based on the pencil and paper format.

The reason is that the computer-based PE exam enables the NCEES® to evaluate the grades of its huge candidate pool simply and efficiently. The computer assists the NCEES® in summing up scores, taking averages, and analyzing how the students performed on the exam rather than manually adding up all the scores.

Is a Professional Engineer License Worth It?

Other than flexibility and security to work, following are the top four reasons why a PE license is worth it:

1. Allows Becoming an Independent Consultant, Government Engineer, Or Educator

Having a professional engineer’s license opens many career opportunities and financial benefits for growth and leadership. In fact, employers are most impressed with licensed employees and treat them differently, as they are the symbols of competency, professionalism, experience, and character.

Suppose one applicant has a PE license and the other has not. In that case, the company will prefer the former one, as having a license demonstrates your leadership and management capabilities and indicates your dedication to your chosen profession.

Furthermore, licensure provides expanded opportunities beyond a company structure – it allows you to become an independent consultant, government engineer, or educator

2. Is A Gateway to Federal, State, And Municipal Agencies Jobs

A PE license is incredibly significant and a must-have if you’re pursuing government-level jobs. Because nowadays, it is the utmost demand of most federal, state, and municipal agencies that higher-level engineering positions that require a greater sense of responsibility must be occupied by licensed professional engineers only.

3. Higher Salaries Compared to Non-Licensed Counterparts

Employees with professional engineer’s license design more cost-effective and higher-performing infrastructure than unlicensed employees. For this reason, PE license holders have higher salaries as compared to their non-licensed counterparts.

As per reports of the Engineering Income and Salary Survey conducted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 2012, the average salary for a PE is $116,000, while that of a non-licensed engineer is $95,500.

In another survey in 2017, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) reported that mechanical engineers with a PE license earn a median income of $133,000, which is nearly about $16,000 more than those lacking a PE license.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive resource for your PE Power exam preparation, explore our PE Exam prep program for PE Power.

Our proven, on-demand content and live training have successfully helped thousands of students pass their PE exam.

4. Work Anywhere in The United States

As the PE and Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exams with the minimum registration requirements have been set as a national standard, your PE license is valid across all the states, and you can work as a professional engineer in any of your desired states.

 If you plan to move to a state other than the one in which you were licensed, you will have to register with the board of engineering in your new state and may have to complete any further requirements. But all in all, you can utilize your PE license anywhere in the United States.

Preparation for the FE Exams

The FE and PE exams are significant gateways on your path to PE licensure. Let’s break down these exams and equip you with resources to conquer them:

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam: This computer-based exam assesses your grasp of fundamental engineering concepts across various disciplines, regardless of your chosen specialty. Passing demonstrates a solid foundation in mathematics, ethics, engineering economics, and other core principles. 

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) administers the FE exam and offers a comprehensive website with resources to prepare you effectively. ([National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying FE exam ON ncees.org])

Exam Format and Content: The NCEES website details the FE exam format, typically consisting of multiple-choice questions. Content areas covered can include probability and statistics, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, and material science.

Preparation Resources: NCEES provides a wealth of resources to help you excel on the FE exam. You can find practice exams to gauge your readiness, a recommended reference handbook outlining essential formulas and concepts, and links to exam preparation materials from reputable publishers.

Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam: This comprehensive exam delves deeper into your chosen engineering discipline (e.g., Civil, Mechanical, Electrical).  It assesses your ability to apply your engineering knowledge to solve real-world problems encountered in your field. Unlike the FE exam, the PE exam format and content areas vary depending on your discipline.

Exam Specificity: Each engineering discipline has its own unique PE exam. The NCEES website provides exam specifications outlining the format, content areas covered (e.g., structural analysis for civil engineers, fluid mechanics for mechanical engineers), and the recommended experience level for each exam.

State Board Resources: Besides NCEES resources, your state’s engineering licensing board website may offer discipline-specific information and links to additional study materials relevant to your chosen field.

Conclusion

Getting a PE license is the top benchmark that you need to match before starting to serve as a professional engineer in the US. All the perks and privileges linked with getting a PE license make it a dream for students who are going to start their academic journey in any engineering discipline.

This blog post covered the entire roadmap that answers the most heated question of ‘how to get a PE license. Completing an ABET-accredited engineering degree followed by passing the FE exam, completing 4 years of work experience, and passing the PE exam is your roadmap to becoming a professional engineer in the US.

Still confused about anything? Connect with StudyForFE to get answers to all your questions and prepare for your FE or PE exam under the supervision of PE-licensed professionals.