How To Get EIT Certification
Wasim Asghar 
April 26, 2023The engineer-in-training (EIT) certification or engineer-in-training license is a professional title granted by state governments to those who have cleared the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, often known as the EIT certification exam.
An EIT certification does not provide any unique legal rights; it only informs employers and peers that you have passed the FE test and are halfway to become a licensed professional engineer (PE), which is the final aim.
It not only demonstrates your dedication and initiative towards your career and profession but also adds to your credentials and reputation.
Now here comes the question of how to get EIT certification to enjoy experience these benefits.
The first step is to pass the FE exam. This is a 5.5 hour multiple-choice test that covers most subjects studied in a four-year engineering school.
It’s wise to start preparing for the FE Exam in the third year of college with an aim to take the test sooner. By obtaining your EIT certification, you increase your chances of passing the FE test while your college coursework is still fresh in your mind.
Experts suggest that the earlier you take the FE exam after graduating or preferably in college, you have a better chance of clearing it as the test content is based on your engineering degree syllabus.
Keeping this in view, today in this guide, we shall discuss how to get EIT certification as well as are advantages of doing so. Read on to know more.
4 Steps To Get EIT Certification
The process of submitting your application for the EIT certification to become an EIT engineer involves the following steps:
- Check the Requirements of Your State
- Register Yourself With the NCEES®
- Pass the FE Exam
- Submit an Application to your State Board to Get EIT Certification
1. Check the Requirements of Your State
In the US, some states demand applicants submit an application for the EIT certification before getting enrolled for the FE exam. Whereas, in some states, you can appear in the FE exam and earn EIT certification after passing the exam.
You can verify your state’s roadmap on the NCEES® website. If NCEES® confirms that you can appear in the FE exam and apply for the EIT certification later, you can appear in the FE exam. Otherwise, you need to pay the EIT certification fee before the FE exam registration.
2. Register Yourself With the NCEES®
To register yourself with NCEES®, you need to get registered on the MyNCEES® portal and log in with your account credentials to complete the registration process. The FE exam registration process involves the following key steps:
Step 1: Sign in to MyNCEES® > click on the “Exams” tab on the left.
Step 2: In the new window, click on the “Register for an Exam” button.
Step 3: Provide all the necessary information and complete the last step “Register for an Exam”. (The “Register for an Exam” option will remain blocked until you complete all the previous steps and your information gets reviewed by NCEES®).
Step 4: Once your application is reviewed, choose the required FE exam you are going to attempt. You can learn about which FE exam topics are the hardest in our separate blog.
Step 5: Select your licensing board for the state where you are going to appear for the exam.
Step 6: Provide your billing credentials and pay for the PE exam fee. The PE exam fee with EIT certification fee is USD 250 (USD 175 for PE Exam and USD 75 for EIT certification).
Step 7: Select your nearest test venue and finish the application.
3. Pass the FE Exam
After getting registered on the NCEES® student portal, the next step is to pass your FE exam which paves your way to becoming a PE-licensed engineer in the US. You can appear in the FE exam after passing your ABET-accredited degree or in the last year of your ABET-accredited degree program.
It’s a computer-based exam that includes 110 questions to test your understanding of your entire degree course. You are allowed to attempt all these questions in 6 hours.
4. Submit an Application to your State Board to Get EIT Certification
If your state doesn’t require you to submit an application for EIT certification before FE exam registration. You can submit your online application to obtain EIT certification on your state’s licensing board website. For instance, BPELSG for California or PELS for Texas. The fee for an EIT certificate application is USD 75 in most states.
After submitting your application for the EIT certification on your state’s licensing board before or after passing your FE exam (as per the state’s requirement) wait for the application approval and processing. You can also track the progress of your application on your state’s licensing board application portal.
Benefits of Getting an EIT Certification
Obtaining an EIT certification offers a range of perks to engineers who have recently graduated and want to get a quick start in their respective engineering domains. Some of these benefits and perks include:
1. Validate your Academic Knowledge
Obtaining an EIT certification reflects your academic expertise and validates your FE exam success. Passing the FE exam and obtaining the EIT certification plays a vital role to give a kick-start to your engineering career as an EIT.
2. High Chances of Getting Employed
If you earn EIT certification, you are going to witness a welcoming response in the job market. Employers often prefer EIT-certified engineers over other candidates. Your EIT certification showcases that you are eligible enough to make a debut as a well-informed and dedicated EIT.
3. A Road to PE Exam
To allow candidates to appear in the PE exam, some states require you to earn the EIT certification after passing the FE exam. Especially if you want to become a PE-licensed engineer without a degree, obtaining an EIT certification is become a mandatory prerequisite.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1 - How long does the EIT certification take?
From getting the receipt to issuance of the EIT certificate, it might take up to 8 weeks for the entire process to wrap up.
2 - Is it hard to get EIT?
Yes, the test for the EIT which is known as the FE exam is quite difficult and comprehensive. In fact, the passing ratio for the first attempt in the FE exam is 70%. However, the passing scores for the FE exam fluctuate quite frequently throughout the year.
3 - Does the EIT require passing additional exams?
For states that acknowledge the EIT, the FE exam is the only requirement for acquiring the EIT certificate. Hence, there are no additional exams associated with the EIT certification.
Conclusion
Making a debut in any engineering discipline as an EIT promises you great success ahead and more job opportunities. Furthermore, the NCEES® restricts PE exam applicants from registering for the PE exam without successfully passing the FE exam and earning an EIT certification.
Now that you know how to get EIT certification, you should start working towards it in a step-by-step approach, as nowadays, most employers and renowned organizations have started preferring EIT-certified engineers for most entry-level vacancies.
So, you should definitely work towards getting your engineer in training certification by going through the aforementioned steps discussed in this article and earn the title of EIT in the US.
Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas (PE), Florida (PE) and Ontario (P. Eng) with consulting experience in design, commissioning and plant engineering for clients in Energy, Mining and Infrastructure.