How to Register for the FE Exam?

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the prerequisite for your journey ahead that end with the possession of the PE license. The exam is offered for students with a graduate degree in a program recognized by ABET (either completed or near completion).

In registration for FE exam, you must follow a roadmap that differs from state. But in general, everyone gearing up to register for the FE exam must fulfill specific criteria. The primary factor that decides your destiny to get FE & PE license later is having a degree in an ABET-accredited area of study.

If you want to register for the FE exam, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES®) website offers its dedicated portal that leads to registration completion. This article will help you understand the overall registration process for the FE exam on NCEES® quickly. Let’s dive deep into the details without further delay.

How to Register For the FE Exam – [Quick Steps]

To cut things short, you must sign up with NCEES® and pay the FE examination fee before scheduling the FE exam. The steps outlined below will show you how to register for and schedule the FE exam.

1. Create your account by visiting MyNCEES Account. Scroll down and click on the “Create an account” button.

2. Enter the correct personal information. Set your username & password. Check mark to the Terms & Conditions and reCAPTCHA. Then, hit the “Submit” button.

Note: Password must include both upper & lower case letters and at least one number.

3. Verify your MyNCEES® account. To do that, locate the confirmation email in your inbox and click the link to confirm your email address.

 4. After logging into MyNCEES®, click on the “Exams” tab on the left panel (2nd from the top).

 5. Select the “Register for an Exam” button.

 6. Complete all prerequisite steps to proceed further and then click “Register for an Exam” at the end of the list.

 7. Click on the “Fundamentals of Engineering” tab. Then, choose the exam, you intend to take.

8. Choose the board (state) where you will be physically present to take the exam. If you relocate to some other state, you will not be required to take back the FE exam. Passing the FE exam is recognized on a national level.

 9. Enter your billing information to pay for the exam enrollment. The fee for the exam is $175.

 10. Complete checkout and follow the on-screen instructions to schedule your exam at the most convenient test center.

FE Exam Dates

The FE test is given twice a year, in April and October. The registration deadlines for the April exam are in mid-February, and the registration deadline for the October exam is in mid-July. The application deadline is normally roughly a month before the registration deadline in states where applicants must register to take the exam.

FE exam registration is managed online through the National Council of Engineering and Surveying Examiners (NCEES®) website, which also develops the exam. Once a person has received permission to register or meet the minimum requirements, they can go to the NCEES® website, complete the registration process, and pay the exam fee.

FE exam is a five and a half hour long exam given in the mornings every Monday-Saturday throughout the year.

How To Prepare For The FE Exam?

Passing the NCEES® Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test is a crucial step in an engineer’s career because it is usually necessary before taking the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Preparing for the FE computer-based test (CBT) can be overwhelming, as many of our students report that the FE exam is more difficult than the PE exam.

Many FE examinees have noted studying for up to 300 hours for the difficult exam. To help alleviate stress and maximize study time, we’ve compiled a list of ideas to help you get through your studies and pass your FE Electrical and Computer exam.

Here’s how you should prepare for the FE exam

1. Examine the FE Reference Manual

NCEES® FE Reference Handbook is the only source material permitted for use during the exam. You can download it for free from the NCEES® website prior to taking the exam. We recommend reading through the reference manual several times to ensure you understand where everything is located.

It is important to study from a diverse range of study guides and resource material which is why we suggest you a highly sought-after preparation course for the FE exam.

2. Examine the Exam Requirements and Specifications for the FE

Avoid being that person who arrives at the exam without bringing an ID. Ensure that you have thoroughly read all exam-day requirements, including the registration deadline, required documents, and calculators that are acceptable. Additionally, before initiating to study, review your exam’s specifications, as they detail the proportion of topics addressed on an exam.

3. Schedule Your Exam Strategically

When scheduling your exam, avoid scheduling it during holiday breaks or other occasions that will keep you from trying to study for extended periods of time. We suggest that you begin studying for the FE exam at least three months prior to the exam date.

4. Practice

Whether you’re sitting for the FE Mechanical, FE Electrical, or FE Civil exam, practicing problems is an excellent way to prepare. After studying a subject, practice 10-15 problems in that given topic area to assess your expertise. If you are able to correctly answer the practice problems, you can verify that you are fully ready for that particular subject. If you are having difficulty with the practice problems, suggest placing aside some additional time to review the subject. Finding a method of practicing for your FE exam that closely resembles the NCEES® CBT expertise is possibly the most useful method of practicing problems.

If these steps weren’t enough for you, check out our separate blog on tips to pass the FE exam.

Conclusion

FE exam is the first and most important milestone before your further journey toward unlocking your PE license. By following the steps above, you can register for the FE exam without hassle. Refrain from providing any incorrect information to avoid any trouble later.

Revisit the FE exam guidelines & syllabus before moving toward your preparation journey. Always stick to the schedule and syllabus. With consistent efforts and the right approach, you can surely crack this important exam and secure a bright future in your engineering career. Feel free to come on board with Study for FE for any queries related to FE or PE exam.

Wasim Asghar – P.E, P.ENG, M.ENG

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.