PE Exam Requirements To Obtain Professional Engineer License
Wasim Asghar 
November 16, 2022Wishing to obtain a professional engineer license?
Well, it’s surely a dream come true for a lot of people.
But:
Getting there is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Because:
You’ll need to fulfill certain pe exam requirements.
The PE license requirements are different for each state.
Let’s dive deeper into this article to better understand the PE license requirements by state.
PE Exam Requirements (Eligibility Criteria)
The first step for obtaining the PE license is to meet the NCEES PE exam requirements.
If we talk about demography, the eligibility requirements of the PE exam are:
- Possess a good moral character
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Had not been involved in any crimes
Here are a few more PE exam requirements:
1. Get An Engineering Degree from an Accredited Engineering Program
As per the requirements for PE, the candidates must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited engineering school or program in relevant subjects such as engineering technology.
2. Pass the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) Test
Passing the 6-hour long FE test is the next step in fulfilling the requirements to take the PE exam. It is a computer-based test and includes 110 questions. Preparing for the FE exam requires you to study for FE for at least 200-400 hours for up to three months. You can apply for the FE exam by registering directly through the NCEES official website. You will require a proper strategy, handy resources, in-depth knowledge, a bulk of practice, and a die-hard commitment to passing the FE exam.
However, for better preparation and to successfully pass the FE exam, you can take our FE Electrical and Computer Exam Preparation Course. This course is based on the latest NCEES® specifications and allows you to learn at any time and from any place. It contains 150+ lectures and quizzes that teach you about theoretical concepts and ways to solve FE-style questions.
3. Get the Relevant Experience Under a Licensed PE
The last step involves satisfying PE experience requirements, for which you must earn progressive engineering experience by apprenticing under the supervision of a licensed PE for a duration of at least four years. Most of the fresh college graduates get a beginner-level job in an engineering firm by gaining experience under a licensed Professional Engineer.
PE License Requirements by State
PE license requirements vary from state to state. So, for your feasibility, we’ve gathered all the links together that follow up to the websites of each state board and enlist the PE license requirements by state. Make sure to go through your state board’s website to check if you are complying with their procedure.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, DC
- Guam
- Puerto Rico
- Virgin Islands
PE Test Day Requirements
There are certain PE test requirements that you’ll need to consider on the test day for both the PE CBT and PE P&P tests.
1. PE CBT Requirements
For this test, you’ll require:
- Current ID
- NCEES test authorization letter
- Food and water
- Online PDF reference manual
- Calculator
- Booklet and marker
2. PE P&P Requirements
For the PE P&P test, you’ll require:
- Current ID
- NCEES test authorization letter
- Food and water
- Bounded (not stapled or loose) reference materials, including reference books, practice problems, and practice tests.
- Calculator
- Ruler
- Protractor
How to Apply for the PE Exam?
Applying for the PE exam requires you to follow these PE requirements by state:
1. Meeting the eligibility requirements
This includes passing the FE exam and gaining engineering experience for at least four years under a licensed PE.
2. Completing the application process via your state board
This involves writing your Experience Record (ER) and obtaining references from a licensed PE in your state. Then, send the sealed transcripts to the board. Finally, complete the application paperwork that includes your personal details, work experience, etc.
3. Registering for the exam
If your state allows you to sit in the exam before their approval, then you can register for the PE exam directly through the NCEES website. Otherwise, you’ll first need the authority from the board to sit in the PE exam by completing the application process with your state.
How to Prepare for the PE Exam?
Following are some of the PE exam requirements to help you prepare for the PE exam:
1. Choosing the subjects
Start off by selecting your desired subjects. Then, go through the exam-specific information section on the NCEES website to download all the PDF material related to your topics.
2. Time Management
On average, you’ll need to study for at least 200-300 hours over a period of 3-4 months for the PE exam. So, create a study plan to schedule and organize your time. Your study plan should specify the amount of time you will dedicate to each topic.
Good news?
Getting enrolled in our PE exam planner can save you time!
Because:
It is designed specifically to help you stick to a regular routine and schedule.
3. Learning Resources
As the PE exam is an open-book test, you’ll need to gather multiple learning resources to bring on the exam day. But, handbooks and codes are not just enough – if you want to pass with flying colors, we recommend you take our PE exam preparation course for a better understanding of the subjects and know how to compile the most useful learning resources for the exam day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1 - What is the cost of the NCEES PE exam?
On average, the cost of the NCEES PE exam ranges between $350-$375, but it can vary across different US states. The fees may be paid directly to NCEES or to your state’s licensure board.
2 - Do I need to transfer my EIT/FE certificate if I take the FE test in another state?
No, you don’t have to transfer your EIT/FE certificate, as it is accepted by every state because of the fact that the FE exam is the same in all of the states. However, you will have to transfer it if you received a waiver on your FE exam from any other state.
3 - Will I have to retake the PE test if I want to work in a new state?
No, you won’t have to retake the PE test in a new state if you already gave the PE exam in one state.
But you have to retake it in case you:
- Took a non-NCEES exam
- Took an NCEES exam in a different discipline
- Earned your PE license by some non-examination method
4 - What if I have an engineering degree from Overseas?
Some states do accept overseas engineering degrees. But, convincing your state board that your foreign degree is equivalent to an ABET-accredited degree could be a challenging task. Some overseas universities become ABET-accredited through numerous agreements with organizations across the globe, so you will have to reach out to your state board to receive an evaluation of your foreign engineering credentials.
Conclusion
Working hard to meet the PE exam requirements in order to obtain the PE license is well worth the effort. Though it will require a significant amount of time to prepare for the PE exam, acing it would make you feel amazing!
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.