What to Do After Passing the FE Exam?

author Wasim Asghar
author October 7, 2022

So you have passed your FE exam and are excited to embark on the journey that will lead you to become a licensed professional engineer.

You might also be planning to celebrate your success as if a heavy weight has finally dropped off your shoulders. 

But hold on:

Passing the FE exam is undoubtedly a terrific achievement. However, it is only the first obstacle you have successfully managed to clear away from your path to attaining the PE license.

Because:

There are still many things you need to get done before officially putting the title of “engineer” before your name.    

In this article, we will be discussing exactly this – the steps after passing the FE exam that you need to take.

Let’s go through them one by one.

Steps After Passing the FE Exam

You need to follow these steps after passing the FE exam:

1. Send your transcript to the state board where you want to be certified

The first step after passing the FE exam that you have to do is to head over to the NCEES® website and submit an application to the state board where you want to be certified to receive your EIT certification officially.

Application criteria for each state may also differ, although they generally involve examination results, identification, completion dates, references, and evidence of your degree in engineering. You will also have to pay the required fee to submit the application.

2. You will get your EIT certificate in the mail

After filing your application for the EIT certification to your respective state board, wait for approval from the NCEES®. If your application gets approved, the NCEES® will send you a confirmation mail. Then, you will receive your EIT certification via mail by the NCEES®.  

3. Start Studying for the PE Exam

Once you obtain your EIT certificate in the mail, begin preparing for the PE exam. If you are clueless about where to start, consider writing all the essential PE exam topics on paper. After that, plan what you need to cover from each area and devote adequate time to study them.

You can also categorize the topics in order of priority, which means what topics you should study on a first basis, which one requires more concentration, and which one you are weaker or stronger in.

You can also take our PE exam preparation course for solid command of the topics and pass the PE exam. Our course gives you the flexibility to study at your desired timings and location. It also offers more than 100 lectures and quizzes that teach you to solve problems quickly and effectively on the PE exam.

4. Establish Connections with Other Engineers

After taking and passing the PE exam, build linkages with other engineers through social media platforms like LinkedIn or following engineering-related forums.

It is an essential and beneficial step as the NCEES® necessitates you to attest your experience from some licensed engineers to attain the PE license. The specific jurisdiction you will apply for a license determines the level of contact necessary for a reference.

5. Gain Work Experience

Lastly, you will need to earn at least four years of work experience to get the PE license and become a licensed engineer. But, you must meet specific requirements to gain qualifying work experience.

Firstly, you will be required to obtain experience in the engineering discipline in which you specialize.

Secondly, you must attain work experience under the supervision of one or more licensed professional engineers.

Lastly, you must earn exceptional quality experience, necessitating the acquisition of technical expertise, initiative, and implementation of engineering concepts by the candidate.

Conclusion

Only passing the FE exam doesn’t mean that you have accomplished everything required to become a professional engineer. There are specific essential steps after passing the FE exam that you must take to attain your PE license and enjoy the legal privileges that it offers.

These include receiving your EIT certification by applying to your state board, preparing for and acing the PE exam, establishing contacts with other engineers, and ultimately earning four years of work experience.

We hope reading this article provided you with sufficient information about the steps after passing the FE exam that you will have to take to turn your dreams of becoming a professional engineer into reality.

Good luck with your journey!

wasim-smal
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.