The Fundamentals of Engineering exam, or FE, is generally the first step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. It is designed for recent graduates and students close to completing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. For civil engineering firms, supporting staff as they prepare can help them take this early step toward licensure.
Exam format and fee
The FE is a computer-based test administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers. It has 110 questions and a six-hour appointment. The appointment includes a two-minute nondisclosure agreement, an eight-minute tutorial, five hours and 20 minutes for the exam, and a scheduled 25-minute break. The Civil exam uses both the International System of Units (SI) and the U.S. Customary System (USCS).
The exam is closed book, with an electronic reference. The fee stated by NCEES is $225, payable directly to NCEES. NCEES also says reasonable accommodations are available to examinees who meet eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their requests.
FE Civil knowledge areas
The specifications below list the Civil exam’s knowledge areas and the number of questions assigned to each. The descriptions summarize topics identified in the NCEES specifications.
| Knowledge area | Topics include | Question range |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics | Analytic geometry, calculus, vectors, distributions, regression and curve fitting | 8-12 |
| Ethics and Professional Practice | Codes of ethics, professional liability, licensure, contracts and contract law | 4-6 |
| Engineering Economics | Time value of money, costs, economic analyses, uncertainty and risk | 5-8 |
| Statics | Force systems, equilibrium, frames and trusses, centroids, area moments of inertia, friction | 8-12 |
| Dynamics | Kinematics, mass moments of inertia, force and acceleration, work, energy and power | 4-6 |
| Mechanics of Materials | Shear and moment diagrams, stresses, strains, deformations, combined and principal stresses, Mohr’s circle | 7-11 |
| Materials | Concrete and asphalt mix design, test methods and specifications, material properties | 5-8 |
| Fluid Mechanics | Flow measurement, fluid properties and statics, energy, impulse and momentum | 6-9 |
| Surveying | Angles and distances, area and earthwork computations, coordinate systems, leveling | 6-9 |
| Water Resources and Environmental Engineering | Hydrology, hydraulics, pumps, water distribution, flood control, stormwater, collection systems, groundwater, water quality, testing and treatment | 10-15 |
| Structural Engineering | Structural analysis and deflection, columns, determinacy and stability, loads, steel and reinforced concrete design | 10-15 |
| Geotechnical Engineering | Soil classification and testing, effective stress, retaining structures, shear strength, foundations, settlement, slope stability, soil stabilization | 10-15 |
| Transportation Engineering | Geometric and pavement design, traffic flow and control, transportation planning | 9-14 |
| Construction Engineering | Project administration, construction methods, safety, project controls, estimating, engineering drawings | 8-12 |
How firm owners can support EITs
Owners can make preparation more manageable by agreeing on study time in advance. Options include setting aside work hours for study, adjusting project assignments near an exam date, or allowing flexible schedules. The source does not prescribe a study schedule, so firms can set expectations that fit their workloads and policies.
A reimbursement policy can explain which exam-related expenses the firm covers, when reimbursement is available, and what documentation staff should provide. The NCEES source states the $225 exam fee. Any additional expense coverage should be set by the firm rather than assumed to be part of the exam fee.
Mentoring can give EITs a place to discuss their preparation and career questions. A mentor might help a staff member make a study plan, connect exam topics with work experience, and understand how licensure fits into the firm’s career paths. Owners can also encourage staff to ask about reasonable accommodations if needed, following NCEES requirements.
Where the FE fits on the path to PE
NCEES describes the FE as generally the first step in becoming a licensed professional engineer. Passing the FE is part of that path, not a PE license by itself. The source says exam registration and requirements vary by state or territory. Staff should check with their licensing board for the requirements that apply to them and for the next steps toward PE licensure.
