FE Exam Information
How To Become a Professional Engineer?
The first exam taken is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The general recommendation is that it is taken in the senior year or right after graduation. About five years later (with appropriate engineering experience) engineers will qualify for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. The experience requirements vary from state to state. Passing both the FE and PE exams enables a person to register as a Professional Engineer. The National Society of Professional Engineers provides an excellent resource for information regarding your role and future as a Professional Engineer.
When are FE Exams Offered?
FE Exams are given twice a year - Mid April and the end of October. Visit the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying to get exact dates. Another good site to find this information (possibly better than NCEES) is Professional Credential Service (toll free +1-877-364-3926)
Dates for FE & PE Exam 2011
FE - April 9 & October 29
PE (Civil) - April 8 & October 28
How to Register for the Exam?
Exam administration for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is handled by Professional Credential Service. PCS processes the applications and collects the application fee for the state. To receive an application for the FE exam call PCS or use their website (see info above). The deadlines for submitting applications for the October exam is September 9th, 2011
The application is 15 pages long. Several pages include detailed instructions and statutes as issues by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Licensing Board.
A more complete breakdown of the FE Exam Content can be found at the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
How Should You Prepare for the FE Exam?
Talk to your Academic Advisor about what courses to take. Review before the exam.
How well do you remember your first year, sophomore and junior courses? Can you solve a simple free body diagram? Do you remember your physics and chemistry? Probably not as well as you did when you took the courses. So it is a good idea to review these materials before you take the exam. Look over your old notes and text books. We also have review textbooks: Fundamentals of Engineering - 10th Edition, Merle C. Potter - Editor. We ordered 10 of these books for the WPI Library. Civil Discipline - Specific Review for the FE/EIT Exam, Robert H. Kim and Michael R. Lindeburg. This book is also available at the WPI Library.
WPI's Department of Corporate and Professional Education annually offers the Fundamentals of Engineering Review in Spring term. The Review prepares candidates for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. The cost is $275 for WPI students who are currently registered full-time at the undergraduate and graduate level. A valid ID will be required. Full payment is due at the time of registration. The contact number is +1-508-831-5517. The office is located on Prescott Street. Students may register on the WPI Corporate and Professional Education website or by mail.
Books: Registration fee does not include the cost of the textbook or the exam fee. FE Review Manual, Michael Lindberg PE 2nd Edition. This book will be available in the campus bookstore.
For information on the exam and an application, visit the PCS - Professional Credential Services Inc.
- You must apply for the FE Exam
- Application must be notarized and contain a 2" x 2" photo. Debbie Graves (Provost Office) can notarize the form
- The Date of the exam is October 29th, 2011
- The cost for the exam is 1st time: $189
- Exam Fee $189.00 1st time/$135 re-exam
What Does the FE Exam Cover?
The morning session consists of 120 questions that count 1 point each, for a total of 120 points.| Morning General Exam |
|---|
| Topics |
Chemistry |
Computers |
Dynamics |
Electrical Circuits |
Engineering Economics |
Ethics |
Fluid Mechanics |
Materials Science |
Structure of Matter |
Mathematics |
Mechanics of Materials |
Statics |
Thermodynamics |
The afternoon session consists of 60 questions that count 2 points each, for a total of 120 points. You have a choice of selecting a general afternoon session or a discipline-specific session. The general exam covers the same subject topics as the morning session, with a different percentage breakdown, and obviously more involved questions. The civil engineering discipline specific exam covers the following content breakdown.
| Afternoon Civil Engineering Exam |
|---|
| Topics |
Computers & Numerical Methods |
| Construction Management |
| Environmental Engineering |
| Hydraulics & Hydrologic Systems |
| Legal & Professional Aspects |
| Soil Mechanics & Foundations |
Structural Analysis |
| Structural Design |
| Surveying |
| Transportation Facilities |
| Water Purification & Treatment |
Last modified: August 17, 2011 11:13:22