How much does the FE exam cost?
How much does the FE exam cost?
$225 exam fee
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam cost
The FE exam costs $225, with some states charging an extra $25 to $150 registration fee. FE exam practice tests, study guides, and review courses range in price from $35 to $1,300. An approved calculator to use during the exam costs $12 to $400, depending on the brand and model.
| Factor | Cost |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | $225 |
| State fee* | $25 – $150 |
| Exam reschedule fee | $50 |
| Calculator | $12 – $25 (Casio or Texas Instruments) $100 – $400 (Hewlett Packard) |
| Official practice exams | $35 – $50 |
| Exam prep / review course | $60 – $1,300 |
*For residents of Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico only
Exam fee
The standard registration fee for the FE exam is $225 regardless of which discipline-specific exam you take. This fee is non-refundable but remains valid for one year from the date of your application. If you don't schedule your exam within this timeframe, your application will expire, and you'll need to reapply and pay the fee again.
Calculator
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) strictly regulates calculator usage during the FE exam to ensure standardization and prevent cheating. Examinees can only use approved calculators during the test. Approved Casio and Texas Instruments calculators cost $12 to $25, while Hewlett Packard calculators cost $100 to $400.
The table below shows the calculator brands and models allowed for the FE exam.
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Casio | fx-115 fx-991 |
| Hewlett Packard | HP 33s HP 35s |
| Texas Instruments | TI-30X TI-36X |
Practice with your approved calculator before the FE exam. Familiarity with your calculator's functions can save valuable time during the test.
FE exam prep & study materials
Adequate preparation is crucial for success on the FE exam. Investing in quality study materials often leads to higher pass rates, potentially saving you from paying to retake the exam. Study materials range from as low as $35 for a practice exam to $1,000+ for an online review course:
Official NCEES practice exams cost $35 to $50 and closely mimic the actual exam format and question style, providing valuable insight into what to expect on test day.
Commercial review manuals cost $60 to $200. Publishers like PPI and Kaplan offer comprehensive review books specific to each FE discipline.
Online review courses cost $300 to $1,300. These structured programs typically include video lectures, practice problems, and simulated exams.
Free resources: The NCEES offers a free PDF reference handbook that contains all formulas and information you'll have access to during the exam. Becoming familiar with this handbook's organization can significantly improve exam efficiency.
What is the FE exam?
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a standardized test administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The exam is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and understanding of fundamental engineering principles, covering topics such as mathematics, ethics, and discipline-specific subjects.
The exam is available in seven discipline-specific versions:
Chemical
Civil
Electrical and Computer
Environmental
Industrial and Systems
Mechanical
Other Disciplines (a general option for those whose field doesn't match the specific disciplines offered)
The FE exam is typically the first step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and is primarily taken by recent graduates or students close to completing an accredited engineering program. Passing the FE exam qualifies candidates to apply for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineer Intern (EI) certification, which is a prerequisite for taking the PE exam.
FAQs about the FE exam
How long is the FE exam?
The FE exam is a 6-hour computer-based test divided into two sessions covering a total of 110 questions. The first session consists of 55 questions with a 2-hour and 50-minute time limit. After a 25-minute break, the second session also contains 55 questions with the same time limit.
The entire appointment at the testing center lasts about 7 hours, including time for check-in, tutorial, and a brief survey at the end.
How similar is the FE exam to the practice exam?
The official NCEES practice exams closely resemble the actual FE exam in terms of difficulty, format, and topics covered. They contain questions written by the same experts who develop the actual exam, making them excellent preparation resources. The practice exams use the same computer interface as the real exam, allowing candidates to become familiar with the testing environment.
However, no practice exam will contain the exact questions you'll see on test day. The official practice exams are designed to provide representative examples rather than specific test questions.
How hard is the FE exam?
The difficulty of the FE exam varies by discipline and individual preparation. Most engineering graduates with adequate preparation find the exam challenging but fair. The exam tests fundamental engineering concepts rather than specialized knowledge, focusing on application rather than memorization.
The table below shows the current FE exam pass rates:
| Exam | Pass rate |
|---|---|
| FE Chemical | 78% |
| FE Civil | 64% |
| FE Electrical and Computer | 70% |
| FE Environmental | 71% |
| FE Industrial and Systems | 52% |
| FE Mechanical | 72% |
| FE Other Disciplines | 67% |
How many times can you take the FE exam?
There is no lifetime limit on how many times you can take the FE exam. However, NCEES does impose some restrictions:
You must wait 60 days between exam attempts.
You are limited to three attempts in a 12-month period.
Each retake requires paying the full exam fee again, plus any applicable state fees. Given these costs, thorough preparation for your first attempt is highly recommended.
Some states have additional requirements or restrictions for multiple retakes, so check with your state licensing board for specific guidelines.
Is the FE exam multiple choice?
The FE exam includes several question formats:
Traditional multiple-choice (select one option)
Multiple correct (select multiple options)
Point and click (identify location on a graphic)
Drag and drop (arrange items in order to sort, match, rank, or label them)
Fill in the blank (numerical answers)
Find an engineering tutor for FE exam prep
Extensive studying and exam prep is the best way to ensure you pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Follow these tips to find a reputable, qualified engineering tutor to help you prepare:
Consider whether you prefer in-person or online tutoring.
Choose tutors with recent FE exam experience and high student pass rates.
Verify their engineering credentials and teaching experience.
Look for someone familiar with the current FE exam format and content.
Ask about their approach to difficult concepts and knowledge gaps.
Find a tutor whose teaching style matches your learning preferences.
Confirm the tutor offers personalized study plans, not just generic content.
Ask if they include practice exams and question banks with detailed explanations.
Confirm their scheduling flexibility matches your needs.
Request a brief trial session before committing to a full program.
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.