Beyond your degree: taking the FE exam as an undergrad

College is a busy and exciting time for students in the UW-Madison Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. As you work toward graduation day and your career as a civil, environmental, or geological engineer, an important step to keep in mind is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

What is the FE exam?

The FE exam is offered in seven engineering disciplines and is the first step to receiving your Professional Engineer (PE) license. Having your PE license:

• distinguishes you from other engineers
• increases your salary potential and the number of job opportunities available to you
• shows your ethical and professional knowledge to employers

The civil engineering FE exam is multiple choice and is taken online at an NCEES-approved testing center. It is a supplied reference exam, which means you can use a NCEES reference book when taking the test.

Professors and practicing engineers suggest taking the FE exam during your last semester of college, when coursework is still fresh in your mind.

“The exam success rate for BSCE students drops from 94% to 85% one-year post graduation,” shares Greg Harrington, UW-Madison professor of civil and environmental engineering. “That figure drops another 15%, to a 70% success rate, two years after graduation.”

With a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program, like those offered at the College of Engineering, and a passing score on the FE exam, early-career engineers are halfway to licensure.

Final steps for engineering licensure

Once you’ve passed the FE exam, the final steps to professional licensure are to gain four years of experience and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam.

Like the FE exam, the PE exam is also taken online in a multiple-choice format. However, it is an open book test that is state-specific, so you should take it in the state where you will be working.

Once licensed in a state, you can apply for comity in other states, but some states require you to take their PE exam, even if you passed it in another state.

Tips for success on the FE exam

With a little planning, studying for the FE exam should be a smooth process. Start by familiarizing yourself with the NCEES website. Prep materials including exam specifications, practice exams, and the FE Reference Handbook are all available online.

Study early and study often, pacing yourself on the path to success with a thoughtful review of the material that works for you and your schedule.

FE exam: where to start

Visit NCEES to create an account, access prep materials, choose your exam date, and learn more about the FE Exam and PE licensure. The exam is computer-based with several dates, times, and locations to choose from. It’s a national exam, so regardless of what state you wish to practice engineering in, you can take it in Wisconsin.

If you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professor on campus.

“We’re always happy to help our students sort through uncertainties and answer questions that come up as they prepare for the FE exam,” says Harrington.