What’s the difference between the FE and PE exams?
The engineering licensing process involves two exams: the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Typically, candidates take the FE exam during or shortly after college. The topics covered on the FE exam generally are similar to those covered in an ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering degree program. Except for the handbook supplied by NCEES on exam day, which consists mostly of equations, the FE exam is closed-book. Click here for more FE exam FAQs. After this point, this FAQ page refers only to the PE exams. Most states require several years of full-time work experience before taking the PE exam. The topics covered on the PE exam often require hands-on experience in order to understand them. State boards set the restrictions on which materials examinees are allowed to bring into the exam room, but generally speaking these restrictions are minimal. Most states allow candidates who have the required work experience to take t
