The Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, including its requirements, experiences of those who have taken it, and the pathways to obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Participants share their personal experiences, concerns about the exam's difficulty, and the logistics of finding testing locations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express curiosity about the FE exam and its necessity for graduation from engineering programs.
  • Several contributors mention that the FE exam was often taken during college and typically offered on campus.
  • One participant recalls their experience taking the exam at Cobo and describes the varying difficulty of the morning and afternoon sessions.
  • There is uncertainty regarding whether the FE exam is required for all engineering disciplines or just for Civil Engineers, with some participants suggesting it may vary by state.
  • Concerns are raised about the requirements for taking the PE exam, including the need for work experience and the potential challenges in qualifying based on job roles.
  • A participant questions whether Computer Engineers are required to take the FE exam, noting discrepancies in curriculum requirements compared to other engineering fields.
  • Links to external resources are shared for further information about the exam and study materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of experiences and opinions regarding the FE exam, with no clear consensus on its requirements across different engineering disciplines. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, particularly regarding the necessity of the exam for various fields and the specifics of PE licensing.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention that the FE exam may be required for graduation at certain universities, but this is not universally agreed upon. There are also references to varying state requirements for licensing and the interpretation of what constitutes qualifying work experience.

Topher925
Messages
1,562
Reaction score
7
I'm just curious to know how many of you out there took this exam? I know some universities require you to take this exam (although not pass it) in order to graduate with a BS degree in engineering. I have not taken this exam but would like to in the near future as I plan on eventually getting me PE. However, I do not know of a place or organization that offers this exam near me. For those of you that have taken it, where did you take it? Also, when did you take it and did you find the exam to be rather difficult?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I took the FE during my senior year at university. The test was on campus, since it had a large number of engineering students.

For the PE, one should contact the state licensing board, which could be in the state education department. It may be offered only once a year.

One can contact the National Society of Professional Engineers for more or additional information. www.nspe.org
 
Everyone I know who's taken the exam (it was called the EIT exam back then, for Engineer in Training) took it while still in college and it was offered on campus, and I'm pretty sure required for graduation from engineering school. So, if your school isn't offering it for some reason, you'll probably find the testing site at whatever university is closest to you that has an engineering program.

My boyfriend took the PE exam ages ago now (before he changed careers), but I can't recall where he took it. I think it was also at a university. But, that's way down the road, because IIRC, you need at least 5 years of work experience in engineering, but the way they calculate what counts as experience, you may not qualify to sit for it after just 5 years of employment, because engineers don't just do engineering projects all day in a real job.
 
Topher925 said:
I'm just curious to know how many of you out there took this exam? I know some universities require you to take this exam (although not pass it) in order to graduate with a BS degree in engineering. I have not taken this exam but would like to in the near future as I plan on eventually getting me PE. However, I do not know of a place or organization that offers this exam near me. For those of you that have taken it, where did you take it? Also, when did you take it and did you find the exam to be rather difficult?

Since you are in Michigan, you'll find some info here:

http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-35299_35414_35472-114639--,00.html

CS
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I had to take the EIT at Cobo. I remember the morning session being a breeze and the afternoon session being a bugger. I am glad that I took the test. I had to to graduate.

Funny thing during my test...I remember going to lunch at my car in the parking garage. I came back up the elevator and found Cobo was filled with thousands of Kids because of a Barney stage show going on there as well. It made things a bit surreal.

The last time I looked into the PE there were test taking facilities in Lansing.
 
I believe the FE Exam is required for Civil Engineers only... perhaps I am mistaken on that ... and the rest of the Engineering Fields do not have to take the exam .. but the exam is required for all to obtain a PE ... here is the site that should answer all your questions...

http://www.ncees.org/exams/fundamentals/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Danger86514 said:
I believe the FE Exam is required for Civil Engineers only... perhaps I am mistaken on that ... and the rest of the Engineering Fields do not have to take the exam .. but the exam is required for all to obtain a PE ... here is the site that should answer all your questions...

http://www.ncees.org/exams/fundamentals/
Many states require an engineer to be licensed in that state if they will sign off on drawings or specifications. Many utilities require some/many engineers have a license, and that could be Mech Eng, EE, Structural Eng, Civ Eng, Nuc Eng.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Cobo

Cobo as in the building in Detroit where the autoshow is every year? I don't want to go into Detroit unless I absolutely have to. :rolleyes:

I probably won't take the exam until maybe this summer or perhaps next year. I don't think I will have to much trouble with it but the structural mechanics part already has me worried. I did very well in all my mechanics of materials classes but that was just because I studied the text and the notes, not because I knew the material. :confused:
 
I'm a computer engineer (or an electrical engineering with computer emphasis). Are we required to take the FE exam because on my university's recommended curriculum for EEs, there is nothing stating the FE Exam as a course while for the Mechs and Civils it's integrated into their curriculum.
 
  • #10
hi
Here you can find in detail regarding the fundamentals of engineering exam .I tried it before , it is a really very good site.This helped me a lot and i hope the same with you
http://www.fundamentalsofengineering.com"

This site was created for students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree and wish to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. The site contains study materials like ebooks, downloadable pdfs and loads of questions which you can access once you have signed up.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K