The FE exam, explained
The Fundamentals of Engineering exam, run by NCEES, is the first step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. It’s a $225 computer-based exam offered year-round at Pearson VUE: 110 questions in 5 hours 20 minutes, in one of seven disciplines, with new specifications projected for July 2027.
Fee and delivery from NCEES; format as summarized from NCEES; pass rates and the 2027 timeline as reported. Checked October 11, 2026.
Everything on the FE exam
Accounts, boards and attempts.
→The $225 fee and extras.
→Questions, time and disciplines.
→By discipline.
→Year-round scheduling.
→When results arrive.
→Step by step.
→Timing, handbook and calculators.
→Choosing a discipline; the 2027 update.
→Recent and upcoming changes.
→The free reference handbook and more.
→Common questions
Can I bring reference books?
No. The only reference allowed is the searchable NCEES FE Reference Handbook on screen, plus an NCEES-approved calculator.