If you are an engineering student or early-career engineer, you have probably heard people talk about “the FE” and “the PE” as though they are the same thing. They are not. The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Professional Engineer (PE) exam are two separate licensing milestones with different formats, prerequisites, and career implications. Understanding the distinction — and the correct order — is the first step toward getting licensed.
Key Takeaways
- The FE exam comes first and earns you the Engineer in Training (EIT) designation
- The PE exam requires passing the FE plus 4 years of qualifying experience
- FE is a breadth exam (110 questions, 5 hr 20 min); PE is a depth exam (80 questions, 8–9 hours)
- A PE license can increase your salary by 10–20% and is required to sign and seal engineering drawings
What Is the FE Exam?
The FE exam is the first of two exams required for professional engineering licensure in the United States. Administered by NCEES (the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying), it tests your knowledge of fundamental engineering principles across a broad range of topics.
Think of the FE as a comprehensive final exam for your engineering degree. It covers mathematics, probability and statistics, ethics, economics, and then discipline-specific topics depending on which version you choose.
| Detail | FE Exam |
|---|---|
| Questions | 110 |
| Time | 5 hours 20 minutes (plus 25-min break) |
| Format | Computer-based at Pearson VUE centers |
| Disciplines | 7 versions: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical & Computer, Chemical, Environmental, Industrial & Systems, Other Disciplines |
| Reference | FE Reference Handbook (provided on-screen) |
| Registration cost | $175 |
| Prerequisite | Enrolled in or graduated from an ABET-accredited program (varies by state) |
| Result | Engineer in Training (EIT) / Engineer Intern (EI) designation |
The FE is offered year-round, so you can schedule it whenever you are ready. Most people take it during their senior year of college or within a few years of graduation while the material is still fresh. For a detailed look at the format, see our FE Reference Handbook Guide.
What Is the PE Exam?
The PE exam is the second and final exam on the path to full professional licensure. Where the FE tests breadth, the PE tests depth — it focuses on your specific engineering specialty and assumes you can apply engineering principles to real-world problems at a professional level.
| Detail | PE Exam |
|---|---|
| Questions | 80 |
| Time | 8–9 hours (depends on discipline) |
| Format | Computer-based at Pearson VUE centers |
| Disciplines | 25+ specialty exams (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, etc.) |
| Reference | PE Reference Handbook (provided on-screen, discipline-specific) |
| Registration cost | $375 |
| Prerequisite | Passing FE + 4 years qualifying experience under a licensed PE |
| Result | Professional Engineer (PE) license — authority to sign and seal drawings |
The PE exam is significantly harder than the FE, not because the questions are more tricky, but because the material is deeper and the expectations are higher. You are expected to solve problems the way a practicing professional would. Read PE license success stories for real accounts of what the journey looks like.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | FE Exam | PE Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Prove foundational knowledge | Prove professional competence |
| Scope | Broad (many topics, moderate depth) | Deep (fewer topics, advanced depth) |
| Questions | 110 | 80 |
| Duration | 5 hr 20 min | 8–9 hours |
| Cost | $175 | $375 |
| When to take | Senior year or early career | After 4 years of experience |
| Pass rate (first attempt) | ~60–70% | ~50–70% (varies widely by discipline) |
| Scheduling | Year-round | Year-round (most disciplines) |
| Designation earned | EIT / EI | PE |
The Licensing Path: FE First, Then PE
There is no shortcut here. In nearly every U.S. state, the path to a PE license follows these steps in order:
- Earn an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program (or meet your state’s alternative requirements — see our guide on taking the FE without a degree)
- Pass the FE exam to earn the EIT/EI designation
- Gain 4 years of qualifying experience under a licensed PE (some states require more)
- Pass the PE exam to earn your PE license
- Maintain your license through continuing education (requirements vary by state)
Career Impact: EIT vs PE
Why does this matter? Because a PE license is not just a credential — it unlocks capabilities and compensation that are otherwise unavailable to you.
What you can do as an EIT (after passing the FE)
- List “EIT” or “EI” after your name on your resume and LinkedIn
- Demonstrate to employers that you have verified engineering competence
- Begin accumulating the experience needed for your PE
- Differentiate yourself from engineers who never pursued licensure
What you can do as a PE (after passing the PE)
- Sign and seal engineering drawings, reports, and plans — this is legally required for many types of public-facing work
- Take responsible charge of projects — many firms require a PE for project manager or principal engineer roles
- Earn more money — PE-licensed engineers typically earn 10–20% more than non-licensed peers
- Testify as an expert witness in legal proceedings
- Start your own engineering firm — most states require a PE to offer engineering services to the public
Is a PE license required in your field?
In civil, structural, and environmental engineering, a PE is nearly always required for career advancement. In electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering, it depends on your industry — consulting and public works demand it; product development and manufacturing sometimes do not. Regardless, a PE license never hurts your career and often opens doors you did not know were closed.
How Hard Is Each Exam?
The FE is challenging but very passable with focused preparation. Most first-time test takers who put in 200–400 hours of study pass. The breadth of topics is the main challenge — you need to know a little about a lot of subjects. For an honest assessment, see Is the FE Exam Hard?
The PE is harder, full stop. The questions require deeper understanding, the problems are more complex, and the time pressure is intense (80 questions in 8–9 hours means multi-step problems). Most PE candidates study 300–500+ hours. The upside: by the time you sit for the PE, you have 4+ years of professional experience to draw on.
For a deeper look at FE difficulty and pass rates by discipline, see our FE exam pass rates breakdown.
Cost Comparison
Licensure is an investment, but it does not have to be an expensive one. Here is what each step typically costs:
| Expense | FE Path | PE Path |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | $175 | $375 |
| State board fee | $0–$50 | $25–$100+ |
| Prep materials (budget) | $25–$100 | $50–$200 |
| Prep materials (premium) | $500–$1,500+ | $1,000–$3,000+ |
| Calculator | ~$20 | ~$20 (same approved list) |
For a complete cost breakdown including hidden fees, see our FE Exam Cost Breakdown.
Which Discipline Should You Choose?
For the FE, choose the discipline that matches your degree. If you studied civil engineering, take the FE Civil. If you studied electrical engineering, take the FE Electrical & Computer. This gives you the best chance of passing because the material aligns with what you learned in school.
For discipline-specific guidance, see our study guides:
- FE Civil Study Guide
- FE Electrical & Computer Study Guide
- FE Mechanical Study Guide
- FE Chemical Study Guide
- FE Environmental Study Guide
For the PE, you choose a specialty within your discipline. Civil engineers, for example, can specialize in Transportation, Structural, Water Resources, Geotechnical, or Construction. Choose the specialty that best reflects your professional experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the FE and PE exam?
The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam is a breadth exam covering general engineering topics taken early in your career. It has 110 questions over 5 hours 20 minutes. The PE (Professional Engineer) exam is a depth exam in your specific engineering specialty taken after 4 years of experience. It has 80 questions over 8–9 hours. You must pass the FE before taking the PE.
Should I take the FE exam or PE exam first?
You must take the FE exam first. The FE is a prerequisite for the PE exam in all U.S. states. After passing the FE, you earn the Engineer in Training (EIT) designation. After gaining 4 years of qualifying engineering experience under a licensed PE, you can then take the PE exam.
How much does a PE license increase your salary?
Engineers with a PE license typically earn 10–20% more than their non-licensed peers, according to multiple salary surveys. The premium varies by discipline and industry, but in fields like civil, structural, and electrical engineering, a PE license can add $10,000–$30,000 or more to your annual salary and is often required for career advancement into senior technical or management roles.
Can I take the PE exam without passing the FE exam?
In most states, no. The standard path requires passing the FE exam first. However, a small number of states offer alternative pathways for engineers with extensive experience (typically 15–20+ years). These exceptions are rare and vary by state. For the vast majority of engineers, passing the FE is a mandatory step toward the PE license.
Start Your Licensing Journey Today
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