Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam: a

required step in the process for obtaining engineering

licensure (Professional Engineer (PE) License)

Outline:
• Importance of FE Exam (relationship to PE License)
• Licensing/importance of licensing
• Why take the FE Exam now?
• Registering for the exam
• FE Exam dates at Clarkson Testing Center
• FE Exam content and mechanics of the exam
• Preparing for the FE Exam
• FE Exam prep efforts in the CEE Department
• CSoE Review Sessions

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 1

A professional stands out in the crowd.
MEDIAN INCOME OF ENGINEERS
Median Income of Engineers

$90,000
$80,000
$70,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$0
PE
EIT

Licensed

Forensic
Environ.
Not

PE,

PE,
Licensure – “Specifically, what is it good for … ?”

• “… absolutely EVERYTHING!”
• Going into design:
– Most firm promotion schemes depend on a pathway to licensure
– If you ever want to practice on your own, you have to have it (we
will get into the legalities in a bit)
• Going into construction:
– Many companies reward attaining your PE, save the company
consulting expenses
– In heavy highway and in large building construction, many firms
require it to manage jobs
• Going into government/utilities:
– Specific rewards for the PE; some positions (DOT) require it
• Going into …:
– Law – Dispute resolution, Expert witness
– Medicine – Trauma analysis
– Testing/Materials – Reports, Validation, Forensics
8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017
4
Licensure FAQ

• Clarkson Student: “I’ve heard from some [xyz non-

design] companies that I don’t need to be licensed. Is
that true?”
– Perhaps it is for them, but NOT FOR YOU!
– Many tasks in construction are increasingly requiring
licensed PE sign-off
– The PE designation makes a huge difference in terms
of credibility – especially in a dispute
– It’s cheap insurance, if you ever get laid-off you can
always work for yourself or it makes or a
great/potentially lucrative second job
– This is really a must do if you are a CEE major

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017

5
Why take the FE Exam now?

National pass rates are much higher for those taking the FE Exam the first time as
seniors compared to those who wait. The fundamental principals are much fresher
in your head, your math skills are sharper, and your skill in applying those to
problems is much more exercised now than they will be later, unless maybe you
are attending graduate school.

But, don’t take the FE if you aren’t going to take it seriously.

Results reflect on everyone at CU. Pass rates are known to employers and other
schools.

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 6

FE Exam FAQ

• Clarkson Student: “Should I wait and take the FE

later in my career when I really know I want to get
my PE license?”
– NO, NO, NO!!!
– Do it while you are finishing school while the academic
material is fresh in your mind and you can get to provided
review sessions
– Many who wait regret it!
• Clarkson Student: “What about experience in
working towards a PE license?”
– Experience only counts AFTER you take the FE exam and
you have completed a State’s IE/EIT process
– Experience has to comply with state law requirements for
the state you want to be licensed in
8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017
7
Registering for the exam
Go to NCEES website, select engineering, select New York, select
FE, select discipline (e.g. FE Civil), register (create an account) …
http://ncees.org/
http://ncees.org/engineering/
http://ncees.org/engineering/#new-york
https://account.ncees.org/login

You can (SHOULD) take the FE exam if you are within 20 CR HRS
of obtaining an ABET accredited degree by the time you apply to
take the exam.
Schedule your exam: You must schedule an appointment time at least one full
business day (24 hours) before taking the exam. Year-Round Testing
Opportunities NCEES computer-based exams are offered at various Pearson
VUE test centers nationwide in testing windows throughout the year during the
following months: • January–March • April–June • July–September • October–
December
Clarkson Test Center Dates

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 8

FE Exam dates at Clarkson Testing Center
(weekend dates in April and May 2018):

Friday, April 6th from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 7th from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 8th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday, April 13th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 14th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 15th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 21st from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 22nd from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday, April 27th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 28th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 29th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday, May 4th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 5th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 6th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 9

FE Exam content and mechanics of the exam
• Register for an FE exam by logging in to your MyNCEES account
• Be prepared for the FE exam by reviewing the FE exam specifications,
fees, and requirements

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 10

FE Exam content and mechanics of the exam

• The FE exam is a 110 multiple-choice test.

• The exam appointment time is 6 hours long and includes:
1. A nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
2. Tutorial (8 minutes)
3. The exam (5 hours and 20 minutes)
4. A scheduled break (25 minutes)

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 11

FE Exam Knowledge Number of Questions
Mathematics 8-12
Chemical
Probability & Statistics 4-6
Questions
Engineering Sciences 4-6
Computational Tools 4-6
Material Science 4-6
Chemistry 8-12
Fluid Mechanics/Dynamics 8-12
Thermodynamics 8-12
Material/Energy Balances 8-12
Heat Transfer 8-12
Mass Transfer & Separation 8-12
Chemical Reaction Engineering 8-12
Process Design & Economics 8-12
Process Control 5-8
Health, Safety & Environment 5-8
Ethics & Professional Practice 2-3

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 12

 Knowledge Number of Questions
FE Exam
Mathematics 7-11
Civil
Probability & Statistics 4-6
Questions Computational Tools 4-6
Engineering Economics 4-6
Statics 7-11
Dynamics 4-6
Mechanics of Materials 7-11
Materials 4-6
Fluid Mechanics 4-6
Hydraulics and Hydrologic Systems 8-12
Structural Analysis 6-9
Structural Design 6-9
Geotechnical Engineering 9-14
Transportation Engineering 8-12
Environmental Engineering 6-9
Construction 4-6
Surveying 4-6
Ethics & Professional Practice 4-6
8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 13
 Knowledge Number of Questions
FE Exam
Mathematics 11-17
Electrical
Probability & Statistics 4-6
Questions Computational Tools 4-6
Engineering Economics 3-5
Properties of Electrical Materials 4-6
Engineering Sciences 6-9
Circuit Analysis (DC and AC Steady State) 10-15
Linear Systems 5-8
Signal Processing 5-8
Electronics 7-11
Power 8-12
Electromagnetics 5-8
Control Systems 6-9
Communications 5-8
Computer Networks 3-5
Digital Systems 7-11
Computer Systems 4-6
Software Development 4-6
8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 14
Ethics & Professional Practice 3-5
 Knowledge Number of Questions
FE Exam
Mathematics 4-6
Environmental
Probability & Statistics 3-5
Questions Engineering Economics 4-6
Materials Science 3-5
Environmental Science and Chemistry 11-17
Risk Assessment 5-8
Fluid Mechanics 9-14
Thermodynamics 3-5
Water Resources 10-15
Water & Wastewater 14-21
Air Quality 10-15
Solid & Hazardous Waste 10-15
Groundwater & Soils 9-14
Ethics & Professional Practice 5-8

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 15

 Knowledge Number of Questions
FE Exam
Mathematics 6-9
Industrial &
Engineering Sciences 5-8
Systems Engineering Economics 10-15
Questions Probability & Statics 10-15
Modeling & Computations 8-12
Industrial Management 8-12
Manufacturing, Production, & Service Systems 8-12
Facilities & Logistics 8-12
Human Factors, Ergonomics, & Safety 8-12
Work Design 8-12
Quality 8-12
Systems Engineering 8-12
Ethics & Professional Practice 5-8

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 16

 Knowledge Number of Questions
FE Exam
Mathematics 6-9
Mechanical
Probability & Statistics 4-6
Questions Computational Tools 3-5
Engineering Economics 3-5
Electricity & Magnetism 3-5
Statics 8-12
Dynamics, Kinematics, & Vibrations 9-14
Mechanics of Materials 8-12
Material Properties & Processing 8-12
Fluid Mechanics 9-14
Thermodynamics 13-20
Heat Transfer 9-14
Measurements, Instrumentation & Controls 5-8
Mechanical Design & Analysis 9-14
Ethics & Professional Practice 3-5

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 17

 Knowledge Number of Questions
FE Exam
Mathematics & Advance Engineering Mathematics 12-18
Other
Probability & Statics 6-9
Disciplines Chemistry 7-11
Questions Instrumentation and Data Acquisition 4-6
Health, Safety, & Environment 4-6
Engineering Economics 7-11
Statics 8-12
Dynamics 7-11
Strength of Materials 8-12
Materials Science 6-9
Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics of Liquids 8-12
Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics of Gases 4-6
Electricity, Power, and Magnetism 7-11
Heat, Mass, and Energy Transfer 9-14
Ethics & Professional Practice 3-5

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 18

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 19

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 20

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 21

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 22

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 23

Licensure Organizations and Process
• ABET, NCEES, and the State
– ABET – Accredits Colleges and Universities
– NCEES – Oversees testing and evaluation of engineers
– States (all 54 of them; 54?, yes 54) – Licenses people to practice professions
• Process
– Step 1 – Education
• BS from an ABET Accredited Program. You can take the FE exam if you are within 20 CR
HRS of obtaining an ABET accredited degree by the time you apply to take the exam.
– Step 2 – Fundamentals Testing – The FE Exam
• Administered by NCEES
• State approves your packet (critical to get an Intern Engineer/EIT designation)
• This exam is offered at various sites during January – February, April – May, July – August
and October - November
• Best time to take it: Final Semester of College; must be within a max. number of hours
remaining to sit the exam
– Step 3 – Experience
• Varies by state, most require minimum of 4 years beyond bachelors and IE/EIT designation
– Step 4 – Profession Testing – The PE Exam(s)
• Administered by NCEES once State approves your sitting the exam
• May require additional exams than the base PE exam to practice or to practice in a certain
discipline/sub-discipline
– Step 5 – Licensure and Continuing Education
– Step 6 – License Maintenance and Renewal

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017

24
NYS Forms (or see other State licensing board)

• Form 1 EI - Application for Intern Engineer Certificate

– Critical to submit while applying to take the FE Exam through
NCEES
– “Applicants must complete this form and submit it with the
appropriate fee ($70 only) directly to the Office of the
Professions at the mailing address at the end of the Form. Make
checks payable to the New York State Education Department.
NOTE: Your cancelled check is your receipt.”
• Form 20F - Certification of Completion of a
Professionally Registered Program in Engineering
– Have to give to SAS and they send to the State (when you are
within 20 CH)
• Form 2 - Certification of Professional Education
– Must do (again through SAS, once you’ve completed your
degree they send)

25
FE Exam Costs

• NCEES:
– Exam Fee: $225 to NCEES
– Testing Site: Paid for by Clarkson, CSoE
• State (NYS Example):
– $70 EI Registration
– SAS Fee for Transcript
• Review Materials:
– NCEES – Online Practice Exams ~ $30
– Prof. Publications (one option):
• FE [Discipline] Review Manuals – Longer, include
formulas/explanations, practice questions and exams ~ $130
• FE [Discipline] Practice – just practice problems/exams ~ $95
• Online Options and Bundles with the above
– Other Vendors

26
FE Exam content and mechanics of the exam

How is the exam scored?

• Your exam results are based on the total number of correct answers that
you selected.
• There are no deductions for wrong answers.
• The score is then converted to a scaled score, which adjusts for any minor
differences in difficulty across the different exam forms and is compared to
the minimum ability level for that exam.

When will you get test results?

• Exam results for computer-based exams are typically available 7–10 days
after the exam is completed.
• You will receive an email notification from NCEES with instructions to view
your results in your MyNCEES account.

How are exam results reported?

• Exam results are reported pass/fail.

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 27

Preparing for the FE Exam

Register or log in to MyNCEES

to download a free copy of the
FE Reference Handbook

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 28

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 29

Preparing for the FE Exam

FE Reference Handbook
287 pages
• FE Reference Handbook is the only resource material you
may use during the exam.
• You won't be allowed to bring your personal copy of the
Handbook into the exam room. The computer-based
exam will include a PDF version of the Handbook for your
use.
• The FE Reference Handbook does not contain all the
information required to answer every question on the
exam. Basic theories, conversions, formulas, and
definitions examinees are expected to know have not
been included.
• Special material required for the solution of a particular
exam question will be included in the question itself.

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 30

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 31

Preparing for the FE Exam

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 32

FE Exam prep efforts in the CSoE and CEE Department

Review Session Google Poll

• 26.6% of the first choice vote, Mondays

at 5:30pm (a plurality)

• 23.4% of the first choice vote and a

plurality of the second choice vote (at
17.2%) is Tuesdays at 5:30 pm

→ Tentative Plan
• CSoE (cross-cutting topics) sessions,
Mondays 5:30pm, Jan – March
• Department specific topics, Tuesdays

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 33

 CSoE Review Sessions (tentative schedule)

Date Subject Instructor

Monday, January TBD Engineering Economics Sekelj

Monday, January TBD Statics Minnetyan
Monday, January TBD Dynamics Moosbrugger/Yuya
Monday, February TBD Mechanics of Materials Issen
Monday, February TBD Materials Freeman
Wednesday, February Fluid Mechanics Helenbrook
TBD
Monday, February TBD Thermodynamics McCluskey
Monday, March TBD Electricity and Magnetism, Carroll
Circuits

All Review Sessions (tentatively) 5:30 pm in CAMP 177

8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017 34

FE Exam prep efforts in the CEE Department

• Tentatively Tuesday Evenings

• Subjects Covered
– Transportation
– Construction & Surveying
– Structural Analysis and Design (Steel/Concrete)
– Geotechnical
– Water Resources (Hydraulics/Hydrological Systems)
– General Environmental Engineering
– Enviro Sci & Chem and Risk Assessment
– Water and Wastewater
– Air Quality
– Solid and Hazardous Waste
8/30/2018 FE Information Session 2017
35