The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first exam on the path to a Professional Engineer (PE) license. For civil engineers it is usually the FE Civil exam, written and run by NCEES (the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying). Passing it is what lets you apply to your state board for Engineer in Training (EIT) or Engineer Intern (EI) status.
This guide is part of our civil engineering licensing series. Figures come from NCEES's own exam pages and were checked in October 2026.
The exam at a glance
| FE Civil | |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based, at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers |
| When | Year-round |
| Questions | 110 |
| Appointment | 6 hours: a nondisclosure agreement, a tutorial, the 5 hour 20 minute exam and a 25-minute scheduled break |
| Fee | $225, paid to NCEES |
| Results | Usually 7–10 business days, by email, pass or fail |
| Retakes | One attempt per testing window, at most three in 12 months |
Source: NCEES FE exam.
You register and schedule through a MyNCEES account. Some boards also want their own application before or after the exam, so read your state's rules early. Our state licensing pages link each board.
What the FE Civil covers
NCEES publishes the topic list and how many questions each topic gets. The current FE Civil specification has been in use since July 2020:
| Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
| Mathematics and statistics | 8–12 |
| Ethics and professional practice | 4–6 |
| Engineering economics | 5–8 |
| Statics | 8–12 |
| Dynamics | 4–6 |
| Mechanics of materials | 7–11 |
| Materials | 5–8 |
| Fluid mechanics | 6–9 |
| Surveying | 6–9 |
| Water resources and environmental engineering | 10–15 |
| Structural engineering | 10–15 |
| Geotechnical engineering | 10–15 |
| Transportation engineering | 9–14 |
| Construction engineering | 8–12 |
Source: NCEES FE Civil specifications.
The exam is broad rather than deep. It tests the undergraduate core and the five main civil areas, which is why many people take it in their senior year or soon after graduating, while coursework is fresh. During the exam you work from the NCEES reference handbook on screen, so practice with the same handbook rather than your own notes.
When to take it
There's no single right time, but three patterns show up in hiring:
- Senior year or right after graduation. Most common, and the easiest time to pass. Many entry-level postings say "EIT preferred" or "EIT within 6 months of hire".
- In your first year of work. Fine, but study time is harder to find. Ask whether your employer pays the exam fee or gives study time.
- Years later. Possible, and some boards let very experienced engineers waive the FE. Expect to relearn topics outside your specialty.
If you're job hunting now, passing the FE before you apply gives you something concrete to put on a resume. Browse EIT civil engineering jobs and entry-level jobs to see how employers word the requirement.
From passing the FE to EIT status
Passing the FE does not make you an EIT by itself. You apply to a state board, which checks your degree and exam result and then lets you use the EIT or EI title. Each board has its own form and fee, and some use different names for the same status. Montana, for example, requires an EI certificate (from any state) before you can sit for the PE exam there (Montana board FAQ).
Our guide to EIT certification and EIT vs. PE explains how to show your status on a resume.
What comes next
After the FE, the path is usually about four years of supervised experience, then the PE Civil exam, then the license. Some states let you take the PE before your experience is complete. Read how long it takes to go from EIT to PE and the PE Civil exam guide for the next steps, and check your state's page for the details:
NCEES and each state board set and change these rules. Treat this guide as an overview and confirm details with NCEES and your board before you register.