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Options for after you graduate
Why might I want to take the FE?
The Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, better known as the FE exam, is required to become licensed as a Professional Engineer. NCEES site on Professional Licensure
Who can take the exam?
Any student who graduated from or is currently enrolled in their last year of an ABET-accredited engineering program. Learn more about our accreditation information.
Are there review classes?
Yes! Once a year the Department offers a review for the Other Disciplines exam. More information about the class will be posted online and around the building.
How do I register for the exam?
- Step 1 Application (for current MSU Denver ET students only)
- Get the FE Exam Student Application (for current students only) at Colorado State Board links:
- State Board’s web page
- FE Exam Student Application
- When you fill out the form
- No hand written forms! The form must be typed and then printed.
- Use your MSU Denver e-mail.
- COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS.
- Apply and pay online to the testing agency NCEES
- Non-Students (graduates) must obtain FE Exam applications and apply through the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
What is the FE like?
The FE exam is computer-based and offered year-round. According to the NCEES website:
“The FE contains 110 multiple-choice questions. The exam appointment time is 6 hours long, which includes a nondisclosure agreement, tutorial (8 minutes), the exam (5 hours and 20 minutes), a scheduled break (25 minutes), and a brief survey.”
Is the exam open-book?
There is one book/reference that can be used during the exam: the NCEES FE Reference Handbook. This will be provided electronically onscreen during the exam. You can download it for free, or purchase a hardcopy.
Are there practice exams?
Yes. NCEES offers computer-based practice exams compiled from past exam questions, with solutions. Available on the NCEES website under Exam preparation Materials
What should I study?
The FE is offered for seven different disciplines, including Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical & Computer Engineering. Each discipline has its own expected knowledge. For more information about each discipline read its PDF under FE exam specifications
Where can I take the FE?
You can take the FE at any approved Pearson VUE test center. To find the closest test center click here
What will I need the day of my exam?
- The ID used during the admission process: government -issued with photo, name, DOB, signature.
- A calculator that complies with the current NCEES Calculator Policy
- Key to your test center locker
- Reusable booklet supplied by Pearson VUE
- Eyeglasses (without the case)
- Light sweater or jacket
- Items included in the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid List
From <http://ncees.org/exams/exam-day-policies/>
When will I get my results?
Exam results are typically available 7-10 days after you complete your exam. You will receive an email when your results are available on MyNCEES. This will include state specific information.
Results are reported as pass/fail. If you fail, you will receive a diagnostic report covering the major topics and how you did on each. For more about diagnostics and scoring visit: Scoring
For more information visit the NCEES FE Exam page or by calling the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors at 303-894-7788, or by visiting their website at: http://www.dora.state.co.us/aes.
In order to become a licensed PE, you will need to:
- Prepare – Take courses that are important to passing the exam; i.e. Statics and Thermodynamics are about seventeen percent of the morning exam session. See NCEES exam format.
- FE Exam – The first exam in the licensure process is the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE). (See above.) Most students take the exam right before graduation from an ABET-accredited engineering program at a college or university, or soon after, while the technical information they’ve studied is still fresh in their minds.
- Work Experience – Appropriate work experience is required for licensure. Once you begin working to make sure that you are meeting their requirements, you should check with the licensing board in the state you plan to take the exam in.
- PE Exam – Once you have gained the appropriate experience required, you can take the second exam in the licensure process, the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE).
More information can be found at the National Society of Professional Engineers’ website
There are many reasons you may choose to pursue a Master’s degree, but if you do you will need to
- Pick which Universities/Programs you would like to apply to
- Career Servicess can help you determine if you want to apply to a graduate program and if so which one(s) and prefect your resume
- An advisor or trusted Professor can also help you decide and recommend programs
- Check out information at MastersInEngineering
- Take the GRE
- Find out if the program requires the GRE subject test or other exams
- Study tips for the GRE
- Request transcripts from the Office of the Registrar
- Fill out the forms for your chosen Universities/Programs
- write your Statement of Interest/Personal Statement
- Contact some of your professors to write you a *good* letter of recommendation
- Be sure you have the information they will need: Universities applying to, your resume, statement of interest, ect
- Ask early: Professors are busy and if you want a letter of recommendation make sure you give them time to write one, do not ask at finals; but follow up or ask for an email when they submit each letter.