Fundamentals of Engineering Exam/Professional Licensing
Note: This information applies only to current Northwestern University undergraduate engineering students. They are the only people that can register for the FE Exam through the link below- all others must contact the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulations (or corresponding state board) directly. State board contact info can be found here.
Registration is now open for the October 24, 2009 administration of the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. This registration information only applies to McCormick seniors within one year of graduation. Therefore students earning degrees (December 09, March 10 or June 10 completion) in the following fields are eligible: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Manufacturing and Design Engineering, and Materials Science. (June 10 graduates also have the option of taking the exam during the April 2010 test date.)
What is the FE/EIT Exam?
When is the Exam?
How Do I Register?
How Do I Prepare?
Other Frequently Asked Questions
For more Information
What is the FE/EIT Exam?
The Fundamentals of Engineering exam (previously named the Engineer in Training Exam) is the first official step of the path to professional engineering licensure. The FE Exam is composed of a 4-hour, 120-question multiple-choice, general-subject morning session, followed by a 1-hour break, then a 4-hour, 60-question multiple-choice, discipline-specific afternoon session. There are currently some discipline-specific exams (civil, chemical, electrical, environmental, mechanical and industrial). There is also an additional general afternoon exam for students not in those disciplines (though anyone can opt to take the general afternoon exam in place of a discipline-specific one).
For more information about the exam and engineering licensure, go to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying homepage.
When is the Exam?
The FE/EIT Exam is given twice a year, in April and in October. The next
administration of the exam is October 24, 2009.
How Do I Register?
Registration for eligible Northwestern Undergraduates is handled through Continental Testing Services website. Visit http://www.continentaltesting.net/ProfDetail.aspx?Entity=2&ProfID=15
The site is available for October 2009 registration with a registration deadline of September 10th.
How Do I Prepare?
The exam is a very comprehensive one, but the good news is your engineering education is a solid foundation to work from. However, you will still need to put time into reviewing for the exam. The morning exam in particular will cover material that you probably took as a freshman or sophomore and that probably is not as fresh in your mind as you would want it to be when taking the exam. For suggestions on preparation, go to FE/EIT Preparation Information.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Is this exam required? Do I need to pass it to get a job?
No. The EIT exam is not required, but you may find it will open up further opportunities for you. The exam has no bearing on earning your bachelor's degree.
Should I take this exam?
If you are unsure whether or not to take the exam you should have a conversation with your advisor or other faculty members in your department. If you know engineers in your field of interest, ask them about the benefits.
What if I am not going into engineering?
Again, you should have a conversation with your advisor, but if you think at all that you may be in the field of engineering later where having a professional license would be helpful, you may want to take this exam now while this is less preparation you would need to do. Several years down the road, it will be more difficult to review basic chemistry, physics and mechanics.
For More Information
If you are a Northwestern student and need more information, contact:
Stephen Carr, Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
Office of Undergraduate Engineering
Tech L268
(847) 491-7379
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