How Many Times Can You FAIL and Take the PE Exam?

I get many questions from listeners asking how many times they can take the PE exam in one year, and in this article (and video above), I provide you with the answer and explain the process of retaking the NCEES PE Exam. 

If you’re getting ready for the PE exam or have been struggling to pass it, you may be wondering how many times you are allowed to take it? 

For most computer-based PE Exams, NCEES allows you to take the exam once within each 3-month time window and no more than 3 times, every 12 months. You will also need to reach out to your state board to ask how many times they will approve you to sit for the exam. Remember just because NCEES rules allow for you to sit for the exam, you still need approval from your specific US state.

According to the NCEES Exam Guide, the 3-month testing windows are as follows:

“NCEES computer-based exams are offered in testing windows throughout the year during the following months:

• January to March 
• April to June
• July to September
• October to December”

Example of Attempt Limitations

Let’s say it’s January and Tom wants to take the PE exam in April. He then studies and takes the exam in early April, but ends up failing the exam, or I like to say, “not passing.” Tom cannot take the PE exam again until July at the earliest, because April is in the second of the four windows during which you can only take the PE once. If he decides to attempt the PE again in the same year, he can do so once between July and September or once between October and December.

Now, let’s assume that Tom is having a really hard time and he fails the PE exam again in July and on another attempt in October. This means that he can’t attempt the PE again until April of the next year because he’s failed it three times within that 12-month period. 

Please remember that some licensing boards have a more restrictive policy, so it is important that you check with your licensing board. You can do that by visiting ncees.org/boards to determine the policy of the licensing board you selected during the registration process.”

All that being said, I want to reinforce, as I have on most of our articles, the professional engineering license is the MOST IMPORTANT credential you can obtain in your career as an engineering professional. Please DO NOT give up on achieving it if you don’t pass the exam once, twice, or even three times.  Stay motivated and seek whatever help necessary to achieve your goal of becoming a PE.  We have many articles as well as videos that can help you to do just that.

Sources:

NCEES Examinee Guide
How Many Times Can You Take the PE Exam Per Year?

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

PPI has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam here.

I hope you found this article helpful. In upcoming articles, I will solve some more PE exam practice problems and answer other questions from our subscribers. Pass the PE Exam videos will publish weekly, so be sure to click the subscribe button so you don’t miss something that could make a substantial difference in your exam result.

Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of this video, or on this page and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.

I’ll see you next week… on Pass the PE Exam

Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success