In this article, (and video above) I answer a question I get from listeners all the time which is: “Can I take the FE and PE exam in the same year?” And also SHOULD YOU? The answer depends on several factors, which I explain in this article.
The FE exam is given nationwide each year in four testing windows during the following months: January–February, April–May, July–August, and October–November. You can take the FE exam at any time during or after your senior year of college. However, since the FE exam covers material that is fresh in your mind while you are still a student, it is recommended that you take the FE exam during your senior year, or shortly thereafter. The PE exam, as of 2022, in most disciplines is now computer-based and therefore offered year-round.
So, to get back to our question of whether you can take the FE and PE exams in the same year – It depends on the specific state you plan to take the exams, as well as the state registration times. Most states will not allow you to apply to take the PE until the board approves your FE results. Then the application process may take a couple of months and you may miss a registration deadline for the exam you want to sit for during the same year.
Let’s Look at a Few Scenarios Where You Might Be Able to Take the Two Exams Close Together:
In one scenario, again depending on your State of practice, you may be able to graduate from an ABET-accredited school with an engineering degree, then go into industry to obtain the required number of years of experience to achieve licensure, then take the FE exam, soon followed by the PE exam. In this scenario, you would have to ensure that your State does not require you to have passed the FE exam before gaining years of experience.
That being said, I don’t see this being a smart approach and here’s why. The FE exam gets harder the further out you are from school, because it is such a heavy concept-laden exam, and it is broad covering many topics. You should take the exam during your senior year of school or immediately after you graduate.
In another scenario, again depending on your State, you could graduate from an ABET-accredited school, and have passed your FE exam as a senior, and then within the next 12 months, take and pass your PE exam, and then work the required number of years of experience and secure your license. This scenario is only possible in states that have decoupled the PE exam from the work experience, allowing one to pass the exam, before gaining the required years of experience.
The benefit to this approach is that it allows you to take the exams while many of the concepts you learned in school are fresh in your memory, which many people have said made it easier for them to pass the exam.
Remember, that each state has different eligibility requirements so be sure to check with your state board and make sure you are following their process. Is it possible to take it in the same year? I would say, yes, with proper planning and research, you would definitely be able to do it if your state board allows you to.
Lastly, as a reminder – when you’ve passed your FE Exam, I also run a YouTube channel called Pass the PE Exam that helps engineers pass their PE exam.
Sources
Pass the PE Exam
Decoupling of PE Exam and Experience Requirement
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam FAQs
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 week’s FE Environmental engineering exam prep question helpful. In upcoming articles, I will answer more FE Exam questions and run through more practice problems. We publish videos bi-weekly on our Pass the FE Exam YouTube Channel. Be sure to visit our page here and click the subscribe button as you’ll get expert tips and tricks – to ensure your best success – that you can’t get anywhere else. Believe me, you won’t want to miss a single video.
Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of the videos or here 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.
Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
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