Videos

How to Apply for Your EIT Certificate – A Simple 5-Step Guide

September 20, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), I walk you through the steps of applying for your EIT certificate, after you have passed the FE exam.

Here Are the Five Steps to Apply for Your EIT Exam:

Check the requirements for EIT certification in your state. Each state has its own requirements for EIT certification, so it’s important to check with your state board of engineering to find out what you need to do. In general, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution, have passed the FE exam, and have a certain number of years of engineering experience.
Gather the required documentation. In addition to passing the FE exam, you will need to provide the state board with documentation of your education and experience. This may include transcripts from your university, letters of recommendation, and an engineering experience verification form.
Complete the application form. The state board will have an application form that you will need to complete. This form will ask for your personal information, education, experience, and other relevant information.
Pay the application fee. There is usually an application fee for EIT certification. The amount of the fee will vary from state to state.
Submit your application. Once you have completed the application form and paid the fee, you can submit your application to the state board. The state board will review your application and approve or deny your request for EIT certification. If your application is approved, you will receive an EIT certificate in the mail.

Here Are Some Additional Tips for Applying for Your EIT Exam:

Unsupervised Engineering Experience: Does it Count Towards Qualifying for the PE Exam?

September 12, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I answer a question from one of our listeners who asked:

I am on active duty studying and preparing for the PE Exam. Most of my engineering experience has not been supervised by licensed PEs. Can I still account for these engineering experiences towards my total years of experience to qualify for the exam?

When it comes to qualifying for a professional engineering (PE) exam, most licensing boards require a certain number of years of engineering experience in addition to a relevant degree. The exact requirements can vary by state but typically range from 2-5 years of experience.

The good news is that this experience doesn’t necessarily have to be under the supervision of a licensed PE. However, you may need to provide additional documentation or explanation of your experience to the licensing board or exam committee if it is not.

For example, if you worked as an engineer for a company but didn’t have a direct supervisor who was a licensed PE, you may need to provide details about the projects you worked on, your responsibilities and duties, and any other relevant information that demonstrates your engineering knowledge and skills.

Qualifying Engineering Experience

In order to constitute as qualifying experience, the experience must meet a number of criteria.
[Read more…] about Unsupervised Engineering Experience: Does it Count Towards Qualifying for the PE Exam?

Top 10 Tips for Studying for the FE Exam While Working (After a Break from School)

September 6, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

Many experts and teachers advise that it is better to take the FE exam as soon as you graduate. But what if someone wasn’t able to take the FE exam right after graduating? What if some decided to take the FE exam after a few months or years?

Can they get a good score? Is it still possible?

Yes, it is possible.

Success truly depends upon the efforts you put into acquiring your desired goal, and in this article (and video above), I will explain how you can successfully study for your FE exam while working and after being away from school for some time. Studying for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam after while away from home is not only possible but achievable with dedication and a well-structured plan.

Here are 10 Tips for Studying for the FE Exam While Working:

1. Create a Study Schedule:

Develop a detailed schedule that allocates specific time slots for studying each day. Tailor the schedule to your availability and commitments. Consistency is key; sticking to a routine helps you make steady progress.

2. Review Exam Topics:

The Value of the PE License for Engineers

August 29, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I talk with Bill Lloyd, PE, President of Great West Engineering, Inc. about how the PE license have helped him in his career and how it can help you too.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Bill:

Could you elaborate on the significance of the PE license in your career and how it has contributed to your professional advancement?
When considering leaders within your organization, does the PE license stand out as an impressive qualification for individuals contemplating potential career trajectories within the company?
Given your long-standing license and understanding of exam changes, could you offer advice for effectively balancing exam preparation with a demanding engineering career?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

In the consulting industry, obtaining a professional engineering license stands as a pivotal advancement. Without it, one cannot assume responsibility for their work, always requiring oversight. This license underscores not only competency and commitment to safety but also enables the transition to overseeing others’ work, vastly expanding career horizons.
Achieving the PE license showcases personal dedication and determination. Even if not passed on initial attempts, persistence is key. This accomplishment not only signifies expertise but also opens doors to mentorship and diverse career paths at Great West Engineering, where it’s a vital factor for progression and leadership roles, reflecting industry understanding, client engagement, and staff development aptitude.
The journey to obtaining a PE license aligns with a transformative phase of life, demanding substantial dedication amid growing personal and professional responsibilities. It signifies a remarkable testament to one’s commitment and determination.

About: Bill Lloyd, PE

Bill is the President of Great West Engineering, Inc., a multi-discipline civil engineering firm with offices in Montana, Idaho, and Washington. He joined the firm in 2005 and assumed the role of President in 2019.

Bill offers 29 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry. He began his career working in the water/wastewater, site development and solid waste fields before shifting into transportation, hydraulic, and bridge design for state and local governments. Bill recently guided the firm’s expansion into the federal market offering comprehensive civil engineering services to multiple agencies throughout country.

Bill is a past board member and president of ACEC/MT and past chair of the ACEC Small Firms Coalition. He continues to serve on the Small Firms Coalition Leadership Committee and participates in numerous ACEC National Committees. Bill also serves as a Trustee for the ACEC Business Insurance Trust, sits on the Montana State University Civil Engineering Advisory Board, and is former member of the Montana Contractors Association Board of Directors.

Sources:

Great West Engineering
Connect with Bill Lloyd, PE, on Linkedin

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 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

Acing the FE Exam: Smart Study Habits for Engineering Success

August 23, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), I talk to you about some study habits that you should avoid when preparing for your FE exam, and explain how you can create good study habits that will help you to enhance your performance and reach your goal of passing the FE exam.

The FE is an exam that can help engineers excel in their careers, be one step above and earn more. But many engineers stay stuck and never pass their NCEES FE exam due to bad study habits that don’t help them to achieve their goal.

First off, let’s address some study habits that you should definitely avoid. These are the “bad habits” that can hinder your progress and slow down your success.

From Written to CBT: Mastering the PE Exam

August 15, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I talk with Megan Nugent, EIT, a project engineer for Geotechnical Services at Colliers Engineering & Design, who has experienced the unique challenges of both the written and CBT (Computer-Based Testing) exams. Megan shares her firsthand insights and experiences, discussing topics such as balancing graduate studies and exam preparation, the transition from written to CBT format, and the impact of field experience on exam performance.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Megan:

Could you provide an update on your progress toward obtaining your PE license and give us an overview of your current status in the process?
Can you talk about your October 2021 written exam experience, how you prepared including weekend classes, what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned from not passing?
How did you handle balancing your graduate courses, exam preparation, and managing everything leading up to the computer-based test you took?
Could you share how you modified your study approach for the new computer-based test format?
Before the exam, it’s crucial for you to familiarize yourself with the codes so that you’re not searching extensively but instead know where to find specific information—can you elaborate on this responsibility and its importance?
Can you share your thoughts on the morning general civil and afternoon geotech portions of the CBT exam?
Could you share more about how you structured your study schedule and any strategies you used to stay focused amid other commitments?
Did you practice more with timing and simulating exam conditions as the exam date neared?
Did you have the opportunity to collaborate or study with anyone who assisted you in the preparation process?
Could you discuss the impact of having support on your exam preparation and how it influenced your overall experience during this process?
Field experience is highly regarded in the engineering field, but can you explain how your real-world experience, particularly in areas like geotech, may have influenced your performance in the PE exam and if there were any direct connections between your practical work and the exam material?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

Crush the FE Exam: Expert Tips for Preparation and Retaining Knowledge

August 9, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), I dive into one of the most important steps on the journey to becoming a licensed engineer: PREPARING FOR THE FE EXAM. We explore effective strategies to utilize your strengths and weaknesses in each exam topic, and discuss techniques for retaining knowledge to maximize your domain knowledge.

Once you’ve decided to register for the FE exam, or if you’re in the planning phase, the next crucial step is to prepare for it. Finding studying techniques and strategies that work for you is key to making the process friendly with your workload and daily responsibilities.

Strategies help us organize information into patterns and encourage purposeful learning. Understanding the exam specifications is essential, so let’s take a look at the areas of knowledge covered in the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) CIVIL CBT Exam.

The Exam Consists of 14 Areas, Including:

Decoding Codes and Standards: A Guide to Utilizing Them in the PE Exam

August 1, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I explain the importance of codes and standards in the PE Exam, how they shape the engineering practice, and their role in the PE exam. I also tell you where to find these valuable resources and how to effectively use them during the exam.

The Codes and Standards section, accounts for approximately 10 questions on the PE exam. This section presents a great opportunity to excel in the exam, so make sure to leverage it to your advantage.

The PE Exam is a professional engineering exam that tests the knowledge and skills of engineers who want to become licensed professionals in their respective fields. The exam covers a wide range of topics, including mathematics, engineering sciences, ethics, and professional practice. However, codes and standards are a critical component of the exam, as they are the foundation of engineering practice.

Codes and standards are sets of guidelines and regulations that define how engineering projects should be designed, constructed, and maintained. They are developed by professional organizations, government agencies, and industry groups to ensure safety, quality, and reliability in engineering projects. Therefore, candidates taking the PE Exam must have a deep understanding of the codes and standards related to their discipline.

The exam questions may ask candidates to identify the relevant codes and standards for a specific scenario or to apply the codes and standards to solve a problem. They are used for both conceptual questions and process-oriented questions. For example, a civil engineer may be asked to identify the relevant building codes for a specific construction project or to calculate the required thickness of a concrete slab based on the American Concrete Institute (or ACI) code.

To prepare for the exam, candidates must study the relevant codes and standards thoroughly. They should be familiar with the content, structure, and application of each code and standard. They should also understand how to use these resources to solve problems and make decisions in their professional practice.

How Do You Find Out What Codes May Be Discussed on Your Exam?

Group Studying for the FE Exam: Weighing the Pros and Cons

July 26, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), I explore the topic of group studying for the FE Exam and whether it is beneficial or not. Studying for the FE Exam is a crucial step in an engineer’s journey, and finding the most effective study methods is essential for success

Group studying for the FE Exam can offer several advantages. It provides an opportunity for students to collaborate, share knowledge, and tackle challenging problems together. By working in a group, students can learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives, which can enhance their understanding of the exam topics, as well as their performance.

Another benefit of group studying is that it helps students stay motivated and accountable. When studying as a group, individuals are more likely to remain focused and committed to their study goals because they don’t want to let their fellow group members down. The shared sense of purpose can create a supportive environment that encourages active engagement and consistent progress.

Group Studying May Not Be Suitable for Everyone

Some individuals may find it distracting or prefer studying alone, allowing them to create a more personalized study environment that maximizes their skill sets and preferences.

Calculating Axial Load (Practice and Solution) | Civil PE Exam Review

July 18, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), we calculate the axial load on a temporary wall to help you understand the principles behind axial load determination and enhance your problem-solving skills in this critical exam area.

Question:

A temporary wall is subjected to a wind load of 30 psf and is prevented from overturning by diagonal braces spaced at 6 ft on center along the length of the wall as shown in the figure to the right. The connection at the base of the wall at Point A is equivalent to a hinge. Ignoring the weight of the form, the axial force (lb) resisted by the brace is most nearly: