In this article (and video above), I talk about a common dilemma faced by many aspiring engineers: changing your FE exam discipline. Whether you’re reassessing your career goals or discovering a new passion, join us as we demystify the process step-by-step.
Are you preparing for the FE exam but suddenly uncertain about your chosen discipline? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many FE candidates discover the need to change the FE exam discipline for various reasons.
Changing your FE exam discipline after NCEES registration doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, it’s a smart move if your career aspirations have evolved, or you’ve discovered a different engineering passion. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you make a seamless transition and stay on track for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) glory.
Why Choosing the Right Fe Exam Discipline Are So Important:
Choosing the right discipline for your FE exam is crucial. Your discipline determines the topics and questions you’ll encounter during the test. Selecting the discipline that aligns with your academic background and career goals is essential.
However, circumstances can change, and you might feel like changing the FE exam discipline for several reasons. This could be due to a change in career direction, academic focus, or simply realizing that another discipline suits you better.
Understanding the need for flexibility, NCEES® provides an option to change your FE exam discipline after registration. Remember that this process incurs a $50 administrative fee, but it ensures you’re adequately prepared for the exam in your new discipline.
Changing your FE exam discipline involves a straightforward process managed in your NCEES® account.
Here Is a Step-By-Step to Begin the Process:
Step #1 – Log in to Your NCEES® Account
Begin by accessing your account via the NCEES® Login Portal you used for the initial registration. Ensure you remember or save your login credentials.
Step #2 – Go to the “Exams” Tab
After logging in, navigate to the “My Exams” tab containing information about your registered FE exam.
Step #3 – Cancel/Reschedule Exam
Within the “Exams” section, locate and click on the “Cancel/Reschedule Exam” link. This is the gateway to making changes to your exam registration.
Step #4 – Change Discipline
Once you’ve entered the “Cancel/Reschedule Exam” section, choose the “Change Discipline” option to proceed with the change.
Step #5 – Select the New Discipline That You Want to Enroll In
Now, you can select the new discipline you wish to pursue. Carefully choose the discipline that aligns with your current goals and expertise.
Step #6 – Click on the “Submit” Button
After selecting your new discipline, click the “Submit” button to confirm your changes. This final step will initiate the process of changing your FE exam discipline.
Here Are a Few Important Things to Remember:
- Administrative Fee: Changing your FE exam discipline incurs a $50 administrative fee. Be prepared to make this payment during the process.
- One-Time Change: You can only change your FE exam discipline once. Select the most suitable discipline to avoid additional fees or changes later.
- Advance Notice: NCEES® requires you to make the change at least 14 days before your scheduled exam date. Plan with a safe margin to ensure a smooth transition.
- Review the NCEES® Examinee Guide for detailed information and any updated procedures regarding exam registration and cancellations.
Remember that selecting the right discipline for the FE exam is crucial. Sometimes, it becomes mandatory to change your exam discipline, which may be necessary to align with your evolving engineering career or academic aspirations.
About Matthew Douglas
Matthew currently serves as a content creator and host of The Engineering Project Management Podcast. A civil engineer by trade, Matthew has developed a passion for construction and stormwater management by way of maintenance and rehabilitation services. Matthew has also had experience working with private consulting firms and public agencies, and has even held a role of an educator. As such, he loves to lead, build, mentor, and help those in need.
Most recently, during his time working for the public sector, he has taken the role of Public Works Operations Manager. He led quite a few public infrastructure rehabilitation projects and implemented new asset management technologies at a very young age. It is here that the passion for “fixing what’s broken” developed.
This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI, A Kaplan Company:
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 Exam article 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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