How to Register for the FE Exam in 2025: NCEES Account Setup, State Eligibility, Fees, and Pearson VUE Scheduling

Registering for the FE exam is easier when you see the whole path end-to-end. We guide thousands of engineering students and early-career engineers through this process each year, so below we’ve laid out a clear, no-nonsense playbook: set up your MyNCEES account, confirm your state board’s eligibility path, pay your exam fee in MyNCEES, and book your seat at a Pearson VUE test center—plus the timing, costs to plan for, and practical tips that prevent avoidable delays.

• Create and verify your MyNCEES account; complete your profile.
• Confirm state eligibility: determine if your board requires pre-approval or allows direct registration.
• Register and pay the FE exam fee in MyNCEES.
• Schedule your Pearson VUE test center appointment.

Expect a total test appointment around 6 hours (computer-based, 110 questions), including a scheduled break. Seats are offered year-round at Pearson VUE, but popular dates and locations can fill quickly.

Everything—eligibility status, registration, payment, scheduling, and results—flows through your MyNCEES portal. Setting it up correctly avoids last-minute snags at check-in.

• Legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued photo ID (this must match at the test center).
• Active email address you’ll monitor for verification and exam notices.
• Education details (school, degree, status). Some state boards require documentation later, such as transcripts or enrollment verification.

1. Create your MyNCEES account and verify your email address.
2. Complete your profile, entering your legal name exactly as shown on your ID.
3. Add your education information and save your profile.

• Name match is critical: If your ID shows a middle name/initial or special characters, mirror that in your MyNCEES profile to avoid check-in issues.
• Use a permanent email: Graduating soon? Use a personal email rather than a school account that may expire.
• Keep your profile current: If your graduation status changes, update it before you seek state approval or register.

This is where many candidates lose time. Some state boards require you to obtain pre-approval before you can register with NCEES; others allow you to register directly in MyNCEES without additional steps. Your exact path depends on your state (or territory) and your education status.

• Check your state board’s FE page and read the eligibility section carefully (look for terms like “pre-approval,” “apply to the board,” or “direct registration”).
• Identify required documentation (e.g., transcripts, proof of current enrollment, degree verification, or credential evaluation for foreign-educated candidates).
• Note any state-specific fees payable to the board.

• Senior in an ABET-accredited program: Many boards let you test before graduation when you’ve reached a credit-hour threshold. You may need proof of enrollment.
• Recent ABET graduate: Often eligible for direct NCEES registration. Some boards still require a pre-approval application—verify before paying the exam fee.
• Foreign-educated candidates: You may need a credential evaluation or specific board recognition prior to approval. Start early, as processing can add weeks.

• Direct-registration states: You can generally move straight to paying NCEES and scheduling once your MyNCEES profile is complete.
• Pre-approval states: Submit your application promptly. Processing times can range from a few days to several weeks depending on volume and documentation requirements.

• Paying before you’re eligible: If your board requires pre-approval, don’t pay NCEES until your eligibility is posted to MyNCEES.
• Missing documentation: Incomplete state applications are the #1 cause of delays.
• Name inconsistencies: If your name is updated during a state application, mirror the change in MyNCEES before you schedule.

Once your state board eligibility is satisfied (or if your state allows direct registration), log in to MyNCEES to select your FE discipline and pay the exam fee. The current fee is displayed in your MyNCEES cart at checkout. Some states also charge a separate board fee—budget for both if applicable.

• Choose the FE exam that best aligns with your degree and career direction: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Environmental, Industrial, etc. listed options in MyNCEES.
• Most employers and boards expect the FE aligned to your background, but it’s ultimately your call—pick the blueprint you’re prepared to master.

• Attempt limits: NCEES enforces limits on how often you can test (commonly one attempt per testing window and up to three attempts in any rolling 12-month period). Confirm the latest policy inside MyNCEES and any state-specific constraints.
• Accommodations: If you need ADA or other accommodations, submit your request through the MyNCEES process before you finalize scheduling.
• Refunds and changes: Review NCEES and Pearson VUE change policies before you check out so you know your options.

After payment posts in MyNCEES, you’ll be prompted to schedule your seat at a Pearson VUE center. Availability is live and varies by location and date. If you’re targeting a specific week (or testing after a school term), lock it in early.

• Appointment length: Plan for about 6 hours total. This includes a tutorial, a scheduled break, and the exam time for 110 questions.
• Computer-based testing: You’ll use an on-screen reference handbook and follow Pearson VUE’s check-in procedures.
• Name and ID must match: Bring a valid, government-issued ID that exactly matches the name in your MyNCEES profile.
• Arrive early: We recommend arriving 30 minutes before your appointment to clear check-in without stress.

• NCEES FE exam fee: Displayed at checkout in MyNCEES (this is the authoritative amount).
• Possible state board fee: Some states charge an application or verification fee separate from NCEES.
• Reschedule/change fees: May apply if you alter your Pearson VUE appointment close to your test date.
• Prep resources (optional but impactful): A structured course can shorten study time and increase pass confidence.

If you want a guided path, we offer flexible FE prep formats—Live Online, OnDemand, and Onsite—so you can prep around work or classes. Our students’ average pass rate is 93% (significantly higher than national averages), and eligible courses are backed by a Pass Guarantee. See our FE catalog now.

Year-round at Pearson VUE test centers (subject to seat availability). Book early if you’re aiming for peak times such as late semester or just after graduation.

NCEES sets attempt limits (commonly one attempt per testing window and up to three attempts within a rolling 12-month period). Verify the current policy inside MyNCEES and check whether your state board adds any constraints.

Not always. Many states allow seniors in ABET-accredited programs to sit before graduation. Your state board’s rules govern the exact eligibility.

A valid government-issued photo ID that matches the name in your MyNCEES profile exactly. If your name changes after registration, update your profile and follow NCEES guidance well before test day.

Yes, subject to NCEES/Pearson VUE policies and any reschedule fees. Change as early as possible for better seat selection and to minimize fees.

1. Create and verify your MyNCEES account; match your legal name to your ID.
2. Complete your education profile in MyNCEES.
3. Read your state board’s FE eligibility rules and identify whether pre-approval is required.
4. Submit any state application and fee (if required) with complete documentation.
5. Monitor your eligibility status in MyNCEES.
6. Register for the FE in MyNCEES, select your discipline, and pay the exam fee shown at checkout.
7. Schedule your Pearson VUE appointment for your ideal date and location.
8. Map a 6–10 week study plan that covers the entire FE blueprint for your discipline. If you want a more structured plan, School of PE offers numerous exam review courses to get you on the path to success!
9. Confirm exam-day logistics: ID, route, parking, arrival time, and Pearson VUE policies.
10. Execute your plan and do a final full-length practice under timed conditions a week before test day.

Your registration journey is manageable when you work the steps in order and avoid the common pitfalls (skipping state rules, mismatched names, and late scheduling). If you’d like a structured study path to maximize your first-attempt success, explore our FE prep options and current savings today! Questions about picking the right FE discipline or building a study plan? Our team is happy to help—contact us anytime.

Note: Policies, fees, and availability can change. Always refer to your MyNCEES account and your state board for the latest official information.