Engineering Licensure and the FE Examination

Regina Dinger Executive Director

regina.dinger@bels.alabama.gov 334-242-5021

AL Board of Licensure for PE and PLS

What is Licensure?

Engineering Licensure

A Path of Opportunity

Why is it Important?

To the Public

To You

• A legal necessity

• Improved employment security

• Better opportunities for advancement

• Personal satisfaction

Reasons for Licensure

Steps to Licensure

Step 1

Graduate from an ABET-accredited Degree Program

Step 2

Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE)

WHO

WHEN

• National Test – Mid April and End of October

• Filing Deadline– Jan 15 and July 1

• Usually taken during Senior Year

Average Pass Rates

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Pass Rate %

Within last3-5 years

Within last2 years

StillEnrolled

Average Pass Rate Drops from 75% to 52 %

Test Format

• 8-Hour Closed-Book Exam• 2 Sessions (Morning &

Afternoon

Morning Session

• 120 Questions Engineering EconomicsElectrical CircuitsChemistryEthicsDynamicsFluid MechanicsMechanics of MaterialsThermodynamicsMathematicsStaticsComputersMaterial Science

Afternoon Session

• 60 Questions Disciplines• Chemical• Civil• Electrical• Industrial• Mechanical• Environmental

General• Same topics as

morning

Preparation

• Attend Classes• Review Courses• Study Materials• NCEES Web Site

Step 3

Acquire Engineering Experience with increasing Levels of Responsibility with Supervision of a Licensed Engineer

Step 4

Pass the Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE)

Principles & Practice of Engineering Exam (PE)

• 8-Hour Open-Book Exam• Morning & Afternoon Sessions• 80-100 Questions• Multiple Offerings for Larger

Disciplines• Multiple Choice Format

“No choice”(Both Sessions the Same for Everyone

• Architectural• Chemical• Control

Systems• Environmental• Fire Protection• Industrial• Metallurgical

• Mining and Mineral

• Naval Architecture & Marine

• Nuclear• Petroleum• Structural

“Breadth & Depth”(Common session in AM, and Depth module in PM)

• Civil– Environmental, Geotechnical, Structural,

Transportation, and Water Resources

• Electrical & Computer– Computers, Power, and Electronics, Controls

and Communications

• Mechanical– HVAC and Refrigeration, Machine Design,

and Thermal and Fluid Systems

Your Name, P.E.

Enjoy the Benefits of a Professional Engineering License

Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers

www.bels.alabama.gov

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)

www.ncees.org

or

www.engineeringlicense.com