1.1 Current Exam Facts
Key Takeaways
- FE Electrical and Computer is a 110-question NCEES computer-based test (CBT) delivered year-round at Pearson VUE centers.
- The full appointment is about 6 hours: an 8-minute tutorial, an optional 25-minute break, and 5 hours 20 minutes of actual exam time.
- NCEES charges a $175 exam fee per attempt; state licensing boards may add separate application or approval fees.
- FE results never expire, but how the EIT/EI designation is granted and used is set by each state board.
- Results are typically released to your NCEES MyAccount within 7 to 10 days as a pass/fail decision.
Anchor your prep to the official frame
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Electrical and Computer exam is the electrical/computer discipline version of the NCEES FE exam. It is usually taken by students near the end of an EAC/ABET-accredited (Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) program, or by recent graduates pursuing the Engineer Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) step toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) controls the national exam content and logistics. Individual state licensing boards control eligibility, approval to test, and how a passing result becomes an EI/EIT designation. Before you choose books or a study schedule, lock in the facts below so you prepare for the exam NCEES actually gives.
| Official fact | Current FE Electrical & Computer detail |
|---|---|
| Administering body | NCEES |
| Delivery | Computer-based test (CBT) at Pearson VUE centers |
| Availability | Year-round (no fixed exam dates) |
| Questions | 110 |
| Exam time | 5 hours 20 minutes |
| Full appointment | ~6 hours (8-min tutorial + 25-min optional break + exam time) |
| Reference material | On-screen searchable NCEES FE Reference Handbook only |
| Fee paid to NCEES | $175 |
| Units | SI and U.S. Customary System (USCS) |
| Score report | Pass/fail, typically 7-10 days after testing |
| Result expiration | None (state board rules govern the EIT/EI designation) |
How the appointment time breaks down
The appointment is longer than the time you spend answering questions. A short nondisclosure agreement (NDA) and an 8-minute tutorial come first, then the 5-hour-20-minute exam clock, with an optional 25-minute break you can take whenever you choose. The break clock and the exam clock are separate, so stepping away does not eat into problem-solving time. Build your timed practice around the 5:20 exam clock so the pace feels normal on test day.
Scheduling, results, and what "no expiration" means
You register through your NCEES MyAccount, pay the $175 fee, and then schedule a seat at a Pearson VUE center. Because the FE is offered year-round, you can pick a date that fits your study runway rather than waiting for a national test window.
Results are released to your MyAccount, usually within 7 to 10 days, as a simple pass or fail. A passing FE result does not expire at the national level. However, the EIT/EI designation and any time limits on using it toward PE licensure are set by your state board, so check your board's rules before assuming a years-old pass still counts the way you expect.
Which statement matches the current NCEES FE Electrical and Computer logistics?
A candidate passed the FE three years ago. What is true about that result?