FE/PE Study Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the FE/PE Study Guide page! This resource is designed to support engineers preparing for their FE and PE exams by bringing together valuable information in one convenient location. Each section below includes a dropdown with more details – just click on the topic you’re interested in to explore further.

Becoming a PE allows engineers to prepare, sign, and stamp plans. This is crucial for career advancement and long-term success. As discussed in the PE Licensure – Michigan dropdown, there are educational, exam, and experience requirements to become a PE.

Getting Started

Are you considering taking the FE or PE exam soon? Consider following the steps below to get started:

  • Create an account through NCEES (Log in or create your account | NCEES)
  • Review the calculator policy
  • Review the topics included on the exam through NCEES and/or the dropdowns below
  • Select and sign up for an exam date a few months out to give yourself time to prepare
  • Become familiar with all references that will be provided during the exam
  • Come up with a plan, options include:
    • Sign up for a study class
    • Join a study group and dedicate specific days/times per week to group studying
    • Self-study – watch YouTube videos, make flashcards, etc.
    • See the Resources/References dropdown for more information on the above options
  • Perform practice problems and/or exams on a regular basis
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam is the first exam required to become a professional engineer.

  • Computer-based exam
  • 110 questions
  • 6 hours
    • Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
    • Tutorial (8 minutes)
    • Exam (5 hours and 20 minutes)
    • Scheduled break (25 minutes in the middle of the exam)
  • $225 exam fee
  • Topics (# of Questions)
    • Mathematics and Statistics (8-12)
    • Ethics and Professional Practice (4-6)
    • Engineering Economics (5-8)
    • Statics (8-12)
    • Dynamics (4-6)
    • Mechanics of Materials (7-11)
    • Materials (5-8)
    • Fluid Mechanics (6-9)
    • Surveying (6-9)
    • Water Resources and Environmental Engineering (10-15)
    • Structural Engineering (10-15)
    • Geotechnical Engineering (10-15)
    • Transportation Engineering (9-14)
    • Construction Engineering (8-12)
  • Reference Handbook
    • Can be found on the NCEES website (also included in the Resources/References dropdown)
    • Only document you will have on the exam
    • Will be provided for you virtually

Civil FE Exam Specifications (PDF)

Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE)

The Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) Transportation exam is the next step required to become a professional engineer.

  • Computer-based exam
  • 80 questions
  • 9 hours
    • Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
    • Tutorial (8 minutes)
    • Exam (8 hours)
    • Scheduled break (50 minutes)
  • $400 exam fee
  • Topics (# of Questions)
    • Project Management (6-9)
    • Traffic Engineering (Capacity Analysis, Transportation Planning, and Safety Analysis) (10-15)
    • Roadside and Cross-Section Design (7-11)
    • Horizontal Design (8-12)
    • Vertical Design (8-12)
    • Intersection Geometry (7-11)
    • Traffic Signals (5-8)
    • Traffic Control Design (5-8)
    • Geotechnical and Pavement (6-9)
    • Drainage (8-12)
  • References
    • A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 7th edition, 2018 (including October 2019 errata), American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
    • Guide for Design of Pavement Structures, 4th edition, 1993 with 1998 supplement, American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
    • Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, 2nd edition, 2021, American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
    • Highway Safety Manual, 1st edition, 2010, with 2014 Supplement (including September 2010, February 2012, and March 2016 errata), American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
    • Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide: A Manual of Practice, 3rd edition, August 2022, American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
    • Roadside Design Guide, 4th edition, 2011 (including February 2012 and July 2015 errata), American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
    • Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts, Hydraulic Design Series Number 5, 3rd edition, April 2012, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.
    • Highway Capacity Manual (Volumes 1–4), 6th edition, 2016, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
    • Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 2009, including Revisions 1 and 2 dated May 2012, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

Civil (Transportation) PE Exam Specifications (PDF)

Resources/References
Testing Locations – Michigan
  • Central Michigan
    • Central Michigan University
      • 250 E Preston #319 Park Library Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 48859
  • Lansing Area
    • Pearson Professional Centers-East Lansing MI
      • 1595 W Lake Lansing Rd Suite 230 East Lansing, Michigan, 48823
  • Southeast Michigan
    • Pearson Professional Centers-Dearborn MI
      • 835 Mason St Suite A-200 Dearborn, Michigan, 48124
    • Pearson Professional Centers-Southfield MI
      • 26555 Evergreen Road Suite 125 Southfield, Michigan, 48076
    • Pearson Professional Centers-Ann Arbor MI
      • 30 Parkland Plaza Suite D Ann Arbor, Michigan , 48103
    • Pearson Professional Centers-Troy (Detroit) MI
      • 888 W. Big Beaver Rd Suite 490 City Center Building Troy, Michigan, 48084
  • Upper Peninsula Michigan
    • Pearson Professional Centers-Marquette MI
      • 290 Rublein Street Suite B Rublein Building Marquette, Michigan, 49855
    • Michigan Technological University Testing Center
      • 1400 Townsend Dr. Houghton, Michigan, 49931
  • West Side
    • Pearson Professional Centers-Grand Rapids (East) MI
      • 2851 Charlevoix Drive SE Suite 115 Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546
    • Pearson Professional Centers-Grand Rapids MI
      • 161 Ottawa Ave NW Suite 410 Waters Center Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503
Exam Scoring

Results:

  • Available 7-10 days after the exam is taken
    • Results typically come out on Wednesdays
  • You will receive an email notification to check NCEES for results
  • Pass/Fail
    • If you do not pass, you will receive a diagnostic report with strengths vs weaknesses
Calculator Policy – 2025

The following calculator models are the only ones allowed for use during 2025 exams:

  • Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models (Any Casio calculator must have “fx-115” or “fx-991” in its model name.)
  • Hewlett Packard: The HP 33s and HP 35s models
  • Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models (Any Texas Instruments calculator must have “TI-30X” or “TI-36X” in its model name.)
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Can I go back to questions at a later time?
    • You can flag questions and return to them at any time in the FE exam
    • For the PE exam you can only go back to questions from the morning portion in the morning and only afternoon questions in the afternoon portion of the exam.
  • Can I take more breaks than the scheduled time allows?
    • Yes, however, the timer does not stop on your exam
  • Can I take the PE exam before I have four years of work experience?
    • Yes, this is a fairly recent change in Michigan. You can now take this exam any time after graduation.
  • How can I best prepare myself for the exam?
    • Understand what reference materials you will have on your exam and know where to find items
    • Do a lot of practice problems and practice exams
    • Be familiar with your approved calculator and use it when preparing for the exam
    • Select an exam date and don’t change it, this will help you mentally prepare
    • Get enough sleep the night before the exam
    • Eat in the morning/before your exam
  • How do the references work?
    • References for your specific exam will be provided to you virtually
    • For the PE exam, you can only have one reference open at a time
      • For the HCM, you can only have one chapter open at a time
    • Use “Control F” to search for something within a reference to help save time
  • What can I take into the exam room?
    • An approved calculator, approved glasses, and a light jacket
    • Phones and smart watches are not permitted
  • What happens if I forget my calculator or it is not approved?
    • There is a calculator available on the computer that you can use during the exam.
  • What should I expect on exam day?
    • Plan to arrive early to figure out parking and which room to go to
    • Present your ID to check in for your exam
    • Place items not allowed in the exam room into a locker
    • Head over to “security” to ensure your pockets are empty, check glasses, etc
    • Be given a booklet and marker to write in
    • Be given a computer and start your exam
  • What should I bring with me on exam day?
    • Plan to bring a lunch/snacks, your license/ID, and an approved calculator
  • When should I take these exams?
    • Plan to take the FE at the end of your senior year or college or soon after
    • Plan to take the PE about 1-2 years after college graduation
  • Where can I keep items not allowed into the exam room?
    • You will be provided with a locker where you can keep your phone, keys, lunch/snacks, etc.
  • Will I be able to solve problems by hand?
    • Yes, you will be provided with a notebook and marker
    • If you need more sheets or a new marker, just ask
Requirements – Michigan
  • No application needed to schedule an exam through NCEES
  • Examinees will be provided one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period
PE Licensure – Michigan

PE Licensure Requirements:

  • Education
    • Have an EAC/ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree
      • Will need to submit an official transcript
  • Exams
    • Pass the FE Exam
    • Pass the PE Exam
  • Experience
    • Four years of work experience working under a PE
      • A master’s degree and/or postdoctoral degree can contribute to a maximum of one of these years
      • An experience verification form needs to be filled out and signed by a licensed professional engineer who supervised the applicant
  • Fee
    • Two-year license fee of $115 for a new application
    • Renewal fee of $80
Contact

Still have questions? Looking to provide feedback? Reach out to Lauren Hull at lauren.hull@ohm-advisors.com.

Last updated 12/2/2025