This note is for CEE Rising Seniors (those currently taking 300-level CEE courses)
We want to give you advance information about the FE Exam, so that you will have plenty of time to look into it and to schedule it in spring quarter.
- We strongly recommend that you schedule your Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam in spring quarter, selecting a test date in summer or early fall, before the autumn quarter picks up speed. The majority of CEE students take the FE exam by autumn quarter of their senior year. (Please be aware that you will be selecting test dates months in advance, so you should NOT wait until late summer to schedule your FE Exam.)
- Passing the FE will result in the Engineer-In-Training (EIT) license. Having the EIT on your resume as you begin your job search greatly increases your desirability as a candidate for competitive positions, and it could also translate in a higher starting wage.
- You will find detailed information about the FE/EIT registration process through the Washington State Department of Licensing website. The FE/EIT is not an academic requirement for the BSCE degree, but is helpful as you enter the profession.
The basic process for undergraduate students scheduling the FE Exam is listed below:
- Register for the exam at the NCEES website.
- Select WA State in the Exam Registration box in the right column & follow the directions.
- BSCE majors typically take the General Engineering and Civil tests of the FE exam.
- After registering for the exam, you will be contacted by WA State & NCEES with further directions.
A good way to prepare for the exam is to review the Equations Reference book, provided on the NCEES website. (You may also be able to obtain copies from past seniors.) NCEES also offers practice tests online.
The UW CEE Department has a very high (approx. 90%) passage rate among first-time test takers. Most of the students report that the 300-level CEE courses offers very strong preparation for the exam, so it is better not to wait too long to take the FE exam.
-Brian & Mariko
CEE Undergraduate Advising
Civil & Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering
University of Washington
More Hall, Box 352700
CEE Advising Appointments
(Ensure your time zone is set to Pacific Standard Time)
**If you do not see a time that works with your schedule, please email ceadvice@uw.edu with your availability.