Requirements for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam are determined by individual state boards, not a single national standard. While the exam itself is uniform across the country, your eligibility to sit for it—and what happens after you pass—depends on where you apply.
| State | Primary Education Requirement | Alternative / Experience Pathways | International Degree Policy |
| California | Enrollment in final year of EAC/ABET program. | 3 years of engineering-related work experience. | Accepts CEAB (Canada); other foreign degrees require evaluation. |
| New York | Senior in last semester (within 20 credits of graduation). | EAC/ABET, TAC/ABET, or Non-EAC/ABET programs accepted. | Recognizes Washington Accord signatories; others require board review. |
| Louisiana | Enrollment in EAC/ABET or Non-EAC accredited program. | 20 years of experience allows for an FE waiver (Act 2). | Mandatory Foreign Education Evaluation (NCEES) required. |
| Florida | Final year of EAC/ABET or ETAC/ABET program. | Substantially equivalent non-ABET programs. | Requires evaluation by board-approved services (e.g., Josef Silny). |
Detailed State Profiles
California
California is one of the most flexible states. You can qualify by being in your final year of an ABET-certified program or by demonstrating three years of engineering work experience. Notably, California allows for a wider range of related scientific programs (ASAC/ABET) compared to more rigid states.
New York
Managed by the New York State Board of Regents, the state allows students to sit for the exam if they are in their final semester. New York is strict regarding international education; while it recognizes the Washington Accord, it typically does not recognize other international education without a rigorous equivalency review.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board (LAPELS) accepts both EAC/ABET and non-EAC/ABET degrees. Louisiana is unique for its "Act 2" provision, which allows seasoned professionals with 20 years of experience to potentially waive the FE exam entirely to sit for the PE exam.
Florida
The Florida Board (FBPE) requires an ABET-accredited degree in either Engineering or Engineering Technology. If you have a foreign degree, Florida is very specific about using their approved evaluators. Additionally, passing the FE in Florida is only the first step; to get your Engineer Intern (EI) certificate, you must also pass a state-specific Laws and Rules Study Guide with a score of 90% or higher.
Common Requirements Across All States
Regardless of the state, most candidates will encounter these universal steps:
NCEES Registration: All candidates must create a MyNCEES account to schedule the exam.
The Exam Format: A 110-question, 5-hour and 20-minute computer-based test (CBT).
Transcripts: Even if you pass the exam, your state board will not issue an EIT/EI certificate until they receive official, final transcripts showing your degree was conferred.