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What is the PE?
The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam is the second step in getting your Engineering license. There is a PE exam for each Engineering discipline. The test format varies for each discipline. See http://www.ncees.org/exams/formats/ for an overview of test formats.
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Who creates the PE?
The PE exam is regulated by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for all licensing boards. Find information specific to the licensing board in your area at http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/
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When is the PE given?
The PE exam is offered in October and April each year. Test dates for the next six years are as follows:
| YEAR |
SE Vertical Exam |
SE Lateral Exam |
| 2020 |
April 17, October 23 |
April 18, October 24 |
| 2021 |
April 23, October 22 |
April 24, October 23 |
| 2022 |
April 22, October 21 |
April 23, October 22 |
| 2023 |
April 14, October 27 |
April 15, October 28 |
| 2024 |
April 12, October 25 |
April 13, October 26 |
| 2025 |
April 11, October 24 |
April 12, October 25 |
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When should I register for the PE?
Contact your state's licensing board for registration requirements and deadlines. http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/
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How do I register?
Contact your state's licensing board for details about exam registration. http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/
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How much does it cost to take the PE?
Fees and exam schedules vary by state. Contact your local Licensing Board for information at http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/
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How long does it take to get my scores back?
You will be contacted by your licensing board with your scores within 12 weeks of the test date. The exam is scored on a pass/fail basis.
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What is a good score on the PE?
The PE is scored on a pass/fail basis. Pass rates are from the October 2019 exam administration, except where otherwise noted.
| Exam |
First-time takers (%) |
Repeat takers (%) |
| Agricultural & Biological |
69 |
60 |
| Architectural |
72 |
48 |
| Chemical |
71 |
37 |
| Civil - Construction |
61 |
36 |
| Civil - Geotechnical |
66 |
35 |
| Civil - Structural |
63 |
41 |
| Civil - Transportation |
70 |
45 |
| Civil - Water Resources & Environmental |
71 |
46 |
| Control Systems |
66 |
33 |
| Electrical and Computer |
56 |
0 |
| Environmental |
66 |
47 |
| Fire Protection |
55 |
29 |
| Industrial |
95 |
60 |
| Mechanical |
69 |
37 |
| Metallurgical and Materials |
78 |
33 |
| Mining and Mineral Processing |
67 |
60 |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering |
56 |
27 |
| Nuclear |
55 |
20 |
| Petroleum |
63 |
0 |
Source: NCEES.org
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When should I start preparing for the PE?
You are not eligible to take the PE until you pass the Fundamentals (FE) exam. Students usually have at least four years of experience in their discipline before taking the PE. Most licensing boards require that your work experience be under a licensed professional engineer's supervision.
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How are Excel Test Prep Courses different from other courses?
The course coordinator has been teaching EIT/FE course for over 30 years and is very well versed with the format of the exam and what to takes to pass it. Our course is not a college course, which is designed to cover mostly theory. Our comprehensive course is focused only on topics that are on the exam and test-taking strategies specific to the exam. Thanks to our many tips, techniques, and shortcutstaught in class, students are able to quickly solve problems on the exam. As a result of the quality of our course, we can offer the Guarantee of Passing.
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Who teaches the courses at Excel Test Prep?
Our instructors come from the industry and academia and are highly qualified in their specialized fields. Each course is taught by several instructors who have taught EIT/FE courses for many years at various companies including: British Petroleum (BP), Fluor, Sirrine, Lummus, Texas Instruments, Foster Wheeler, Utility Englineering, City of Austin Electric Utility Department and the Department of transportation of Texas, Virginia, and Louisiana
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How much math do I need before I can start preparing for the PE?
Each discipline of the PE exam is different - see detailed specifications for each exam at http://www.ncees.org/exams/formats/
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