Question 1

What are the PE Mechanical depth options?

Accepted Answer

NCEES offers three PE Mechanical depth exams: Machine Design & Materials, Thermal & Fluids Systems, and HVAC & Refrigeration. You choose the one that matches your practice; all are computer-based and offered year-round.

Question 2

Is the FE required before the PE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You pass the FE Mechanical to become an EIT, gain qualifying experience (typically about four years), then sit the PE Mechanical depth exam and apply through your state board.

Question 3

Are the PE Mechanical exams open book?

Accepted Answer

They are open-book using an NCEES-supplied searchable reference; the exams are computer-based and time-pressured, so fast reference navigation is important.

Question 4

Which depth is hardest?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty is individual — it depends on your background. The best choice is the depth that overlaps your day-to-day work, since you’ll have the strongest intuition and reference familiarity there.

PE Mechanical: Machine Design & Materials