Licensure
FE and PE Exam Study Plans
A week-by-week study plan for each FE and PE exam, built from the current NCEES exam specification: the exam format, the topic areas with their question counts, and a suggested split of study hours. Each plan links to the NCEES specification and to the matching practice exam.
Find your examFundamentals of Engineering (FE) exams
FE Civil Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the FE Civil exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 14 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
FE Electrical and Computer Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the FE Electrical and Computer exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 17 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
FE Mechanical Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the FE Mechanical exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 14 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
FE Chemical Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the FE Chemical exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 17 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
FE Environmental Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the FE Environmental exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 15 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
FE Industrial and Systems Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the FE Industrial and Systems exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 13 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
FE Other Disciplines Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the FE Other Disciplines exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 14 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams
PE Electrical and Computer: Power Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Electrical and Computer: Power exam built from the NCEES specification: 80 questions, 9 hours, 9 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration exam built from the NCEES specification: 80 questions, 9 hours, 4 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Mechanical: Machine Design and Materials Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Mechanical: Machine Design and Materials exam built from the NCEES specification: 80 questions, 9 hours, 6 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Mechanical: Thermal and Fluids Systems Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Mechanical: Thermal and Fluids Systems exam built from the NCEES specification: 80 questions, 9 hours, 5 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Civil: Structural Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Civil: Structural exam built from the NCEES specification: 80 questions, 9 hours, 5 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Control Systems Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Control Systems exam built from the NCEES specification: 85 questions, 9.5 hours, 5 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Environmental Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Environmental exam built from the NCEES specification: 80 questions, 9 hours, 6 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Industrial and Systems Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Industrial and Systems exam built from the NCEES specification: 85 questions, 9.5 hours, 5 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
PE Fire Protection Exam Study Plan
A 12-week study plan for the PE Fire Protection exam built from the NCEES specification: 85 questions, 9.5 hours, 8 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.
How these pages work
Check the format
Each plan states the number of questions and the exam time from the NCEES specification.
Rank the topics
The topic table shows how many questions each area carries, so you can put hours where the points are.
Follow the weeks
A 12-week schedule moves from a diagnostic test to topic blocks, timed practice and a light final week.
Verify with NCEES
Exam formats and specifications change. Confirm the details on ncees.org before you register.
Questions
Where do the exam details come from?
From the NCEES exam specification for each exam, linked on every plan. Exam specifications are revised from time to time, so check ncees.org for the current version.
Are the study hours an official recommendation?
No. NCEES does not publish a study schedule. The hours are a suggested split proportional to the number of questions in each topic area. Adjust them to your background.
Are the practice questions NCEES questions?
No. The practice exams on this site are original study material, not NCEES questions. Passing is not guaranteed.
Who can take the exams?
Eligibility and requirements are set by your state or territory licensing board. NCEES lists the boards on its website.
Educational material. Examples use simplified, hypothetical inputs and are not a design, a construction document or professional engineering advice. Confirm requirements with the codes and standards adopted where the work is built and with a licensed engineer.
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