Are you someone who cleared their FE exam and is thus planning to take the next step? Do you intend to obtain a professional engineer (PE) license? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you are in the right spot. This article provides a comprehensive guide if you are considering taking the professional licensure exam. So keep scrolling!

What is a PE Exam? 

Passing the PE Civil exam will be your top objective, but before that, it is pivotal for you to have a deeper understanding of this examination.

Also known as the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam, this is the last hurdle an engineer must cross to gain a professional engineer license. The test lasts 8 to 8.5 hours and consists of 80 to 85 questions. Furthermore, in 2022, the previously known pen-and-paper format of the PE exam got replaced by the currently used computer-based format. Additionally, you need to pay a fee to register for this examination.

The different disciplines of the PE Exam 

Irrespective of the variation of the PE exam you take, you will have 80 to 85 questions to answer. For instance, if your version consists of 80 questions, you will have 8 hours to complete them. Plus, there will be a break of 50 minutes between the two 4-hour sessions.

Similarly, if the variation has 85 questions, you will have 8.5 hours, along with a 50-minute additional break. And the disciplines you can attempt on the PE exam include:

• Mechanical
• Metallurgical and Materials
• Mining and Mineral Processing
• Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
• Nuclear
• Petroleum
• Structural
• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Chemical
• Civil
• Control Systems
• Electrical and Computer
• Environmental
• Fire Protection
• Industrial and Systems

Why take the PE Exam?

While it may be an individual’s choice, if you wish to grab the many opportunities and perks, taking this exam and eventually clearing it is a requisite. And it is not just about relishing benefits; it is way more than that. The true essence of your engineering degree comes into play only when you pass the critical PE examination.

Let’s elaborate on these advantages in detail and throw some light on them!

When you attain the PE licence, it demonstrates your dedication and hard work. Clearing this examination also ensures that you can furnish your services directly to the public. To put it simply, these two letters “PE” ensure that the door is thrown open perpetually for you to gain an ample number of opportunities throughout your life span.

Additionally, if you are planning to embark on starting your firm, you necessarily need a PE license to furnish services to your clients. So you can very well understand the virtues of this examination that have been highly extolled.

Another known benefit of attaining a PE license is that you earn a greater average salary in contrast to individuals who don’t have it.

So, the above reasons give you a glimpse of why it makes sense to appear for this examination and finally crack it.

How do I register for the PE Exam?

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, abbreviated NCEES, is the body responsible for creating, conducting, and marking the tests. Therefore, the candidates need to first create an NCEES account.

Once you do this and log in, you will come across a section labelled “Common Tasks” on the right side. Then you will need to click on “Register for the Test.” After doing this, you will choose the test type, complete the procedures, pay the requisite fee, and successfully enrol for this exam.

What’s the PE Exam Scoring Process?

If you are infatuated to know the PE scoring process, it is for your information that these scores do not remain the same. This is because they are updated every year for each discipline. You need to essentially visit the official NCEES website to gain information about these scores.

Structure of the PE Exam

As already stated, there will be 80 to 85 questions, depending on your specialization. These include filling in the blanks, dragging and dropping, and even multiple correct questions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q) Is the PE Exam so tough that it cannot be cleared on the first attempt?

A) While there is little doubt that the PE exam is one of the most difficult, assuming that it cannot be passed on the first try is incorrect. This test requires immense dedication, hard work, and practice. If you ensure them, you are likely to succeed even if it is your first attempt.

Q) What does the PE Exam include?

A) The professional engineering exam primarily consists of two sections in the shape of breadth and depth. Both contain 40 questions each, including those on construction, geotechnical engineering, water, structure, and transportation.

Q) Does the PE exam structure vary from state to state?

A) If someone has informed you that the PE exam structure is different for different states, it is a fallacy. This test is conducted by the NCEES Examination Authority. Hence, the same pattern is followed throughout the US states.

Q) Will the same license work if you practice in some other country?

A) The short answer to this question is: “It depends on the rules of the country.” You might need to take an additional exam if you wish to practice in that country.

What’s the mantra to clear this examination?

Clearing this examination requires your full dedication. Aside from the resources you already have, your best bet is to hire a provider’s professional services. These experts have in-depth knowledge of the different concepts in this examination. Furthermore, the majority of them are already PE holders who can advise you on the best strategies for passing this exam.

Alongside sheer guidance, you will get to practice a plethora of question papers. This is vital and a pivotal mantra for clearing this examination.

And one such provider that you can rely on for your PE needs is the Civil Engineering Academy. You can browse through their website to read what their previous students are saying about them.