NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION
Certification and Professional Engineering Licenses
What is commonly referred to as an FE Exam (Fundamentals in Engineering) is known in California as the EIT Examination (Engineer-in-Training). Certification as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) is the first step required under California law towards becoming licensed as a professional engineer. To apply, MAE students must be enrolled in one of our ABET B.S. Programs (Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering) and have completed three years of accredited coursework OR have three years or more of professional engineering-related work experience anywhere in the world AND never have been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of engineering.
What is the FE/EIT Exam?
The EIT examination covers fundamental engineering subjects including mathematics and the basic sciences highlighted by the ABET Educational Objectives listed on the MAE Departmental website. The examination administered and recognized by the Board is the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. The exam has a four-hour morning and four-hour afternoon session. In the morning, all examinees answer the same 120 questions, each worth one point, covering the breadth of knowledge in engineering. In the afternoon session, examinees choose one of the seven following subject areas: General, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering. Candidates identify the chosen subject area at the examination. Each has 60 two-point questions, written to test the depth of knowledge in the selected subject area. The total number of possible points for the morning and afternoon session is 240. The subject area you choose does not effect or determine the branch of engineering in which you are eligible to apply for professional licensure.
For more information, including information on test dates and costs, please visit one of the links below:
CA Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
UCSD Extension offers a Preparatory Course for the EIT. Click here for more information
Do I qualify to apply for the Fundamentals of Engineering examination?
Do I qualify to apply for the Professional Engineering examination?
