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Frequently Asked Questions About Examinations

Last updated: December 2011


What items are permitted- and prohibited- in the exam room for the Principles and Practices examination?

1. Devices or materials that might compromise the security of the examination process are not permitted.
2. Only models of calculators as specified by NCEES are permitted in the examination room. Click here for a list of calculators that are allowed in the exam room.
3. Devices having a QWERTY keypad arrangement similar to a typewriter or keyboard are not permitted. Devices not permitted include (but are not limited to) palmtop, laptop, handheld; as well as desktop computers, calculators, databanks, data collectors, and organizers.
4. Communication devices such as pagers and cellular phones are not permitted.
5. Only NCEES-supplied marking and erasing instruments are permitted for use in the examination room. Mechanical pencils will be provided. Each pencil has an eraser and is preloaded with three pieces of 0.7-mm HB lead. This is the only writing instrument allowed. Candidates may NOT bring lead or erasers. If necessary, proctors will issue additional pencils to examinees during the exam.

All exams are open book. PE Civil, PE Structural I, PE Structural II examinees must bring their own copies of the applicable design standards. Rules may vary for each jurisdiction. Please contact your licensing board for more details.


What items are permitted- and prohibited- in exam room for the Fundamentals examination?

1. Devices or materials that might compromise the security of the examination process are not permitted.
2. Only models of calculators as specified by NCEES are permitted in the examination room. Click here for a list of calculators that are allowed in the exam room.
3. Devices having a QWERTY keypad arrangement similar to a typewriter or keyboard are not permitted. Devices not permitted include (but are not limited to) palmtop, laptop, handheld; as well as desktop computers, calculators, databanks, data collectors, and organizers.
4. Communication devices such as pagers and cellular phones are not permitted.
5. Only NCEES-supplied marking and erasing instruments are permitted for use in the examination room. Mechanical pencils will be provided. Each pencil has an eraser and is preloaded with three pieces of 0.7-mm HB lead. This is the only writing instrument allowed. Candidates may NOT bring lead or erasers. If necessary, proctors will issue additional pencils to examinees during the exam.

No books can be taken into the exam.

FE examinees will be furnished a copy of the FE Supplied-Reference Handbook at the exam site. This is the only reference material you will use during the exam.


How can I get the percentage of my grade, what steps must I take?

Section 1313 of the Board Rules states “Applicants will be informed by mail only as to whether they passed or failed an examination. Numerical grades will not be released by the board.”

The policy of NCEES is to inform the Board only that an applicant has passed or failed. Therefore, the Board does not have the applicant’s numerical grades.


How can I find out if I have been scheduled for an upcoming exam?

Once your application has been deemed complete by LAPELS, you will receive a letter notifying you that you have been "Approved" to take the exam. Only then, should you contact www.ncees.org, to register and pay your exam fees.


Where can I find dates of upcoming exams?

For details see the Examination Schedule.


Where are the examinations administered?

The examination sites are determined by NCEES, the agency that administers the examinations Section 1313 of the Board Rules states “Applicants will be informed by mail only as to whether they passed or failed an examination. Numerical grades will not be released by the board.”

The policy of NCEES is to inform the Board only that an applicant has passed or failed. Therefore, the Board specific exam site location information (meaning the physical address and website, if available) is not posted until about 4 weeks prior to the exam date.