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Prepare for the NCEES FE Civil CBT with the 110-question format, 6-hour Pearson VUE appointment, 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time, electronic FE Reference Handbook, July 2020 civil specifications, jurisdiction approval rules, and blueprint weights across water, structures, geotech, transportation, construction, and core engineering topics.
FE Civil is the discipline-specific Fundamentals of Engineering exam for civil engineering candidates starting the PE licensure path. It is closed book except for the searchable electronic NCEES reference handbook.
Use these checkpoints to align preparation with NCEES logistics and the current July 2020 civil CBT specifications.
110
6 hours
5 hours 20 minutes
25 minutes scheduled
Pearson VUE test center
$225 paid to NCEES
The FE exam is generally the first exam step toward professional engineering licensure. FE Civil is aimed at civil engineering students near graduation and recent graduates.
The 6-hour appointment includes nondisclosure, tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time, and a scheduled 25-minute break. With 110 questions, most candidates need disciplined pacing near three minutes per item.
The specifications cover math and statistics, ethics, economics, statics, dynamics, mechanics, materials, fluids, surveying, water and environmental, structural, geotechnical, transportation, and construction engineering.
Preparation should include fast searching, equation recognition, unit conversion, and practice deciding whether the handbook formula fits the actual civil engineering scenario.
Use this FE Civil Engineering exam help page for exam-specific context, then compare the broader online exam help services page or contact HiraEdu if you need a direct handoff. This page stays focused on FE Civil Engineering while the linked service pages cover broader exam support options.
The Fundamentals of Engineering Civil exam is an NCEES computer-based test for students near the end of an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering degree and recent graduates starting the engineering licensure path. NCEES administers the FE exam year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers. The exam includes 110 questions, and the appointment is 6 hours: a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time, and a 25-minute scheduled break. The current NCEES exam fee is $225, paid directly to NCEES, with eligibility and approval rules varying by licensing board.
The current FE Civil CBT specifications are effective beginning with the July 2020 examinations. The exam is closed book with an electronic NCEES FE Reference Handbook, uses both SI and U.S. Customary units, and covers 14 knowledge areas: mathematics and statistics; ethics and professional practice; engineering economics; statics; dynamics; mechanics of materials; materials; fluid mechanics; surveying; water resources and environmental engineering; structural engineering; geotechnical engineering; transportation engineering; and construction engineering.
Study planning should reflect the civil blueprint. Water resources and environmental engineering, structural engineering, and geotechnical engineering each carry 10-15 questions. Transportation engineering carries 9-14 questions, while construction engineering, mathematics and statistics, and statics each carry 8-12 questions. Mechanics of materials carries 7-11 questions; fluid mechanics and surveying each carry 6-9 questions; materials and engineering economics are mid-weight areas; ethics and dynamics are smaller but still testable. NCEES rules also limit examinees to one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period.
NCEES lists 110 questions for the FE exam, including FE Civil.
The appointment is 6 hours, including a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time, and a 25-minute scheduled break.
The current specifications give 10-15 questions each to water resources and environmental engineering, structural engineering, and geotechnical engineering, plus 9-14 questions to transportation engineering.
No. FE Civil is closed book, but NCEES provides an electronic FE Reference Handbook during the computer-based exam.
NCEES states that examinees receive one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period.
Check your state licensing board requirements before registration, especially if board approval, degree status, or transcript rules apply.
Prioritize water and environmental, structural, geotechnical, transportation, construction, statics, and math because these areas carry the largest question ranges.
Use the current FE Reference Handbook during every timed set so beam formulas, hydraulics equations, soil relations, transportation equations, and economics tables are easy to locate.
Blend conceptual and calculation problems across all 14 domains and practice flagging time-heavy questions before they damage the whole session.
Review the NCEES Examinee Guide for ID, calculator, break, check-in, rescheduling, and test-center rules before appointment day.
Use the guide to self-serve, or talk to a coordinator if you need help mapping timelines, official requirements, or troubleshooting day-of logistics.
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