The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Chemical exam is usually the first step toward a PE license. It covers the core of a chemical engineering degree: material and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, process design and control, and process safety.
Exam format at a glance
| Format | 110 multiple-choice and alternative-item questions, taken by computer at a Pearson VUE center. The appointment is 6 hours, including a tutorial and a scheduled break; exam time is 5 hours 20 minutes. |
| Cost | NCEES lists the FE exam fee as $225 (NCEES Exam Guide, July 2025). Check NCEES for current pricing. |
| Scoring | Pass/fail. NCEES does not publish a cut score, so practice scores here use a 70% line as an estimate, not a prediction. |
| Validity | Passing the FE is typically required to become an Engineer Intern (EI or EIT). Licensing requirements are set by each state board. |
Who this exam is for
- Chemical engineering seniors and recent graduates
- Engineers in training preparing for the EIT designation
- Working engineers returning to take the FE
How to actually study for it
- Material and energy balances are the largest area at 10 to 15 questions — practice recycle, bypass and purge problems.
- Fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer and mass transfer are each 8 to 12 questions; build depth there.
- Know reactor design equations for batch, CSTR and plug-flow reactors.
- Use the searchable FE Reference Handbook during practice so you can find formulas fast.
Where to go next
Start with the free 10-question diagnostic to see where you actually stand, or go straight to the one-page FE Chemical cheat sheet. The full FE Chemical practice exam covers every domain at the real exam's weighting, with every answer explained.