The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Environmental exam is usually the first step toward a PE license. It covers the core of an environmental engineering degree: environmental chemistry, hydraulics, hydrology, groundwater, water and wastewater treatment, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, and risk assessment.
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
- Environmental and civil 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
- Fluid mechanics and water/wastewater are the largest areas at 12 to 18 questions each — master hydraulics and treatment process design.
- Practice BOD, activated-sludge and detention-time calculations until they're routine.
- Know Darcy's law, the rational method and Gaussian plume basics for groundwater, hydrology and air.
- 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 Environmental cheat sheet. The full FE Environmental practice exam covers every domain at the real exam's weighting, with every answer explained.