This page is for the information of Princeton ASCE students. Any interpretation of facts or requirements is purely my own, and should not be taken as the official position of any licensing board or other official organization. If you have further questions, comments, or corrections, please e-mail me.
The first step on the road to professional licensure in Civil Engineering (the P.E.), is to take the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam. This exam used to be called the EIT (Engineer-in-Training) exam and is still widely referred to as the EIT exam. On passing this exam, qualified students and graduates are allowed to become an EIT. After a certain number of years of experience, EIT's may take the P.E. test to become licenced civil engineers.
The FE exam consists of two parts -- one part in the morning with has questions about general engineering and engineering pre-requisites (For example, calculus, physics, and chemistry). In the afternoon, you must pick a test that is more specific to a single engineering discipline, for example the civil engineering test. More specific information about the test may be found at NCEES. The Princeton ASCE is also looking in to purchasing review materials for this exam and making them available to all members in the ASCE room.
To take the FE exam, you must first apply to be able to take the test. In New Jersey, call (973) 504-6460 to request an application by mail. Pennsylvania uses an online system at PCSHQ. The test is offered twice a year, once on October 26, 2002 and once on April 12, 2003. The deadlines in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the October exam have already passed. For the April exam, the Pennsylvania deadline is December 1 and the New Jersey deadline is October 3, 2002. The NJ application requires (among more basic information) a passport-style photo, three references (including one reference who is a licenced PE), and notarization by a Notary Public.
There is a testing location in Hamilton, NJ and Philadelphia, PA.
I hope you find this information useful!
Chris Bobko