Umair Gaines
Choosing the right Professional Engineer (PE) exam can be confusing, especially for electrical engineering graduates. The choice of the exam determines whether you will become a professional engineer or fail the test, wasting your time and money. The National Council of Examiners (NCEES) conducts the PE exam for Engineering and Surveying. Anyone with a four-year engineering degree can take this exam, choosing the engineering discipline that matches their degree. The PE Electrical and Computer exam includes multiple-choice questions and alternative item types (AITs) and is administered once a year. The exam includes 80-85 questions and has a time limit of 9-9.5 hours. The exam fee is $250, and examinees can attempt the exam up to three times in a 12-month period. The choice of the PE exam depends on your experience, interest, and the state in which you intend to work as requirements vary across states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | Electrical and Computer PE Exam |
| Exam Conducting Body | NCEES |
| Minimum Work Experience Required | 4 years |
| Exam Format | Multiple-choice questions and alternative item types (AITs) |
| Number of Questions | 80-85 |
| Exam Duration | 9-9.5 hours |
| Exam Registration Fee | $250 |
| Number of Attempts Allowed | 1 per testing window and no more than 3 in a 12-month period |
| Exam Preparation Resources | NCEES Examinee Guide, practice exams, review courses, study guides |
| State-Specific Considerations | Licensure portability, exam availability, scheduling, competency of state exam administrators, networking opportunities |
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What You'll Learn
Electronics, Controls, and Communications
When it comes to choosing which PE exam to take, it depends on your experience, interests, and the engineering discipline that matches your degree. The PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam is a computer-based exam administered once a year. It is a single-day testing event with 85 questions and a time limit of 9.5 hours. The exam includes multiple-choice questions and alternative item types (AITs).
To prepare for the exam, you can refer to study guides, practice exams, and review courses. Some resources include the NCEES study guides, the PPI Learning Hub, and John A. Camara's Electronics, Controls, and Communications Reference Manual and Practice Problems. These materials can help you become familiar with the exam topics and improve your problem-solving skills.
Additionally, you can consider taking a review course, such as the PPI Live Online Course Bundle or the OnDemand Course Bundle. These courses are designed to provide an in-depth review of the exam topics and are taught by professional engineers with real-world experience. The OnDemand Course Bundle offers flexibility, allowing you to study at your own pace and choose your course timeframe.
It is also important to note that the PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam is just one option. There are other PE Electrical and Computer exams, such as the Computer Engineering exam and the Power exam, which may align better with your interests and experience. Ultimately, it is recommended to choose the exam that best suits your background and career goals.
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Power
The PE (Professional Engineer) exam is administered by the NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying). The PE Electrical and Computer: Power exam is one of the many PE exams offered by the NCEES. It includes multiple-choice questions and alternative item types (AITs). The exam is designed for engineers with a minimum of four years of post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline.
The Power exam covers topics such as power distribution, the NEC code book, and the NESC. It is important to note that the exam specifications will be updated for exams beginning on October 1, 2025.
When choosing which PE exam to take, it is important to consider your interest in the discipline and your professional background. Your engineering degree can be a good starting point, but it is not the only factor that determines your exam choice. For example, if you have a degree in chemical engineering, you may not want to take an electrical PE exam.
There are various resources available to help you prepare for the Power exam, including practice exams, study guides, and online courses. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the exam format, topics covered, and required standards before taking the exam.
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Exam preparation
The choice of the exam determines whether you will become a professional engineer or fail the test, wasting your time and money. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the exam thoroughly.
The first step in preparing for the exam is to choose the right exam for you. This choice should be based on your experience and interests. The National Council of Examiners conducts the PE exam for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Anyone with a four-year engineering degree can take this exam. You can choose the engineering discipline that matches your degree from their website.
Once you have chosen the exam, you can start preparing for it. One way to prepare is to take a review course or an online class. Zach Stone, P.E., for example, offers an online class for the Power PE Exam. You can also buy study guides and practice exams to help you prepare. It is important to focus on the topics that are most likely to appear on the exam. The NCEES website specifies the topics and the number of questions that will appear on the various PE examinations. You can download the specifications, fees, and requirements for each exam from the NCEES website.
Another important aspect of preparing for the exam is managing your time effectively. The exam appointment time is typically 9-9.5 hours, so you need to make sure you are well-rested and focused on the day of the exam.
Finally, it is important to be familiar with the exam format and procedures. The NCEES Examinee Guide is the official guide to policies and procedures for all NCEES exams. You can download this guide from the NCEES website. It is also important to note that you will not be allowed to bring personal copies of any material into the exam room. NCEES will provide an electronic reference handbook and all specified design standards during the exam.
By following these steps and preparing thoroughly, you can increase your chances of passing the PE exam and becoming a licensed professional engineer.
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Choosing an exam
The National Council of Examiners conducts the PE exam for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). To be eligible for this exam, you must have a four-year engineering degree. When choosing an exam, consider selecting the engineering discipline that matches your degree. You can find this information on the NCEES website. Additionally, the NCEES website provides details on the topics covered and the approximate number of questions for each PE examination.
Another factor to consider is the passing rates for different disciplines. While your choice of exam may not significantly impact your chances of passing, it is still important to choose the discipline that matches your interests and strengths. This will increase your motivation and likelihood of performing well. If you can obtain a license, it will enhance your resume and make you more competitive in the job market.
When deciding on an exam, it is also worth evaluating the state in which you plan to take the test. While the content of the FE exam remains consistent across states, the specific requirements for PE licensure can vary. Some states have additional prerequisites, such as extra exams or work experience. Therefore, if you intend to work in a particular state, it may be advantageous to take the FE exam in that state to meet its specific licensure requirements.
Lastly, consider the format of the exam, the topics covered, and the standards required. The PE Electrical and Computer exam, for example, is offered in two versions: Computer Engineering and Electronics, Controls, and Communications. Both versions are computer-based and administered once a year, with 85 questions and a 9.5-hour time limit. However, the Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam is also offered year-round, with 80 questions and a 9-hour time limit.
In conclusion, choosing the right PE exam involves careful consideration of your interests, degree discipline, state requirements, and exam specifics. By thoughtfully evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your career aspirations and sets you on the path to becoming a licensed professional engineer.
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Registration and fees
To register for the PE Electrical and Computer: Power exam, you must first register with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). You can then log in to your MyNCEES account and follow the on-screen instructions. The exam fee is $400, payable directly to NCEES. However, some licensing boards may require you to file a separate application and pay an additional application fee. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with your state licensing board's unique registration procedures before registering for the exam.
The PE Electrical and Computer: Power exam is administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers. The exam includes 80 multiple-choice questions and alternative item types (AITs). The exam appointment time is 9 hours.
The PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam is also administered once a year at Pearson VUE test centers. Examinees may reserve their seats up to a year in advance once they are registered with NCEES and approved by their board. The exam includes 85 questions, and the exam appointment time is 9.5 hours. This exam also includes multiple-choice questions and AITs.
The PE Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering exam is computer-based and is also administered once a year. Like the Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam, examinees may reserve their seats up to a year in advance. The exam appointment time is 9.5 hours and includes 85 questions.
NCEES provides an electronic reference handbook and all specified design standards during the exams. Personal copies of any material are not allowed in the exam room. The handbook and design standards are available as searchable PDF files with linked chapters for easy navigation. The NCEES Examinee Guide is a free resource that outlines the policies and procedures for all NCEES exams and can be downloaded from the NCEES website.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on your experience, interest, and the state you intend to work in. The choice of the exam determines whether you’ll become a professional engineer or fail the test, wasting your time and money.
Licensure portability, exam availability, scheduling, the competency of state exam administrators, and networking opportunities.
The PE Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering exam and the PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam.
The NCEES website specifies the topics and the number of questions that will appear on the various PE examinations. You can also take an electrical PE review course or get the NCEES study guides.
