FE/ PE 2

[Stanfi]

I have a BS in EE. I have been out of school almost 10 years. Unfortantley time flies as we get older. The job I have worked at has not required me to have a PE. However, I would like to have it, just for my own personal achievement. Plus it would open the door for oppourtunties in the future.

I do think it would be admirable to have a PE, but I must admit, dealing with PEs, who treat everyone that does not have a PE like they are an idiot has left a bad taste in my mouth. It is in affect like you worked hard for 4 years, to get a degree, and it accounts for absolutletly nothing.. I have work the last few years doing PLC based controls sytems, and I think that I am pretty good at it.

Anyway, my questtions are to those that have been out of school for a while before they took the exams. Did you have a hard time passing it? How did you prepare? How long did it take for you to prepare? Any tips advice, comments welcome.

I have been wrestling around with this for a while. I would like to have it for my own self-satisfaction, and just general confidence, and personal achievment.

 

[waskillywabbit]

I've struggled w/ deciding to go back for a PE, but I too would have to take the FE first. I've tried reviewing, but after being out of school for over 10 years myself, it seems that I've forgotten everything that I would have known off the top of my head right after I graduated. I should have taken the FE then, but didn't. With a full-time job and two small boys, the amount of time to pass the FE just seemed too insurmountable and would detract from my time w/ my boys while they are small. If you've got the time, I say go for it, but plan on a disciplined study schedule just to prepare for the FE, not to mention the PE in the future. You are looking at devoting 5 years of your life or more to obtaining a PE. Right now, the sacrifice just doesn't justify itself when compare to my family. Perhaps in a few years when my boys are older, but not now, as I definitely think it is always a bonus to keep improving yourself and making yourself more marketable.

Good luck!

Brian

 

[Stanfi]

waskilly,

I know what you are saying. I got the study manuals a few years ago, and just going through them was rather overwhelming.

 

[weh3]

I took the FE fourteen years out of school and the PE six months later. Before the FE exam, people were shaking their heads at me saying, "You poor sucker; good luck" I had five children at the time.

I took a ten-week FE review course through the local universtity extension center, I set aside as much time during the week as I could to work problems, and I took it seriously. Until the scores were send out, I had no clue how I did, but scored 88.

For the PE, there was no electrical review course, so I was on my own. I bought the big green book, the solutions manual that went with it, and a sample PE exam. I worked hundreds of problems, even going back to basic math and diff-eq's, and worked the sample test several times, until I understood every answer and could do similar problems in my sleep. I walked out of the exam feeling like my head was full of jello, but scored an 87.

As for treating nonregistered engineers like second-class citizens, I can only speak for myself. I don't go around saying "I am a PE, and you're not, so I know what I am talking about", and although I want my work to speak for itself, my business cards have PE after my name, and I enjoy handing them out. I worked hard for the distinction, and I want people to know who they are dealing with.

There are those who enjoy hanging around with people lower than themselves, but I wish every engineer had passed the PE. It is a more or less objective standard that demonstrates a minimum competence. If you don't have the PE, it does not mean you are not minimally competent, it just means you have not demonstrated that minimum competence to the public.

I also found that the most time consuming part of the process was getting the paperwork together for the applications. I had to go back a few years to get references, etc. Start it today.

Regards,
William

 

[metengr]

Well, I can tell you from my own experience that I had been out of school for 20 years, and took the FE and PE exams together.

This was a highly focused, 3 month effort. It was very difficult because I had to review information that I had learned back in college. Also, if you have family they need to be understanding.

Probably the two things that enabled me to pass both exams was relevant job experience, and maturity. My main concern on the first go-around was passing the FE and not the PE. Here is my rationale for taking both exams together - if I had failed the PE on a first attempt, after taking the FE and passing it, I would re-take the PE having already prepared for both exams. If I had not passed the FE and the PE, I would go no further. If I had passed the PE and not the FE, I would re-take the FE and allow myself only one more chance to pass. I figured that if I could not pass the FE after two attempts, I was probably at the point where I would have to go back to college to re-learn this information (which was not an option for me because I did not need the PE).

Here is my advice -

1) decide if you really want a PE license because time is precious, and you have a disadvantage in being out of school for an extended period.

2) if you decide to go for the PE license, take both exams back to back. Two reasons for this - one is that if by chance you pass the PE exam, you are in the test taking mindset to come in the next day and take the FE.

3). You can just prepare for the FE and wait to take the PE exam 6 months later - in my case the PE exam was only offered once a year. I found that by studying for the PE and FE exams simultaneously, it seemed to help me get in the mindset and focus for taking both exams.

4). You need to devote time for self study and working example problems. It takes repetition and numerous problems to get back in the swing of things.

Good Luck

 

[Maury]

If I had to take the FE exam again I'd be nervous too. Do as much studying as you can and give it a try, even if you're not confident. There's no penalty for failing and you might remember more than you think you do. If not, you'll at least know how much studying will be required for the next time.

 

[plasgears]

There is no susbstitute for a PE refresher course with engineers of varying backgrounds. It was a mind expanding experience. I took mine after 13 yrs since grad. It will change the way you work as an engineer. What separates the engr from others is analytical and related abilities.

 

[jsummerfield]

It is unfortunate that some universities do not promote the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Feed the need for the FE exam back to the professors at your old school.

In 1992 the Texas requirements changed. This caught some Texas engineers by surprise. Before the 1992 changes, receiving an accredited degree in Texas was sufficient to obtain a Texas PE without any exams. However, without the exams the PE was not transferable to any other state. Since 1992 engineers must take the exams to obtain a PE. Some FE exam exemptions are permitted by the board for those with lengthy experience. The availability and details for FE exemption have varied over the years. Check your state regulations. If you could obtain a PE lacking the FE in your state, you would likely have difficulty obtaining a PE in many other states.


John

 

[Stanfi]

I agree Johh, that was a situation at my school. The professors did not promote the FE or PE exams, and one of them was a PE! To be honest, the lack of competancy of some professors at engineering universities is rather frustrating.

 

[BobPE]

Stanfi:

I agree with the lack of understanding of licensure at the university level. ABET requires that engineering students at least take the FE exam as a requirement for graduation. They need not pass it, but at least the information about licensure has a chance of making it to people so they, and not the professors, can make informed dicisions.

There definately was a PhD-PE disconnect at my university. The idea of the PE was belittled by those in charge of the engineering program. Don't underestimate the power of engineering students though. With a little help from us in the real world, especially in forums like this, the PE ca only gain in status and respect.

Bob

 

[Maui]

To study for the FE exam I recommend the review book by Michael Lindeburg entitled, "FE Reviw Manual". You can purchase it through Amazon at the following address:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1888577533/103-1248091-5828646

It's probably the best review manual out there for the FE exam. I was more than 20 years out of school when I took the exam, and passed it by a comfortable margin by studying from this book.

Maui

 

[Stanfi]

Maui,

You story is encouraging. How long did you study for the exam? Did you find that you had to re-learn many subjects?

 

[buzzp]

BobPE
"ABET requires that engineering students at least take the FE exam as a requirement for graduation."
When did this become a requirement? Maybe I am getting old but when I took the EIT (10 years ago) it was NOT mandatory and my University was definately ABET accredited.

 

[Stanfi]

It was not a requirement for my ABET school either.

 

[waskillywabbit]

Stanfi,

I purchased the book that Maui recommended and it looks to be a great review book, even with a money back guarantee if you use it and don't pass. Lots of stuff in there to re-learn for me after looking at it for a period of time, but I'll get there eventually.

I was under the 1986 catalogue at my college and graduated 1994, in 1992 they made the FE a requirement for graduation but like a lunkhead I didn't take it as I fell under the 1986 catalogue, since no one at my school pushed me to take it. Shoulda, coulda, woulda...if I had only known what I know now...or if I could remember now what I knew then!

Brian

 

[Moonstone]

I am taking the FE Exam on april 16th. I have been out of school for 8 years. I am taking a refresher course offered by PPI -

http://www.ppi2pass.com.

I have some guys in my class who have been out of school for 20 yrs. I am having a hard time recollecting stuff, so I can imagine what those guys must be going thru. I will let you know how it goes. Right now, I can tell you that I am really nervous... and yes, I am using the FE Review Manual by Micheal Lindeburg.

 

[BobPE]

buzzp:

I think ABET changed their requirements between 1985 and 1990. It may take some schools longer since ABET lasts a few years between Audits and not every school stays up to date it seems.

I have seen a definate change is the perception of licensure among the younger generation of engineers. When I interview them, they ask if they will be under the supervision on a PE and what that PE's name is. They expect to be a part of the PE system and want the PE system to be a part of them.

Bob

 

[Stanfi]

I have a question for you guys who have been studying and getting ready to take the test. During the time that you have been studying. Did you bascially stop everything in your life so that you spent all of your free waking time studying? or were you able to balance yourself? It seems to me that one could get burnt out easily by studying.

Also how many different books did you used to study? Or other resources? A few years ago I bought the book by linsberg, and another by Potter I think. Both seemed good. What I noticed is that one could spend a small fortune on material, but how much is really needed? I don't see spending money on stuff that you don't really need.

BTW Bob, I think it is good that enginners getting out of school are made aware a licensure. Wish they would have done it more when I graduated.

 

[Stanfi]

Also, has anyone tried any of the review courses on CD or video? They seem to be rather expensive ($250), but I can see the structure they would provide to be beneficial. I have no problem investing money into study material as long as their is benefit.

 

[Maui]

Stanfi, I took the FE exam in April of 2004. I studied primarily from Lindeburg's review manual. In areas where I thought that Lindeburg had not gone into enough depth, I reviewed my old textbooks. I spent about two months studying for the FE, and no, everything else in my life did not not come to a screeching halt. I actually enjoyed studying for this test.