Accommodations for the FE Exam
NCEES provides reasonable testing accommodations for FE exam candidates with documented disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have a disability that may affect your exam performance, you have the right to request accommodations that provide you with an equal opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
Types of Available Accommodations
Common accommodations for the FE exam include:
- Extended time: Additional time beyond the standard 5 hours and 20 minutes, typically 50% or 100% extra time depending on the documented need
- Separate testing room: A private room free from distractions of other test-takers
- Additional breaks: Extra break time beyond the standard 25-minute mid-exam break
- Screen magnification: Enlarged text and images on the exam computer screen
- Screen reader: Text-to-speech software for candidates with visual impairments
- Modified lighting: Adjustments to room lighting for candidates with light sensitivity
- Ergonomic accommodations: Special seating, adjustable desks, or other physical accommodations
- Sign language interpreter: For candidates who are deaf or hard of hearing (for oral instructions only; the exam itself is visual)
The specific accommodations approved depend on your documented disability and its impact on your ability to take the exam under standard conditions.
The Request Process
Step 1: Determine Your Needs
Before submitting a request, consider what specific accommodations would address the barriers your disability creates during the exam. Think about how your disability affects your ability to read questions, perform calculations, manage time, sit for extended periods, or process information under standard exam conditions.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
NCEES requires documentation from a qualified professional that establishes your disability and supports the need for specific accommodations. Documentation typically should include:
- A clear diagnosis from a licensed professional qualified to make that diagnosis
- A description of the functional limitations caused by the disability
- The professional's recommendations for specific accommodations
- The date of the evaluation (documentation should generally be recent, within the last 3 to 5 years)
- The professional's credentials and contact information
If you received accommodations for exams in college, your university disability services office may have documentation that can be used or updated for the FE exam request.
Step 3: Submit Your Request
Submit your accommodation request through your NCEES account, typically as part of the exam registration process. Include all supporting documentation with your request. Submit the request well in advance of your desired exam date, as processing can take 4 to 8 weeks.
Step 4: Receive a Decision
NCEES will review your request and documentation, and notify you of their decision. If accommodations are approved, the notification will specify which accommodations will be provided. If your request is denied or partially denied, you may have the option to appeal with additional documentation.
Planning Ahead
Start the accommodations process early. The combination of application processing, accommodation review, and exam scheduling can require 2 to 3 months of lead time. Do not wait until the last minute, as rushed requests may not be processed before your desired exam date.
Once accommodations are approved, work with Pearson VUE to schedule your exam at a testing center that can provide the approved accommodations. Not every testing center may be able to accommodate every type of request, so scheduling may require additional coordination.
Studying with Your Accommodations
If you will have extended time on the exam, practice under similar conditions during your preparation. Taking practice exams with your approved time extension helps you develop appropriate pacing strategies. However, faster is still better. Use accommodated time as a safety net, not as an excuse to work slowly on every question.
Confidentiality
Your accommodation status is confidential. Testing center staff will know about your accommodations to the extent necessary to provide them, but other test-takers will not be informed. Your exam results do not indicate whether accommodations were used, and your EIT certification and PE license will not reference any testing accommodations.
Common Concerns
Some candidates worry that requesting accommodations will be perceived negatively or will invalidate their results. This is not the case. Accommodations are a legal right, and they level the playing field so that your exam performance reflects your engineering knowledge rather than the impact of your disability. Thousands of engineers have successfully passed the FE exam with accommodations and gone on to productive careers.