EIT and EI Certification
Using the FE exam
EIT, or Engineer In Training, is the most common designation in the US you can get after passing your FE exam and completing a degree from an ABET accredited school (there are exceptions). EI, or Engineer Intern, is also a designation. Both are valid variants and recognized designations by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), and the nomenclature difference comes down to the state.
Steps to EIT/EI Certification
Check state requirements
Check your state or local requirements. Some states require paperwork beforehand and have slightly different requirements, so this is something you should research well ahead of the time. There may also be different requirements if you live in one of the US territories, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, or District of Columbia, or one of the countries that also use the FE exam: Canada, United Arab Emirates, Emirate of Sharjah, Egypt, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, or Turkey.
Register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
You'll need to register an account at NCEES. Once you sign up, you'll have access to their dashboard where you can access important test materials as well as register and schedule a time for the FE exam. We've broken down these steps in this blog post to make it easier: How to register for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam. The FE exam is a computer based test (CBT) and is available year around.
Prepare for the FE exam
Make sure to get a digital form (PDF) of the FE Reference Handbook, which is available for free from NCEES. You can purchase a physical copy too, but we highly recommend getting used to searching and looking through the PDF since that is what is available during the official exam.
Get an approved calculator, get familiar with it, and learn the features that will come in handy during the exam.
We've collected some resources for FE exam preparation for you to consider. We also have a few blog posts we recommend reviewing:
How to study for the FE exam - A comprehensive guide
and
Strategize your FE review time, so you can pass with less studying.
Pass the FE exam
Good luck and do your best! If you fail, NCEES will provide you a diagnostic report, so you know what areas to focus on next time.
Get your EIT or EI certificate from your state board!
Submit your application and pay any necessary fees. This depends on your state. You're now EIT certified! It's a great resume builder and a vital step if you are working towards a Professional Engineer license.