PDFWAC 196-20-020

How is experience and education applied toward FE exam eligibility?

Approval to sit for the fundamentals-of-engineering examination (FE) is based upon satisfactory evidence that the applicant has completed a minimum of four years of practical engineering experience or four years of engineering education or a combination of both, as approved by the board.
(1) Experience: Qualifying practical experience shall not be limited to, but should include, the following:
(a) Preparation of technical reports and specifications, including graphics;
(b) Application of mathematical techniques to problem solving;
(c) Application of the basic physical sciences (chemistry, dynamics, statics, physics, etc.) in tasks;
(d) Performing assignments, experiments and tests to general specifications;
(e) Compilation and interpretation of data (statistical analysis, etc.);
(f) Executing complex engineering tasks according to instructions;
(g) Effective communication with associates and presenting recommendations and conclusions to supervisor;
(h) Knowledge of the impacts of the products of technology on society (i.e., energy/environmental considerations).
(2) Education: Any qualifying practical engineering experience may be supplemented or substituted by education as:
(a) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in engineering accredited by the engineering accreditation commission (EAC) of the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET); or
(b) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in a nonengineering program if the degree is followed by a graduate degree in engineering from a school that has an ABET accredited undergraduate program in the same engineering discipline as the graduate degree; or
(c) THREE YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in engineering technology accredited by the engineering technology commission (ETAC) of the accreditation board for engineering and technology (ABET); or
(d) THREE YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in engineering in a non-ABET accredited program; or
(e) TWO YEARS: A baccalaureate degree in a nonengineering program.
(3) Foreign education: Unless exempted by the board all applicants with foreign degrees must have a transcript evaluation by a transcript evaluation service as approved by the board. The cost of the evaluation and the information needed to be evaluated is the responsibility of the applicant.
(a) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree from a foreign engineering program which is not EAC ABET accredited but is equivalent to an EAC ABET degree.
(b) THREE YEARS: A baccalaureate degree from a foreign engineering program, which is not EAC ABET accredited and is not equivalent to an EAC ABET degree.
(c) FOUR YEARS: A baccalaureate degree from a foreign engineering program that is not EAC ABET accredited, can waive the requirement for a transcript evaluation if they have a graduate degree in engineering from a program that has an ABET accredited baccalaureate engineering program in the same engineering discipline as the graduate degree.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035. WSR 14-07-106, § 196-20-020, filed 3/19/14, effective 4/19/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.43 and 18.235 RCW. WSR 04-10-067, § 196-20-020, filed 5/3/04, effective 6/3/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.43.035. WSR 96-11-086, § 196-20-020, filed 5/14/96, effective 7/1/96; WSR 87-13-005 (Order PM 606), § 196-20-020, filed 6/4/87; Rule IB, filed 8/4/64; Rule IIIB, filed 12/26/62.]