References, Materials and Procedures for the Illinois Professional Engineering Examinations

Each candidate is responsible for knowing and adhering to these rules regulating the administration of the

Professional Engineering Examinations.  Read all of the following information carefully.  Failure to follow

these rules can result in immediate dismissal and disqualification from these examinations.

Two examinations are required for licensure as a Professional Engineer in Illinois:

           1. Fundamentals of Engineering Examination

           2. Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination

Both exams are administered in April and October of each year. Specific dates for the next scheduled

examinations are available at the NCEES Web site at www.ncees.org. Illinois is not a member of ELSES

and you cannot register for the tests in Illinois through NCEES. You must submit an application and have it

approved prior to signing up for the examinations. After approval, you may register for the examinations at

www.continentaltesting.net.

These are the requirements of Illinois for the Testing Centers: Where the NCEES requirements

and Illinois requirements differ, the Illinois requirements will take precedence for those taking

the exams at the Illinois Testing Centers. The Standard NCEES candidate information packet

is the last two pages of this reference sheet.

EXAMINATION SECURITY

1. By registering for this examination, each candidate acknowledges and accepts the

responsibility to maintain the security of these examinations by neither copying nor divulging

any questions, answers or solutions to any part of these tests, including any drawings or

notes made with reference to these examinations. Each examinee will sign a statement

acknowledging compliance.

2. Any breach of examination security will be grounds for discipline by the Illinois Department

of Professional Regulation.

Photo Identification Required. Each candidate must present a photo ID and a valid admission

notice to be admitted into any of the examinations. The only acceptable photographic identification

is a Driver's License, Secretary of State ID card, or a current passport. If the name on the photo ID

does not match the name on the admission notice, proof of legal name change must be presented

before the candidate can be admitted to an examination.

The examination specifications (content) are available from the NCEES. You may obtain a

copy from the NCEES Web site at www.ncees.org. If you do not have access to the Internet,

you may contact the NCEES toll free at 1-800-250-3196. The specifications are only provided

through the NCEES.

Illinois PE Reference Guide June 2009

Page 1Seating and Permission to Leave the Room. The tables in the examination room will be numbered. When

directed to do so by a proctor, please sit at the table that is marked with the number which corresponds with

your admission card number. Place your admission card, with a photo ID near the edge of your table so that

it may be checked by the monitors without disturbing you.

Permission must be obtained from examination security personnel to leave the room for any reason.

Talking or any contact with other examinees during the examination is not permitted and may be grounds for

immediate removal and disqualification.

Visitors. Friends and relatives are not permitted to be in the testing area at any time. Anyone who accompanies

you to the test site and is not registered to take these tests must meet you outside the testing facility after the

test has been completed.

Materials Prohibited During Examinations

! Any devices or materials that might compromise the security of the examination ARE

PROHIBITED. All such devices or materials found during an examination may be checked by

examination security personnel and confiscated pending any investigation or action regarding

possible threats to the security of the test.

! All communicating devices such as pagers, beepers, cellular telephones or other electronic

instruments that may disturb or distract candidates during the examination, including electronic

watches with set alarms, ARE PROHIBITED.

! Smoking and consumption of food and drink ARE PROHIBITED in the examination room.

! Devices having a QWERTY keypad arrangement similar to a typewriter or keyboard are not

permitted. Devices not permitted include, but are not limited to, palmtop, laptop, hand-held and

desktop computers, calculators not approved by NCEES, databanks, data collectors, and organizers.

! Personal pencils or other writing devices. ONLY MECHANICAL PENCILS SUPPLIED BY

THE NCEES ARE PERMITTED IN THE EXAMINATION ROOM.

! CALCULATORS. Only those calculators specified by NCEES will be allowed. For the latest

list of allowable calculators, you may obtain a copy from the NCEES Web site at www.ncees.org.

The following references are NOT permitted in the examination room:

! Dictionaries;

! Material copied from several handbooks and textbooks and bound by/for the candidate;

! Loose tables, maps, charts, reference cards, etc.;

! Writing tables, unbound tables, or unbound notes;

! Manuals that are publications of the Illinois Department of Transportation (commonly referred

to as the IDOT Manual);

! Books with content directed mainly toward solution of engineering problems or preparation for

professional engineering examinations.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:  If you move before you receive your examination results, you must

submit your change of address in writing to Continental Testing Services, Inc., 547 South La Grange

Road, La Grange, IL 60525.

Illinois PE Reference Guide June 2009

Page 2EXAMINATION RESULTS:  The examination results should be available within approximately three months

from the date of the examination. The results will be mailed to you as soon as they are available. DO NOT

CALL THE DEPARTMENT OR CONTINENTAL TESTING SERVICES, INC. IN  THIS

REGARD.

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAMINATION

The Fundamentals of Engineering Examination is a supplied reference examination. It consists of

two 4-hour sessions (AM and PM) separated by a lunch break. Both sessions must be taken to receive

a score. The score will be reported as Pass or Fail.

The morning session contains 120 required items common to all disciplines.

The afternoon session is administered in the six disciplines and one non-specific discipline: Chemical, Civil,

Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Mechanical, and a general engineering section for all remaining disciplines

and contains 60 two-point questions for a total of 120 points.

You may obtain a copy of the examination specifications (examination content) from the NCEES

Web site at www.ncees.org or toll-free at 1-800-250-3196.

! The NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Reference Handbook will be provided at the examination. If

you bring a copy with you, it will not be permitted in the examination.

! The examination booklet, answer sheet, and supplied-reference handbook shall be turned in before

leaving the examination room.

! In preparation for the examination, you may obtain copies of the reference, "The Fundamentals of

Engineering Reference Handbook," and the most current examination specifications from the

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEEs) at www.ncees.org or toll free at

1-800-250-3196.

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF ENGINEERING EXAMINATION

The Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination is administered as a Discipline Examination. You

must indicate the discipline that you plan to be examined in at the time you register for the examination with

Continental Testing Services, Inc., and the appropriate examination booklet will be ordered for your use.

The specifications indicate the content areas and the format of the examination. The examination may be

No-Choice, all multiple choice questions, or Breadth/Depth format, all multiple-choice questions. In

preparation for the examination, you may obtain the most current examination specifications (examination

content and summary of format) from the NCEES Web site at www.ncees.org.

! Each discipline examination uses dimensional units which reflect current practice in that

discipline. Some disciplines will have an increase in the use of metric units due to federal

mandates.

! No scratch paper is allowed. Blank pages for scratchwork are provided in each solution

pamphlet. No credit will be given for answers recorded in the test booklets; the answers must be

recorded in the solution pamphlets.

Illinois PE Reference Guide June 2009

Page 3References for Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination:

! Examinees may use any number of texts during the examination. No exchange of reference material

will be permitted during any examination session. Examinees may choose to change some of their

reference books between the morning and afternoon sessions.

! All exams are open book. PE Civil must bring their own copies of the applicable design standards.

! All reference books must be printed in the English language.

! Books must be copyrighted and formally bound by the publisher.

! The NCEES Transportation Design Standards and Structural Design Standards are referenced in

the Civil examination. Examination problems, which reference a standard of practice, are scored

based on these lists. To ensure that you have the most current copy available, you may obtain a copy

from the NCEES Web site at www.ncees.org.

! The codes and standards used on the PE examinations are identified in the NCEES examination

specifications, such as the 2005 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) applies to any

code-related questions contained in the Electrical discipline examination.

! Reference manuals published by Professional Publications, Inc., and Great Lakes Press, Inc., (which

includes reference manuals by Michael Lindeburg, Merle Potter and other authors) are permitted.

However, the accompanying solution manuals are not permitted.

Examples of books not approved include: Hicks Handbook, FAN Engineering, NCEES Study Guides,

solution manuals (which includes the solution manuals by Michael Lindeburg, Merle Potter, and other

authors published by Professional Publications, Inc., and Great Lakes Press, Inc.) and any other books

purported to be helpful in preparation for professional engineering examinations. The NCEES Fundamentals

of Engineering Reference Handbook will not be allowed in the examination.

STUDY MATERIALS AND REFRESHER COURSES

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) has developed exam

preparation materials and study guides for the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination and the

Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination. To order a copy of the Fundamentals of Engineering

Reference Handbook or study materials, contact the NCEES at one of the following:

! Web site: www.ncees.org ! NCEES

! Toll-free: 800-250-3196 Post Office Box 11686

! FAX: 864-654-6033 Clemson, SC 29633-1686

For information regarding refresher courses, contact:

! Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Inc. (ISPE) 217/544-7424

Illinois PE Reference Guide June 2009

Page 4NCEES Candidate Agreement

(continued on next page) 

All licensure candidates qualified to take any NCEES exam must review the following information before sitting for the 

exam. Examinees are required to sign their exam answer sheet before the exam starts to affirm that they have been 

provided this information, have read and understand the material, and agree to abide by the stated policies and 

procedures, which apply to all NCEES exams. Full compliance is required. 

Approved Calculators

Only models of calculators listed below are permitted in 

the exam room for the 2009 exams.

• Hewlett Packard—HP 33s and HP 35s models, but no 

others.

• Casio—All  fx-115 models. Any Casio calculator 

must contain fx-115 in its model name.

• Texas Instruments—All TI-30X and TI-36X models. 

Any Texas Instruments calculator must contain either 

TI-30X or TI-36X in its model name.

Admission Requirements

For  exam  admission, examinees must present a current, 

signed, government-issued photographic identification 

(such as a  valid  state driver’s license or passport). Student IDs are not acceptable. Examinees must report to 

the exam site by the designated time. Examinees will not 

be admitted after the exam instructions begin.

Grounds for Dismissal from the Exam and/or 

Invalidation of Exam Results

• Having a cell phone in your possession

• Having loose papers, legal pads, writing tablets, or 

unbound notes in your possession

• Having a device with copying, recording, or communication capabilities in your possession. These include

but are not limited to cameras, pagers, PDAs, radios,

headsets, tape players,  MP3 players, calculator 

watches, electronic dictionaries, electronic translators, 

and transmitting devices.

• Having a calculator that is not on the NCEESapproved list

• Using a non-NCEES writing instrument or eraser to 

complete any portion of the exam

• Copying from another examinee’s answer sheet or 

colluding with other examinees

• Beginning the exam before the proctor instructs you 

to do so

• Failing to stop writing  immediately when time is 

called

• Writing on anything other than your exam booklet or 

answer sheet; writing in the  FE Supplied-Reference 

Handbook

• Removing pages from your exam booklet

• Violating any other terms stated in this agreement that 

are cause for dismissal or exam invalidation

If any prohibited item is found in an examinee’s possession after the exam begins, the item will be confiscated

and  sent  to NCEES. No refund will be provided to examinees dismissed from the exam.

Reference Materials

• For Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam: This 

is a closed-book exam. The only reference material 

examinees may use is the  FE Supplied-Reference 

Handbook distributed by proctors.  The  Handbook

may  be  purchased  or  printed from the NCEES Web

site.  Examinees may not bring their own  Handbook,

other reference material, or Post-it

TM

type notes or 

flags into the exam room.

• For Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam: This is 

a closed-book exam. Examinees may use only the reference formulas at the front of their exam books. No 

other reference materials may be used. The reference 

formulas  are available on the NCEES Web site. Examinees are not allowed to bring their own copies of 

the formulas into the exam room. Post-it

TM

type notes 

or flags are not permitted.

• For  Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE)

and  Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) 

exams: These are open-book exams. Examinees must 

bring their own reference materials.  All reference 

materials must be bound and remain bound during the 

exam.  Bound refers to  (1)  materials permanently 

bound, as by stitching or glue, and (2) materials securely fastened in their covers by fasteners that penetrate all 

papers. Ring binders, spiral binders, plastic snap binders, brads,  and screw posts are acceptable fasteners.

Staples are not acceptable  fasteners. Examinees may 

tab reference books before the exam with Post-it

TM 

type

notes and flags, but pads of Post-it notes and flags are 

not permitted in the exam room. Writing tablets and 

legal pads are not allowed.

Personal Items

Personal items are the sole responsibility of the examinee. Neither NCEES, the state board, exam proctors, or

the site facility are responsible for any lost, misplaced, or 

stolen items.

• FE and FS examinees may bring personal items in a 

clear plastic bag only. Purses and backpacks are not 

permitted in closed-book exams.

• Examinees may bring snacks (e.g., hard candies, candy bars, gum) and nonalcoholic drinks, as long as 

having them does not disturb other examinees.

• Examinees may wear wristwatches or place them on 

the floor. Small clocks must be placed on the floor.June 15, 2009

• Examinees may not wear hoods  (on hooded sweatshirts, for example) or hats with brims during the exam. Head coverings that qualify as religious apparel 

are permitted.

• Examinees may not use slide charts or wheel charts 

(hand-held cardboard or plastic calculating devices 

with rotating or sliding pieces).

• Examinees may not bring weapons of any kind.

• Examinees may not bring tobacco products or 

personal chairs.

Items Permitted on the Desktop

Examinees may have these items on the desktop during 

the exam: answer sheet, exam booklet, ID,  admission 

notice,  approved reference material, NCEES-approved 

calculators, NCEES-issued  pencils with erasers, small 

snacks, and two straightedges such as a  ruler,  scale, triangle, or protractor.

Exam Irregularities

Fraud, deceit, dishonesty, unprofessional behavior, and

other irregular behavior in connection with taking any 

NCEES exam is strictly prohibited. Irregular behavior 

includes but is not limited to copying or allowing the 

copying of exam answers; failing to work independently; 

possessing  prohibited items;  communicating with other 

examinees or any outside parties by way of telephones, 

personal computers, the Internet, or any other means during the course of an exam; surrogate testing or other dishonest conduct; disrupting other examinees; creating any 

safety concerns; failing to cease work on the exam when 

time is called; and possessing, reproducing, or disclosing

nonpublic exam questions, answers, or other information 

regarding the content of the exam without authorization,

before, during, or after the exam administration. 

The chief proctor is authorized to take appropriate action 

to investigate, stop, or correct any observed or suspected 

irregular behavior, including discharging examinees from 

the exam site for prohibited activities and confiscating 

any prohibited devices or materials.  Examinees must 

cooperate fully in any investigation of a suspected irregularity.  NCEES reserves the right to pursue all available 

remedies for exam irregularities, including canceling results and pursuing administrative,  civil, and/or criminal 

remedies. Examinees or other persons implicated in an 

irregularity will be identified to the state board, which 

may invoke additional sanctions. Examinees implicated 

in  an irregularity will not  receive exam  results and will 

not be eligible for a refund of exam fees.

Remedies for Testing Errors and NCEES Response to Disruptions in Testing and Potential 

Compromises

In the unlikely event that a mistake occurs in  printing, 

handling, or processing  test materials  or  in scoring or 

reporting scores, the test administrator, after consultation 

with NCEES, will correct the error, if possible, or permit 

the affected examinees either to retest at no additional fee 

or to receive a refund of the exam fee. These are the sole 

and exclusive remedies available to examinees for errors 

in handling or processing registration materials; in printing, handling, or processing exams and exam answer 

sheets; in determining or reporting results; and/or in investigating or responding to suspected irregularities.

NCEES, jurisdictions, and testing agents also take steps 

that are intended  to ensure standardized administration 

on test day. If events occur that cause testing to be canceled or interrupted, involve a mistiming on any part of 

the test, result in a deviation from required testing procedures, raise concerns about possible advance access to 

exam content by one or more examinees,  or otherwise 

disrupt or compromise the normal testing process, 

NCEES will determine whether corrective action is warranted, which could include canceling results or not scoring answer documents.  If NCEES determines that 

corrective action is necessary, affected  examinees may 

have the option to retest at no additional fee (normally on 

a future national test date) or to receive a refund of the

exam fee, unless the affected examinees caused or were

involved in the conduct that resulted in the need for corrective action, in which case the jurisdiction that authorized seating for the exam will have the right to withhold 

either or both of these options. If  a jurisdiction offers a 

retest and an examinee selects that option, the examinee 

may be required to retake the entire exam in order to 

produce a valid  result. These are the sole and exclusive

remedies available to  any examinee who is  affected by 

disruptions in testing or a potential exam compromise.

Special Testing Accommodations

NCEES must receive testing-accommodation requests by 

the registration deadline.  All testing  accommodations

must be approved by NCEES for each exam administration.  Information  about available accommodations and 

the process for requesting accommodations are posted on 

the NCEES Web site. 

Intellectual Property Rights and Exam Security

All NCEES exams are copyrighted works. Examinees are 

strictly prohibited from copying or disclosing any exam

questions, problems, or answers, orally or in writing. 

This prohibition includes not discussing or disclosing 

any exam questions or problems on Internet blogs or chat 

rooms or through any other means. 

Additional Information

Current exam specifications, study materials, scoring 

methods, and other exam information are available at 

www.ncees.org or by calling NCEES at 800-250-3196.