Over the past few years, IEEE-USA has been educating and encouraging through articles, webinars and social media IEEE members to take the FE exam. The increase in participation to above pre-pandemic levels shows that effort is paying some dividends.
The table below shows annualized total exam volumes for the FE Electrical & Computer module for the past six years. (2024 volume exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time.)
Participation in the FE Electrical & Computer Module (2019-2024)
| Year | Total Exam Volume | First Time Taker Pass Rate | Repeat Taker Pass Rate |
| 2019 | 6,424 | 64% | 31% |
| 2020 | 4,758 | 65% | 35% |
| 2021 | 5,722 | 66% | 33% |
| 2022 | 5,030 | 63% | 30% |
| 2023 | 5,793 | 61% | 29% |
| 2024 | 6,941 | 62% | 30% |
Of course, the NCEES Electrical & Computer subcommittee’s work can be attributed to this increase, as well. This subcommittee met once so far in 2025, with an in-person meeting held at the NCEES Grenville headquarters on 31 January to 1 February. Subcommittee attendance remains in the 10– to 12-person range, all of whom are IEEE members.
The subcommittee has future meetings scheduled as follows (all in Greenville, except where noted):
- 1-2 May 2025 (Virtual)
- 1-2 August 2025
- 7-8 November 2025
- 6-7 February 2026
Committee Leadership
Joe Hanus completes his term as FE Exam Committee Chair at the end of September 2025. Current Vice Chair Daisie Boettner will begin her three-year term as chair at that time, and Mike Behnke, IEEE-USA Licensure & Registration Committee member, will step in as Vice Chair.
Clyde Lettsome is the new Electrical & Computer Subcommittee Chair. His two-year term ends in January 2027.
FE PAKS Survey
The specification for all seven FE exam modules is being updated via the PAKS process beginning this year. The process includes:
- Survey creation meeting: 1-2 October 2025
- Survey goes live: Late October/November 2025
- Survey closes: Late January 2026
- Specification finalization meeting: March 2026
- Cut score workshop: Fall 2026
- New specification goes live: July 2027
The committee will be looking for volunteers to support the survey creation, spec finalization and cut score workshop tasks. IEEE-USA will be asking members to help publicize and participate in the survey once it is released in November 2025.
Computer-Based Interactive Practice Exam
Computer-based interactive practice exams for all seven modules of the FE exam were launched by NCEES in June of last year. New practice exams for all modules are currently being drafted, with expected release of the 2nd edition in June 2025. A link to the interactive Electrical & Computer practice exam is here.
