An EIT certificate, short for Engineer in Training, is a credential issued by a state licensing board confirming that you’ve passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and met the board’s education requirements. It’s the first formal step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). The certificate doesn’t let you practice engineering independently or stamp drawings, but it verifies that you’ve cleared the knowledge threshold the profession uses as its starting line.
Some states call the same credential an Engineer Intern (EI) certificate. The name on the paper changes; the legal effect doesn’t.
What the Certificate Lets You Do
Only a licensed PE can sign, seal, and submit engineering plans to a public authority or to clients. As an EIT, you perform engineering work under the direct supervision of a licensed PE, who remains responsible for reviewing and approving what you produce.
Where the credential carries real weight is in hiring. Many government engineering positions and private-sector roles list EIT certification as a minimum qualification for entry-level work. Holding it tells an employer you’ve already passed a rigorous national exam, which puts you ahead of candidates who have only a degree.
Who Qualifies
The standard path requires a bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. Graduation from an ABET-accredited program is nearly universally required by state boards to satisfy the education component of licensure.1ABET. Licensure, Registration and Certification If your program isn’t accredited, some states will still accept your education, but you may need additional years of work experience later before you’re eligible for full PE licensure.
If your degree comes from a university outside the United States or from a non-accredited domestic program, most boards will require a formal credentials evaluation before they’ll process your application. NCEES offers this service directly, and it compares your coursework against the NCEES Engineering Education Standard.2NCEES. Credentials Evaluations You’ll need to submit official transcripts, your diploma, and course descriptions from every university you attended. Documents not in English must include literal translations from a certified translation service. If your coursework falls short, you may need to complete additional courses at an accredited institution before reapplying.
Passing the FE Exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the test that stands between a degree and the EIT certificate. It’s computer-based, 110 questions, and you get six hours to complete it, including a brief tutorial and an optional break.3NCEES. Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanical CBT Exam Specifications The exam is closed-book, though you’ll have access to an electronic reference during the test. Results come back as pass or fail.
You pick one of seven discipline-specific versions when you register:
- Chemical
- Civil
- Electrical and Computer
- Environmental
- Industrial and Systems
- Mechanical
- Other Disciplines
The “Other Disciplines” version covers a broader range of topics and is designed for graduates whose specialty doesn’t fit the other six categories. You’re not locked into the version that matches your degree. Pick the one where your knowledge is strongest.
The FE is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program, so many candidates sit for it during their senior year rather than waiting until after graduation.4NCEES. FE Exam The exam is offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers across four testing windows: January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December.
Registration costs $225, paid directly to NCEES.4NCEES. FE Exam Once approved to test, you have 12 months to schedule and sit for the exam. If you don’t take it or cancel within that window, you forfeit the fee. If you don’t pass, NCEES allows you to take the exam once per testing window and up to three times within any 12-month period, though some state boards impose stricter limits.5NCEES. NCEES Examinee Guide July 2025 Each retake costs the full $225.
Applying for the Certificate After You Pass
Passing the FE and holding the EIT certificate are two separate things. NCEES administers the exam; the certificate itself comes from your state board. After you pass, you file a separate application with the board in the state where you want to be certified.
Most boards ask for:
- Official transcripts, sent directly from your university or submitted through the NCEES Records program, which compiles your transcripts, exam results, employment history, and references into a single verified file.6NCEES. Records Program
- FE exam verification, usually transmitted electronically from NCEES to your state board, though some states require you to request the transfer.
- A government-issued photo ID.
- Your Social Security number, required by most boards for background verification.
If your name has changed since your transcripts were issued, have supporting documentation ready, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Name mismatches between a transcript and an application are one of the most common causes of processing delays.
State application fees are separate from the NCEES exam fee and vary widely. Some states charge as little as $15 to $17; others charge $75 or more. Most boards take applications through an online portal, though some still accept paper submissions by mail. Processing times depend on the board’s workload and whether your file is complete, so missing transcripts or unsigned forms are the usual reason for a delay.
How Long the Certificate Lasts
How long your EIT remains valid depends entirely on your state. In many jurisdictions, the certificate and your FE results remain valid indefinitely. Other states set expiration windows, and a handful require periodic renewal. The NCEES Model Rules allow for certificates that expire and require renewal but leave the specifics to each state board.7NCEES. Model Rules August 2025
Most states don’t require EIT holders to complete continuing education; that obligation typically starts after you become a licensed PE. Still, confirm your state’s policy. Letting the certificate lapse in a state that requires renewal can mean reapplying from scratch.
Where It Leads
The EIT is a stepping stone to full PE licensure. After you have the certificate, most states require four years of progressive engineering experience under the supervision of a licensed PE before you can apply for the PE license.8NCEES. PE Exam “Progressive” means your responsibilities should grow over time; doing the same task for four straight years generally won’t satisfy a board. Once you’ve met the experience requirement and passed the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, you can apply for the license that lets you sign, seal, and practice independently.