PE exam guidance

[shortcircuit1]

Hello,

I am looking to pursue my PE in the future.I already have an EIT and i would really appreciate if anyone can guide me on what are the books or resources for the exam.

Another question is i did my Masters and now i have 2 years of experience.Can i write PE with this experience or i have to have four years experience?

Thanks,
shortciruit

 

[tw1156]

Hello,

I'm unsure which state you are in regarding your licensing question, but I recently took and passed the exam in April of this year and used the following materials to pass:

1) Power Reference Manual - Camara
2) The Electrical Engineer's Guide to Passing the Power PE Exam - Graffeo (beware of some units mistakes in this book though)
3) 2014 NEC
4) NFPA 70E
5) NESC (Do not use the handbook as you need the full version)
6) Practice Problems in Binder (although I did not use this, it was strongly recommended by other colleagues if you study better this way)

I will not comment on how to study as everyone is different.

 

[charlie b]

The rules related to experience and education vary state to state. Your profile's zip code puts you in New York. Their rules are here:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pels/article145.htm

The rules do say, "the board may accept study beyond the bachelor's degree in partial fulfillment of this requirement," referring to the requirement of four years work experience.

The test is standardized, and I suspect the rules regarding bringing reference materials into the test room are also standardized. Check with the NCEES for the current rules. Not long after I took the test, the rules were changed to say that only one specific reference book was allowed, and you could not bring your own copy. They would give you a copy when you entered the test room. Whatever the rules say now, I would strongly recommend that you get a copy of any reference books they let you use, and study using those books.

 

[ron]

As mentioned, the amount of experience is state specific.

I used the Camera book, PPI book, I took a review class held locally once a week ( https://ppi2pass.com/pe-exam/prep-course/electrical-pe-power-about-the-ppi-course ) and this forum has lots of references http://engineerboards.com/

 

[shortcircuit1]

The rules related to experience and education vary state to state. Your profile's zip code puts you in New York. Their rules are here:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pels/article145.htm

The rules do say, "the board may accept study beyond the bachelor's degree in partial fulfillment of this requirement," referring to the requirement of four years work experience.

The test is standardized, and I suspect the rules regarding bringing reference materials into the test room are also standardized. Check with the NCEES for the current rules. Not long after I took the test, the rules were changed to say that only one specific reference book was allowed, and you could not bring your own copy. They would give you a copy when you entered the test room. Whatever the rules say now, I would strongly recommend that you get a copy of any reference books they let you use, and study using those books.

Thanks!I am looking for registration in VA state.And i looked it up for the requirements.It says "The successful completion of agraduate or doctorate degree inan engineering curriculum maybe accepted as one year ofequivalent engineeringexperience credit."

 

[shortcircuit1]

The rules related to experience and education vary state to state. Your profile's zip code puts you in New York. Their rules are here:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pels/article145.htm

The rules do say, "the board may accept study beyond the bachelor's degree in partial fulfillment of this requirement," referring to the requirement of four years work experience.

The test is standardized, and I suspect the rules regarding bringing reference materials into the test room are also standardized. Check with the NCEES for the current rules. Not long after I took the test, the rules were changed to say that only one specific reference book was allowed, and you could not bring your own copy. They would give you a copy when you entered the test room. Whatever the rules say now, I would strongly recommend that you get a copy of any reference books they let you use, and study using those books.

When i was wirting my FE exam i gave Arizona as Licensing state now i want to register as PE in VA.Can i transfer my EIT license to VA?

 

[shortcircuit1]

Hello,

I'm unsure which state you are in regarding your licensing question, but I recently took and passed the exam in April of this year and used the following materials to pass:

1) Power Reference Manual - Camara
2) The Electrical Engineer's Guide to Passing the Power PE Exam - Graffeo (beware of some units mistakes in this book though)
3) 2014 NEC
4) NFPA 70E
5) NESC (Do not use the handbook as you need the full version)
6) Practice Problems in Binder (although I did not use this, it was strongly recommended by other colleagues if you study better this way)

I will not comment on how to study as everyone is different.

Thanks for the guidance!
Which version of Power Reference Manual did you use?
If you dont mind can you share a link for Practice Problems in Binder?

 

[tw1156]

I found it easy to contact our board here in Texas for any questions if the website was unclear. Virginia seems to have a nice setup at this link: http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/APELS/ I would recommend you peruse it to see if it answers your questions and if you are still unsure, you can always call or email too.

I used the Second Edition of the Power Reference Manual. Aside from the NEC, that was the most useful book for me on the exam. The practice problems in a binder is not something online, but working problems on paper. In Texas, you are not permitted to bring in practice problems written with Pencil, so keep in mind to review all requirements for the state you will take your exam in.

 

[shortcircuit1]

As mentioned, the amount of experience is state specific.

I used the Camera book, PPI book, I took a review class held locally once a week ( https://ppi2pass.com/pe-exam/prep-course/electrical-pe-power-about-the-ppi-course ) and this forum has lots of references http://engineerboards.com/

Thanks Ron!How much did it cost for review class once a week?I am looking at the options and none of them is less than 1000$hmy:

 

[shortcircuit1]

I found it easy to contact our board here in Texas for any questions if the website was unclear. Virginia seems to have a nice setup at this link: http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/APELS/ I would recommend you peruse it to see if it answers your questions and if you are still unsure, you can always call or email too.

I used the Second Edition of the Power Reference Manual. Aside from the NEC, that was the most useful book for me on the exam. The practice problems in a binder is not something online, but working problems on paper. In Texas, you are not permitted to bring in practice problems written with Pencil, so keep in mind to review all requirements for the state you will take your exam in.

Thanks!I looked at that beforehand and it clarified couple of questions.I know every one learns a bit differently but when did you start learning for the exam and when did you take it?

 

[tw1156]

NCEES Practice Exam

NCEES Practice Exam

Aside from using a majority of the NEC in my day-to-day life as an EIT working under a PE, I started studying the Camara book in January 2017 for a few nights a week after work and took the exam in April. I did not take a PPI class as others have mentioned, although I hear it can be beneficial if you have the funds to pay for it.

Edit** - I forgot to mention that the NCEES has a practice exam for you to also work problems with. This can also be a great tool to study with as it gives you an idea of the breadth of questions to be asked.

https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/

 

[charlie b]

When i was wirting my FE exam i gave Arizona as Licensing state now i want to register as PE in VA.Can i transfer my EIT license to VA?

The FE test is standardized and administered by the NCEES. I believe that the EIT is not a license, and is not issued by any state. Rather, it is a certification issued by the NCEES, stating that you passed the test. So yes, you can use your EIT as the starting point for getting a PE license in VA.

 

[shortcircuit1]

Aside from using a majority of the NEC in my day-to-day life as an EIT working under a PE, I started studying the Camara book in January 2017 for a few nights a week after work and took the exam in April. I did not take a PPI class as others have mentioned, although I hear it can be beneficial if you have the funds to pay for it.

Thanks!

 

[shortcircuit1]

The FE test is standardized and administered by the NCEES. I believe that the EIT is not a license, and is not issued by any state. Rather, it is a certification issued by the NCEES, stating that you passed the test. So yes, you can use your EIT as the starting point for getting a PE license in VA.

Thanks Charlie!I still have to have 1 more year experience to go.I am thinking of starting to prep in June.2018 and take the exam in April 2019 which would be more than enough time with work as well!

 

[charlie b]

I did not take a class before taking the EIT and PE tests. I took them back-to-back on two consecutive days, 12 years out of college. Not recommended! But you are past the first test already, and that will help. What I did instead was buy a copy of a book that had example EIT tests with solutions. I worked though that book, also using my planned reference books as a study guide. It is important to be so familiar with whatever reference book you are allowed to bring that you can quickly go right to the page you need, instead of surfing around looking for information. If you don't think you can remember Ohm's Law, then waste the time now looking for where it shows up in your reference book. Don't allow yourself to have to waste time during the test trying to find it in the reference book.

 

[mivey]

The rules related to experience and education vary state to state. Your profile's zip code puts you in New York. Their rules are here:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pels/article145.htm

The rules do say, "the board may accept study beyond the bachelor's degree in partial fulfillment of this requirement," referring to the requirement of four years work experience.

The test is standardized, and I suspect the rules regarding bringing reference materials into the test room are also standardized. Check with the NCEES for the current rules. Not long after I took the test, the rules were changed to say that only one specific reference book was allowed, and you could not bring your own copy. They would give you a copy when you entered the test room. Whatever the rules say now, I would strongly recommend that you get a copy of any reference books they let you use, and study using those books.

Reference book is provided for fundamentals.

You can bring any reference material for PE, even hand-written notes or worked problems, as long as it is bound (3-ring, etc. is OK). One book, milk-crate full, or hand-cart full but I'm sure there is a practical limit they will allow just because of space accommodations. There are calculator restrictions.

 

[gadfly56]

Reference book is provided for fundamentals.

You can bring any reference material for PE, even hand-written notes or worked problems, as long as it is bound (3-ring, etc. is OK). One book, milk-crate full, or hand-cart full but I'm sure there is a practical limit they will allow just because of space accommodations. There are calculator restrictions.

When I took the exam, guys were coming in with luggage trunks. I soon learned, as charlie b alludes to, that more is not better. At the venue I was in, they had plenty of room between test takers to accommodate nearly any quantity of reference material.

 

[Ingenieur]

The FE test is standardized and administered by the NCEES. I believe that the EIT is not a license, and is not issued by any state. Rather, it is a certification issued by the NCEES, stating that you passed the test. So yes, you can use your EIT as the starting point for getting a PE license in VA.

in PA eit's are registered by the board
they can be verified on the state website
you can't take the fe without being registered

ref material I took
college circuit theory text
college power text
machines text
fields text
engineering math text
intro economics text
nec
nesc
bound book of notes, tables, etc
spare calculator batteries
one milk crate
did not use all of them

some folks had laundry carts lol

 

[shortcircuit1]

I did not take a class before taking the EIT and PE tests. I took them back-to-back on two consecutive days, 12 years out of college. Not recommended! But you are past the first test already, and that will help. What I did instead was buy a copy of a book that had example EIT tests with solutions. I worked though that book, also using my planned reference books as a study guide. It is important to be so familiar with whatever reference book you are allowed to bring that you can quickly go right to the page you need, instead of surfing around looking for information. If you don't think you can remember Ohm's Law, then waste the time now looking for where it shows up in your reference book. Don't allow yourself to have to waste time during the test trying to find it in the reference book.

Thanks Charlie!

 

[ron]

Thanks Ron!How much did it cost for review class once a week?I am looking at the options and none of them is less than 1000$hmy:

Due to poor study habits, I needed the forced study period once a week in addition to whatever I was able to squeeze out of my family time.

It was a while ago, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was that much