By: Glynis Thompson, PE, PMSFPE
With just over two weeks until the 2026 Fire Protection Engineering PE Exam (April 16, 2026), it’s a good time to revisit a few details—especially since the format and logistics have shifted in recent years.
If it has been a while since you sat for the exam yourself, one of the biggest changes is the move to a fully computer-based format. That shift has simplified some aspects of the experience while introducing a few nuances that are worth keeping in mind—particularly when advising younger engineers preparing to sit for the exam.
A few of the most common questions still come up year after year:
Question: Does SFPE administer the PE Exam?
Answer: No, the test is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), a separate organization from SFPE. We aim to prepare and provide guidance for those who seek to take the test. Learn more about our PE Exam Prep Course.
Q: Do I need to bring any reference materials to the test?
A: No, the test is computer-based, and a reference manual developed by NCEES will be provided to you during the test. You can download a copy of the reference manual once you have registered to take the PE exam.
Q: Do I physically have to take the test in the state that I wish to pursue my PE in?
A: No, when you register for the computer-based test it will ask you to select the state engineering board you wish to send your results to. Since the test is computer-based, you can take the test at any approved testing location.
Q: Do I have to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam before I can register to take the PE – Fire Protection exam?
A: Yes, NCEES will not let you register to take the PE until you have passed the FE.
Q: Is there a limit to how many times I can take the PE?
A: The PE is only offered to take once a year. Starting in 2024 the exam will be offered in April. If you fail the PE, you can re-take it as many times as you wish but it will still only be offered once a year.
Q: Can I take a paper test instead of the computer-based version of the test?
A: No, the test is only offered as a computer-based test. Accommodations to the test-taker can be provided at the testing location as required by the applicable accessibility requirements.
Beyond logistics, scoring is another area where expectations don’t always match reality—especially for those who took the exam years ago under a different format.
Results are typically available within 7–10 days, a much faster turnaround than in the past. They’re reported simply as pass or fail; there’s no numeric score. For those who don’t pass, a diagnostic report is provided showing performance across different knowledge areas. It’s not intended to reverse-engineer a score, but it does give a clear sense of where additional study may be needed.
Scoring itself is straightforward: it’s based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for guessing. That’s a small but important detail—every question should be answered, even if it’s an educated guess.
Looking at recent data, the April 2025 exam provides a useful snapshot. First-time takers saw a strong pass rate of 80% across 245 candidates. Repeat takers, as expected, faced a steeper climb, with a 43% pass rate across 46 candidates. The gap isn’t surprising, but it does reinforce the importance of preparation and, in many cases, a fresh approach when retaking the exam.
For those mentoring early-career engineers, these are often the details that matter most—not the purpose of the exam, but how it actually plays out in practice today. The shift to computer-based testing, the use of a provided reference manual, and the quicker results timeline all change how candidates should prepare and what they should expect on exam day.
With the April exam right around the corner, best of luck to everyone sitting this year—and to those supporting them along the way.