WASHINGTON PE LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION
PRACTICE EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED GUIDE.
This practice examination is designed for candidates seeking professional
engineering licensure in Washington State through the examination pathway. It
provides a rigorous assessment of the legal, regulatory, and procedural
requirements under RCW 18.43 and WAC 196-25 through 196-33, as administered
by the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land
Surveyors. The 100 multiple-choice questions cover the entire licensure process
from application through renewal, including education and experience
prerequisites, the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of
Engineering examinations, comity and temporary permits, continuing professional
competency, the proper use of seals and signatures, certificates of authorization,
professional ethics, and disciplinary proceedings. Each question is crafted to mirror
the complexity of the actual board-level knowledge required for licensure, with
detailed rationales that clarify the correct answer and the shortcomings of the
alternatives. Updated for the 2026–2027 cycle, this resource provides verified
solutions to help you master the administrative and ethical dimensions of
engineering practice and successfully navigate the licensure process.
Table of Contents
I. Definitions and Scope of Practice
II. The Board of Registration
III. Education and Experience Requirements
IV. Examinations—FE and PE
V. Application and Initial Licensure
VI. Licensure by Comity and Temporary Permits
VII. Renewal and Continuing Professional Competency
VIII. Seals, Signatures, and Stamping
, IX. Certificates of Authorization and Business Practice
X. Professional Conduct and Ethics
XI. Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions
XII. Exemptions and Special Provisions
1. Which of the following best describes the practice of engineering as defined
in RCW 18.43?
A) The supervision of construction trades on a commercial project
B) Any professional service requiring engineering education, training, and
experience that applies mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to
safeguard life, health, property, or the environment
C) The management of a construction company
D) The design of single-family residences exclusively
Correct Answer: B
RCW 18.43.020 defines engineering practice broadly as any service embodying the
application of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences where such
services require engineering education, training, and experience and are rendered
for the purpose of safeguarding life, health, property, or the environment. Option
A is too narrow and may be performed by non-engineers; option C is a business
activity, not necessarily engineering; option D is largely exempt. Thus, B correctly
captures the statutory definition.
2. The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors consists of how many members?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 11
Correct Answer: C
RCW 18.43.030 establishes a nine-member Board: six professional engineers, two
,land surveyors, and one public member. Options A, B, and D do not reflect the
statutory composition. Therefore, C is correct.
3. Under WAC 196-25, what is the minimum number of years of qualifying
engineering experience required for licensure as a professional engineer
after earning an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 6 years
D) 8 years
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-030 requires four years of progressive, verifiable engineering
experience after the completion of an accredited engineering degree. Options A, C,
and D are incorrect timeframes. Thus, B is correct.
4. An applicant who holds a master’s degree in engineering from an
ABET-accredited program may be credited with how many years of
experience toward the PE licensure requirement?
A) None
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 4 years
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-030 allows up to one year of experience credit for a master’s degree
in engineering. A PhD may receive additional credit, but a master’s is limited to
one year. Options A, C, and D are not the standard credit. Therefore, B is correct.
5. Which of the following is a requirement for admission to the Fundamentals
of Engineering (FE) examination in Washington?
A) Holding a master’s degree in engineering
B) Being enrolled in or having graduated from an ABET-accredited
engineering program or possessing equivalent education approved by the
Board
, C) Having at least four years of engineering experience
D) Holding a valid driver’s license
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-020 permits FE applicants who are currently enrolled in or have
graduated from an EAC/ABET-accredited program, or whose education has been
deemed equivalent by the Board. Experience is not required for the FE. Thus, B is
correct.
6. According to Washington regulations, how many times may an applicant
retake the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination after
failing?
A) Once
B) Twice
C) Three times
D) As permitted by the Board, which may impose additional requirements
after multiple attempts
Correct Answer: D
WAC 196-25-020 allows retakes, but the Board may require additional education
or experience after repeated failures to ensure competence. There is no fixed limit;
the Board evaluates each case. Thus, D is correct.
7. What is the minimum passing score for the FE and PE examinations as set
by NCEES and accepted by the Washington Board?
A) 60%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) The NCEES scaled passing score, which varies by administration
Correct Answer: D
The Washington Board adopts the NCEES recommended passing score, which is
determined psychometrically and is not a fixed percentage. Options A, B, and C are
not accurate. Thus, D is correct.
PRACTICE EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED GUIDE.
This practice examination is designed for candidates seeking professional
engineering licensure in Washington State through the examination pathway. It
provides a rigorous assessment of the legal, regulatory, and procedural
requirements under RCW 18.43 and WAC 196-25 through 196-33, as administered
by the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land
Surveyors. The 100 multiple-choice questions cover the entire licensure process
from application through renewal, including education and experience
prerequisites, the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of
Engineering examinations, comity and temporary permits, continuing professional
competency, the proper use of seals and signatures, certificates of authorization,
professional ethics, and disciplinary proceedings. Each question is crafted to mirror
the complexity of the actual board-level knowledge required for licensure, with
detailed rationales that clarify the correct answer and the shortcomings of the
alternatives. Updated for the 2026–2027 cycle, this resource provides verified
solutions to help you master the administrative and ethical dimensions of
engineering practice and successfully navigate the licensure process.
Table of Contents
I. Definitions and Scope of Practice
II. The Board of Registration
III. Education and Experience Requirements
IV. Examinations—FE and PE
V. Application and Initial Licensure
VI. Licensure by Comity and Temporary Permits
VII. Renewal and Continuing Professional Competency
VIII. Seals, Signatures, and Stamping
, IX. Certificates of Authorization and Business Practice
X. Professional Conduct and Ethics
XI. Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions
XII. Exemptions and Special Provisions
1. Which of the following best describes the practice of engineering as defined
in RCW 18.43?
A) The supervision of construction trades on a commercial project
B) Any professional service requiring engineering education, training, and
experience that applies mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to
safeguard life, health, property, or the environment
C) The management of a construction company
D) The design of single-family residences exclusively
Correct Answer: B
RCW 18.43.020 defines engineering practice broadly as any service embodying the
application of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences where such
services require engineering education, training, and experience and are rendered
for the purpose of safeguarding life, health, property, or the environment. Option
A is too narrow and may be performed by non-engineers; option C is a business
activity, not necessarily engineering; option D is largely exempt. Thus, B correctly
captures the statutory definition.
2. The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors consists of how many members?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 11
Correct Answer: C
RCW 18.43.030 establishes a nine-member Board: six professional engineers, two
,land surveyors, and one public member. Options A, B, and D do not reflect the
statutory composition. Therefore, C is correct.
3. Under WAC 196-25, what is the minimum number of years of qualifying
engineering experience required for licensure as a professional engineer
after earning an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 6 years
D) 8 years
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-030 requires four years of progressive, verifiable engineering
experience after the completion of an accredited engineering degree. Options A, C,
and D are incorrect timeframes. Thus, B is correct.
4. An applicant who holds a master’s degree in engineering from an
ABET-accredited program may be credited with how many years of
experience toward the PE licensure requirement?
A) None
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 4 years
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-030 allows up to one year of experience credit for a master’s degree
in engineering. A PhD may receive additional credit, but a master’s is limited to
one year. Options A, C, and D are not the standard credit. Therefore, B is correct.
5. Which of the following is a requirement for admission to the Fundamentals
of Engineering (FE) examination in Washington?
A) Holding a master’s degree in engineering
B) Being enrolled in or having graduated from an ABET-accredited
engineering program or possessing equivalent education approved by the
Board
, C) Having at least four years of engineering experience
D) Holding a valid driver’s license
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-020 permits FE applicants who are currently enrolled in or have
graduated from an EAC/ABET-accredited program, or whose education has been
deemed equivalent by the Board. Experience is not required for the FE. Thus, B is
correct.
6. According to Washington regulations, how many times may an applicant
retake the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) examination after
failing?
A) Once
B) Twice
C) Three times
D) As permitted by the Board, which may impose additional requirements
after multiple attempts
Correct Answer: D
WAC 196-25-020 allows retakes, but the Board may require additional education
or experience after repeated failures to ensure competence. There is no fixed limit;
the Board evaluates each case. Thus, D is correct.
7. What is the minimum passing score for the FE and PE examinations as set
by NCEES and accepted by the Washington Board?
A) 60%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) The NCEES scaled passing score, which varies by administration
Correct Answer: D
The Washington Board adopts the NCEES recommended passing score, which is
determined psychometrically and is not a fixed percentage. Options A, B, and C are
not accurate. Thus, D is correct.
