Section 1480.150  Examination

a)         The examination for licensure as a structural engineer shall be divided into two parts.  The examination administered by the Division shall be provided by NCEES.  The specific examination content shall be as determined by periodic evaluations of the test specifications by NCEES.

1)         Part I – NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering ("FE") Examination.  This examination shall consist of problems or other examining techniques designed to evaluate the applicant's knowledge of the basic and engineering sciences and related subjects normally considered as the fundamentals of engineering.

2)         Part II – NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering ("PE") Structural Examination.  This examination replaces the 16-hour Structural examination.  This examination shall consist of two components:  the Vertical Forces (gravity/other) and Incidental Lateral component and the Lateral Forces (wind/earthquake) component.  Each component shall have independent "breadth" and "depth" sections.  An applicant must receive acceptable results for each section on both components to pass the Structural Examination.  The problems may include, but not be limited to, bridges, buildings, foundations, and the practice of structural engineering as set forth in Section 5 of the Act [225 ILCS 340/5].

3)         An applicant may sit for each section of a component in separate exam administrations but must receive acceptable results for each section on both components within the timeframe approved by NCEES.  If both components are not satisfactorily completed within the timeframe approved by NCEES, the applicant shall be required to retake the first component.

4)         Part I of the examination shall be waived for an applicant who is enrolled as an Illinois structural engineer intern or an applicant who passed the fundamentals of engineering examination administered under the authority of the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989 or by another jurisdiction.

b)         A state constructed Structural III examination shall not be accepted towards meeting the examination requirements for licensure.

c)         The NCEES 8-hour Principles & Practice of Engineering Civil/Structural examination shall not be accepted towards meeting the examination requirement for licensure as a structural engineer.

d)        Both components of the PE Structural examination must be taken in the same depth – buildings or bridges.

e)         The scoring of the examinations and determination of scores shall be as approved by NCEES.

f)         Separate scores shall be given for the FE and the PE Structural examinations.  All scores shall be graded as pass or fail.  Once an applicant fails a part of the examination, that Part shall not be waived.

g)         Post-administration access to, or review of, examination materials by an examinee or an examinee's representative shall be in accordance with NCEES policy.

h)         Retake of Examination

1)         Applicants shall be required to retake only the part on which a passing score was not achieved.

2)         If an applicant fails to pass an examination for licensure under this Act within three years after filing the application, the application shall be denied.  However, the applicant may thereafter make a new application for examination, accompanied by the required fee (See Section 1480.195).  New applications shall include proof of meeting the qualifications for examination in effect at the time of the new application except as provided for in subsection (h)(1).

i)          Successful scores of previously passed Parts of the examination shall be accepted for the purpose of licensure provided the applicant has met all other requirements for licensure as outlined in the Act and this Part.  For these purposes, the most recent score on a Part shall be the score of record.  In no circumstances shall the Division accept a previous passing score on a part for an applicant whose score of record is a failing score.

j)          Examinations will be in a computer-based format.  Examinees will be provided one attempt per testing window when a particular exam part or section is offered by NCEES.  Applicants shall register directly with NCEES to sit for the examination.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10205, effective July 23, 2025)