Approved FE Calculators Status Checker
Instantly verify if your calculator model is on the NCEES approved list for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
Check Your Calculator
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Strictly Enforced
| Brand | Allowed Models / Series | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Casio | All fx-115 and fx-991 models | Model name must contain “fx-115” or “fx-991”. |
| Texas Instruments | All TI-30X and TI-36X models | Model name must contain “TI-30X” or “TI-36X”. |
| Hewlett-Packard (HP) | HP 33s and HP 35s | Only these two specific models are allowed. |
What Are Approved FE Calculators?
An “approved FE calculator” is a calculator model that the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) has explicitly permitted for use during the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. To protect the integrity of the exam, NCEES maintains a strict policy that limits the types of calculators examinees can bring. The goal is to ensure no one has an unfair advantage through devices with prohibited features, such as communication capabilities or extensive programming functions.
This policy applies to all engineering students and professionals taking the FE exam, which is a critical step toward professional licensure. A common misconception is that any “scientific” calculator is acceptable. However, many powerful scientific and graphing calculators, like the TI-89 or HP Prime, are strictly forbidden. Using a non-approved calculator will result in its confiscation and could lead to dismissal from the exam. Therefore, checking your model against the list of approved FE calculators is a mandatory pre-exam step.
Approved FE Calculators: The “Formula” for Approval
There is no mathematical formula for determining approved FE calculators, but rather a logical one based on a set of rules published by NCEES. The “calculation” is a simple check against this official list. The process can be broken down into steps based on the calculator’s brand.
The logic is as follows:
- Identify the Brand: Is it Casio, Texas Instruments, or HP?
- Check the Model Name:
- For Casio, does the model name include “fx-115” or “fx-991”?
- For Texas Instruments, does the model name include “TI-30X” or “TI-36X”?
- For Hewlett-Packard, is the model *exactly* “HP 33s” or “HP 35s”?
- Confirm Status: If the condition above is met, the calculator is approved. If not, it is forbidden.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | The manufacturer of the calculator. | Text | Casio, Texas Instruments, HP |
| Model Prefix | The required series identifier in the model name. | Text | fx-115, fx-991, TI-30X, TI-36X |
| Exact Model | The specific model number required for HP. | Text | HP 33s, HP 35s |
| NCEES | The governing body that sets the policy. | Acronym | National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: The Approved Calculator
An engineering student is preparing for the FE Civil exam and owns a Casio fx-115ES Plus. They use this calculator to check its status.
- Input Brand: Casio
- Input Model: fx-115es plus
- Analysis: The logic checks that the brand is Casio and the model string “fx-115es plus” contains “fx-115”.
- Output Result: APPROVED. The student can confidently bring this calculator to the exam. This falls under the umbrella of approved FE calculators.
Example 2: The Prohibited Calculator
Another student has a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE, a powerful graphing calculator from their college calculus courses.
- Input Brand: Texas Instruments
- Input Model: TI-84 Plus CE
- Analysis: The logic checks that the brand is TI, but the model string “ti-84 plus ce” contains neither “ti-30x” nor “ti-36x”.
- Output Result: NOT APPROVED. The calculator has graphing capabilities, which are explicitly banned. The student must purchase one of the approved FE calculators, such as a TI-36X Pro, to use in the exam. For more info, see this FE exam prep guide.
How to Use This Approved FE Calculators Checker
This tool is designed for simplicity and speed. Follow these steps to verify your calculator:
- Select Your Calculator’s Brand: Choose Casio, Texas Instruments, or HP from the dropdown menu.
- Enter the Model Number: Type the model number exactly as it appears on the front of your calculator (e.g., “TI-36X Pro”, “fx-991EX CLASSWIZ”). The check is not case-sensitive.
- Review the Result: The status box will instantly update to “APPROVED” in green or “NOT APPROVED” in red. No need to click a “submit” button.
- Check Intermediate Values: The boxes below the main result confirm your inputs and the policy status.
- Reset if Needed: Click the “Reset” button to clear the fields and start over with a new model.
Reading the results is straightforward. A green “APPROVED” means you are set for the exam. A red “NOT APPROVED” means you must acquire a different calculator that complies with the NCEES FE exam calculator policy.
Key Factors That Affect the NCEES Calculator Policy
Understanding the reasoning behind the list of approved FE calculators helps in appreciating the exam’s integrity. Several factors influence which models are allowed.
- No Graphing Capability: The most significant rule. Calculators that can plot functions are banned to ensure examinees solve problems analytically.
- No Communication Capability: Devices with infrared, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth are prohibited to prevent any form of communication during the test.
- Limited Programming: While some approved models have minor programming or macro functions, calculators with extensive scriptable environments are not allowed.
- Simple Power Source: Calculators should be battery or solar-powered. Devices that need to be plugged into an outlet are not permitted. Exploring the best calculator for FE exam often involves balancing features with battery life.
- No QWERTY Keypads: Any calculator with a typewriter-style keyboard is banned, as this feature is associated with communication devices.
- Availability and Standardization: NCEES tends to approve widely available and established models to ensure fair access for all candidates. The NCEES calculator list is reviewed periodically, but changes are infrequent to maintain consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I bring two approved FE calculators to the exam?
No. NCEES rules state that examinees may only bring one approved calculator into the testing room. Bringing a backup is not permitted.
2. What happens if my calculator’s battery dies during the exam?
You are responsible for ensuring your calculator is in good working order. It is highly recommended to install fresh batteries before exam day or ensure your solar-powered model is fully charged. Test center staff will not provide batteries or a replacement calculator. A good calculator battery replacement guide can be helpful here.
3. Is my Casio fx-991EX CLASSWIZ an approved FE calculator?
Yes. The model name contains “fx-991”, which meets the Casio requirement. All models in the fx-991 series are approved.
4. Why is the TI-89 Titanium not allowed?
The TI-89 Titanium is a powerful graphing calculator with a Computer Algebra System (CAS). These features allow it to perform symbolic math (like solving for variables in an equation) and plot graphs, which are abilities the FE exam is designed to test you on directly. Thus, it is not on the list of approved FE calculators.
5. Do I need to clear my calculator’s memory before the exam?
Yes. Proctors may inspect your calculator, and you are required to clear its memory before the exam begins. Familiarize yourself with how to perform a full reset on your specific model. The popular TI-36X Pro review often covers this process.
6. I have an older approved model not sold anymore. Can I still use it?
Yes. As long as the model is on the NCEES list (e.g., an HP 33s or an older Casio fx-115 model), it is permitted, even if it’s no longer sold in stores. The policy applies to the model number, not its production date.
7. Are there any approved FE calculators with a backlight?
No, typically the approved models are purely LCD-based without backlighting to ensure simplicity and long battery life. Exam rooms are well-lit, so a backlight is generally not necessary.
8. Is the calculator policy the same for the PE (Principles and Practice of Engineering) exam?
Yes, the NCEES calculator policy is consistent across all its exams, including the FE, PE, and FS (Fundamentals of Surveying) exams. The same list of approved FE calculators applies to the PE exam.