Taking the Engineer in Training Exam without ABET Accreditation

If you don’t have an ABET-accredited engineering degree, you’ve probably run into conflicting information about whether you can even take the Engineer in Training exam. Some sources say yes. Some say no. And the official state board websites aren’t exactly famous for being easy to read.

Here’s the straightforward answer: you can take the Engineer in Training exam without an ABET-accredited degree — but how you qualify depends on your situation, and the path looks different depending on the state you’re applying in.

Let’s break it all the way down so you know exactly where you stand.

Can You Take the Engineer in Training Exam Without ABET Accreditation?

Yes — ABET accreditation is not a hard requirement for sitting the Engineer in Training exam. NCEES, the organization that administers the exam, sets the minimum standards, but each state licensing board determines the specific eligibility rules for their state.

What this means in practice is that most states offer one or more alternative pathways for engineers who graduated from non-ABET accredited programs. The two most common are:

• Board review of your transcripts — You submit your degree and coursework for manual review, and the board determines whether your education is equivalent to an accredited program.
• Engineering experience in lieu of an accredited degree — Most states allow candidates with a non-accredited degree (or no engineering degree at all) to qualify if they have 4+ years of approved engineering experience.

The catch is that these pathways require additional documentation, more time, and sometimes more scrutiny than the standard application process. But they exist — and engineers use them every year.

The Three Scenarios You Might Be In

1. You Have a Non-ABET Accredited Degree from a U.S. School

If you graduated from a U.S. engineering program that isn’t ABET accredited, you’ll typically need to submit your official transcripts directly to the state board for manual review. The board will evaluate your coursework to determine whether it’s equivalent to what an accredited program would require.

This process takes longer than a standard application, and there’s no guarantee of approval — but many candidates with strong engineering coursework are approved without issues. The key is making sure your transcript reflects solid foundational engineering content: math, sciences, engineering fundamentals.

What to do: Contact your state licensing board directly before you apply and ask about their process for non-ABET accredited domestic degrees. Get the requirements in writing.

2. You Have a Degree from a Foreign Country

If your engineering degree was earned outside the U.S., you have one additional step before you can even apply: a credentials evaluation through NCEES Credentials Evaluations.

This evaluation reviews your official transcripts, course syllabi, and supporting documentation to determine whether your degree is equivalent to a U.S. ABET-accredited engineering degree. The cost is your responsibility, and the process can take several weeks.

If the evaluation comes back positive — meaning NCEES determines your degree is equivalent — you proceed with the standard application process. If it doesn’t, you’ll typically need to fall back on the experience pathway.

What to do: Start the NCEES Credentials Evaluation process early. Don’t wait until you’re ready to register for the Engineer in Training exam — the evaluation timeline can push your test date back by months if you’re not prepared.

3. You Don’t Have an Engineering Degree at All

This is more common than most people realize. Engineers who came up through technician roles, worked under licensed PEs for years, and built deep practical knowledge sometimes decide to pursue licensure later in their career.

Most states allow candidates without any engineering degree to qualify for the Engineer in Training exam if they have a minimum of 4 years of approved engineering experience accumulated after completing any undergraduate degree — engineering or otherwise.

The documentation burden here is higher. You’ll need detailed experience verification letters from licensed Professional Engineers who supervised your work, specific project descriptions, and evidence of the technical nature of your responsibilities.

What to do: Build your documentation carefully before applying. A vague “I worked in engineering” letter won’t cut it — boards want specifics about your projects, your role, and the technical decisions you made.

The Application Process Step by Step

Regardless of your specific pathway, here’s the general sequence you’ll work through when applying for the Engineer in Training exam without ABET accreditation:

1. Identify your state board’s specific requirements — Start at your state’s engineering licensing board website. Look for the EIT exam eligibility section and find the rules for non-accredited or foreign degrees.
2. Gather your documentation — Official transcripts, experience verification letters from licensed PEs, degree evaluation (if required), and any additional materials your board requests.
3. Submit your application to the state board — Not to NCEES directly. Your state board reviews your eligibility first, then approves you to schedule with NCEES.
4. Wait for board approval — Non-standard applications take longer than standard ones. Build in extra time here — sometimes weeks, sometimes months depending on the state and your situation.
5. Schedule and prepare for the exam — Once approved, you’ll receive instructions from NCEES to create your account and schedule your Engineer in Training exam at a Prometric testing center.

Common Mistakes Engineers Make With Non-ABET Applications

Applying to NCEES before getting board approval. NCEES doesn’t handle eligibility — your state board does. You need state board approval before NCEES will let you schedule the Engineer in Training exam. Skipping this step wastes time.

Submitting incomplete documentation. Boards reviewing non-standard applications are looking for specific things. A transcript without course descriptions, or an experience letter without project specifics, can get your application delayed or denied. Be thorough the first time.

Assuming your state follows the same rules as another state. Engineering licensure is state-regulated. What works in California may not work in Pennsylvania. Always verify with your specific state board.

Waiting too long to start. Non-standard applications take longer. If you want to sit for the Engineer in Training exam in a specific window, back up your timeline by 3-6 months to account for board review time, credentials evaluation, and scheduling.

Check the requirements for your specific state here: FE Exam Requirements by State →

Final Thoughts | Engineer in Training Exam Without ABET Accreditation

Not having an ABET-accredited degree is a real obstacle — but it’s not a wall. Every year, engineers qualify for the Engineer in Training exam through board review, credentials evaluation, and experience-based pathways. The process requires more documentation and more patience than the standard route, but it’s navigable.

The most important thing you can do right now is contact your state licensing board directly and ask about their specific process for your situation. Don’t assume — confirm. Get the requirements in writing, build your documentation carefully, and give yourself enough runway for the review process.

Once you clear eligibility, the exam itself is the same for everyone. That’s where Prepineer comes in.

The engineers who pass the Engineer in Training exam aren’t the ones with the fanciest degrees — they’re the ones who prepared with structure, stayed consistent, and practiced problems until the process felt automatic. Ready to find out where you stand? Start your free 7-day trial and let’s build a plan around your specific situation.