Esame di Stato ingegnere

Overview

The Esame di Stato is the Italian state exam that qualifies a graduate to practise a regulated profession. This page covers the exam for engineer (ingegnere) and junior engineer (ingegnere iunior). The Ministry of University and Research (MUR) sets the national dates and rules each year by ministerial ordinance, and the sittings are run by the universities it lists. Ordinance n. 694 of 27 May 2026 covers engineers together with several other professions.

Who can apply

Candidates need the academic qualification the profession requires by the deadline set in their university's call. The ordinance accepts:

• For the full engineer: a master's degree (laurea magistrale), a specialist degree or an old-system degree.

• For the junior engineer: a bachelor's degree (laurea) or a university diploma.

• A foreign qualification recognised as equivalent.

Candidates must indicate the sector within the section that matches their degree. In each session a candidate can sit the exam for only one of the professions in the ordinance.

Levels or stages

The exam has two tracks, which start on different days.

Section A (ingegnere)

For holders of a master's, specialist or old-system degree. In 2026 the exam starts on 27 July (first session) and 16 November (second session).

Section B (ingegnere iunior)

For holders of a bachelor's degree or university diploma. In 2026 the exam starts on 31 July (first session) and 20 November (second session).

Important dates

For the 2026 sessions, as set by the MUR:

• First session: application to the university by 24 June 2026; exams start 27 July (Section A) or 31 July (Section B).

• Second session: application to the university by 21 October 2026; exams start 16 November (Section A) or 20 November (Section B).

• A candidate who applied for the first session but was absent may apply for the second with a new application by 21 October 2026.

Fees

For 2026, the ordinance sets the admission fee at EUR 49.58, subject to later adjustment. Each university also charges its own contribution, set by the university.

How to apply

Apply in plain-paper form to the university where you want to sit the exam, choosing from the sites the ordinance lists for engineers (the list includes Politecnico di Bari, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Catania, Cosenza and many others), and only one site. Attach your degree or a self-declaration, the fee receipts, and any certificate asking for special aids or extra time. A candidate who will graduate after the deadline but before the university's cut-off must still apply on time and declare that they applied for the degree exam. Applications can be sent by registered post if posted by the deadline. Each university also publishes its own call, so read it.

Preparation tips

• Pick the section and sector that match your degree before the application deadline, as you can apply at only one site per profession.

• Read your chosen university's own call, since the ordinance leaves the detailed rules to each university.

• The MUR pages read for this review do not describe the test content, so ask your university for the written, practical and oral test format.