A field-effect transistor (FET) is one of the most commonly used semiconductor devices. Recently, increasing interest has been given to FET-based biosensors owing totheir outstanding benefits, which are likely to include a greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), fast measurement capabilities, and compact or portable instrumentation. Thus far, a number of FET-based biosensors have been developed to study biomolecular interactions, which are the key drivers of biological responses in in vitro or in vivo systems. In this review, the detection principles and characteristics of FET devices are described. In addition, biological applications of FET-type biosensors and the Debye length limitation are discussed.