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PE Civil Study Guide

Available in Print or eTextbook

PE Civil Study Guide, Seventeenth Edition provides a strategic and targeted approach to exam preparation so that you gain a competitive edge. With hundreds of entries containing helpful explanations, derivations of equations, and exam tips, the Study Guide connects the NCEES exam specifications for all five PE Civil exams to the NCEES Handbook, approved design standards, and PPI’s civil reference manuals.

The Study Guide is organized to make the most of your time and is an essential tool for a successful exam experience. Relevant sections from the NCEES Handbook, design standards, and PPI’s reference manuals are clearly indicated in both summary lists for each exam specification and in each of the detailed entries covering a specific concept or equation.

Referenced PPI Products:

  • PE Civil Reference Manual
  • Structural Depth Reference Manual for the PE Civil Exam
  • Construction Depth Reference Manual for the PE Civil Exam
  • Transportation Depth Reference Manual for the PE Civil Exam
  • Water Resources and Environmental Depth Reference Manual for the PE Civil Exam

Referenced Codes and Standards:

  • 2015 International Building Code (ICC)
  • A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways & Streets (AASHTO)
  • AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures (AASHTO)
  • AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
  • Building Code Requirements & Specification for Masonry Structures (ACI 530)
  • Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete & Commentary (ACI 318)
  • Design & Construction of Driven Pile Foundations (FHWA)
  • Design & Construction of Driven Pile Foundations—Volume I (FHWA)
  • Design & Control of Concrete Mixtures (PCA)
  • Design Loads on Structures During Construction (ASCE 37)
  • Formwork for Concrete (ACI SP-4)
  • Foundations & Earth Structures, Design Manual 7.02
  • Geotechnical Aspects of Pavements (FHWA)
  • Guide for the Planning, Design, & Operation of Pedestrian Facilities (AASHTO)
  • Guide to Design of Slabs-on-Ground (ACI 360R)
  • Guide to Formwork for Concrete (ACI 347R)
  • Highway Capacity Manual (TRB)
  • Highway Safety Manual (AASHTO)
  • Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts (FHWA)
  • LRFD Seismic Analysis & Design of Transportation Geotechnical Features & Structural Foundations Reference Manual (FHWA)
  • Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA)
  • Minimum Design Loads for Buildings & Other Structures (ASCE/SEI 7)
  • National Design Specification for Wood Construction (AWC)
  • Occupational Safety & Health Regulations for the Construction Industry (OSHA 1926)
  • Occupational Safety & Health Standards (OSHA 1910)
  • PCI Design Handbook: Precast & Prestressed Concrete (PCI)
  • Recommended Standards for Wastewater Facilities (TSS)
  • Roadside Design Guide (AASHTO)
  • Soils & Foundations Reference Manual—Volume I & II (FHWA)
  • Steel Construction Manual (AISC)
  • Structural Welding Code—Steel (AWS)

*eTexbook access benefits include:
  • One year of access
  • Ability to download the entire eTextbook to multiple devices, so you can study even without internet access
  • An auto sync feature across all your devices for a seamless experience on or offline
  • Unique study tools such as highlighting in six different colors to tailor your study experience
  • Features like read aloud for complete hands-free review
PE Civil Study Guide
$95.00
COPYRIGHT DATE
2022
FORMAT
Hardcover or eTextbook
PID# 634531

FAQs

The best PE prep course depends on your exam discipline, schedule, and how deep a review you need, but strong courses share three traits: structured review aligned to NCEES specifications, an extensive exam-like practice-problem bank, and full-length practice exams with diagnostics. PPI offers live-online and self-paced options across PE disciplines so you can match the format to how you learn.
Plan for 200–300 hours of study. With a full-time job, that's about five to seven months at 10–15 hours per week; six months is a good default. Focus your hours on practice problems and the discipline-specific reference material, and take full-length practice exams to build endurance for the 8-hour format.
The PE exam is rigorous and discipline-specific, so difficulty varies by field. Per NCEES (January 2026), first-time pass rates ranged widely: for example, Mechanical: Thermal & Fluid Systems 77%, Environmental 67%, Civil: Water Resources & Environmental 71%, Civil: Structural 61%, and Chemical 63%. The exam becomes more manageable when its content matches your day-to-day work, so most candidates plan several months of focused study.
The most effective PE prep combines structured review of your discipline's topics, a large bank of exam-like practice problems, and full-length timed practice exams to build pace for the 8-hour day. Master your reference materials so lookups are fast, target weak areas first, and simulate exam conditions. PPI's discipline-specific review courses and practice exams structure all three.

Some states require a BS degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program to sit for the PE exam. Other states allow you to take the PE exam with a degree in engineering technology, physics, math, or chemistry—or without any degree—as long as you’ve met the required work experience. Check your state requirements to see if you can take the PE exam without an engineering degree.

You should prioritize your engineering interests and professional background when determining which PE exam to take. The difficulty level of each discipline is also important to consider. Reach out to licensed engineers in your network for additional perspectives, too.
You can take most PE exams once per three-month testing window and no more than three times per year. Certain PE exams are only offered once per year in October. Some licensing boards are more restrictive, so check your state licensing board to confirm how often you can retake the exam.

Most states allow you to take the PE exam after passing your FE exam and gaining at least four years of post-college work experience. However, some states now allow examinees to sit for the PE exam before completing their work experience. Check your state requirements to see when you’re qualified to sit for the exam.

By NCEES pass rates (January 2026), the highest first-time pass rates were PE Agricultural & Biological (81%), Mining & Mineral Processing (80%), Fire Protection (78%), and Mechanical: Thermal & Fluid Systems (77%). But the truly 'easiest' PE exam is the one whose content matches your daily work: alignment with your experience beats raw pass-rate statistics. Choose the discipline that supports your career goals.

It is an 8-hour exam. It contains 80 total questions: 40 multiple-choice questions in the 4-hour AM session, and 40 multiple-choice questions in the 4-hour PM session.
PE exams are closed-book, computer-based test (CBT)s; your only reference is an electronic resource(s) supplied by NCEES on-screen. For the PE exam, NCEES will typically provide a discipline-specific reference handbook and one or more design standards. NCEES states which design standards will be available on the exam website in the specifications documentation.
The PE exam tests for a minimum level of competency in engineering. You need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

What Our Customers Say

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“Just wanted to let you know, I received results for PE Exam today…PASS!! Thank you to PPI…Specifically Josh Ogle and Richard Austin, my instructors for the April 2021 review courses."
Calvin
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Keivan
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Nicholas
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PE Mechanical Customer
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Kevin
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Brad
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Ion
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PE Mechanical Customer
“The instructor was very knowledgeable in the exam topic areas and answered all questions. The course materials were very helpful in learning what will be on the exam. It was often more difficult than the actual exam questions, but they will prepare you for the test."
Justin
"This review course is very rigorous, but the amount of problems and difficulty of subjects cover what you need to be prepared for the exam. The course also allows you to interact with other PE exam takers to be able to ask them questions and learn from other students.”
PE Mechanical Customer
“The instructor provided basic theory and techniques that were very helpful in the homework, practice exams, and, of course, the actual exam. There was also good feedback and help from the other students. It's definitely hard work, but definitely worth it!"
Maureen
"I was very rusty in all of the areas I hadn't used in my day-to-day work. I have been out of school for 30 years, and the structured lectures and homework helped me get back in practice. I went into the exam nervous and left confident. I wouldn't have been able to do this without PPI."
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"This course is a great resource for studying for the PE exam. The course follows a rigorous but helpful schedule. The office hours are a great resource for anyone who needs questions answered outside of class. I felt very prepared going into the exam."
PE Mechanical Customer
“The interaction with the instructor and other students was very helpful and gave some great insights for preparation as well as content and problem solving methods. You will not regret taking this prep course because it will make you feel absolutely ready when you enter those doors on exam day."
Michael
"This course is a very valuable tool to prepare for the exam. Not only does it give a structured study plan to follow, but the instructor follows the topic breakdown, which ensures you keep up on your end as well. The class material, homework, and discussions were all great for preparation.”
Jesse
"This review course is well worth the time. The review materials are a good representation of what you could see on the PE exam. The live instructor feedback is valuable."