How is PPI responding to the changes to the new PE Civil exam in 2024?

PPI is launching new courses in January 2024 to respond to these changes. The new courses contain: New qbank questions to increase topic coverage of the exams. New instructional materials for the live class to ensure thorough coverage of topics. Revamped practice exams and diagnostic exams to match the content of the new exams. A new learning path that is focused on the topic coverage of the new exams. For PE Civil Structural and PE Civil Construction, all design standards have been updated to the new design standards such as IBC 2018.

How should I study for the PE Civil CBT exam?

The recommended amount of study time for the PE Civil CBT exam is approximately 300 hours. To make sure that you are covering the right content during your study time, think about enrolling in a PE Civil exam prep course designed specifically for the CBT exam. PPI offers three different prep options for the PE Civil exam to suit the amount of prep you need and the format that works best for you: Live Online Course Bundle: This option is best for examinees who want an all-in-one solution to preparing for the PE Civil CBT exam and would like to attend scheduled class sessions. The Live Online course bundle will prepare you for both the depth and breadth portions of the exam. OnDemand Course Bundle: The OnDemand course bundle is a great option for students or professionals with busy schedules who want to study on the go or at inconsistent times. You'll receive access to pre-recorded lectures, problem-solving demonstrations, and exam strategy sessions from licensed engineers, as well as homework assignments and reference materials. Self Study - Learning Hub and Print Bundle: Students or professionals who need a refresher before they take the PE Civil Exam, but may not need a full review course, might find that the Learning Hub and Print option is for them. With this option, you’ll get access to the PE Learning Hub and printed review and practice materials.

Should I take the PE Civil exam before the change or after the exam change in April 2024?

You should consider taking the exam on or after April 2024 if these situations apply to you: You previously took the exam and performed better on the afternoon or depth topics. You have a lot of experience as a practicing engineer and would be best able to take an exam that is specific to one discipline. You have not yet started studying for your exam and will need approximately six months to study. Taking the exam after April 2024 will give you adequate time to study for the exam. You should consider taking the on or before March 2024 if these situations apply to you: You are a recent graduate who has a lot of knowledge about different breadth topics as well as depth topics. You have already started studying and are ready to take your exam before March 2024. You already took the exam and performed better on the morning or breadth portion of the exam.

What will remain the same on the new PE Civil exam in 2024?

The exam will still consist of 80 questions. The new exam will be focused on discipline-specific topics, so the number of questions per topic will increase. Similar closed-book references will still be available. For PE Civil Structural, the design standards are changing to IBC 2018. For the PE Civil Water Resources and Environmental exam specifically, there have been fewer changes to the exam compared to other exam disciplines. A few breadth topics are still in that particular exam.

What topics are on the PE Civil Construction exam?

The PE Civil Construction Depth section of the exam covers the following topics: Earthwork Construction and Layout Estimating Quantities and Costs Construction Operations and Methods Scheduling Material Quality Control and Production Temporary Structures Health and Safety For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF .

What topics are on the PE Civil Geotechnical exam?

The PE Civil Geotechnical Depth section of the exam covers the following topics: Site Characterization Soil Mechanics, Laboratory Testing, and Analysis Field Materials Testing, Methods, and Safety Earthquake Engineering and Dynamic Loads Earth Structures Groundwater and Seepage Problematic Soil and Rock Conditions Earth Retaining Structures (ASD or LRFD) Shallow Foundations (ASD or LRFD) Deep Foundations (ASD or LRFD) For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF .

What topics are on the PE Civil Structural exam?

The PE Civil Structural Depth section of the exam covers the following topics: Analysis of Structures–Loads and Load Applications Analysis of Structures–Forces and Load Effects Temporary Structures and Other Topics Design and Details of Structures–Materials and Material Properties Design and Details of Structures–Component Design and Detailing For more information, you can visit ncees.org.

What topics are on the PE Civil Transportation exam?

The PE Civil Transportation Depth section of the exam covers the following topics: Traffic Engineering (Capacity Analysis and Transportation Planning) Horizontal Design Vertical Design Intersection Geometry Roadside and Cross-Section Design Signal Design Traffic Control Design Geotechnical and Pavement Drainage Alternatives Analysis For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF .

Frequently Asked Questions about the PE Exam

Passing the PE is a pivotal step in an engineer’s career. A PE license is mandatory for consulting, owning a firm, stamping and sealing designs, and other activities. Choose your exam FAQ below to find essential information about your exam. If you have additional questions about the PE exam or would like to work with our Customer Support team, just contact us.

PE Exam General FAQs

Due to copyright, PPI VitalSource etextbooks cannot be printed. Most PPI books are also available in printed format as an add-on option on our website.

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.

NCEES PE Exam Requirements and Qualifications

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.

About the NCEES PE Exam

Our exam practice questions are exam-like, which means they reference the appropriate NCEES Handbook, they are a similar length to the real exam, and they use multiple-choice questions like the exam. Some questions may be a little easier or a little harder than the actual exam, but they are all designed to bring you success on exam day.

We recommend 200 to 300 hours of study time in order to prepare for the PE exam. If you have a full time job, that would be five to seven months spending 10 to 15 hours per week studying. Six months is a good starting point.

The PE exams are not considered easy to pass, but the exam will become easier if the content reflects topics that you're familiar with from your current line of work. Think about your career goals when considering the PE exam. Are you seeking a promotion in your current role? You should select the exam that best supports your current career. Are you trying to switch industries? Choose the exam that will set you up for success in your new field. Rather than seek out the easiest PE exam, select the one that will support your 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.

The PE structural exam is the only open-book exam remaining. All other PE exams are now closed-book computer-based exams, commonly referred to as CBT.

The PE exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam. Here are the most recently updated PE exam pass rates.

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.

PE Civil Exam General FAQs

You'll need to purchase the specific codes and standards required for your PE exam directly from the publishers.

The NCEES Reference Handbook can be downloaded for free from the NCEES website after creating a MyNCEES account. PPI does not publish the handbook, but you will have the opportunity to view practice exam questions side-by-side with your personal copy of the Handbook in our eLearning platform.

To register for the new option for the construction depth exam, you will need to select the "Construction - Design and Construction of Buildings and Structures" option when you register for the exam.

The PE Civil Reference Handbook should be used as a reference. You should know the content of it well enough that you can easily find what you're looking for during the exam, saving you time and avoiding additional stress. However, don't rely too heavily on it. If a topic is in the exam specs, you should study it in-depth regardless of whether or not it's in the Handbook. Learn more in our Ultimate Guide to the PE Civil Exam.

The NCEES PE Civil exam is challenging and requires dedication to a study plan. Planning your preparation, developing a study plan, and sticking to it is an accomplishment in its own right! You may already know the benefits of earning your professional license, but having a plan of action for earning those benefits will help you make your licensure goal a reality. Not sure where to start? Learn how to develop a PE Civil exam study plan.

PPI is launching new courses in January 2024 to respond to these changes. The new courses contain:

New qbank questions to increase topic coverage of the exams.
New instructional materials for the live class to ensure thorough coverage of topics.
Revamped practice exams and diagnostic exams to match the content of the new exams.
A new learning path that is focused on the topic coverage of the new exams.
For PE Civil Structural and PE Civil Construction, all design standards have been updated to the new design standards such as IBC 2018.

The PE Civil exam is an 8-hour closed-book CBT exam split into the AM—Breadth and PM—Depth sessions. 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.

The recommended amount of study time for the PE Civil CBT exam is approximately 300 hours. To make sure that you are covering the right content during your study time, think about enrolling in a PE Civil exam prep course designed specifically for the CBT exam. PPI offers three different prep options for the PE Civil exam to suit the amount of prep you need and the format that works best for you:

Live Online Course Bundle: This option is best for examinees who want an all-in-one solution to preparing for the PE Civil CBT exam and would like to attend scheduled class sessions. The Live Online course bundle will prepare you for both the depth and breadth portions of the exam.
OnDemand Course Bundle: The OnDemand course bundle is a great option for students or professionals with busy schedules who want to study on the go or at inconsistent times. You'll receive access to pre-recorded lectures, problem-solving demonstrations, and exam strategy sessions from licensed engineers, as well as homework assignments and reference materials.
Self Study - Learning Hub and Print Bundle: Students or professionals who need a refresher before they take the PE Civil Exam, but may not need a full review course, might find that the Learning Hub and Print option is for them. With this option, you’ll get access to the PE Learning Hub and printed review and practice materials.

The NCEES Reference Handbook is a free resource available for download on the NCEES website. PPI is not the publisher of the NCEES Handbook; however, we do offer the ability to view practice questions alongside your own copy of the Handbook in our eLearning platform.

The PE Civil exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of civil engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam. The average pass rate for first-time test takers during the last exam was about 63%.

No, the PE Civil exam is now a closed-book CBT exam. October 2021 was the last exam in the open-book format. In 2022, the exam transitioned to a closed book Computer-Based Test (CBT) that is available to take year-round. You will not be able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference will be an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.

You should consider taking the exam on or after April 2024 if these situations apply to you:

You previously took the exam and performed better on the afternoon or depth topics.
You have a lot of experience as a practicing engineer and would be best able to take an exam that is specific to one discipline.
You have not yet started studying for your exam and will need approximately six months to study. Taking the exam after April 2024 will give you adequate time to study for the exam.

You should consider taking the on or before March 2024 if these situations apply to you:

You are a recent graduate who has a lot of knowledge about different breadth topics as well as depth topics.
You have already started studying and are ready to take your exam before March 2024.
You already took the exam and performed better on the morning or breadth portion of the exam.

As of April 2024, the PE Civil exams are changing from breadth and depth exams to depth-specific exams. This change will focus the exams on the specific depth topics so that the examination is more focused on each discipline.

If you are taking the exam on or before March 2024, PPI’s OnDemand or Learning Hub materials are still available for your study. These cover all breadth and depth topics for the exam prior to the exam change. You will not need to worry about the exam changes if you are taking the exam prior to April.

The PE Civil exam is a closed-book CBT exam that tests for a minimum level of competency in civil engineering. You need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

The latest pass rates released by NCEES for the PE Civil exam were:

First-time test takers: 63%
Repeat test takers: 40%

This depends on your exam. The civil exam is a breadth and depth exam. So all of the breadth topics will be similar on each exam, but the depth topics differ by exam. For more information on specifications for your exam, please visit NCEES here.

The exam will still consist of 80 questions. The new exam will be focused on discipline-specific topics, so the number of questions per topic will increase.
Similar closed-book references will still be available. For PE Civil Structural, the design standards are changing to IBC 2018.
For the PE Civil Water Resources and Environmental exam specifically, there have been fewer changes to the exam compared to other exam disciplines. A few breadth topics are still in that particular exam.

Certain codes and design standards will need to be obtained from the respective code publishers. PPI refers to closed-book references throughout our own study materials; however, due to copyright, PPI is not able to provide the design standards or codes themselves.

NCEES provides a Reference Handbook free of charge. To download for personal use, navigate to ncees.org and select ”MyNCEES”. You will need to create an account with NCEES to receive the Handbook. PPI does not publish the NCEES Handbook, but we do have the capability to view questions side-by-side with your own personal copy of the Handbook.

PE Civil Construction Exam FAQs

The PE Civil Construction exam is an 8-hour closed-book CBT exam split into AM and PM sessions. 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.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Civil Construction exam were:

First-time test takers: 61%
Repeat test takers: 35%

The PE Civil Construction Depth section of the exam covers the following topics:

Earthwork Construction and Layout
Estimating Quantities and Costs
Construction Operations and Methods
Scheduling
Material Quality Control and Production
Temporary Structures
Health and Safety

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Civil Geotechnical Exam FAQs

The PE Civil Geotechnical exam is an 8-hour closed-book CBT exam split into AM and PM sessions. 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.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Civil Geotechnical exam were:

- First-time test takers: 55%

- Repeat test takers: 24%

The PE Civil Geotechnical Depth section of the exam covers the following topics:

Site Characterization
Soil Mechanics, Laboratory Testing, and Analysis
Field Materials Testing, Methods, and Safety
Earthquake Engineering and Dynamic Loads
Earth Structures
Groundwater and Seepage
Problematic Soil and Rock Conditions
Earth Retaining Structures (ASD or LRFD)
Shallow Foundations (ASD or LRFD)
Deep Foundations (ASD or LRFD)

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Civil Structural Exam FAQs

The PE Civil Structural exam is an 8-hour closed-book CBT exam split into AM and PM sessions. 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.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Civil Structural exam were:

First-time test takers: 65%
Repeat test takers: 44%

The PE Civil Structural Depth section of the exam covers the following topics:

Analysis of Structures–Loads and Load Applications
Analysis of Structures–Forces and Load Effects
Temporary Structures and Other Topics
Design and Details of Structures–Materials and Material Properties
Design and Details of Structures–Component Design and Detailing

For more information, you can visit ncees.org.

PE Civil Transportation Exam FAQs

The PE Civil Transportation exam is an 8-hour closed-book CBT exam split into AM and PM sessions. 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.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Civil Transportation exam were:

First-time test takers: 70%
Repeat test takers: 39%

The PE Civil Transportation Depth section of the exam covers the following topics:

Traffic Engineering (Capacity Analysis and Transportation Planning)
Horizontal Design
Vertical Design
Intersection Geometry
Roadside and Cross-Section Design
Signal Design
Traffic Control Design
Geotechnical and Pavement
Drainage
Alternatives Analysis

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Civil Water Resources Exam FAQs

The PE Civil Water Resources and Environmental exam is an 8-hour closed-book CBT exam split into AM and PM sessions. 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.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Civil Water Resources and Environmental exam were:

First-time test takers: 71%
Repeat test takers: 46%

The PE Civil Water Resources and Environmental Depth section of the exam covers the following topics:

Analysis and Design
Hydraulics–Closed Conduit
Hydraulics–Open Channel
Hydrology
Groundwater and Wells
Wastewater Collection and Treatment
Water Quality
Drinking Water Distribution and Treatment
Engineering Economics Analysis

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE CA Civil Seismic Exam FAQs

It’s recommended that you submit your application for licensure to the Board after you have passed the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE Civil) exam. You must schedule and sit for the exam in the quarter following the quarter in which your application and exam fees are processed and approved by the Board.

You can see the specifications and exam topics here.

Once your score is finalized, you will be emailed your exam results. Your exam results report will show a passing designation but no score.

The exam tests the entry-level competency of a candidate to practice civil engineering within the profession’s acceptable standards for public safety. It is administered by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists in California. You must pass the PE Civil exam, as well as both the CA Civil Engineering Surveying exam and the California Civil Seismic Principles exam, in order to be licensed as a Civil PE in California.

The exam is 2.5 hours long with 55 multiple-choice questions. It’s a computer-based exam, but you are allowed to bring in as many reference materials as one trip and one box will permit. See prometric.com for the latest guidelines.

The passing rate for the exam is 49 percent. PPI offers an OnDemand prep course to support you in your studies and boost your chances of passing the exam.

You will need to bring your ID, reference materials (see prometric.com) for your exam for the limitations/guidelines on the number of materials you can bring). Make sure you are familiar with all your reference materials and have used them to study with, so you know how to find the information you need in them quickly. This link has the list of suggested reference materials from the Board.

You can bring two non-QWERTY calculators that meet the requirements outlined on Prometric’s website, and you may bring in any two of the following four measuring devices: ruler, protractor, architect scale, or engineer scale. Since the exam is all on the computer, most examinees find a straight edge is sufficient.

You will be provided with pencils and two scratch paper booklets (they must be returned on completion of the exam).

The exam is offered on a quarterly basis.

PE CA Civil Surveying Exam FAQs

You can view the exam topics and specifications here.

Once your score is finalized, you will be emailed your exam results. Your exam results report will show a passing designation but no score.

The exam tests the entry-level competency of a candidate to practice civil engineering within the profession’s acceptable standards for public safety. It is administered by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists in California. You must pass the PE Civil exam, as well as both the CA Civil Engineering Surveying exam and the California Civil Seismic Principles exam in order to be licensed as a Civil PE in California.

The passing rate for the exam is 46 percent. Taking a prep course can help you feel more prepared and confident on exam day. Check out prep course options here.

You should bring your ID and reference materials. You can find the limitations and guidelines on the quantity of materials you can bring on the Prometric website. Make sure you are familiar with all your reference materials and have used them to study, so you know how to find the information you need in them quickly. You can see a list of suggested reference materials from the Board here.

You can bring two non-QWERTY calculators to the exam, but they must meet the requirements outlined on prometric.com.

You will be provided with pencils and two scratch paper booklets (they must be returned on completion of the exam).

The exam is offered on a quarterly basis.

PE Mechanical Exam General FAQs

You will have 9 hours to complete the exam, which contains 80 questions.

The PE Mechanical exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of mechanical engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam. The average pass rate for first-time test takers during the last exam was about 74%.

Unfortunately, no. In April 2020, the exam changed to a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) that is available to take year-round. The exam topics have not changed; however, you will not be able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference will be an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.

The PE Mechanical exam tests for a minimum level of competency in mechanical engineering. You need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here. The latest pass rates released by NCEES for the PE Mechanical exam were:

First-time test takers: 68%
Repeat test takers: 37%

This depends on your exam. The topics on the HVAC & Refrigeration, Machine Design & Materials, and Thermal & Fluid Systems exams do differ. For more information on specifications for your exam, please visit NCEES here.

PE Mechanical HVAC and Refrigeration Exam FAQs

You will have 8 hours to complete the exam which contains 80 questions.

Unfortunately, no. In April 2020, the exam changed to a closed book Computer-Based Test (CBT) that is available to take year-round. The exam topics have not changed; however, you will not be able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference will be an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

The last reported pass rates for the PE Mechanical HVAC and Refrigeration exam were:

First-time test takers: 75%
Repeat test takers: 58%

The PE Mechanical HVAC and Refrigeration exam covers the following topics:

Thermodynamics
Psychometrics
Heat Transfer
Fluid Mechanics
Energy/Mass Balances
Heating/Cooling Loads
Equipment and Components
Systems and Components

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Mechanical Machine Design & Materials Exam FAQs

You will have 8 hours to complete the exam which contains 80 questions.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Mechanical Machine Design and Materials exam were:

First-time test takers: 75%
Repeat test takers: 39%

The PE Mechanical Machine Design and Materials exam covers the following topics:

Basic Engineering Practice
Engineering Science and Mechanics
Material Properties
Strength of Materials
Vibration
Mechanical Components
Joints and Fasteners
Supportive Knowledge

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Mechanical Thermal & Fluid Systems Exam FAQs

You will have 8 hours to complete the exam which contains 80 questions.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Mechanical Thermal and Fluid Systems exam were:

First-time test takers: 69%
Repeat test takers: 48%

The PE Mechanical Thermal and Fluid Systems exam covers the following topics:

Basic Engineering Practice
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer Principles
Mass Balance Principles
Thermodynamics
Supportive Knowledge
Hydraulic and Fluid Applications
Energy/Power System Applications

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Electrical & Computer General Exam FAQs

The exam is an 8-hour open-book exam split into AM and PM sessions. 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.

The PE Electrical exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of electrical engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam. The average pass rate for first-time test takers during the last exam was about 64%.

Yes, and you can bring your PPI review materials with you on exam day. Starting in 2021, the exam will change to a closed-book, computer-based exam.

The PE Electrical exam tests for a minimum level of competency in electrical engineering. You need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here. The latest pass rates released by NCEES for the PE Electrical exam were:

First-time test takers: 60%

Repeat test takers: 30%

This depends on your exam. The topics on the Power, Electronics, and Computer exams do differ. For more information on specifications for your exam, please visit NCEES here.

PE Electrical & Computer Power Exam FAQs

You will have 8 hours to complete the exam which contains 80 questions.

Unfortunately, no. In December 2020 the exam changed to a closed book Computer-Based Test (CBT) which is available to take year-round. The exam topics have not changed; however, you will not be able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference will be an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Electrical Power exam were:

First-time test takers: 58%
Repeat test takers: 39%

The PE Electrical Power exam covers the following topics:

General Power Engineering
Circuits
Rotating Machines and Electrical Power Devices
Transmission and Distribution (High, Medium, and Low Voltage)

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Electrical Electronics, Controls, & Communications Exam FAQs

You will have 9.5 hours to complete the exam (8.5 for actual exam, 50 minutes for break, 10 minutes for tutorial/nondisclosure agreement) which contains 85 questions.

Unfortunately, no. The exam has changed to a closed book Computer-Based Test (CBT) which is available to take one day a year. The exam topics have not changed; however, you will not be able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference will be an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here.

Pass rates for the last PE Electrical Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam were:

First-time test takers: 62%
Repeat test takers: 22%

The PE Electrical Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam covers the following topics:

General Electrical Engineering Knowledge
Digital Systems
Electromagnetics
Electronics
Control Systems
Communications

For more information, you can visit ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Chemical Exam FAQs

Your exam appointment at a Pearson VUE test center will last 9 hours. You will have 8 hours to complete the 80-question exam. Also included in your 9-hour appointment is a tutorial and a scheduled break.

The PE Chemical exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of chemical engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam.

Unfortunately, no. In 2018, the exam changed to a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) that is available to take year-round. The exam topics did not not change; however, you are not able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference is an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.

The PE Chemical exam tests for a minimum level of competency in chemical engineering. In most cases, you need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here. The latest pass rates released by NCEES for the PE Chemical exam were:

First-time test takers: 68%
Repeat test takers: 32%

The PE Chemical exam covers the following topics:

Mass/Energy Balances
Thermodynamics
Heat Transfer
Chemical Reaction Engineering
Fluids
Mass Transfer
Plant Design and Operation

For more information, you can visit the ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Environmental Exam FAQs

The PE Environmental exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of environmental engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam.

Unfortunately, no. In 2019, the exam changed to a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) that is available to take year-round by appointment at Pearson VUE test centers. The exam topics did not not change; however, you are not able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference is an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.

The PE Environmental exam tests for a minimum level of competency in environmental engineering. In most cases, you need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

According to NCEES, there isn't a specific pass or fail score. You can view how NCEES scores the exam by visiting here. The latest pass rates released by NCEES for the PE Environmental exam were:

First-time test takers: 65%
Repeat test takers: None

The PE Environmental exam covers the following topics:

Water
Air
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Site Assessment and Remediation
Environmental Health and Safety
Associated Engineering Principles

For more information, you can visit the ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Control Systems FAQs

You will have 8 hours to complete the exam, which contains 80 questions.

The PE Control Systems exam can be difficult. According to NCEES, 67% of first-time test takers pass. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of control systems engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several months to prepare and study before sitting for the exam.

The PE Control Systems exam tests for a minimum level of competency in control systems engineering. In most cases, you need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

The PE Control Systems exam covers the following topics:

Measurement
Control Systems
Final Control Elements
Signals, Transmission, and Networking
Safety Systems

For more information, you can visit the ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Metallurgical and Materials FAQs

You will have 8 hours to complete the exam, which contains 80 questions.

The PE Metallurgical and Materials exam can be difficult. According to NCEES, 69% of first-time test takers pass. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of metallurgical and materials engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several months to prepare and study before sitting for the exam.

The PE Metallurgical and Materials exam tests for a minimum level of competency in metallurgical and materials engineering. In most cases, you need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

The PE Metallurgical and Materials exam covers the following topics:

Structure
Properties
Processing
Performance

For more information, you can visit the ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Industrial FAQs

You will have 8.5 hours to complete the exam, which contains 85 questions.

The PE Industrial exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of industrial engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam.

The PE Industrial exam tests for a minimum level of competency in industrial engineering. In most cases, you need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

The PE Industrial exam covers the following topics:

Systems Engineering
Facilities Engineering and Planning
Operations Engineering
Work Design
Quality Engineering

For more information, you can visit the ncees.org or view this PDF.

PE Nuclear FAQs

Your exam appointment at a Pearson VUE test center will last 9.5 hours. You will have 8.5 hours to complete the 85-question exam. Also included in your 9-hour appointment is a tutorial and a scheduled break.

The PE Nuclear exam can be difficult. According to NCEES, approximately 58% of first time test takers pass. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of nuclear engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several months to prepare before sitting for the exam.

The PE Nuclear exam tests for a minimum level of competency in nuclear engineering. In most cases, you need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

The PE Nuclear exam covers the following topics: