NCEES
PE Civil
Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Civil Exam
The professional licensure exam for civil engineers, taken after the FE and qualifying work experience. Examinees choose one of five practice modules (Construction, Geotechnical, Structural, Transportation, or Water Resources and Environmental); this blueprint follows the Construction module.
What's on the exam
PE Civil — Construction CBT Exam Specifications (effective April 2024; NCEES has posted specifications with updated design standards effective April 2027)
Soil Mechanics
6–9 questionsLateral earth pressure · Soil consolidation and settlement · Effective and total stresses · Bearing capacity · Slope stability
Site Layout and Development
5–8 questionsLayout and control (staking, benchmarks) · Horizontal and vertical curve elements · Site investigations · Utilities and adjacent structures
Material Properties
5–8 questionsSoil, rock, and aggregates · Concrete · Steel · Wood
Estimating Quantities and Costs
6–9 questionsQuantity take-off methods · Cost estimating · Engineering economic analysis · Work measurement and productivity
Project Planning and Scheduling
7–11 questionsConstruction sequencing · Activity time analysis · Project schedule analysis · Resource scheduling and leveling · Time-cost trade-off
Material, Production, and Execution Quality Control
7–11 questionsMaterial test methods · Weld and bolt installation · Quality control process · Concrete placement and maturity · Compaction
Structural Mechanics
7–11 questionsLoads (dead, live, construction, wind) · Statics and stresses · Structural members · Structural systems
Hydraulics and Hydrology
4–6 questionsStormwater collection and drainage · Storm characteristics and runoff analysis · Detention and retention ponds · Erosion and sediment control
Construction Operations and Methods
9–14 questionsLifting and rigging · Cranes · Dewatering and pumping · Equipment selection and operations · Deep foundation installation · Excavation and embankment
Design for Support of Construction Loads
10–15 questionsFormwork, falsework, and scaffolding · Shoring and reshoring · Bracing and anchorage · Support of excavation · Construction loads on permanent structures
Health and Safety
4–6 questionsOSHA construction and industry regulations · Safety management practices · Hazard identification · Personal protective equipment
Frequently asked questions
How much does the PE Civil cost?
The PE Civil costs $400. $400 NCEES exam fee; state boards may add separate application and licensure fees.
How long is the PE Civil and how many questions does it have?
80 questions — 9-hour appointment (8-hour exam plus tutorial and a scheduled break).
What do you need to pass the PE Civil?
Scaled pass/fail standard set by NCEES (no fixed percentage).
Can you retake the PE Civil?
Up to 3 attempts in a 12-month period.
What is the best way to study for the PE Civil?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Soil Mechanics 6–9 questions, Site Layout and Development 5–8 questions, Material Properties 5–8 questions, Estimating Quantities and Costs 6–9 questions, Project Planning and Scheduling 7–11 questions, Material, Production, and Execution Quality Control 7–11 questions, Structural Mechanics 7–11 questions, Hydraulics and Hydrology 4–6 questions, Construction Operations and Methods 9–14 questions, Design for Support of Construction Loads 10–15 questions, Health and Safety 4–6 questions). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
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