PE Civil Exam Review Course

Our PE Civil Review courses are updated for the CBT format and align with the NCEES PE Civil Reference Handbook.

Ondemand
Live Online
Onsite

PE Civil CBT Introduction Workshop Video

Engineers: Take School of PE for a test drive with our FREE 5-question practice quiz. Click the button to get started Practice Quiz

PE Civil Exam Review Course Structure

Our PE Civil exam review courses are comprised of fundamental information students will want to know for the exam. Designed using NCEES’ exam specifications and complete with 96 hours of comprehensive, subject matter expert instructor-led lectures, these courses have been specially crafted to not only increase the likelihood of obtaining a passing score, but also enhance our students’ learning experiences. A combination of 48 hours of refresher sessions, which allow students to experience theory and high-probability problems, and 48 hours of workshop sessions, which give students the opportunity to solve numerical practice problems, provides a strong foundation for exam day success.

Books by School of PE

Our highly acclaimed instructors collaborated to create these inclusive, yet concise guides that offer an array of expertise. A streamlined approach allows you to make the most of your study time by focusing on understanding the necessary content.

PE Civil Exam Review Guide (vol. 1 & 2)

* Excludes shipping and handling.

Our New Study Hub: One Place for All Your Study Needs

Our reimagined Study Hub was designed to enhance our students’ studies and help them approach exam day with confidence. With our Study Hub, students can study anytime and anywhere with an internet connection. While developing this resource, we considered every aspect of learning from our students’ viewpoints, resulting in a streamlined study resource our students love for its many features, like the ability to study flash cards and access eBooks, make timestamped annotations on lecture videos, and more! We know that our students are often juggling other responsibilities in addition to their review course, which is why we ensured our Study Hub’s accessibility on mobile phones and tablets with our Study Hub app.

Questions to Instructors

Ask instructors questions while watching lecture videos.

Discussion Forums

Communicate and interact with your classmates.

Lecture Videos

Watch, pause, and resume lecture videos where you left off.

Make timestamped annotations on lecture videos and bookmark recordings to easily review at a later date.

You can also download, review, and annotate lecture notes.

Test Your Knowledge

Practice different problems using the Practice Portal Pro.

Flash Cards

Select a topic and quiz yourself on important definitions.

You can also bookmark cards that you want to revisit.

Study Using Any Device

Download the Study Hub app to take your studies on-the-go—all you need is an internet connection for a seamless experience.

And More!

Study Hub’s new feature, the Personalized Study Plan, allows you to create a personalized plan that is tailored to your study needs and schedule.

All eBooks are accessible through your Study Hub.

Topics Covered in the Common Section

This section of the course, consisting of 48 hours, is taken by all PE Civil students.

Project Planning
Hydraulics and Hydrology
Means and Methods
Geometrics
Soil Mechanics
Materials
Structural Mechanics
Site Development

Depth Options

This section of the course, consisting of 48 hours, is individually selected by the student.

Construction
Transportation
Geotechnical
Water Resources and Environmental
Structural

Delivery Methods

Our PE Civil exam review course is offered via our Ondemand, Live Online, and Onsite delivery methods.

Ondemand - Want to start studying right away? When you register for an Ondemand course, you will receive immediate access to lecture videos and instructor-developed course notes. Ondemand students have full autonomy over their study schedules as well as access to our innovative Personalized Study Plan through which they can set priorities by ranking their knowledge, survey available time and mark any days they will be busy, and get daily reminder emails on which subjects need more attention. Access to Ondemand materials will be available in four-, six-, or twelve-month options.
Live Online - Do you prefer structured, real-time instruction? Our Live Online classes offer an organized schedule and mimic a traditional classroom, except everything is virtual. When you register, you will receive immediate access to certain course features, like eBooks, flash cards, and Practice Portal Pro. These classes are available in both weekend and weekday options to better fit our students’ busy schedules. All classes are recorded and available for three months in students’ Study Hubs after their classes conclude.
Onsite - Do you learn best in a classroom setting? Our Onsite classes provide a traditional classroom experience with live interaction with your instructor and classmates. Raise your hand to answer questions, engage in dialogue, and flag your instructor down when you need help, just like you did in high school and college! When you register for Onsite classes, you will receive instant access to certain course features, like Practice Portal Pro. Onsite classes are offered in numerous locations across the country.

If you can’t decide on which delivery method is right for you, contact one of our Student Success team members for help. They will get you on the right track with the best course for your needs.

What do our students say about our PE Civil course?

Our past students have great things to say about our PE Civil course:

"I did not plan on pursuing my PE, and therefore spent a few years without working a single engineering problem. I ended up taking a job contingent upon me pursuing licensure, and therefore had to refresh myself. I took the School of PE course for both the FE and PE exams and passed both on the first try! Overall it was well worth the investment and will help build your confidence for the big exam."

-- Mr. Youmbi, PE
City of Baltimore
Bowie, MD
"Fantastic test prep course! The review material and course layout was super helpful to my success on passing the Civil PE exam. I tried taking another course, but unfortunately did not receive the same results. I would recommend this course in a heartbeat based on the way they approach the study material."

-- Mr. Welch, PE
Timmons Group
Richmond, VA

Everything You Should Know About the PE Civil Exam

Typically, individuals seeking professional engineering licensure will have to follow several steps, including earning a four-year engineering degree, passing the FE exam, obtaining at least four years of experience in the field of engineering, and then passing the PE exam. Our Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Civil exam review course was designed to facilitate success on exam day. This exam is the final step for individuals who have already passed their FE Civil exam as well as obtained their EIT certificate.

Before Taking the Exam

Before they can take the PE Civil exam, licensure candidates will need to fulfill several requirements. Although each state may have different requirements, they generally will all follow a similar pattern. Individuals will need to earn a four-year degree from an ABET-accredited university, take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Civil exam, earn at least four years of experience in the field of engineering, pass a background check, and submit a report detailing their work experience. Because each state has different eligibility requirements, we suggest you check with your state board to ensure you are fulfilling them properly.

PE Civil Exam Fees

To take the PE Civil exam, exam candidates will need to pay $375 to NCEES. Each state may have different registration procedures, so be sure to check with your state licensing board in case there are separate applications or fees required to register.

Exam Specifications

The PE Civil exam is designed to gauge an individual’s competency in civil engineering. This exam is computer-based and administered at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE testing centers year-round. Including both multiple-choice questions and alternative item types (AITs), it uses the International System of units (SI) and the US Customary System (USCS).

Materials and Resources

On exam day, individuals will receive a virtual version of the only reference material that can be used during the exam, the NCEES PE Civil Reference Handbook. A free copy of the PE Civil Reference Handbook is available for download through the student’s MyNCEES account. They can also download the free NCEES Examinee Guide to learn more specific details of what to expect on the day of the PE Civil exam.

After the Exam

After taking a computer-based exam, results will typically be available 7-10 days later. NCEES will send an email to each candidate with instructions on how to see results through their MyNCEES account. More information about how NCEES scores exams can be found here. Please see NCEES’ website for further details about engineering exams.

Interested in signing up for one of our PE Civil exam review courses? With three delivery options, we are sure to have a course that fits your needs. Our Student Services team is ready to answer any questions you may have. Register now!

PE Civil Exam FAQs

What exactly is the PE Civil Exam?

According to NCEES, the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Civil exam tests for a minimum level of competency in civil engineering. It is designed for engineers who have gained a minimum of four years’ post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline.

How long does the PE Civil Exam last?

The exam appointment time is nine hours and includes a two-minute nondisclosure agreement, an eight-minute tutorial, an eight-hour exam, and a fifty-minute scheduled break.

Is there an open-book exam for the PE Civil Exam?

Although in the past exam takers would be allowed to bring in their properly bound exam reference materials, the open-book exam is no longer offered for PE Civil exams. All PE Civil exams have been transitioned to the CBT exam format.

What is the format of the PE Civil Exam?

The PE Civil exam includes multiple-choice questions as well as alternative item types (AITs)—which include but are not limited to:

Multiple correct—allow examinees to select multiple answers
Point and click—require examinees to click on part of a graphic to answer
Fill in the blank—provide a space for examinees to enter a response to the question
Drag and drop—require examinees to click on and drag items to match, sort, rank, or label

What Is the Civil PE Exam Pass Rate?

As of December 2021

PE Civil: Construction—53%
PE Civil: Geotechnical—54%
PE Civil: Structural—62%
PE Civil: Transportation—63%
PE Civil: Water Resources and Environmental—67%

Pass rates from PMI’s website.

What is the salary of a Civil Engineer Pe?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of a licensed civil engineer is $88,050.

Why is the PE Civil license so important?

Obtaining your PE Civil license is important in many ways. A PE license gives you credibility, boosts your reputation, provides the legal ability to design plans and stamp documents, increases your career value, and more. In general, a PE license not only makes you a more valuable engineer but will also help you stand out to employers.

How do I register for the PE Civil exam?

The registration process can vary between states, but most states will require you to apply to your state board for approval to sit for the exam. According to NCEES, once approved, you will be able to register with NCEES to schedule an exam. Examinees will be provided one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period. Examinees register and schedule appointments through their MyNCEES accounts. During the registration process, examinees select their exam location. Next, they are presented with a list of available exam dates. If examinees are not happy with the choices, they can browse through the available dates at other NCEES-approved test centers. NCEES’s official registration process:

Review your licensing board's approval and registration process.
Create a MyNCEES account.
Register and pay for the exam.
Receive authorization notification from NCEES to schedule an exam.
Schedule the exam.
Receive the appointment confirmation letter from Pearson VUE.

What are the recommended PE Civil Exam references and prep materials?

We recommend School of PE’s PE Civil exam review course and exam review guides, which have been designed with the help of subject-matter expert engineers and provide the content and tools you need to succeed. NCEES also generates helpful practice exams.

What will exam day look like?

NCEES computer-based exams are administered exclusively at approved Pearson VUE test centers. You will want to bring your appointment confirmation letter, an NCEES-approved calculator, a government-issued picture ID, and any pre-approved items. You will also want to arrive at the Pearson VUE test center 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to check in. Once you arrive at the test center, you will be provided a copy of the NCEES CBT Exam Rules and Agreement to review and must sign it digitally. A Pearson VUE representative will check the items in your possession to make sure they are all allowed. Any unapproved items can be placed in a test center locker (if available). You will have a digital photo and palm vein scan taken to help verify your identity and protect the security of the exam. You will then be escorted into the testing area, where your identity will be verified once more. Your proctor will provide you with a reusable booklet and marker for scratch work and you will have a chance to ask them any additional questions. The proctor will then launch your exam.

What is the exam format?

According to NCEES, the exam is divided into two sections. You’ll be given the entire exam time at the beginning of the test. There are no individually timed sections, so manage your time accordingly. After you see approximately half of the questions, you will be prompted to review and then submit them. You will no longer have access to those questions after you submit them. You will then have the option of taking a scheduled break (see next section). Manage your time accordingly to ensure that you have plenty of time to complete the remaining questions.