Overview
The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam is written by NCEES, the national body that prepares licensing exams for engineers and surveyors in the United States. It is taken by engineers who want a professional engineer licence. Licences are issued by individual state, territory or provincial boards, not by NCEES.
NCEES offers more than 20 separate PE exams, one per engineering discipline. Disciplines include Civil (with several sub-disciplines), Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, Fire Protection and Industrial, among others. You sit the exam that matches your own field.
Who can apply
NCEES describes the PE exam as designed for engineers with at least four years of post-college work experience in their chosen discipline. The licensing board of your jurisdiction decides whether you are approved to sit, and boards can set their own requirements, so check with your board first.
Exam pattern
The exam is computer-based. You schedule it through your MyNCEES account at an approved test centre. The NCEES pages read for this file do not state the exam length or number of questions, and these differ by discipline, so use the exam specifications for your discipline on the NCEES site.
Marking and results
Results normally arrive within 7 to 10 business days and are posted to your MyNCEES account, with an email notification. The result is reported only as pass or fail. Candidates who fail receive a diagnostic report showing performance by topic. Candidates who pass do not receive one.
Fees
As listed on the NCEES site in 2026, exam fees depend on the jurisdiction and run roughly 425 for the NCEES portion. For example, Alberta lists 50 processing fee.
How to apply
In most jurisdictions you first apply to your state or provincial licensing board for approval to sit. Once approved, you register through your MyNCEES account, choose your exam location and pick from the available dates. Reasonable accommodations are available to eligible candidates who submit the required documentation.
Exams are offered in U.S. states and territories, in Canadian provinces, and at international locations including Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.
After the exam
Most jurisdictions allow one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in a 12-month period. Licence issue itself is handled by your licensing board once you have passed and met its other requirements.
Does NCEES issue the PE licence?
No. NCEES writes and scores the exam. The licence is granted by the licensing board of your state, territory or province.
How soon do PE results come out?
Typically within 7 to 10 business days, as pass or fail only.
How many times can I retake the PE exam?
Most jurisdictions allow one attempt per testing window and no more than three attempts in 12 months.
How much experience do I need?
NCEES describes the exam as intended for engineers with at least four years of post-college experience in their discipline, but your licensing board sets the actual requirement.