Quick Hits
Examination Reference Materials
References for All Disciplines
- Professional Engineers Act (Business and Professions Code sections 6700-6799)
- Professional Land Surveyors Act (Business and Professions Code sections 8700-8805)
- Rules of the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (Title 16, California Code of Regulations sections 400 - 476)
- Tips for Examinees for the 2009 Examinations - Updated for the 2009 Examinations
- Information about the Calculator Policies - Updated for the 2009 Examinations
- Updated Specifications and Information for the 2009 Examinations
- NCEES Candidate Information on NCEES Examination Policies and Security Procedures
Click the link above for Candidate Information on NCEES Examination Policies and Security Procedures from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) regarding examination policies and procedures. NOTE: The Instructions for Examinees prepared and distributed by the Board prior to each examination administration take precedence over this information from NCEES.
References for All Professional Engineer Examinations
Exam Specifications for all NCEES Professional Engineer Exams
The Eight-Hour Mechanical Engineering Exam format is multiple choice. For information, follow this link to Principles and Practice of Engineering Examinations on the NCEES web site.
The Eight-Hour Electrical Engineering Exam format is multiple choice. Beginning with the April 2009 examinations, the Electrical Engineering exam will consist of three separate exams divided by subdiscipline. The three subdisciplines are Electrical and Computer - Computer Examination; Electrical and Computer - Electrical and Electronics Examination; and Electrical and Computer - Power Examination. Candidates will be required to specify on their applications which one of these subdiscipline exams they wish to take. For information about the new exams, follow this link to Principles and Practice of Engineering Examinations on the NCEES web site.
The Eight-Hour Civil Engineering Exam format is multiple choice. For information, follow this link to Principles and Practice of Engineering Examinations on the NCEES web site.
- The Special Civil Engineer Exams consists of two separate examinations: the Seismic Principles exam and the Engineering Surveying exam. Each exam format is mutliple choice. Each exam is 2.5 hours in length.
- Special Civil Examination (Seismic Principles & Engineering Surveying): Reference List
NOTE: The 2009 Special Civil Seismic Principles Examinations were developed using the 2007 California Building Code (CBC), which is based on the 2006 International Building Code (IBC). - Special Civil Engineering Surveying Test Plan
- Special Civil Seismic Principles Test Plan - Updated to reflect the 2007 CBC
- Traffic Engineer Exam
- Traffic Engineering Examination Reference List - Updated for the October 2009 examination
- Traffic Engineering Test Plan
- Geotechnical Engineer Exam
NOTE: Beginning with the October 2009 administration, the Geotechnical Engineer examination will be all multiple choice; there will be no design/essay problems on the examination. The examination will continue to use the existing test plan. More information about the examination will be added to this website as it becomes available. - Geotechnical Engineer Examination Reference List
NOTE: Beginning with the October 2008 examination, the 2007 CBC, which is based on the 2006 International Building Code (IBC), will be used. - Geotechnical Engineer Examination - Information for Candidates
- Geotechnical Engineer Examination Test Plan
- Structural Engineer Exams
- Information about the new format for the Structural Engineer Examination, beginning with the October 2004 examination administration
- Structural Engineer Examination Reference List - Updated for the October 2008 examination
NOTE: The October 2008 California Structural Engineer Seismic Examination was developed using the 2007 California Building Code (CBC), which is based on the 2006 International Building Code (IBC). For the October 2008 examination, all concrete and steel problems will require the LRFD (strength design) method. All wood problems will require the ASD method. The masonry problems will designate whether the ASD or LRFD (strength design) method will be required. No credit will be given if the problems are solved using the incorrect method. If the ASD method is required, no credit will be given if the problems are solved using the LRFD method. If the LRFD method is required, no credit will be given if the problems are solved using the ASD method. - California Structural Engineer Seismic Examination Information for Candidates - Updated for the October 2008 examination
NOTE: The October 2008 California Structural Engineer Seismic Examination was developed using the 2007 California Building Code (CBC), which is based on the 2006 International Building Code (IBC). For the October 2008 examination, all concrete and steel problems will require the LRFD (strength design) method. All wood problems will require the ASD method. The masonry problems will designate whether the ASD or LRFD (strength design) method will be required. No credit will be given if the problems are solved using the incorrect method. If the ASD method is required, no credit will be given if the problems are solved using the LRFD method. If the LRFD method is required, no credit will be given if the problems are solved using the ASD method. - California Structural Engineer Seismic Examination Test Plan - Updated for the October 2008 examination
- California Structural Engineer Seismic Examination Sample Problems - Updated for the October 2008 examination
- Information about the National PE Structural II Examination is available from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (NCEES). The NCEES toll-free telephone number is: 1-800-250-3196.
- All Other Professional Engineer Exams
- For information regarding use of codes or standards for any other professional engineer examination offered by this Board, contact the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (NCEES). The NCEES toll-free telephone number is: 1-800-250-3196.
References for Professional Land Surveyor Examination
- General Information Regarding the New Format of the Professional Land Surveying Examination
- California State-Specific Professional Land Surveying examination: Test Plan
- California State-Specific Professional Land Surveying examination: Sample Questions
- 2004 California State-Specific Professional Land Surveying Examination Actual Question
- 2005 California State-Specific Professional Land Surveying Examination
- National (6-hour) Professional Land Surveyor Test Plan/Examination Specifications (from www.ncees.org)
- National (6-hour) Professional Land Surveyor Study Materials (from www.ncees.org)
References for Engineer-in-Training and Land Surveyor-in-Training Examinations
- EIT Study Materials (including the Reference Handbook) (from www.ncees.org)
- EIT Exam Specifications (from www.ncees.org)
- LSIT Exam Specifications (from www.ncees.org)
- LSIT Study Materials (from www.ncees.org)
