The PE exam is eight hours in length and consists of a morning (breadth) and afternoon (depth) session. The exam is open book, but some states place restrictions on the material allowed into the exam. Units used for several of the exams are as follows.
SI and Conventional English
- Chemical
- Civil
- Electrical and Computer
- Mechanical
Conventional English
- Vertical Forces & Incidental Lateral components
- Lateral Forces components
Civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers have a breadth exam in the morning and the option of several different depth exams in the afternoon. Some states have additional requirements or offer a different version of the exam. For example, to earn licensure as a civil engineer in California, you must also pass the state-administered exams on engineering surveying and seismic principles.
See the NCEES website for more on the PE exam.
Visit your state board for PE regulations for your state.