Latest NCEES Civil PE Exam Pass Rates (2025 Update)

Passing the Civil PE exam is one of the most important milestones for any civil engineer aiming to earn their professional license. As of April 2024, the Civil PE exam is now 100% computer-based, no longer split into a "breadth" and "depth" section (your entire exam is focused on your chosen discipline), and must be taken at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE testing centers, available year-round.

Civil PE Pass Rates

These pass rates reflect exams taken between July and December 2024, following the full transition to computer-based testing (CBT) and discipline-specific only formats:

Discipline	First-Time Pass Rate	Repeat Pass Rate
Construction	59%	40%
Geotechnical	63%	42%
Structural	58%	47%
Transportation	57%	39%
Water Resources & Environmental	70%	53%

Best First-Time Pass Rate: Water Resources & Environmental

Most Challenging for Repeaters: Transportation

How Many Times Can I Retake the PE Exam?

You can retake the PE exam as many times as needed, but there are a few important rules:

1. NCEES allows up to three attempts per year.

2. Your state licensing board may impose additional limits. Some states restrict how often you can test within a given timeframe (e.g., California limits you to two attempts per year). Others may require additional steps (like remediation or documentation) after multiple failures.

   
   

Tip: Always check with your state board for specific retake policies. You can find your board’s contact info via ncees.org.

When Do I Get My PE Exam Results?

Because the exam is now fully CBT, the results come much faster:

• Most results are released within 7–10 days of your exam date.

• You’ll receive an email from NCEES when your result is ready.

• You can check your score by logging into your NCEES account dashboard.

This quick turnaround is a major improvement over the old paper-based system, where some candidates waited up to 8–10 weeks for results.

Final Thoughts

If you're preparing for the PE Civil exam, it's advisable to review the NCEES CBT specifications, and consider utilizing study resources to enhance your readiness. Check out StrataWay's Civil PE Sample Exams to take a representative and focused practice test and the Civil PE Exam Companions to practice conceptual type problems.

Passing the Civil PE exam isn’t just about how much you know, it’s about how well you prepare. Success comes down to targeted study, smart planning, and real exam practice. Here’s how to boost your odds:

• Choose the right discipline: Pick the area that aligns with your work experience and strengths, not just the one with the highest pass rate.

• Understand the NCEES Reference Handbook: Become fluent in navigating it.

• Practice under exam conditions: Time yourself and simulate full-length exams. Use discipline-specific CBT-style questions.

• Focus on weaknesses, not just review: Identify gaps in your knowledge early and spend more time on what you don’t know, not what you already understand.

• Start early and stay consistent: A focused study plan with dedicated time for each week can make all the difference.

And if you don’t pass the first time? Don’t panic. Learn from your performance, adjust your approach, and go in stronger on your next attempt. Passing the PE is absolutely achievable. Stay disciplined and remember why you’re doing this. The license is worth it.