PE Chemical

The exam includes 80 questions. You receive eight hours of exam time within a nine-hour appointment at the test center; the rest of the appointment covers a two-minute nondisclosure agreement, an eight-minute tutorial, and a 50-minute scheduled break.

It is computer-based and administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers. Questions are multiple-choice plus alternative item types (AITs), so expect formats beyond simple four-option selection. Download the current NCEES exam specifications before registering to see exactly what is covered.

The exam fee is $400, paid directly to NCEES when you register through MyNCEES. Some licensing boards also require a separate application and an application fee as part of their approval process, so review your board's registration procedures before you schedule.

NCEES provides an electronic reference handbook, and some exams include electronic design standards - check the final page of your exam specifications to see whether design standards apply to you. These searchable PDFs are the only references permitted. Personal copies of any material are not allowed in the testing room.

Exam results are typically available 7–10 days after you take the exam. NCEES sends an email notification with instructions for viewing them in your MyNCEES account. The report includes information specific to your licensing board about how to proceed based on your performance.

NCEES reports that 55% of first-time Chemical candidates passed and 32% of repeat candidates passed in its most recently published pass-rate data (July 2026). It is a selective exam, and the 80-question, eight-hour format rewards pacing and fast navigation of the reference handbook as much as depth of knowledge.

NCEES's published exam information does not state a waiting period for retaking the PE Chemical exam. Retake eligibility, any re-application requirements, and board approval are set by your state licensing board, so confirm the rules with them before scheduling another attempt.

Start with the current NCEES exam specifications, since they define what is covered. Then work problems under time pressure using the NCEES sample exam and the prep materials in the NCEES portal, and practice navigating the electronic reference handbook until lookups are fast and routine.

The exam is designed for engineers with a minimum of four years of post-college work experience in chemical engineering. Actual licensure requirements, including whether you may test before completing that experience, are set by your licensing board, so verify with them early.

Time mismanagement and unfamiliarity with the provided handbook. Because personal references are not allowed, candidates who have only practiced with a textbook open lose minutes hunting for formulas. Practice with the handbook as your sole reference, and skip and return to long items instead of burning clock on them.