PE Control Systems
Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Control Systems
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Control Systems exam is one of NCEES's discipline-specific professional engineering examinations, designed to test for a minimum level of competency in control systems engineering. It is intended for engineers who already hold a minimum of four years of post-college work experience in the discipline and who are pursuing licensure through their state board. Because the examinee population is small, the exam is computer-based and administered on a single day once per year at Pearson test centers; the next announced administration is April 14, 2027, and seats may be reserved up to a year in advance once you are registered with NCEES and approved by your board. The exam contains 85 questions, including multiple-choice items and alternative item types, within an 8.5-hour testing block inside a 9.5-hour appointment that also includes a nondisclosure agreement, tutorial, and a 50-minute scheduled break; results typically appear in MyNCEES 7–10 days afterward. Preparation should start with the official exam specifications and the electronic reference handbook NCEES supplies on-screen during the exam, followed by practice items and timed review of your weakest topic areas.
What you'll study
About PE Control Systems preparation
How long is the PE Control Systems exam?
The appointment time is 9.5 hours. That includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, the 8.5-hour exam itself, and a 50-minute scheduled break. Plan the full day, and note that the 8.5-hour figure is your actual working time on the 85 questions.
What question types appear on the exam?
The exam includes multiple-choice questions as well as alternative item types (AITs), delivered on computer. AITs may ask you to fill in a numeric answer, select multiple correct responses, or interact with a point-and-click style item, so practice producing answers rather than only recognizing them.
What reference material can I use during the exam?
NCEES provides an electronic reference handbook and all specified design standards during the exam. That handbook and the standards listed in the exam specifications are the only permitted references. You cannot bring personal copies of any material into the exam room, and NCEES does not sell printed copies of the handbook.
How often is the exam offered, and when should I book?
It is administered one day per year. The next announced test date is April 14, 2027. Once you are registered with NCEES and approved by your board, you may reserve a seat at a Pearson test center up to a year in advance, and NCEES encourages reserving as early as possible for this single-day event.
How much does it cost?
A $400 exam fee is payable directly to NCEES. Your licensing board may separately require its own application and application fee as part of the approval process, and may impose additional requirements. Check your board's registration procedures before you register.
How hard is the exam, and what are the pass rates?
The most recently published figures for this exam show a 61% first-time pass rate and a 45% repeat pass rate. Treat those as population statistics, not a personal forecast: they reflect that many candidates sit the exam after years of practice and still find the breadth of the discipline demanding.
When will I get my results?
Computer-based exam results are typically available 7–10 days after you take the exam. NCEES emails you with instructions to view results in your MyNCEES account, and the report includes information specific to your licensing board about how to proceed based on your performance.
Do I qualify to sit for the exam?
The exam is designed for engineers with a minimum of four years of post-college work experience in the discipline, but licensure requirements are set by your board. You must be approved by your licensing board and registered with NCEES before you can reserve a seat, so confirm your board's criteria first.
Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?
Because the exam is a once-per-year, single-day event, a retake generally means preparing for the next annual administration rather than a nearby date. Your board's approval and any re-application steps govern the process, so confirm the specifics with your licensing board and the NCEES Examinee Guide.
What is the best study order?
Start with the official exam specifications so your study map matches the actual content, then work through the NCEES-provided handbook and listed standards until you can navigate them quickly, since they are searchable PDFs during the exam. Finish with practice items and timed sets targeting your weakest areas.