PE Agricultural and Biological Engineering (NCEES) Practice Test

Eligibility is determined by your state licensing board, but generally requires: 1) An ABET-accredited engineering degree (or equivalent), 2) Successful passage of the FE exam, and 3) Typically four years of progressive engineering work experience under the supervision of a licensed PE. Some states have specific coursework requirements. You must apply for and receive approval from your state board before registering for the exam with NCEES.

The exam is a closed-book, computer-based test administered at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers. It consists of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed in a 9-hour session, which includes an optional scheduled break. The exam is divided into two 4-hour sessions of 40 questions each. An electronic reference handbook is provided during the exam, containing necessary equations and data.

The exam is closed-book. The only reference material provided is the NCEES PE Agricultural and Biological Engineering Reference Handbook, which is available electronically during the exam and in a PDF format for download during your preparation. You may not bring any physical or personal electronic references, notes, or calculators not approved by NCEES. A permitted calculator (as listed on the NCEES website) is essential.

The exam questions are developed directly from the official NCEES PE Agricultural and Biological Engineering exam specification (or 'blueprint'). This document outlines the precise percentage of questions from each major knowledge area, such as Power and Machinery, Soil and Water Resources, Structures and Environment, and Bioprocessing Engineering. Your study plan should be meticulously aligned with this blueprint to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Passing the PE exam is a major component, but licensure is granted by your state board. After passing, you must complete any additional state requirements, which may include a jurisprudence exam on state laws and ethics, final verification of experience, and submission of references. Once all requirements are met and fees are paid, the board will issue your PE license and a unique seal for stamping engineering documents.