NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination

CIVIL–GEOTECHNICAL CBT Exam Specifications

Effective Beginning April 2024

 The exam is computer-based. It is closed book with electronic references. The NCEES PE Civil
Reference Handbook is included in the exam along with the design standards shown on the last two
pages.
 Examinees have 9 hours to complete the exam, which contains 80 questions. The 9-hour time
includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break. Examinees work all questions.
 The exam uses both the International System of units (SI) and the U.S. Customary System (USCS).
 The exam is developed with questions that require a variety of approaches and methodologies,
including design, analysis, and application.
 The examples specified in knowledge areas are not exclusive or exhaustive.

Number of Questions

1. Site Characterization 8–12

A. Identification, validation, and interpretation of site data and proposed
site development data (e.g., aerial photography, geologic and topographic
maps, GIS and geotechnical data, as-built plans, planning studies and
reports)
B. Subsurface exploration planning
C. Exploration techniques (e.g., hollow stem auger, cased boring, mud rotary,
air rotary, rock coring, sonic drilling, Cone Penetrometer Test, geophysics,
and test pits)
D. Sampling techniques (e.g., split-barrel sampling, thin-walled tube
sampling, handling and storage)
E. In situ testing (e.g., standard penetration testing, cone penetration
testing, pressure meter testing, pore pressure dissipation testing,
dilatometer testing, dynamic cone penetration, plate load testing,
field vane shear)
F. Description and classification of soils (e.g., Burmeister, Unified Soil
Classification System, AASHTO, USDA, and visual/manual)
G. Rock classification and characterization (e.g., recovery, rock quality
designation, rock mass rating systems, weathering, discontinuity)
H. Groundwater exploration, sampling, and characterization
2. Soil Mechanics, Laboratory Testing, and Analysis 8–12
A. Soil phase relationship and index property
B. Chemical, electrical, and thermal properties (e.g., non-HAZMAT)
C. Stress in soil mass (e.g., total, effective)
D. Stress/strain, strength
E. Permeability (e.g., falling head test, constant head test, grain-size
correlations)
3. Construction Observation, Monitoring, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control 6–9
and Safety
A. Earthwork (e.g., excavation, subgrade preparation, lab and field
compaction, borrow studies, fill placement)
B. Trench and construction safety
C. Geotechnical instrumentation (e.g., inclinometer, settlement plates,
piezometer, vibration monitoring)
D. Temporary and permanent soil erosion and scour protection measures
4. Earthquake Engineering and Dynamic Loads 5–8
A. Seismic site characterization
B. Seismic analyses and design (e.g., liquefaction, pseudo static, earthquake
loads)
5. Earth Structures, Ground Improvement, and Pavement 9–14
A. Ground improvement (e.g., grouting, soil mixing, preconsolidation/wick
drains, lightweight materials, lime/cement stabilization, rigid inclusions,
aggregate piers)
B. Geosynthetic applications (e.g., separation, strength, filtration, drainage,
reinforced soil slopes, internal stability of MSE)
C. Slope stability evaluation and slope stabilization
D. Embankments, earth dams, and levees (e.g., stress, settlement)
E. Landfills and caps (e.g., interface stability, settlements, lining systems)
F. Pavement and slab-on-grade design (e.g., rigid, flexible, porous, unpaved)
G. Utility design and construction
6. Groundwater and Seepage 4–6
A. Dewatering, seepage analysis, groundwater flow, and impact on nearby
structures
B. Drainage design/infiltration and seepage control
7. Problematic Soil and Rock Conditions 4–6
A. Karst, collapsible, expansive, peat, organic, and sensitive soils
B. Reactive/corrosive soils (e.g., identification, protective measures)
C. Frost susceptibility
D. Rock slopes and rockfalls
8. Retaining Structures (ASD or LRFD) 10–15
A. Lateral earth pressure and load distribution
B. Rigid retaining wall analysis (e.g., CIP, gravity, external stability of MSE,
soil nail, crib, bin)
C. Cantilevered, anchored, and braced retaining wall analysis
(e.g., soldier pile and lagging, sheet pile, secant pile, tangent pile,
diaphragm walls, temporary support of excavation, and beams and
column elements)
D. Cofferdams
E. Underpinning methods and effects on adjacent infrastructure
F. Ground anchors, tie-backs, soil nails, and rock anchors (e.g., design and
quality control)
9. Shallow Foundations (ASD or LRFD) 6–9
A. Bearing capacity
B. Settlement, including induced stress distribution
10. Deep Foundations (ASD or LRFD) 10–15
A. Geotechnical and structural capacity and settlement of deep foundations
(e.g., driven pile, drilled shaft, micropile, helical screw piles, auger cast
piles, beam/column)
B. Lateral capacity and deformation of deep foundations
C. Installation methods
D. Static and dynamic load testing
E. Integrity testing methods
 NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination
CIVIL–GEOTECHNICAL Design Standards
Effective Beginning with the April 2024 Examination

In addition to the NCEES PE Civil Reference Handbook, the following codes and standards will be supplied in the
exam as searchable, electronic pdf files with links for easy navigation. This NCEES YouTube video shows how
standards will be presented on the exam. Standards will be provided as individual chapters on the exam, and only
one chapter at a time can be opened and searched. This ensures the exam software runs large files effectively. The
handbook and design standards will be available the entire exam.

Solutions to exam questions that reference a standard of practice are scored based on this list and the revision year
shown. Solutions based on other standards will not receive credit.

NCEES does not sell design standards or printed copies of the NCEES handbook. The NCEES handbook is accessible
from your MyNCEES account.

ABBREVIATION DESIGN STANDARD TITLE

ASCE 7-16 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, 2017, American
Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, www.asce.org.
EM 1110-2-1902 USACE Engineering and Design: Slope Stability, 2003, U.S. Army Corp of
Engineers, Washington D.C., www.publications.usace.army.mil.
FHWA NHI-05-037 FHWA Geotechnical Aspects of Pavements, 2006, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.,
www.fhwa.dot.gov.
FHWA NHI-06-088 FHWA Soils and Foundations Reference Manual – Volume I, 2006, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,
Washington, D.C., www.fhwa.dot.gov.
FHWA NHI-06-089 FHWA Soils and Foundations Reference Manual – Volume II, 2006, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,
Washington, D.C., www.fhwa.dot.gov.
FHWA-NHI-11-032 FHWA LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Transportation
GEC No. 3 Geotechnical Features and Structural Foundations Reference Manual, 2011,
Geotechnical Engineering Circulars, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., www.fhwa.dot.gov.
FHWA NHI-16-009 FHWA Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations –
GEC No. 12 Volume I, 2016, Geotechnical Engineering Circulars, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.,
www.fhwa.dot.gov.
FHWA NHI-16-010 FHWA Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations –
GEC No. 12 Volume II, 2016, Geotechnical Engineering Circulars, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.,
www.fhwa.dot.gov.

FHWA NHI-16-072 FHWA Geotechnical Site Characterization, 2017, Geotechnical

GEC No. 5 Engineering Circulars, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration, Washington, D.C., www.fhwa.dot.gov.
FHWA NHI-18-024 FHWA Drilled Shafts: Construction Procedures and Design Methods,
GEC No. 10 2018, Geotechnical Engineering Circulars, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.,
www.fhwa.dot.gov.
NAVFAC DM-7.02 Foundations & Earth Structures, Design Manual 7.02, 1986, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command
CFR TITLE 29 U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C., July 2020.
Part 1926 Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
 Subpart CC, Cranes and Derricks in Construction,
Part 1926:1400–1926:1442 with Appendix A–Appendix C
 Subpart E, Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment,
Part 1926.95–1926.107
 Subpart M, Fall Protection, 1926.500–1926.503 with
Appendix A–Appendix E
 Subpart P, Excavations, 1926.650–1926.652 with
Appendix A–Appendix F
UFC 3-220-05 Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC): Dewatering and Groundwater Control,
2004, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Washington D.C.
UFC 3-220-10 Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC): Soil Mechanics, 2022, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Air Force Civil Engineer
Center, Washington D.C.