PE Civil Updates - 2027
What is Changing?
The PE Civil exams are changing on April 1, 2027. Here is what you need to know:
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What Is the Timing of the Change?
NCEES is updating the reference design standards supplied during the PE Civil exams effective April 1, 2027.
This means if you have your exam scheduled prior to April 1, 2027, you will take your exam using the current design standards (found on the NCEES site). If you take your exam on or after April 1, 2027, your exam will test you on the new April 2027 standards.
What Has Stayed the Same?
Format: The exam is still an 80-question, 8-hour computer-based test (CBT) offered year-round.
Exam Blueprints: All topic knowledge areas, question count ranges, and topic weightings remain completely unchanged across all five disciplines based on the April 2024 specifications.
What Are the Expected Changes?
While topic blueprints remain identical, individual discipline reference environments are being updated:
- Construction
- Adds ACI 318-19 (2022) and OSHA Part 1904; updates AISC Steel Manual to 16th ed., MUTCD Part 6 to 11th ed., and OSHA Title 29 to 2024.
- Geotechnical
- Updates ASCE 7 to 7-22, adds FHWA-NHI-07-092 and UFC 3-220-20 (2025), and updates OSHA Title 29 to 2024.
- Structural
- Broad modernization across almost all major codes including AASHTO LRFD (10th ed.), IBC (2024), ASCE 7 (7-22), ACI 318 (2019/2022), AISC Steel Manual (16th ed.), NDS (2024), SDPWS (2021), PCI Design Handbook (8th ed.), and TMS 402/602 (2022).
- Transportation
- Highway Capacity Manual updates to the 7th ed. (2022) and MUTCD updates to the 11th ed. (2023).
- Water Resources & Environmental
- Substantially expands references by adding OSHA Title 29 (2024), USACE slope stability (EM 1110-2-1902), FHWA culverts (HIF-12-026), FHWA energy dissipators (HEC-14), and UFC dewatering (3-220-05), while updating Ten States Recommended Standards for Water Works to 2022.
What to Expect From School of PE:
Rest assured, our team and instructors are up-to-speed on all code changes, ensuring you're learning exactly what you need to know for exam day. Whether you prefer the pace of OnDemand or the interaction of Live Online, we've got you covered.
Starting with our mid-January classes, all School of PE courses will fully reflect the new April 2027 codes and standards.
Ready to take your first step to licensure? Register now! Enroll in our courses to gain access to materials tailored to the newest NCEES specifications.
