Structural Engineering Exam

• The 8-hour vertical forces exam focuses on gravity loads and lateral Earth pressures.
• The 8-hour lateral forces exam focuses on wind and earthquake loads.

The Structural Engineering (SE) exam tests your ability to practise structural engineering. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) in the United States administers this exam.

Do I Need to Write the Structural Engineering Exam?

The SE exam is specifically designed for professional engineers who practice in jurisdictions that may license structural engineers separately from other professional engineers. If you intend to practice structural engineering in the United States, check the requirements for the jurisdiction you’ll be working in. APEGA is not involved in US state board licensing decisions.

The SE exam is not required if you plan to practice in Canada only. 

Registering for the SE Exam

APEGA members and members-in-training may write the exam. We do not offer this exam for applicants.

The exam is offered in April and October each year. You may only register for the exam when NCEES opens the registration in their website.

The exam will be administered at select locations throughout the United States. This is no longer available in Edmonton. During registration, an examinee may choose APEGA for their exam approval but will need to travel to one of the regional sites listed for the actual exam.

For the list of locations, please go to the NCEES website (ncees.org).

Exam Fees

Writing the Structural Engineering Exam requires paying an administration fee to APEGA at the time of registration (non-refundable after the exam deadline has passed). This fee is the same whether you register for one or both exams. Once your request has been processed, you will be emailed instructions on how to register with NCEES.

Exam Dates

Register for the SE exam

Registration will be open on June 19, 2023.

Cancellation

To cancel your exam, you must email [email protected] before the registration deadline. You will not be refunded if you cancel after the registration deadline.

Writing the SE Exam

This is an open-book exam with 80 multiple-choice questions. You have 8 hours to write it. You are allowed to bring certain types of reference materials. 

The NCEES website lists:

• allowed reference materials 
• disability accommodations
• exam specifications 
• study materials
• test centre locations 

Exam Results

Per the NCEES scoring method, exam results are either Acceptable or Unacceptable based on your total number of correct answers. You are not penalized for incorrect answers. A machine scores the multiple-choice questions. Subject-matter experts score the essay part of the exam.

Exam results are usually available in 10 to 12 weeks. Your results will also be posted on your MyNCEES account and in myAPEGA.

If you failed the SE exam, NCEES will send you a report showing the subject areas that you were weak in. You can retake the exam as often as you wish. To retake the exam, complete the registration form when it becomes available for the next session.