FREE HVAC PE EXAM STUDY RESOURCES!

1: Applying For the PE Exam

See also: The Complete Guide to Applying For Your PE License and the PE Exam

The PE exam is administered by NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) and is required to be passed by all those seeking an engineering license.  Your state board may allow exceptions to the testing requirement based on experience or when applying for licensing by comity.

Engineers are licensed by each state via their respective state boards of engineering.  In most states, you have to be authorized by the board of engineering in your state before you can take the PE exam.  The process of applying to take the exam varies from state to state so be sure to follow the rules of your state board.  Typically, the process is as follows:

1.0.1 Meet the eligibility requirements.  

Along with other requirements, this includes passing the FE exam, and having a minimum number of years of experience working under a licensed professional engineer. Find out what experience qualifies.  In more and more states, the PE exam is becoming decoupled from the experience requirement, which means that you can sit for the exam before you meet your experience requirement.  You will still need to wait until you have met the experience requirement before you can become licensed, but you can take the exam sooner.  Contact your state board if you have any questions about your experience. 

1.0.2 Complete application process via your state board.

Write your Experience Record (ER).

Obtain references and have them sign off on your ER as well as complete an applicant reference form.  These references will need to be licensed professional engineers in your state in most cases.  

1. 1. 1. Provide the board sealed transcripts directly from your college.
      2. Complete application paperwork detailing your personal information, work history, citizenship status, etc.

1.0.3 Register for the exam.  

If your state requires board approval before sitting for the exam, you can register for the exam after they approve you, otherwise you can sign up directly with NCEES if your state has decoupled the exam from the experience requirement. Once you complete the application process with your state, they will authorize you to sit for the PE exam.  You’ll register for the exam through the NCEES website.  The exam is administered in paper format twice a year (April and October).  NCEES lists their exam schedule in advance, which you can find here.  

1.0.4 Study.  

Now the fun begins. Time to study! 

Don’t put the cart before the horse.  Start early on the application process.  You don’t want to procrastinate and end up having to wait until the next cycle because you didn’t meet your deadline.  The HVAC and Refrigeration exam is offered twice a year (some disciplines are only offered once a year).  For instance if you plan to take the exam in April, the application will be due in December and the exam registration due by the end of February.  But if you miss the application date, you’ll miss your chance to sit for the exam that cycle and will have to wait 6 months before you have the chance again.  Pay attention to the dates and plan ahead!

Now that you have an overview of the application process and what it takes to be able to sit for the exam, let’s take a look at the exam itself.

2: PE Exam Basics

Before jumping into the books, take a minute to understand the beast that you are planning to slay.  Get to know the test and how you should best approach it.  Click here for the NCEES list of topics covered by each exam.

The HVAC and Refrigeration exam will be 80 questions during an 8 hour day.  It’s broken down into a 4 hour morning session and a 4 hour afternoon session with a short lunch break in between.  The afternoon session will test concepts in more depth than the morning session.  

You will need to know the specific concepts that you will be tested on as well as the rulebook for the exam application process and what you can and can’t do on test day.  

Become familiar with this information early on so that your study efforts can be directed as efficiently and effectively as possible.

3: How To Study For The PE Exam

3.0.1 Preparing to Study

The first step for studying properly is getting knowledgeable about the test itself so you know you have the confidence that you are studying everything you need to know and that you’re not letting anything fall through the cracks.

You will need a study plan!  

Don’t just hop in somewhere and start reading without knowing why you are reading and where you are going.  Make sure you have a clear path that will take you from Day 1 to Test Day and will give you confidence that you are ready for the exam.  

3.0.2 Choosing a Study Course

Most state boards do not endorse specific study courses, nor does NCEES which leaves you to find an option that works best for you.

There are several good study course options available to you from live classes, live online classes and self directed courses.  Choose the course that you feel will prepare you the best for the test and that best fits your learning style.  Many people prefer self-directed study while some prefer the accountability of a live class. 

Nothing is more stressful than sitting for the exam worried that your study plan and execution are lacking.  My self-directed study course for the HVAC and Refrigeration exam is based off the NCEES exam specifications and covers all topics listed on the exam specs (and then some), so you know you’re covering all of your bases.

Make sure that whatever route you choose with your study course, that ALL the NCEES topics are covered!

And remember, no study course will work unless you do!  You have to put in the hard work to be successful.

3.0.3 Advice For Studying

Studying for the PE exam will take you approximately 4 months to prepare for properly, so be sure and allot that amount of time for yourself.  If you have less time, that means you’ll have to fit more studying into each day.  Plan on spending at least 2 hours per weekday night studying for the test and most of the day on the weekends studying and working on practice problems.

The key to successful (effective and efficient) studying is consistency.  Study every day!  It’s better to do 2 practice problems a day each day of the week as opposed to doing 14 problems on Sunday and nothing the rest of the week.  Consistently coming back to the material will keep it fresh on your mind and help it sink in better.

Have a plan and stick to it! Don’t wander through your books and practice problems without having a clear direction and plan.  You need guidance and plenty of review material and quality practice problems.  That’s why a top-notch study course is so important. 

Find a quiet, distraction-free place to study.  For some it may be the kitchen table at your house or apartment.  For others it may be your desk before or after work or during your lunch break.  It may be the library on the weekends.  Find whatever works best for you and stick with it.  If you have kids, you’ll need the cooperation of your spouse to have the kids not be a distraction.  If you have a family, you need to understand the impact your PE journey will have on them. 

4: Test Day

See also: What To Expect On Test Day for the PE Exam

Test day is the culmination of all of your hard work of studying and preparation during the previous months.  

The key to being ready for test day is putting in the time and effort in the previous 3-4 months.  If you do, you’ll be much more confident and relaxed going into the test.  You’re hurting yourself if you don’t stay consistent and take the prep process seriously.

You’ll be under a significant time crunch to finish all the problems during the exam.  It’s important to be prepared going in.

You’ll want to have a checklist to make sure you have everything you’ll need when you walk in the door.  Also, you’ll greatly benefit from knowing what to expect that day ahead of time. Being as informed about the process as possible lowers stress, so anything you can do to lower your stress level that day is key.

5: After the Test

After you take the test you’ll want to relax for a few days and just be glad it’s over! You’ll likely think you didn’t do so great. Our brains are wired second-guess ourselves and to fixate on the questions we aren’t sure about.  Almost everyone I have talked to who passed the test has told me they thought they did poorly when they walked out of the test and for several days afterward.  I did too.  So don’t freak out if you feel the same way.  You likely did fine!

5.1 When To Expect Results

Each state has their own procedure for releasing results so check in with them about when you can expect your results.  Most states release them within a day or two after NCEES releases them to the states.  This process usually takes 4-6 weeks. 

5.2 Getting Your Results

If you passed, congratulations! There are raises, promotions and celebrations to consider!  In the years ahead you’ll need to know about Continuing Education Hours/Professional Development Hours (you’ll be exempted from this requirement during your first renewal cycle after getting your PE license).

If you didn’t, there are lessons to be learned and strategies to retaking the exam. My study course offers a One and Done first time pass guarantee!  If you don’t pass, I don’t want your money.

5.3 A Note on Decoupling:

If you live in one of the increasing number of states that allow decoupling of the PE exam, passing the PE exam may not mean you are immediately eligible to become licensed.  That’s ok because passing the PE exam is the most difficult part of the application process.  Focus on your references and your SER in the meantime.  It’s just a waiting game for you now!

6: Getting Your PE License – The Bottom Line

This guide gives you a basic overview of the process of studying for and passing the HVAC and Refrigeration PE exam and getting your PE license.  I have linked to other articles for more in-depth discussion about each step of the process.  Read through them so you can fully understand the process.

Now that you know the basics, let’s get started!