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Texas PE Licensing Exam (Principles and Practice of
Engineering – General/Discipline Specific) Exam
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Texas PE Licensing Exam (Principles and Practice of Engineering – General/Discipline Specific) , based
on the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPLS) rules and typical NCEES PE
exam structure. It begins with a summarized exam coverage (point form), followed by 100 scenario-
based MCQs that reflect the random, integrated nature of the actual exam. Note: Given the broad range
of engineering disciplines, these questions focus on core engineering principles, ethics, and Texas-specific
regulations applicable to all PE candidates.
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (Point Form – High Relevance for Actual Exam)
• Texas Board Rules (22 TAC Chapter 131): Licensing requirements, continuing education (15
PDH/year), comity, responsible charge, sealing documents, disciplinary actions.
• Engineering Ethics (Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct/Code of Ethics): Conflicts
of interest, competency, public safety, truthful advertising, reporting violations, stamp misuse.
• NCEES Model Law & Rules: Exam requirements (FE + PE), experience verification (4 years
progressive), moral character, comity, record program.
• Engineering Analysis: Statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics,
thermodynamics, electrical fundamentals, structural analysis.
• Engineering Design & Problem Solving: Load calculations, beam deflections, hydraulic gradients,
power distribution, safety factors, design loads (ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC, NEC).
• Project Management: Scheduling (CPM, PERT), cost estimation, risk assessment, contract
documents (specifications, drawings), change orders.
• Texas Specific Engineering Practice: Sealing work done outside Texas, professional
communication with TBPLS, responsible charge definition (active personal control), continuing
education rounding rules.
• Laws & Regulations (Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1001): Definition of engineering
practice, exemptions, penalties for unlicensed practice, statute of limitations for complaints (6
years).
• Health & Safety: Failures, root cause analysis, redundancy, factor of safety, codes compliance.
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1. A licensed professional engineer in Texas is asked to seal a set of structural drawings that were
prepared by an unlicensed drafter under the engineer’s direct supervision but outside the engineer’s
area of competence. The engineer has not reviewed the calculations. Under Texas Board rules, the
engineer should:
A) Seal the drawings if the drafter is experienced
B) Refuse to seal until the engineer performs a full review and takes responsibility for the work
C) Seal with a disclaimer that the engineer did not review the calculations
D) Sign but not seal the drawings
Answer: B
Rationale: An engineer may only seal work that they have personally prepared or that was prepared
under their responsible charge; they must review and accept responsibility for the work.
2. A PE in Texas is moving to another state but will continue to provide engineering services for Texas
clients remotely. Which statement about sealing documents is correct?
A) The engineer must maintain an active Texas PE license and may seal work from out of state for Texas
projects
, Page 3 of 143
B) The engineer must surrender the Texas license when moving
C) The engineer may seal Texas work without a Texas license if the client agrees
D) Only physical presence in Texas allows sealing
Answer: A
Rationale: Texas requires a valid license to practice engineering in Texas regardless of the engineer’s
physical location; remote work is permitted.
3. An engineer discovers that a previously sealed report for a bridge inspection contained a
miscalculation that could affect public safety. The client has already used the report. What is the first
ethical obligation?
A) Wait for the client to notice
B) Immediately notify the client and the Texas Board of Professional Engineers
C) Ignore the error if no collapse has occurred
D) Secretly correct the report without telling the client
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Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Board rules require engineers to disclose known errors that may endanger public safety
to the employer/client and the Board.
4. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001, which activity is exempt from the requirement to be a
licensed professional engineer?
A) Designing a 10-story building for public use
B) Designing a single-family home (not more than three stories) for private residence
C) Designing a bridge on a public highway
D) Preparing a site drainage plan for a public school
Answer: B
Rationale: Single-family homes (not exceeding three stories) are exempt in Texas, provided the designer
complies with building codes.
5. A PE licensed in Texas is asked to serve as an expert witness in a lawsuit involving a failure of a
retaining wall designed by another engineer. The PE’s analysis shows the other engineer was negligent.
What is the PE’s duty?
Texas PE Licensing Exam (Principles and Practice of
Engineering – General/Discipline Specific) Exam
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Texas PE Licensing Exam (Principles and Practice of Engineering – General/Discipline Specific) , based
on the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPLS) rules and typical NCEES PE
exam structure. It begins with a summarized exam coverage (point form), followed by 100 scenario-
based MCQs that reflect the random, integrated nature of the actual exam. Note: Given the broad range
of engineering disciplines, these questions focus on core engineering principles, ethics, and Texas-specific
regulations applicable to all PE candidates.
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (Point Form – High Relevance for Actual Exam)
• Texas Board Rules (22 TAC Chapter 131): Licensing requirements, continuing education (15
PDH/year), comity, responsible charge, sealing documents, disciplinary actions.
• Engineering Ethics (Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct/Code of Ethics): Conflicts
of interest, competency, public safety, truthful advertising, reporting violations, stamp misuse.
• NCEES Model Law & Rules: Exam requirements (FE + PE), experience verification (4 years
progressive), moral character, comity, record program.
• Engineering Analysis: Statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics,
thermodynamics, electrical fundamentals, structural analysis.
• Engineering Design & Problem Solving: Load calculations, beam deflections, hydraulic gradients,
power distribution, safety factors, design loads (ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC, NEC).
• Project Management: Scheduling (CPM, PERT), cost estimation, risk assessment, contract
documents (specifications, drawings), change orders.
• Texas Specific Engineering Practice: Sealing work done outside Texas, professional
communication with TBPLS, responsible charge definition (active personal control), continuing
education rounding rules.
• Laws & Regulations (Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1001): Definition of engineering
practice, exemptions, penalties for unlicensed practice, statute of limitations for complaints (6
years).
• Health & Safety: Failures, root cause analysis, redundancy, factor of safety, codes compliance.
, Page 2 of 143
1. A licensed professional engineer in Texas is asked to seal a set of structural drawings that were
prepared by an unlicensed drafter under the engineer’s direct supervision but outside the engineer’s
area of competence. The engineer has not reviewed the calculations. Under Texas Board rules, the
engineer should:
A) Seal the drawings if the drafter is experienced
B) Refuse to seal until the engineer performs a full review and takes responsibility for the work
C) Seal with a disclaimer that the engineer did not review the calculations
D) Sign but not seal the drawings
Answer: B
Rationale: An engineer may only seal work that they have personally prepared or that was prepared
under their responsible charge; they must review and accept responsibility for the work.
2. A PE in Texas is moving to another state but will continue to provide engineering services for Texas
clients remotely. Which statement about sealing documents is correct?
A) The engineer must maintain an active Texas PE license and may seal work from out of state for Texas
projects
, Page 3 of 143
B) The engineer must surrender the Texas license when moving
C) The engineer may seal Texas work without a Texas license if the client agrees
D) Only physical presence in Texas allows sealing
Answer: A
Rationale: Texas requires a valid license to practice engineering in Texas regardless of the engineer’s
physical location; remote work is permitted.
3. An engineer discovers that a previously sealed report for a bridge inspection contained a
miscalculation that could affect public safety. The client has already used the report. What is the first
ethical obligation?
A) Wait for the client to notice
B) Immediately notify the client and the Texas Board of Professional Engineers
C) Ignore the error if no collapse has occurred
D) Secretly correct the report without telling the client
, Page 4 of 143
Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Board rules require engineers to disclose known errors that may endanger public safety
to the employer/client and the Board.
4. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001, which activity is exempt from the requirement to be a
licensed professional engineer?
A) Designing a 10-story building for public use
B) Designing a single-family home (not more than three stories) for private residence
C) Designing a bridge on a public highway
D) Preparing a site drainage plan for a public school
Answer: B
Rationale: Single-family homes (not exceeding three stories) are exempt in Texas, provided the designer
complies with building codes.
5. A PE licensed in Texas is asked to serve as an expert witness in a lawsuit involving a failure of a
retaining wall designed by another engineer. The PE’s analysis shows the other engineer was negligent.
What is the PE’s duty?
