What This Exam Validates
The NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering examination in Control Systems licenses engineers who specify, tune and safeguard the instrumentation and control loops that run industrial process plants. It is a closed-book computer-based test delivered with an electronic reference handbook, and its specification runs from measurement of process variables through controller design, final control elements, signal transmission and networking, to safety instrumented systems. The balance of the paper reflects working practice: measurement and control theory carry the largest share, but final control elements and safety instrumented systems together account for a substantial minority, so a candidate strong in loop tuning alone will not pass. Questions require calculation and equipment selection rather than recall.
Who Should Take This Exam
This exam is intended for instrumentation and control engineers in process industries such as chemicals, oil and gas, power generation, pharmaceuticals and water treatment, who hold an EIT or EI certification and want the professional licence that lets them seal control system designs.
Skills You Should Be Ready to Demonstrate
- Process measurement and instrument selection
- Controller tuning, loop analysis and advanced control strategies
- Final control element sizing including valves and actuators
- Industrial signal transmission, fieldbus and network architecture
- Safety instrumented systems and SIL determination
How to Prepare
Build the study plan around the PE Control Systems Reference Handbook, since it is the only reference available during the exam and the tables for valve sizing and flow measurement are the ones that will be on screen. Give safety instrumented systems genuine time even though it is the smallest published block, because SIL verification questions are calculation-heavy and are frequently the difference between a marginal pass and a marginal fail. Practise measurement questions across every process variable rather than only the flow and pressure instruments encountered at work, and rehearse valve sizing until the handbook's tables can be navigated without hesitation.
Domain Study Guidance
Measurement: Study Guidance
NCEES allocates 16 to 24 questions to Measurement, about 23 percent of the paper, making this one of the blocks that decides the result. The published knowledge areas include Sensor technologies applicable to general measurement, Sensor technologies applicable to general analytical instrum, Sensor technologies applicable to fire and gas detectors, Sensor technologies applicable to machinery monitoring and p. Work these directly from the reference handbook supplied in the exam, because the tables and figures on screen are the ones you must be able to find quickly under time pressure.
- Sensor technologies applicable to general measurement (e.g., flow, pressure, level, temperature, counters, motion) inclu
- Sensor technologies applicable to general analytical instruments and sampling systems (e.g., pH, ORP, density, O2, condu
- Sensor technologies applicable to fire and gas detectors (e.g., cameras, IR, UV, open path) including principles, specif
- Sensor technologies applicable to machinery monitoring and protection (e.g., vibration, temperatures, pressures, thrust,
- Sensor characteristics (e.g., rangeability, accuracy and precision, temperature effects, response times, reliability, re
Control Systems: Study Guidance
NCEES allocates 17 to 26 questions to Control Systems, about 24 percent of the paper, making this one of the blocks that decides the result. The published knowledge areas include Engineering drawings, diagrams, symbology, and terminology, Control theory including process dynamics and response for a, Human factors including displays, alarm management, and equi, Logic implementation, configuration/programming, logic excep. Work these directly from the reference handbook supplied in the exam, because the tables and figures on screen are the ones you must be able to find quickly under time pressure.
- Engineering drawings, diagrams, symbology, and terminology (e.g., P&ID, process flow diagrams, control loop diagrams, lo
- Control theory including process dynamics and response for analog, discrete, and sequential control methods for common p
- Human factors including displays, alarm management, and equipment layout
- Logic implementation, configuration/programming, logic exception handling, and diagnosis of unexpected behavior, includi
- System design (architecture, hardware, interfaces, and security) to meet requirements, limitations, and costs, including
Final Control Elements: Study Guidance
NCEES allocates 14 to 21 questions to Final Control Elements, about 20 percent of the paper, making this one of the blocks that decides the result. The published knowledge areas include Valve type and material selection based on application and p, Valve trim selection, Valve calculations, Valve actuator type application and selection including fail. Work these directly from the reference handbook supplied in the exam, because the tables and figures on screen are the ones you must be able to find quickly under time pressure.
- Valve type and material selection based on application and process characteristics (e.g., erosion, corrosion, pressure,
- Valve trim selection (e.g., seat leakage class, noise reduction, characteristics)
- Valve calculations (e.g., sizing, pressure drop, split range)
- Valve actuator type application and selection including failure modes
- Impacts of fluid dynamics (e.g., cavitation, flashing, choked flow, Joule-
Signals, Transmission, and Networking: Study Guidance
NCEES allocates 11 to 17 questions to Signals, Transmission, and Networking, about 16 percent of the paper, making this one of the blocks that decides the result. The published knowledge areas include Signal types and technologies, Signal conversion principles, Hazardous area classifications and installation techniques, Power, grounding, electrical segregation, electromagnetic in. Work these directly from the reference handbook supplied in the exam, because the tables and figures on screen are the ones you must be able to find quickly under time pressure.
- Signal types and technologies (e.g., analog, discrete, buses, topologies, limitations, protocols)
- Signal conversion principles (e.g., analog/digital [A/D], digital/analog [D/A], current/pneumatic [I/P], current/current
- Hazardous area classifications and installation techniques (e.g., intrinsically safe
- Power, grounding, electrical segregation, electromagnetic interference (e.g., UPS, fusing, diode protection, calculation
- Signal circuit design and calculations (e.g., two-wire, four-wire, isolated outputs, loop powered, buses, voltage, curre
Safety Instrumented Systems: Study Guidance
NCEES allocates 12 to 18 questions to Safety Instrumented Systems, about 17 percent of the paper, making this one of the blocks that decides the result. The published knowledge areas include Functional safety life cycle structure and phases, Hazard and risk assessment. Allocation of safety functions t, Safety requirements specifications, Design and engineering of safety instrumented systems. Work these directly from the reference handbook supplied in the exam, because the tables and figures on screen are the ones you must be able to find quickly under time pressure.
- Functional safety life cycle structure and phases (e.g., deliverables, requirements, purpose, and timing)
- Hazard and risk assessment. Allocation of safety functions to protection layers identification of SIFs, purpose, and out
- Safety requirements specifications (SRS) (e.g., documentation and requirements)
- Design and engineering of safety instrumented systems (e.g., device selection,
- Installation, commissioning, and validation including procedures and site acceptance testing (SAT)
Exam-Day Guidance
The appointment is closed book with the electronic handbook supplied on screen. Bring the identification required by the NCEES Examinee Guide, and treat the scheduled break as planned time rather than as spare working time.
Frequently asked questions
Is the exam open book?
No. Every NCEES computer-based exam is closed book. An electronic reference handbook is supplied on screen at the test centre, and it is the only reference you may use, which is why candidates are advised to study from that handbook rather than from a textbook.
Where do the domain percentages come from?
NCEES publishes a range of questions per domain rather than a percentage. The percentages shown here are the midpoints of those published ranges, normalised across the domains so they total one hundred percent. The published question range is shown alongside each domain so you can see the original figure NCEES actually states.
How do I get the reference handbook before the exam?
NCEES makes the current reference handbook available to download from your MyNCEES account, and a printed edition of some handbooks is sold separately. The handbook is licensed for your personal use and may not be redistributed, so obtain it from NCEES directly rather than from a third party.
What identification do I need at the test centre?
The NCEES Examinee Guide sets out the identification, arrival and test centre rules that apply to every NCEES exam, including what you may bring and what happens if a test centre closes. Read the current edition before your appointment, because the requirements are enforced strictly.
Sources and Verification
Verified 2026-09-05
Exam Domains
1 Measurement
23%
- 1.ASensor technologies applicable to general measurement (e.g., flow, pressure, level, temperature, counters, motion) including principles, specification, selection, and cost considerations
- 1.BSensor technologies applicable to general analytical instruments and sampling systems (e.g., pH, ORP, density, O2, conductivity, effects of sampling systems, moisture) including principles, specification, selection, and cost considerations
- 1.CSensor technologies applicable to fire and gas detectors (e.g., cameras, IR, UV, open path) including principles, specification, selection, and cost considerations
- 1.DSensor technologies applicable to machinery monitoring and protection (e.g., vibration, temperatures, pressures, thrust, speed) including principles, specification, selection, and cost considerations
- 1.ESensor characteristics (e.g., rangeability, accuracy and precision, temperature effects, response times, reliability, repeatability, calibration, hysteresis, drift)
- 1.FSensor selection and material compatibility (e.g., plugging service, process severity, environmental effects and constraints, and cost considerations)
- 1.GSensor installation details and drawings (e.g., process, pneumatic, electrical, location, maintenance, calibration, block/root valve selection, position/geometry/accessibility, startup, reliability, failure mode, constructability)
- 1.HFlow calculations (e.g., element sizing, pressure-temperature compensation, mass/volume conversions, pressure drop, velocity, Reynolds number, beta ratio)
- 1.ILevel calculations (e.g., pressure and differential pressure, level, density, elevation/suppression, composition, P-T compensation)
- 1.JProcess measurement unit conversion calculations (e.g., standard volumetric flow to mass flow or to actual flow, height to volume in cylindrical or sphere)
- 1.KThermowell design parameters and impact (e.g., type, dimensions, velocity, density, natural frequency, wake frequency)
- 1.LSensor testing and commissioning (e.g. loop test, calibration, square root extraction, range verification, simulation of values, diagnostics)
2 Control Systems
24%
- 2.AEngineering drawings, diagrams, symbology, and terminology (e.g., P&ID, process flow diagrams, control loop diagrams, logic diagrams, cause and effect diagrams, schematics)
- 2.BControl theory including process dynamics and response for analog, discrete, and sequential control methods for common processes and components (e.g., pumps, compression, combustion, evaporation, distillation, hydraulics, reaction, dehydration, heat exchangers, crystallization, filtration, refrigeration, fluidization)
- 2.CHuman factors including displays, alarm management, and equipment layout
- 2.DLogic implementation, configuration/programming, logic exception handling, and diagnosis of unexpected behavior, including interpretation of logic types (e.g., ladder diagrams, function blocks, sequential function charts, and structured text),
- 2.ESystem design (architecture, hardware, interfaces, and security) to meet requirements, limitations, and costs, including capacity, availability, heat load, power consumption, and environmental constraints
- 2.FSystem testing, commissioning, and performance monitoring (e.g., factory acceptance test, integrated system test, site acceptance test, system diagnostics, and management of change)
- 2.GControl systems cybersecurity and security practices (e.g., management systems, risk assessments, security-level verification, management of change, monitoring, protections)
3 Final Control Elements
20%
- 3.AValve type and material selection based on application and process characteristics (e.g., erosion, corrosion, pressure, temperature, material compatibility, environmental)
- 3.BValve trim selection (e.g., seat leakage class, noise reduction, characteristics)
- 3.CValve calculations (e.g., sizing, pressure drop, split range)
- 3.DValve actuator type application and selection including failure modes
- 3.EImpacts of fluid dynamics (e.g., cavitation, flashing, choked flow, Joule-
- 3.FValve accessories (e.g., limit switches, solenoid valves, positioners, transducers, air regulators, boosters, quick exhaust)
- 3.GValve installation practices (e.g., vertical, horizontal, bypasses, location, flow direction)
- 3.HPressure relieving device types, material selection, and installation (e.g., conventional spring, balanced bellows, pilot-operated, rupture disk, buckling pin)
- 3.IPressure relieving device calculations (e.g., sizing considering inlet pressure drop, back pressure, and multiple valves)
- 3.JMotor control types and applications (e.g., motor starters, variable/adjustable speed drives, soft starters, reading schematics)
- 3.KMotor control accessories (e.g., encoders, positioners, relays, limit switches)
- 3.LSolenoid valves as final elements – types, application, and selection
- 3.MRelay types, application, and selection (e.g., energize and de-energize to trip,
- 3.NSelf-regulating device types, application, and selection (e.g., sizing, pressure, temperature, level, and flow regulators)
- 3.OFinal element testing and commissioning (e.g. loop test, calibration, range verification, simulation of values, diagnostics)
4 Signals, Transmission, and Networking
16%
- 4.ASignal types and technologies (e.g., analog, discrete, buses, topologies, limitations, protocols)
- 4.BSignal conversion principles (e.g., analog/digital [A/D], digital/analog [D/A], current/pneumatic [I/P], current/current [I/I], splitters, filters, bit precision, signal error)
- 4.CHazardous area classifications and installation techniques (e.g., intrinsically safe
- 4.DPower, grounding, electrical segregation, electromagnetic interference (e.g., UPS, fusing, diode protection, calculations of voltage drops, control signal isolation)
- 4.ESignal circuit design and calculations (e.g., two-wire, four-wire, isolated outputs, loop powered, buses, voltage, current, impedance, power)
- 4.FCommunications systems architecture and protocols (e.g., fiber optics, coaxial cable, wireless, paired conductors, buses, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
5 Safety Instrumented Systems
17%
- 5.AFunctional safety life cycle structure and phases (e.g., deliverables, requirements, purpose, and timing)
- 5.BHazard and risk assessment. Allocation of safety functions to protection layers identification of SIFs, purpose, and outcomes)
- 5.CSafety requirements specifications (SRS) (e.g., documentation and requirements)
- 5.DDesign and engineering of safety instrumented systems (e.g., device selection,
- 5.EInstallation, commissioning, and validation including procedures and site acceptance testing (SAT)
- 5.FOperation and maintenance (e.g., inspection, testing, demands, failures and failure rates, causes, bypass management, and degradation)
- 5.GModification and decommissioning/management of change in the exam as searchable, electronic pdf files with links for easy navigation. year shown. Solutions based on other standards will not receive credit. accessible from your MyNCEES account. Design standards are available through the publisher or a bookseller. requirements, 2018, International Society of Automation, Research Triangle Park,