PE — Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

About the exam

The Principles and Practice of Engineering examination in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering is the licensure exam for professional engineers in the United States working in the marine field. It is written for engineers with about four years of post-graduate experience, and it is broad rather than deep: thirteen knowledge areas spanning naval architecture, marine engineering and the subjects common to both. It is offered once a year, computer-based, and the reference handbook is provided on screen.

Key topics

• Hydrostatics and stability — the largest single area — 10 to 15 questions
• Structural design — hull girder, scantlings, buckling and fatigue — 7 to 11
• Hydrodynamics — resistance, propulsion and powering — 6 to 9
• Propulsion and power generation — prime movers, shafting, electric propulsion — 6 to 9
• Piping, auxiliaries and electrical — system design and equipment selection — 15 to 24 combined
• Rules and regulations — USCG, class rules and IMO conventions — 5 to 8

Format

• Computer-based, 85 multiple-choice questions including alternative item types
• 8.5 hours of exam time within a 9.5 hour appointment, with a 50 minute break
• Offered once a year — the next sitting is 27 October 2026
• Reference handbook supplied on screen; no personal references permitted

Start practicing

Practice by knowledge area, weighted the way the specification is.

Take a PE practice exam Concept refresher GATE NA chapters

13 areas — matching the NCEES specification