What You Need to Know About the California PE Seismic and Surveying Exams 

If you’re pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer in California, passing the Seismic Principles and Engineering Surveying exams is mandatory—on top of the NCEES PE exam. These two additional exams are unique to California and require focused preparation, as they test specialized skills not always covered in traditional PE study materials. 

The Seismic Principles exam assesses your understanding of earthquake engineering fundamentals. Topics include lateral force-resisting systems, structural dynamics, seismic design criteria, and interpreting code requirements like ASCE 7. The Engineering Surveying exam covers concepts such as leveling, traversing, coordinate systems, and error analysis—areas often unfamiliar to engineers who haven’t worked extensively in surveying. 

Because these exams are so specific, using generic PE resources is not enough. You need targeted materials designed for the California Board’s format and scope. At Petro Publications, we offer resources like our Seismic Reference Manual along with the practice exam booklet, both has 270 questions that will train you learn the theory and pass the exam, which is specifically tailored to the Seismic Principles exam. It includes clear explanations, dozens of embedded solved problems, and figures that reflect real exam scenarios—not just theoretical models. 

One of the most effective strategies for success on these California-specific exams is to combine focused reading with consistent problem-solving. These exams are open-book exams, so it's crucial to be comfortable solving questions quickly and accurately under pressure and know exactly where to look in those books that you are planning to bring with you – of course, our manual has been designed for this purpose. Moreover, practice is key, and the right materials can help you get there with confidence. 

Don’t underestimate the challenge of these exams just because they’re shorter than the NCEES PE exam. They are highly specialized, and passing them requires both strategy and discipline. With proper preparation and the right resources, you can pass them on your first attempt and complete your path to licensure in California.