200+ Free CEA Practice Questions
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Key Facts: CEA Exam
120
Exam Questions
AEE
70%
Passing Score
700/1000 points
4 hrs
Exam Duration
AEE
$400-550
Exam Fee
AEE (member/non-member)
65-75%
Pass Rate
Industry estimate
3 yrs
Certification Term
Recertification required
The CEA exam has 120 questions in 4 hours with a 70% passing score (700/1000). Major domains: Energy Auditing Strategy (17%), Energy Use Analysis (12%), Data Collection (14%), Economic Analysis (13%), Lighting (8%), HVAC (17%), Domestic Hot Water (6%), Motors/Drives/Compressed Air (6%), Building Envelope (4%), and BAS/EMCS (3%). Based on ASHRAE standards and ISO 50002.
About the CEA Exam
The Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) certification validates competency in conducting comprehensive energy audits for commercial and industrial buildings. The exam covers energy auditing principles, building systems analysis, economic analysis, instrumentation, data collection, and energy conservation measure evaluation.
Questions
120 scored questions
Time Limit
4 hours
Passing Score
70% (700/1000)
Exam Fee
$400-550 (AEE (Association of Energy Engineers))
CEA Exam Content Outline
Developing Energy Audit Strategy
Audit planning, scoping, ASHRAE audit levels, preliminary analysis, and project management
Energy Use Analysis
Utility bill analysis, energy consumption patterns, benchmarking, and energy indices
Data Collection
Instrumentation, measurement techniques, site surveys, and data quality
Economic Analysis
Simple payback, NPV, IRR, life cycle costing, and energy cost calculations
Lighting Systems
Lamp types, ballasts, controls, daylighting, and lighting power density
HVAC Systems
Heating, cooling, air distribution, controls, and energy efficiency measures
Domestic Hot Water
DHW systems, heat recovery, solar thermal, and efficiency improvements
Motors, Drives & Compressed Air
Motor efficiency, VFDs, compressed air systems, and optimization
Building Envelope
Insulation, windows, air leakage, and thermal performance
BAS/EMCS & Automation
Building automation, controls, and energy management systems
How to Pass the CEA Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70% (700/1000)
- Exam length: 120 questions
- Time limit: 4 hours
- Exam fee: $400-550
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CEA Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CEA certification?
The Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) is a professional certification from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) that validates competency in conducting comprehensive energy audits for commercial and industrial buildings. It demonstrates expertise in building systems analysis, energy conservation measures, and economic analysis.
What are the prerequisites for the CEA exam?
Candidates need a 4-year engineering/architecture degree plus 3 years of energy auditing experience, OR a 4-year non-engineering degree plus 4 years of experience, OR a 2-year technical degree plus 5 years of experience, OR 10+ years of verified energy auditing experience. AEE membership is not required but provides exam fee discounts.
How hard is the CEA exam?
The CEA exam is considered moderately difficult with a 65-75% first-time pass rate. It covers technical content across 10 major domains including HVAC, lighting, economics, and building systems. Most candidates who complete a prep course and study 60-80 hours pass on their first attempt.
What is the format of the CEA exam?
The CEA exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice exam with 120 questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pilot questions) administered over 4 hours. The passing score is 700 out of 1000 points (approximately 70%). Exams are administered via computer-based testing at PSI centers.
How do I maintain my CEA certification?
CEA certification requires recertification every 3 years. You must earn 30 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) over the 3-year period and submit a recertification application with a $125 fee. PDHs can be earned through continuing education, conference attendance, publishing articles, or professional activities.