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Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CELE Exam

3

Board Subjects

PRC Board of Civil Engineering

70%

Passing Average

PRC

50%

Minimum Per Subject

PRC

2 days

Exam Duration

PRC

18,370

March 2026 Examinees

PRC March 2026 CELE

RA 544

Governing Law

Civil Engineering Law

The CELE is a two-day objective board exam administered by the PRC Board of Civil Engineering under RA 544. It covers three weighted subjects: Principles of Structural Analysis and Design (~35%), Applied Mathematics/Surveying/Transportation/Construction (~35%), and Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering (~30%). Passing requires a weighted general average of at least 70% with no rating below 50% in any subject. Beginning March 2026, PRC reordered the subjects, placing structural analysis and design on Day 1, and that administration recorded 18,370 examinees. The National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) governs structural design.

Sample CELE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CELE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the CELE syllabus, the Civil Engineer Licensure Examination is administered over two days covering how many major board subjects?
A.Two
B.Three
C.Four
D.Five
Explanation: The CELE covers three major board subjects: Mathematics, Surveying and Transportation Engineering; Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering; and Structural Engineering and Construction. They are administered across a two-day examination.
2What is the passing requirement for the PRC Civil Engineer Licensure Examination?
A.A general average of at least 75% with no grade below 60%
B.A weighted general average of at least 70% with no rating below 50% in any subject
C.A simple average of at least 70% in two of the three subjects
D.A scaled score determined by the Board with no fixed percentage
Explanation: PRC requires a weighted general average of at least 70%, with no rating below 50% in any of the three subjects. A candidate who falls below 50% in any subject fails regardless of the overall average.
3Which Republic Act created the Board of Civil Engineering and governs the regulation and licensure of civil engineers in the Philippines?
A.RA 1378
B.RA 544
C.RA 9266
D.RA 8560
Explanation: Republic Act No. 544, the Civil Engineering Law enacted in 1950, regulates the practice of civil engineering and created the Board of Civil Engineering under the PRC.
4A simply supported beam of span L carries a uniformly distributed load w over its entire length. What is the maximum bending moment at midspan?
A.wL²/8
B.wL²/4
C.wL²/2
D.wL²/12
Explanation: For a simply supported beam under a full-span uniform load w, the maximum moment occurs at midspan and equals wL²/8. The end reactions are each wL/2.
5In reinforced concrete design under NSCP 2015 (Ultimate Strength Design), what is the depth of the equivalent rectangular (Whitney) stress block for a singly reinforced rectangular beam?
A.a = A_s f_y / (0.85 f'_c b)
B.a = A_s f_y / (f'_c b)
C.a = 0.85 A_s f_y / (f'_c b)
D.a = A_s f_y / (0.59 f'_c b)
Explanation: Equating the tension force A_s f_y to the compression force 0.85 f'_c b a in the Whitney stress block gives a = A_s f_y / (0.85 f'_c b). The factor 0.85 is the assumed uniform compressive stress over the block.
6In differential leveling, a backsight (BS) of 1.85 m is taken on a benchmark of elevation 100.00 m, and a foresight (FS) of 0.62 m is taken on a turning point. What is the elevation of the turning point?
A.101.23 m
B.98.15 m
C.102.47 m
D.99.38 m
Explanation: Height of instrument = 100.00 + 1.85 = 101.85 m. The turning point elevation = HI − FS = 101.85 − 0.62 = 101.23 m. Adding the BS and subtracting the FS is the rise-and-fall principle of leveling.
7Water flows in a horizontal pipe. According to Bernoulli's energy equation between two points (neglecting head loss), which quantity remains constant along a streamline?
A.The sum of velocity head, pressure head, and elevation head
B.The velocity head alone
C.The product of pressure and velocity
D.The discharge divided by the pressure head
Explanation: Bernoulli's equation states that the total head—the sum of velocity head (V²/2g), pressure head (p/γ), and elevation head (z)—is constant along a streamline for steady, incompressible, frictionless flow.
8A soil sample has a void ratio e = 0.60. What is its porosity n?
A.0.60
B.0.40
C.0.375
D.0.30
Explanation: Porosity relates to void ratio by n = e / (1 + e) = 0.60 / 1.60 = 0.375. Porosity is the ratio of void volume to total volume, while void ratio is void volume to solids volume.
9The PRC adjusted the order of CELE subjects starting which administration, placing Principles of Structural Analysis and Design on the first day?
A.March 2026
B.November 2025
C.August 2026
D.May 2025
Explanation: Beginning with the March 2026 CELE, PRC reordered the subjects so that Principles of Structural Analysis and Design is administered on Day 1, followed by the math/surveying/transportation/construction subject and the hydraulics/geotechnical subject on Day 2.
10A steel rod 2.0 m long with cross-sectional area 200 mm² carries an axial tensile load of 40 kN. Using E = 200 GPa, what is the elongation of the rod?
A.1.0 mm
B.2.0 mm
C.0.5 mm
D.4.0 mm
Explanation: Elongation δ = PL/(AE) = (40000 N)(2000 mm) / (200 mm² × 200000 N/mm²) = 80×10⁶ / 40×10⁶ = 2.0 mm. The axial deformation formula assumes linear-elastic, uniform stress.

About the CELE Exam

The PRC Civil Engineer Licensure Examination (CELE) is the Philippine board examination required to practice civil engineering under Republic Act No. 544. It is an objective, two-day written examination covering three weighted board subjects. To pass, a candidate must obtain a weighted general average of at least 70% with no rating below 50% in any subject. Beginning with the March 2026 administration, PRC reordered the subjects so that Principles of Structural Analysis and Design is taken on the first day.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Two-day examination with timed subject sessions

Passing Score

70% weighted general average, no rating below 50%

Exam Fee

PRC examination fee (per PRC schedule; not a fixed published figure here) (Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Board of Civil Engineering)

CELE Exam Content Outline

35%

Principles of Structural Analysis and Design

Engineering mechanics, strength of materials, theory of structures, and NSCP-based analysis and design of concrete, steel, and timber members and foundations.

35%

Applied Mathematics, Surveying, Transportation and Construction

Algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus, surveying and traversing, highway and transportation engineering, construction management, and engineering economics.

30%

Hydraulics and Principles of Geotechnical Engineering

Fluid properties, hydrostatics, open-channel and pipe flow, hydrology, soil properties and classification, seepage, bearing capacity, settlement, and slope stability.

How to Pass the CELE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% weighted general average, no rating below 50%
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: Two-day examination with timed subject sessions
  • Exam fee: PRC examination fee (per PRC schedule; not a fixed published figure here)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CELE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat structural analysis and design as the highest-yield subject and master NSCP load combinations and USD concrete design
2Drill surveying computations: traverses, latitudes/departures, DMD area, and tape corrections
3Memorize key hydraulics relationships - Bernoulli, continuity, Manning, and orifice flow
4Practice soil mechanics phase relationships, effective stress, and bearing capacity problems
5Keep no subject below 50% - balance review time so a weak subject does not fail you
6Solve full timed sets to build pacing for the two-day, multi-session format
7Review RA 544 scope of practice, signing and sealing rules, and the code of ethics
8Use the 2026 subject order so your simulation matches the actual exam sequence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the CELE?

To pass the PRC Civil Engineer Licensure Examination, a candidate must obtain a weighted general average of at least 70%, with no rating below 50% in any of the three board subjects. A rating below 50% in even one subject results in failure regardless of the overall average.

What subjects are covered in the CELE?

The CELE covers three weighted board subjects: Principles of Structural Analysis and Design (about 35%); Applied Mathematics, Surveying, Transportation and Construction (about 35%); and Hydraulics and Principles of Geotechnical Engineering (about 30%). The subjects are administered over two days.

What changed in the March 2026 CELE?

Beginning with the March 2026 administration, PRC adjusted the order of subjects so that Principles of Structural Analysis and Design is taken on Day 1, followed by the mathematics/surveying/transportation/construction subject and the hydraulics/geotechnical subject on Day 2. The coverage and weighting of topics remained based on the Board of Civil Engineering syllabi.

What law governs civil engineering practice in the Philippines?

Republic Act No. 544, the Civil Engineering Law enacted in 1950, regulates the practice of civil engineering and created the Board of Civil Engineering under the PRC. Only a duly registered and licensed civil engineer may prepare, sign, and seal civil engineering plans and specifications.

What structural code is used in the CELE?

Structural design questions reference the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP), published by the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP). Reinforced concrete is designed by Ultimate Strength Design, while traditional timber design follows allowable stress (working stress) principles.

Who can take the CELE?

Applicants generally must hold a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from a recognized institution, be of good moral character, and be a Filipino citizen or qualified under the reciprocity provisions of RA 544. No prior work experience is required to sit for the examination.