Utility Engineering & Surveying

Become a Board-Certified Pipeline Engineer-Water or Project Utility Engineer

• Eligibility for certification

  The baseline requirements set the minimum standards for applying for post-licensure board certification in civil engineering specialties. Board certification demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for competent practice, as outlined in the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (CEBOK3) and the relevant Specialty Area Bodies of Knowledge (SABOK).

  1. Professional Characteristics:
  1.1 Adherence to the ASCE Code of Ethics.
  1.2 Strong communication skills.
  1.3 Demonstrated project management and/or leadership abilities.
  1.4 Commitment to continuing education and advancing the profession.
  
  2. Education: Formal education in engineering and the specialty area supports achievement of the CEBOK3 and specialty area body of knowledge.
  2.1 A bachelor’s degree in engineering or another related field, from an ABET-accredited program is required. Alternatively, a relevant postgraduate degree (master’s or PhD) may fulfill this requirement.
  2.2 Thirty or more postgraduate education credit hours, or completion of recognized certificate program(s). Alternatively, additional work experience can also qualify (see Item 4.2 below for details).
  
  3. P.E. License or Approved Equivalent:
  3.1 A current P.E. license or approved equivalent is required. In countries without this, additional work experience may substitute (see item 4.3 below).
  
  4. Work Experience: Work experience may include planning, design, analysis, operations, management, governance, research, and/or teaching. The applicant must be currently actively engaged in the specialty area of civil engineering and have:
  4.1 At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering after the first bachelor's degree, with 8 years in the specialty area.
  4.2 Without postgraduate education (see item 2.2 above), 15 years of experience (13 in the specialty) is required.
  4.3 If an applicant lives and works in a country without a P.E. license or equivalent (as per requirement 3), they must have at least 15 years of civil engineering experience, with 13 of those years in the specialty area.
  
  5. Validation:
  5.1 The applicable administrative unit validates achievement of the requisite CEBOK3 and SABOK outcomes in a manner appropriate for the certification. Validation applies to all applicants and follows a uniform process for each certification developed and administered by the applicable specialty board.

  View the complete CEC eligibility requirements. 
  If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for certification, contact [email protected].

   

   

• Certification application process

  To apply for certification in Pipeline Engineering-Water or Project Utility Engineering, follow these steps below. Note: The PUE application will be available starting May 1, 2026.
  1. Prepare Your Application Materials:

  Ensure the following items are included in your application submission:

  • Completed Application Form
  • Resume or CV
  • Three References (see details below)
  • Application Fee Payment

  2. Request Professional References: 

  Obtain references from licensed professional engineers representing at least three different organizations. While a minimum of three references is required, you may submit additional references, provided at least three meet the organizational requirement above.

  Please use this reference form to request and collect these references.

  3. Submit Your Application:
  Once your application is complete, including supporting documentation and payment, submit your application.

  Important: Once an application is submitted and paid, the application fee is non-refundable, please ensure you have met eligibility requirements before paying the application fee.

  Applicants for the pipeline engineer-water or project utility engineering board certification must complete the application in its entirety and remit the appropriate fees to be considered.

  Once the application has been submitted, CEC staff will review it for completeness before it is sent to the UESCB Application Review Committee. If an application is deemed incomplete at the published deadline, further processing/review will be delayed until the next application cycle.

  These are the following possible outcomes once the Admissions Committee has fully reviewed an application:
  1. The applicant be approved to take the written online exam.
  2. The applicant be required to submit additional documentation and/or clarify their professional experience and expertise.
  
  The Utility Engineering and Surveying Certification Board is responsible for issuing an applicant's certificate of special knowledge, which indicates attainment of the pipeline engineer-water or project utility engineering board certification.

   

• Application fees

  All applicants must submit an application fee that covers program expenses including application review, examination fees, record keeping, issuance of a certificate, and first year's board certification fee.

  • ASCE and/or institute members - $350
  • Nonmembers - $450

• Application deadlines, candidate review timeline and outcomes

  • Spring application deadline: March 31
  • Summer application deadline: June 30
  • Fall application deadline: Sept. 30
  • Winter application deadline: Dec. 31

  Our program involves thorough applicant reviews by volunteer member boards and panelists, so the timeline from application submission to board certification can span several months. Below is an overview of typical processing times.

  1. After submission, your application undergoes a completeness check by CEC staff (7-10 business days) before it is sent to the UESCB Review Committee.
  2. Complete applications are reviewed quarterly for winter, spring, summer, or fall intake (6-8 weeks). For example, if an application is received in February, it will be reviewed with other applications received by the March 31 deadline for the spring application review. (Allow 6-8 weeks, about 2 months, for review time by Review Committees after each published application deadline.)
  3. Incomplete applications received by the deadline are deferred to the next cycle for review.

  Below are the following possible outcomes once an application has been fully reviewed by the Review Committee and the timeline after an application is submitted:
  1. The applicant may be approved to take the online Pipeline Engineering-Water or Project Utility Engineering exam. If approved for exam, instructions on scheduling the exam will be provided. (6-8 weeks, about 2 months, after the review deadline)
  2. The applicant may be required to submit additional documentation and/or clarify their professional experience and expertise. (6-8 weeks, about 2 months, after the review deadline + additional weeks for additional review)
  3. Upon passing the exam, the applicant is granted certification or denied certification. (12-14 weeks, about 3 months, after the initial review deadline + additional review of additional documentation of application materials + schedule exam + take exam + notified of exam results)
  4. If the candidate fails the initial exam attempt, they may re-test once for no additional cost within 6 months of the initial attempt.

  Please contact [email protected] for any questions regarding the timeline of the application process.

• Convince your employer - download support letter template

  Board certification demonstrates advanced expertise, leadership, and commitment to the profession. Supporting your pursuit of becoming a Board-Certified Civil Engineer benefits not only your career, but also your organization’s reputation and impact.

  Why employers should support certification:

  • Professional Credibility: Board-certified engineers are recognized for meeting rigorous standards—enhancing your team’s credibility with clients and stakeholders.
  • Visibility for Your Organization: Certified professionals are listed in the CEC public directory, increasing exposure and potential business opportunities.
  • Company Recognition: CEC highlights newly certified engineers on LinkedIn, offering immediate visibility and positive branding for your organization.
  • Leadership Development: Certification supports professional growth, helping your team lead projects, drive innovation, and manage change effectively.

  Download and customize this template to request employer support for your certification journey. 

• Frequently asked questions

  Still have questions? Check the CEC frequently asked questions here.

Certification Exam Information and Policies

The information below outlines the exam details for the Pipeline Engineering–Water and Project Utility Engineering board‑certification exams. 

• Exam details

  • Duration: 90-minute timed exam.
  • Format: Multiple-choice, closed-book exam administered online using AI proctoring to ensure compliance with exam rules.
  • Prohibited actions: External apps, notes, talking, or sharing content.

• Technical requirements

  To take the online exam via the Certiverse platform, you will need to:

  • Complete the network test on the System Requirements page.
  • Use a supported browser: Microsoft Edge (latest version) or Google Chrome (latest version)

  • Enable camera and microphone access for AI proctoring.

• Preparing for the exam

  • Review the Pipeline Engineering–Water Body of Knowledge (PLWBOK) or the Project Utility Engineering Body of Knowledge (PUEBOK) for exam domains, references, and study resources.
  • Review the Test Taker User Guide which provides essential instructions for taking the exam on the Certiverse/Rosalyn platform.
  • You will receive an email with detailed instructions from CEC staff when you’ve been approved to sit for the exam.

  Explore resources from ASCE Publications aligned with the Pipeline Engineering – Water Body of Knowledge to support your exam preparation. These resources will help applicants seeking to deepen their understanding and succeed in earning the certification.

  Explore on-demand content currently offered by ASCE Continuing Education to help you prepare for the exam. These resources are listed under the exam domain they align with. 

  Pipeline System Planning 
  - Geospatial Analysis and Asset Management Applications 
  - Design and Installation of Buried Pipes 
  

  Hydraulic Considerations
  - Design and Installation of Buried Pipes
  - Water System Modeling Using EPA Net

  Design of Pipe and Pipeline Systems
  - Design and Installation of Buried Pipes
  - Seismic Assessment and Design of Water and Sewer Pipelines
  - Design of Pressure Pipes
  - Design of Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems

  Condition Assessment
  - Pipe and Pipeline Renewal

  Project Management
  - Construction Administration for Engineers
  - Fundamental Negotiation Skills and Strategies for Engineers
  - Negotiating Contract Changes
  - Design Project Management
  - Estimating Quantities of Work for Unit Price Projects
  - Seismic Assessment and Design of Water and Sewer Pipelines
  - Pipe and Pipeline Renewal

  Geotechnical Considerations
  - Design and Installation of Buried Pipes
  - Advancements in Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring

  Construction Activities
  - Construction Administration for Engineers
  - Construction Project Controls
  - Development of GIS Models for Asset Management
  - Lump Sum Price and Bid Development

• Scheduling your exam

  • Once approved by the Utility Engineering & Surveying Certification Board (UESCB) to sit for the exam, CEC staff will coordinate with you to schedule your exam date and time. Please note, once a PLW application is approved, the candidate must complete the written exam within the next 12 months. 
  • You will receive detailed instructions from CEC staff and Certiverse, the external vendor hosting the online exam.
    
    • Booking Guidelines:
      • Book only when ready to take exam within 7 days of scheduling.
      • Cancellation must occur within this 7-day window via the CEC Exam Store.

• Exam outcomes

  • Passing candidates will be confirmed by UESCB for board certification at their next meeting, and CEC staff will notify them of their official board certification.
  • For those that do not pass on their 1st attempt, please see details on re-takes below.
    • Exam Re-Take Policy: 
      
      • If you do not pass the first attempt, you may retake the exam once at no additional cost.
      • The second attempt must be taken within 12 months of the being approved to take the exam, following the same scheduling process with CEC staff and Certiverse.
        The exam consists of two forms—if a retake is needed, you will receive the second form.

• Support and additional resources

  • For eligibility or booking questions, contact CEC staff at [email protected].
  • For technical issues while scheduling, preparing for, or taking the exam, contact Certiverse Test Taker Support at [email protected].
    
    Helpful Links:
    • System Requirements: Live and AI Proctoring
    • Taking an On-Demand Live Proctored Exam with Rosalyn
    • Rosalyn Manual Application Download
    • Test Taker Knowledge Base

The Bodies of Knowledge for Pipeline Engineering-Water (PLWBOK) and Project Utility Engineering (PUEBOK)

The Pipeline Engineering-Water Body of Knowledge (PLWBOK) and the Project Utility Engineering Body of Knowledge (PUEBOK) describe the knowledge and core competencies integral to understanding the practice of pipeline engineering-water or project utility engineering.

• Pipeline Engineering-Water Body of Knowledge

  The Pipeline Engineering-Water Body of Knowledge (PLWBOK) describes the knowledge and core competencies integral to achieving expertise in the practice of Pipeline Engineering-Water as demonstrated through attainment of the credential. The objective of this document articulates the body of knowledge for the practice of Pipeline Engineering-Water. The PLWBOK describes the knowledge and skills required to practice Pipeline Engineering-Water at the expert level. The PLWBOK is based on and builds upon the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Body of Knowledge 3rd edition (CEBOK3) for the practice of Civil Engineering, of which Pipeline Engineering-Water is a part. The typical path to fulfill these outcomes is through a combination of bachelor’s degree-level coursework, postgraduate level coursework, mentored professional experience, continued self-development, and adherence to the ASCE Code of Ethics (see detailed eligibility requirements on the “Eligibility” section). 

  The PLWBOK outlines the content included in the written exam for board-certification in Pipeline Engineering-Water (BC.PLW) and is utilized by the Utility Engineering & Surveying Certification Board (UESCB) to help evaluate candidates for board certification.

  Exam Domains (topic areas):

  • Pipeline System Planning
  • Hydraulic Considerations 
  • Design of Pipe and Pipeline Systems
  • Corrosion Monitoring and Mitigation
  • Condition Assessment
  • Project Management 
  • Geotechnical Considerations 
  • Construction Activities

  Download the complete PLWBOK here. 

   

• Project Utility Engineering Body of Knowledge

  The Project Utility Engineer – Specialty Area Body of Knowledge (PUE-SABOK) presents the knowledge and core competencies integral toward proficiency in the specialized discipline of project utility engineering. The purpose for the PUE-SABOK is to provide a framework for the comprehensive study and mastery of the range of knowledge and skills that define the professional practice of the Project Utility Engineer.

  The PUE SABOK describes the knowledge, skills, experience, and attitudes required of a Board-Certified Project Utility Engineer (BC.PUE). The PUE-SABOK builds upon the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Body of Knowledge 3rd edition (CEBOK3) for the practice of civil engineering, of which project utility engineering is a sub discipline. The typical path to fulfill these outcomes is through a combination of bachelor’s degree-level coursework, postgraduate level coursework, mentored professional experience, continued self-development, and adherence to the ASCE Code of Ethics (see detailed eligibility requirements on the “Eligibility” section of the program website).

  The PUE-SABOK outlines the content included in the written exam for board-certification in Project Utility Engineering and is utilized by the Utility Engineering & Surveying Certification Board (UESCB) to help evaluate candidates for board certification.

  Exam Domains (topic areas):

  • Project Utility Risk Management
  • Utility Investigation and Documentation
  • Utility Systems Knowledge
  • Utility Coordination – Technical (Conflict Matrix, Analytics, Solutions, Designs)
  • Project Utility Asset Management
  • Construction Activities

  Stay tuned for the finalized PUE-SABOK in coming weeks!

   

Maintain Your Certification

• Learn more on how to maintain your certification

  Board-certified engineers must recertify annually by paying the designated fee, maintaining a valid professional engineering license, and completing the necessary continuing professional development hours (PDHs). 
  
  Annual recertification fees:
  ASCE and/or Institute members - $200
  Nonmembers - $250
  
  Annual retired fees:
  ASCE and/or Institute members - $100
  Nonmembers - $125
  
  A minimum of 20 PDHs, including 2 PDHs in ethics, is required annually. All PDHs must adhere to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) guidelines for continuing professional development and be relevant to the specialty field of practice. For full CEC continuing professional development requirements.
  
  View the full annual recertification process and requirements.