Pe Exam Approved Calculators

Check Your Calculator’s Approval Status

Enter your calculator model name to verify if it is approved by NCEES for use on the PE exam. Our tool checks your model against the most current PE Exam Approved Calculators list.

Enter a model to check status

What are PE Exam Approved Calculators?

PE Exam Approved Calculators are the specific models and series of calculators that the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) permits for use during the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. To protect the integrity of the exam and ensure fairness for all candidates, NCEES maintains a strict calculator policy. This policy explicitly prohibits devices with advanced features such as wireless communication, QWERTY keyboards, internet access, or the ability to store extensive text and formulas. The list of approved calculators is reviewed annually to adapt to new technology while upholding exam standards. Using a non-approved device can result in disqualification, making it critical for every examinee to verify their device beforehand. This process is a fundamental part of exam preparation.

This tool and guide are designed for any engineering professional preparing to take an NCEES exam, including the PE and FE exams. Common misconceptions are that any “scientific” calculator is fine, or that a previously used college calculator will be allowed. However, many powerful college calculators, especially graphing models like the TI-89, are explicitly banned. Verifying your model against the official list of PE Exam Approved Calculators is a mandatory step.

PE Exam Approved Calculators Policy and Rules

The “formula” for determining if a calculator is approved is not a mathematical equation but a set of rules based on the manufacturer and model name. The NCEES policy is designed to be clear and unambiguous. Our calculator checker automates this rule-based verification process. The core of the NCEES Calculator Policy revolves around specific model designations.

This table outlines the criteria used to identify PE Exam Approved Calculators.

Variable (Manufacturer)	Meaning & Rule	Approved Model Identifiers	Typical Range / Examples
Casio	The calculator model name must contain “fx-115” or “fx-991”.	fx-115, fx-991	fx-115ES PLUS, fx-991EX CLASSWIZ
Texas Instruments (TI)	The calculator model name must contain “TI-30X” or “TI-36X”.	TI-30X, TI-36X	TI-36X Pro, TI-30XS MultiView
Hewlett Packard (HP)	The calculator must be the specific model “HP 33s” or “HP 35s”.	HP 33s, HP 35s	HP 33s, HP 35s (no other HP models are allowed)

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: Checking a Casio fx-115ES Plus

• Input: The user types “Casio fx-115ES Plus” into the checker.
• Logic: The system normalizes the input to “casio fx-115es plus”. It detects the keyword “fx-115”.
• Output: The primary result shows “Approved”. The details explain that the model is approved because its name contains “fx-115”, which complies with the NCEES policy for Casio calculators.

Example 2: Checking a TI-89 Titanium

• Input: The user types “TI-89 Titanium” into the checker.
• Logic: The system normalizes the input. It does not find “ti-30x” or “ti-36x” in the name. It also identifies this as a graphing calculator, which is a prohibited feature.
• Output: The primary result shows “Not Approved”. The details explain that the model is not on the list of PE Exam Approved Calculators and likely has prohibited features like graphing or a QWERTY keyboard.

How to Use This PE Exam Approved Calculators Checker

1. Enter Your Model: Type the full model name of your calculator into the input field. For example, “TI-36X Pro” or “HP 35s”.
2. View Instant Results: As you type, the tool automatically checks the model against the NCEES rules and displays the result instantly.
3. Read the Details: The result will be “Approved”, “Not Approved”, or “Potentially Approved”. The detailed explanation tells you *why* your calculator received that status, referencing the specific NCEES rule.
4. Use the Chart: The bar chart provides a quick visual of the manufacturers that produce PE Exam Approved Calculators, helping you understand the landscape of compliant devices.

Key Factors in the NCEES Calculator Policy

The NCEES policy for PE Exam Approved Calculators is based on several key factors designed to maintain exam integrity. Understanding these will help you choose the right tool.

1. No QWERTY Keyboards

Calculators with typewriter-style keyboards (QWERTY) are strictly forbidden as they could be used to store and retrieve text.

2. No Wireless Communication

Any device with infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other wireless communication capability is banned to prevent communication during the exam.

3. Specific Model Series Only

Approval is not brand-based but model-based. Only the specific model series mentioned (e.g., Casio fx-115/fx-991, TI-30X/TI-36X, HP 33s/35s) are allowed. For help choosing a device, see our guide on how to prepare for the PE exam.

4. No Graphing Capabilities

Calculators that can plot graphs (like the TI-84 or TI-89) are not permitted. The on-screen calculator provided during the CBT exam has some graphing functions, but personal calculators cannot.

5. No Removable Media or Peripherals

Devices that use memory cards, connect to printers, or use a stylus are not allowed.

6. Annual Review

The NCEES reviews and updates the list of PE Exam Approved Calculators annually. It’s essential to check the policy for your exam year, which this tool is updated to reflect. For more on policies, you can read about NCEES exam policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the only PE exam approved calculators?

The only approved calculators are: Casio models with “fx-115” or “fx-991” in the name, Texas Instruments models with “TI-30X” or “TI-36X” in the name, and the Hewlett Packard HP 33s and HP 35s models.

2. Is the TI-36X Pro approved for the PE exam?

Yes, the TI-36X Pro is one of the most popular PE exam approved calculators because its name contains “TI-36X”, which is explicitly on the approved list.

3. Can I bring two calculators to the PE exam?

Yes, you are allowed to bring more than one approved calculator into the exam room. Many candidates bring a primary and a backup. Both must be on the NCEES approved list.

4. Is the calculator policy the same for the FE and PE exams?

Yes, the NCEES calculator policy applies to both the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams. Our FE exam calculator checker uses the same logic.

5. What happens if I bring a non-approved calculator?

You will not be allowed to bring the non-approved calculator into the testing room. Test center staff will require you to store it with your personal belongings. Not having an approved calculator can be a significant disadvantage.

6. Why are graphing calculators not allowed?

Graphing calculators are banned because they can store large amounts of text, formulas, and programs, which could provide an unfair advantage and compromise the integrity of the exam.

7. Does the cover of the calculator matter?

The physical cover is fine, but any instructions, notes, or formulas printed on the inside of the cover must be removed or covered. The calculator itself is what matters for the PE Exam Approved Calculators policy.

8. Where can I find the official NCEES calculator policy?

The official policy is published on the NCEES website. This tool is synchronized with their guidelines to provide accurate and immediate verification. For a full study plan, check out our PE exam study guide.