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The HVAC and Refrigeration PE exam

Equipment and components is the largest area on the HVAC PE exam, at 24‑36 of 80 questions. Officially Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration, it runs year-round for $400 with 8 hours of exam time, and unlike the other two mechanical exams it uses US units only, at sea level unless a question says otherwise.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

HVAC PE exam topics

Knowledge areaQuestions
HVAC equipment and components24‑36
HVAC and refrigeration distribution and systems20‑30
HVAC loads and psychrometrics18‑27
Supportive knowledge8‑12

From the specifications effective October 2025.

What does the HVAC PE exam cover?

  • Loads and psychrometrics: heating and cooling loads, heating, cooling, humidification and dehumidification processes at sea level, 5,000 ft and low temperature.
  • Distribution and systems: ductwork and air distribution, air quality and ventilation, hydronic, fuel and steam piping, control concepts and refrigeration systems.
  • Equipment and components: cooling towers, boilers and furnaces, heat exchangers, chillers, VRF and heat pumps, pumps, compressors and fans, coils and energy recovery.
  • Supportive knowledge: codes and standards, acoustics and vibration control, economic analysis and electrical concepts such as motor ratings.

References in the HVAC exam

You have the NCEES PE Mechanical Reference Handbook on screen. NCEES’s guide lists no design standards for the mechanical exams.

The other mechanical PE exams →HVAC pass rate →
Sources: NCEES and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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