CEA Practice Test 2026 — Free CEA Exam Prep Questions
The Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) credential from the Association of Energy Engineers is for professionals who plan and perform energy audits, analyze how facilities use energy and recommend cost-effective efficiency measures. This practice set follows the 12 knowledge areas of the CEA Body of Knowledge, with audit-planning scenarios and open-book-style calculations on baselines, economics, lighting, HVAC, motors, compressed air, envelope, controls, renewables and fleets.
An air-cooled rotary screw compressor at a warehouse draws 90 kW input and is fully loaded. About 80% of its input energy can be recovered as heat and ducted into the space for 3,000 h/yr of heating. It would displace a gas furnace with 80% efficiency; gas costs $1.00/therm. Determine the annual savings.
CEA format, scoring & key facts
Open-book exam taken on paper after an approved live seminar, or online with a live remote proctor (ProctorU). Bring a hand-held scientific, financial or graphing calculator without internet access; printed references and notes in a binder are allowed, electronic materials are not.
| Questions | 120 multiple choice (100 scored + 20 unscored trial questions) |
|---|---|
| Time | 4 hours, no scheduled breaks |
| Open book | Printed references and notes in a binder; no electronic materials |
| Calculator | Required: your own non-internet scientific, financial or graphing calculator |
| Passing score | 700 points minimum; no penalty for guessing |
| Content | 12 Body of Knowledge sections, all tested (BoK v1.5) |
| Fee | $500 application; $250 retest |
| Renewal | Every 3 years: 10 credits and $300 |
Facts last verified Oct 17, 2026. Source: www.aeecenter.org/certification/cea-certified-energy-auditor/. Always confirm details with AEE before your exam.
When can you take the CEA?
Live exams follow scheduled AEE seminars; remote-proctored exams can be booked online once AEE approves your application.
Plan backwards from your exam date
What the CEA covers
Every PrepBanq CEA test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Developing an Energy Audit Strategy & PlanOfficial range 9%–13%. Audit planning, levels, team, pre-audit tasks, instrumentation, reporting, follow-up, ISO 50001 and ASHRAE 211/ISO 50002 concepts. | 11% | ~11 | 17 questions → |
Energy Use AnalysisOfficial range 7%–11%. Rate classes, cost and usage baselines, regression and EnPIs, benchmarking (EUI, ECI, load factor), end-use breakdown, balance point, fleet data. | 9% | ~9 | 13 questions → |
Data Collection & AnalysisOfficial range 8%–12%. Pre-site and on-site data collection, EEM selection, interactive effects, regression-based energy modelling. | 10% | ~10 | 15 questions → |
Economic AnalysisOfficial range 7%–11%. Simple payback, NPV, IRR, life-cycle cost, SIR, unequal-life comparisons, sensitivity and break-even analysis. | 9% | ~9 | 14 questions → |
Lighting SystemsOfficial range 6%–8%. Efficacy, lamp and fixture types, controls, lighting power density, illumination levels, daylighting, savings. | 7% | ~7 | 10 questions → |
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning SystemsOfficial range 12%–18%. HVAC system types and efficiencies, chillers and heat pumps, boilers and furnaces, distribution and steam traps, ventilation and filters, savings. | 15% | ~15 | 23 questions → |
Domestic Hot Water SystemsOfficial range 5%–7%. Water-heating systems and efficiencies, set points, recirculation, water conservation and savings. | 6% | ~6 | 9 questions → |
Motors & Drives & Compressed Air SystemsOfficial range 8%–12%. Power factor, motor types, efficiency and loading, VFDs, compressed-air supply, treatment, demand and leaks. | 10% | ~10 | 15 questions → |
Building EnvelopeOfficial range 6%–8%. R and U values, walls, roofs and windows, glazing replacement, infiltration, thermal weight, estimating methods. | 7% | ~7 | 10 questions → |
BAS, PAS and EMCSOfficial range 6%–8%. Control strategies, points, trend logs, sensor accuracy, operator use, savings. | 7% | ~7 | 10 questions → |
Alternative Generation & StorageOfficial range 4%–6%. Renewables, cogeneration, thermal and electrical storage, demand response, incentives. | 5% | ~5 | 8 questions → |
TransportOfficial range 3%–5%. Transport modes and vehicles, fuel costs, operation and maintenance, fleet and route management, transport EnPIs and monitoring. | 4% | ~4 | 6 questions → |
How to register for the CEA
Eligibility
An approved CEA preparatory seminar, at least 2 hours of safety training and participation in five commercial audits within the last three years, plus a degree/experience path: engineering or architecture degree, PE, RA or active CEM with 3+ years of energy-auditing experience; other 4-year degree with 4+ years; 2-year technical degree with 5+ years; or 10+ years of verified experience.
Retake policy
Wait at least 60 days between attempts; each retest costs $250. A pass must be achieved within 3 years of training.
Score release
Results are emailed within 30 days of the exam; the CEA Board then grants certification.
Credential renewal
Three years; renew with 10 professional credits per 3-year cycle and a $300 renewal fee.
Your path to passing the CEA
Diagnostic
Free test across every content areaTargeted practice
Drill your weakest areas firstReview
Every option explainedFull simulation
Real format and timingReady
Book your exam with confidenceCEA practice tests
All CEA tests →The full CEA question bank is on its way
All CEA practice tests here are free right now. Leave your email and we'll tell you when the complete question bank, full-length simulations and readiness tracking launch.
CEA FAQ
How many questions are on the CEA?
The CEA has 120 questions (100 of them scored) and you have 4 hours to finish. Question types: Multiple choice with one best answer: four-option questions (mostly short energy-auditing calculations) and True/False statements. 100 questions are scored; 20 unidentified trial questions are not..
How long is the CEA exam?
Testing time for the CEA is 4 hours.
What is the passing score for the CEA?
CEA passing standard: Minimum score of 700 points; no penalty for wrong answers.
How much does the CEA cost?
The CEA registration fee is $500 application fee (includes the exam; non-refundable). Re-examination $250. Check the official site for current fees before you register.
What is on the CEA?
The CEA covers Developing an Energy Audit Strategy & Plan (about 11%), Energy Use Analysis (about 9%), Data Collection & Analysis (about 10%), Economic Analysis (about 9%), Lighting Systems (about 7%), Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Systems (about 15%), Domestic Hot Water Systems (about 6%), Motors & Drives & Compressed Air Systems (about 10%), Building Envelope (about 7%), BAS, PAS and EMCS (about 7%), Alternative Generation & Storage (about 5%), Transport (about 4%).
Who administers the CEA?
The Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) Exam is administered by AEE. Delivery: Open-book exam taken on paper after an approved live seminar, or online with a live remote proctor (ProctorU). Bring a hand-held scientific, financial or graphing calculator without internet access; printed references and notes in a binder are allowed, electronic materials are not..
Can you retake the CEA?
Wait at least 60 days between attempts; each retest costs $250. A pass must be achieved within 3 years of training.
Is there a free CEA practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 15 free CEA practice tests with 150 exam-style questions in the real CEA formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
CEA practice test reviews
No reviews yet. Took a free CEA practice test? Tell other test-takers how it went.
Related construction & industry exams
Your CEA prep starts with one free test.
Instant score report · no credit card.