CEM Practice Test 2026 — Free CEM Exam Prep Questions
The Certified Energy Manager (CEM) is the Association of Energy Engineers' flagship credential for professionals who manage energy across facilities and organizations: policy, procurement, economics, building and industrial systems, and performance contracting. This practice set follows the 14 sections of the CEM Body of Knowledge 2.0, with open-book-style calculations and management scenarios that mirror the exam's mix.
A dust-collector fan at a woodworking plant moves 40,000 cfm against 6.0 in. w.g. total pressure. Fan efficiency is 70% and motor efficiency is 93%. Use bhp = cfm × TP ÷ (6,356 × fan efficiency). What is the motor's electrical input?
CEM format, scoring & key facts
Four-hour open-book exam taken on paper after an approved live training seminar, or online with a live ProctorU remote proctor. Printed references organized in a binder and reference textbooks are allowed; digital books, phones, tablets and laptops are not. Candidates must bring a stand-alone scientific, financial or graphing calculator without internet capability.
| Questions | 130 multiple-choice (120 scored + 10 unscored trial questions) |
|---|---|
| Time | 4 hours, no scheduled breaks |
| Open book | Printed references in a binder plus reference textbooks; no digital materials |
| Calculator | Bring your own stand-alone scientific, financial or graphing calculator (no internet) |
| Passing score | Minimum of 700 points |
| Body of Knowledge | 14 mandatory sections (CEM Body of Knowledge 2.0) |
| Delivery | Paper exam after live training, or online with ProctorU remote proctoring |
| Training | An approved CEM training program is required before the exam |
| Fee | $500 application and exam (U.S.); retest $250 |
| Renewal | 10 credits and $300 every 3 years |
Facts last verified Oct 18, 2026. Source: www.aeecenter.org/certified-energy-manager/. Always confirm details with AEE before your exam.
When can you take the CEM?
Remote-proctored exams can be booked online at any time with at least 72 hours' notice once AEE approves your application (allow about 4 weeks). Live paper exams follow scheduled in-person training seminars.
Plan backwards from your exam date
What the CEM covers
Every PrepBanq CEM test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy and Sustainability Policies, Codes and Standards6%–8% of the exam: decarbonization and electrification policy, GHG accounting, ESG reporting, net zero buildings, ASHRAE 90.1, 90.2, 62.1, 135, 189.1, 211 and Guideline 14, IEEE 519, IECC, ISO 50001, LEED, ENERGY STAR and cybersecurity. | 7% | ~8 | 10 questions → |
Energy Rates, Tariffs and Supply Options5%–7%: energy units and conversions, procurement, rate structures, ratchet clauses, peak demand reduction, deregulated supply and demand-side management. | 6% | ~7 | 9 questions → |
Energy Audits and Instrumentation7%–11%: ASHRAE Level 1–3 audits, measurement instruments, combustion analysis, infrared, energy use and cost indexes, load factor, HHV and LHV, and simulation. | 9% | ~11 | 14 questions → |
Energy Accounting and Economics6%–10%: time value of money, escalation, present worth, NPV, annual worth, SIR, IRR, life-cycle cost, simple payback, interest tables and depreciation. | 8% | ~10 | 12 questions → |
Electrical Power Systems and Motors7%–11%: demand and energy, power factor, three-phase systems, power quality, motor selection, load factor and slip, rewinds, affinity laws and variable frequency drives. | 9% | ~11 | 14 questions → |
Lighting Systems5%–7%: CRI and color temperature, efficacy, light sources and drivers, footcandles, the inverse square law, the zonal cavity method, light loss factors, retrofits, controls and daylighting. | 6% | ~7 | 9 questions → |
HVAC Systems and Building Envelope10%–16%: vapor compression and absorption cycles, chillers, heat pumps, COP, EER and kW/ton, economizers, air distribution, psychrometrics, heat transfer, insulation, degree days and solar gain. | 13% | ~16 | 20 questions → |
Building Automation, Controls and Artificial Intelligence Systems6%–10%: control loops and PID, DDC hardware, communication protocols, control strategies, energy information systems, IoT, cloud systems, AI and cybersecurity. | 8% | ~10 | 12 questions → |
Energy Storage Systems3%–5%: full and partial thermal storage, chilled water and ice storage, phase change materials, sizing, operating strategies and electric energy storage. | 4% | ~5 | 6 questions → |
Boiler and Steam Systems4%–6%: combustion efficiency, economizers and heat recovery, condensing boilers, steam tables, steam traps, condensate return, blowdown and flash steam. | 5% | ~6 | 8 questions → |
Distributed Generation & Renewable Energy Systems4%–6%: CHP, district energy, prime movers, heat recovery steam generators, combined cycle, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar PV and thermal, micro-grids and waste to energy. | 5% | ~6 | 7 questions → |
Industrial Systems6%–8%: industrial energy management, pump curves, compressed air systems and demand, process steam, turbines, fans, industrial refrigeration, waste heat recovery and heat exchangers. | 7% | ~8 | 10 questions → |
Operations, Maintenance and Commissioning7%–11%: maintenance strategies, CMMS, quantifying leak, trap, insulation and scale losses, group relamping, human behavior, and new-building, re-, retro- and continuous commissioning. | 9% | ~11 | 13 questions → |
Energy Savings Performance Contracting and Measurement & Verification3%–5%: financing, leases, ESCOs, ESPC, shared and guaranteed savings, UESC, M&V protocols, savings and avoided-cost calculations and risk assessment. | 4% | ~5 | 6 questions → |
How to register for the CEM
Eligibility
An approved CEM training program plus one of: a 4-year engineering or architecture degree, PE or RA with 3+ years of energy engineering/management experience; a 4-year technology, environmental science, physics or earth science degree with 4+ years; a 4-year business or related degree with 5+ years; a 2-year energy management associate degree with 6+ years; a 2-year associate degree with 8+ years; or 10+ years of experience. Candidates who don't yet qualify can become an Energy Manager In-Training (EMIT) by passing the exam.
Retake policy
Retakes are unlimited at $250 each, with at least 60 days between attempts. You must pass within 3 years of completing training.
Score release
Results are emailed within 30 days of the exam. After a passing score, the CEM Board reviews the file before the certification is granted.
Credential renewal
Renew every 3 years with 10 professional credits and the renewal fee.
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CEM FAQ
How many questions are on the CEM?
The CEM has 130 questions (120 of them scored) and you have 4 hours to finish. Question types: Multiple choice with one correct answer: 120 scored questions plus 10 unidentified trial questions, drawn from all 14 sections of the CEM Body of Knowledge. No penalty for wrong answers..
How long is the CEM exam?
Testing time for the CEM is 4 hours.
What is the passing score for the CEM?
CEM passing standard: Minimum score of 700 points.
How much does the CEM cost?
The CEM registration fee is $500 application and first exam (U.S., nonrefundable). Retest $250; renewal $300 every three years. Check the official site for current fees before you register.
What is on the CEM?
The CEM covers Energy and Sustainability Policies, Codes and Standards (about 7%), Energy Rates, Tariffs and Supply Options (about 6%), Energy Audits and Instrumentation (about 9%), Energy Accounting and Economics (about 8%), Electrical Power Systems and Motors (about 9%), Lighting Systems (about 6%), HVAC Systems and Building Envelope (about 13%), Building Automation, Controls and Artificial Intelligence Systems (about 8%), Energy Storage Systems (about 4%), Boiler and Steam Systems (about 5%), Distributed Generation & Renewable Energy Systems (about 5%), Industrial Systems (about 7%), Operations, Maintenance and Commissioning (about 9%), Energy Savings Performance Contracting and Measurement & Verification (about 4%).
Who administers the CEM?
The Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Exam is administered by AEE. Delivery: Four-hour open-book exam taken on paper after an approved live training seminar, or online with a live ProctorU remote proctor. Printed references organized in a binder and reference textbooks are allowed; digital books, phones, tablets and laptops are not. Candidates must bring a stand-alone scientific, financial or graphing calculator without internet capability..
Can you retake the CEM?
Retakes are unlimited at $250 each, with at least 60 days between attempts. You must pass within 3 years of completing training.
Is there a free CEM practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 15 free CEM practice tests with 150 exam-style questions in the real CEM formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
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