The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is set to conduct the September 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination (CELE) on September 26–27, 2026 (Saturday and Sunday).

According to the PRC's 2026 examination schedule, the September CELE will be administered in 19 testing-center areas, namely NCR, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calapan, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Palawan, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga, and Ilocos Sur.

The official examination program issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Civil Engineering (PRBCE) also provides the detailed schedule of subjects, examination weights, and important instructions that examinees must follow during the two-day examination.

September 2026 CELE Room Assignments

The PRC has started posting the September 2026 CELE room assignments for several testing centers. As of the latest check of the PRC's official room-assignment page, the following Civil Engineer examination entries are available:

• Butuan – Advisory

• Butuan

• Iloilo

• Legazpi

• Lucena

• Pagadian

• Tuguegarao

• Zamboanga

The PRC room-assignment page lists these locations under the September 26–27, 2026 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination.

Other testing centers may still have their room assignments posted separately as the examination approaches. Examinees should rely on the PRC official website and their Notice of Admission (NOA) for their final school, building, room, and seat information.

September 2026 CELE Testing Centers

Room assignments are released separately by testing center. Examinees should check the PRC website regularly for updates rather than relying on room assignments from previous examination schedules.

September 2026 CELE Examination Program

The September 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination will be conducted over two days.

Day 1 — Saturday, September 26, 2026

7:00 A.M. – 7:45 A.M.

Before the first subject, examinees will undergo:

• General instructions

• Filling out of forms

• Thorough inspection of calculators

The first examination subject will begin at 8:00 A.M.

8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

Principles of Structural Analysis and Design — 35%

The first-day examination covers:

• Engineering Mechanics

• Strength of Materials

• Theory of Structures

• Reinforced Concrete Beams and Columns

• Prestressed Concrete Beams

• Steel Beams, Columns and Connections

• Footings

• Construction Materials Testing

• Application of the Governing Codes of Practice

The subject carries a 35% relative weight in the examination.

Day 2 — Sunday, September 27, 2026

The second examination day consists of two subjects.

8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Applied Mathematics, Surveying, Principles of Transportation and Highway Engineering, Construction Management and Methods — 35%

The coverage includes:

• Calculus

• Differential Equations

• Engineering Data Analysis

• Numerical Methods

• Physics for Engineers

• Economics

• Construction Surveying and Layout

• Materials for Construction

• Highway Engineering

• Construction Occupational Safety and Health

• Transportation Engineering

• Quantity Surveying

• Construction Management Principles and Methods

This portion carries a 35% relative weight.

2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Hydraulics and Principles of Geotechnical Engineering — 30%

The final examination subject covers topics including:

• Fluid Properties

• Hydrostatics

• Fluid Flow

• Buoyancy and Flotation

• Relative Equilibrium of Liquids

• Hydrodynamics

• Water Supply

• Soil Properties

• Soil Classification

• Fluid Flow through Soil Mass

• Stresses in Soil Mass

• Soil Strength and Tests

• Bearing Capacity

• Compaction

• Consolidation and Settlement

• Lateral Earth Pressures

• Slope Stability

This subject carries a 30% relative weight, bringing the total examination weight to 100%.

The official PRC program was approved and certified in Manila on June 30, 2026.

Important Reminders for September 2026 CELE Examinees

1. Be at your assigned testing center before 6:30 A.M.

PRC instructs examinees to report to their school/building assignment before 6:30 A.M. on the first examination day to verify their room and seat number.

The PRC also emphasizes that late examinees will not be admitted.

2. Follow the prescribed examination attire

Male examinees:

• Tucked-in white polo shirt or collared shirt

• No seal, logo, or mark

• Decent pants or slacks

Female examinees:

• Tucked-in white blouse or collared shirt

• No seal, logo, or mark

• Decent pants, slacks, or skirts

• Pony-tailed long hair

These requirements are stated in the official examination program.

3. Bring your Notice of Admission and examination essentials

Examinees are instructed to bring:

• Notice of Admission (NOA)

• At least two No. 2 pencils

• One long brown envelope

• One long transparent/plastic envelope

• An allowed non-programmable calculator

• Packed snacks/meals and necessary medications in transparent/clear containers

• Sufficient drinking water

PRC specifically states that only one calculator per examinee is allowed inside the examination room. Calculators will be inspected and reset before the examination.

Check Your Calculator Before Exam Day

Calculator compliance remains one of the important things examinees should check before the CELE.

The PRC's Board Resolution No. 05, Series of 2024 provides the updated list of non-programmable calculators allowed for the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination. The list includes models from Casio, Canon, Sharp, Hewlett-Packard, Citizen, Aurora, Olympia, Texas Instruments, KARCE, PORPO, and TAKSUN, among others.

The official list specifically includes models such as KARCE KC-S991 and KARCE KC-S3500 under the "Other Brands" category.

Do not bring a calculator simply because it looks like a commonly used CELE calculator. Check its exact model against the PRC's current list.

Prohibited Items Inside the Examination Room

PRC strictly prohibits the following inside the examination premises/rooms:

• Books, notes, review materials and unauthorized printed materials

• Ballpoint pens

• Separate erasers

• Programmable calculators

• Smart watches

• Cellular phones

• Ear plugs

• Transmitters

• Portable computers

• Bluetooth devices

• Other electronic gadgets/devices that may retrieve or transmit information

• Bags of any kind

• Other examination aids not stated in the program

PRC advises examinees to place their documents and allowed items inside the required transparent/plastic envelope.

Food and Personal Belongings

Examinees may bring packed snacks, meals, necessary medications, hygiene kits, and drinking water, provided these are placed in transparent or clear containers/cellophanes.

Food delivery services and other persons will not be allowed to distribute food to examinees while the examination is ongoing. Except for restroom necessities, examinees are also not allowed to leave the examination room during the examination.

PRC likewise reminds examinees that personal belongings are brought at their own account and that the Commission will not be responsible for items that may be lost without its fault or negligence.

Final Checklist Before the September 2026 CELE

Before leaving for the examination venue, make sure you have:

☑️ Notice of Admission
☑️ Checked your school/building assignment
☑️ Verified your room and seat information
☑️ At least two No. 2 pencils
☑️ Allowed non-programmable calculator
☑️ Long brown envelope
☑️ Long transparent/plastic envelope
☑️ Packed food/snacks in a clear container
☑️ Drinking water
☑️ Necessary medications/hygiene supplies
☑️ Proper examination attire
☑️ No prohibited electronic devices
☑️ No bags or unauthorized examination materials

Most importantly, visit or familiarize yourself with your assigned testing center before examination day so you can plan your travel and avoid unnecessary delays.

Good luck, future Civil Engineers! 👷‍♂️👷‍♀️

Reference:

(1) https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/requirementsV1/ListOfRequirements-CivilEngineering.pdf

(2) https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/exam%20program%20Sept%202026%20(CE).pdf