CELE 2027 Schedule: Civil Engineering Board Exam Dates, Requirements, Subjects & Passing Rate

Last updated: September 30, 2026

If you are a BS Civil Engineering graduate, or you are graduating this school year, the CELE is the last step before you can sign as a licensed Civil Engineer. This guide covers what you need to plan your 2027 board exam: the expected schedule, who can take the exam, requirements and fees, the three subjects and how they are weighted, the passing rule, recent passing rates, and a realistic study timeline.

CELE 2027 Schedule

PRC sets each year’s exam dates through a Commission resolution. The 2026 calendar was issued as Resolution No. 2113, s. 2025. Until the 2027 resolution is published, any exact 2027 date you see online is a projection, including on social media and other review sites. Here is what the past cycles tell us.

Recent CELE cycles

What to expect for 2027

Planning tip: For the September 2026 cycle, the filing window closed about six weeks before the exam. If you are aiming for the first 2027 cycle, prepare your documents now. NBI clearances, PSA copies and school-certified TORs all take time, and the filing window can open as early as December–January.

For every PRC board exam in 2027 in one place, see our PRC Complete Exam Calendar 2027.

Who Can Take the CELE?

The CELE is governed by Republic Act No. 544, the Civil Engineering Law, as amended. In general, you can apply if you:

• Are a Filipino citizen, or a foreign citizen whose country allows Filipino engineers to practice there (reciprocity)
• Are of good moral character
• Hold a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from a school, college or university recognized by the government
• Have not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude

CELE Requirements and Fee

You apply online through PRC LERIS, then complete the in-person verification at your chosen PRC office. Here are the requirements used for the 2026 cycles:

First-time takers

• PSA birth certificate
• PSA marriage certificate (for married female applicants using their married name)
• Transcript of Records with Special Order (if applicable), with photo, and the remark “For Board Examination Purposes”
• Valid NBI clearance
• Two certificates of good moral character (from your barangay, church, school or employer)

Repeaters

• PSA marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Valid NBI clearance
• Two certificates of good moral character

Examination fee

₱900, plus small online payment or processing charges depending on how you pay.

New to LERIS? Follow our PRC LERIS Online Registration Guide, which walks through account creation, photo upload, choosing an exam and payment, plus the most common errors.

CELE Subjects, Weights and Exam Day Schedule

The CELE has three subjects. Starting with the March 2026 exam, the Board of Civil Engineering changed the order the subjects are given (Resolution No. 1, s. 2026). Structural Analysis and Design now takes up all of Day 1.

What each subject covers

• Structural Analysis and Design: loads, reactions, shear and moment, deflection, trusses and frames, influence lines, indeterminate structures, reinforced concrete, steel and timber design
• Math, Surveying, Transportation and Construction: algebra, calculus, statistics, engineering economy, leveling, traverses, areas and volumes, highway alignment, traffic flow, pavements, estimating, scheduling and construction methods
• Hydraulics and Geotechnical: fluid properties, hydrostatics, pipe and open-channel flow, pumps, soil classification, compaction, permeability and seepage, consolidation, shear strength, bearing capacity, earth pressure and retaining walls

Why the new order matters: Day 1 is now a six-hour structural block. If structures is your weakest subject, you will feel it on the first morning. Build your review so you keep practicing structural problems every week and never leave them for the last month.

CELE Passing Rule (How Your Rating Is Computed)

To pass the CELE you need:

1. A weighted general average of at least 70%, and
2. No rating below 50% in any of the three subjects.

Example 1 (passed): Structural 65, Math/Surveying 78, Hydraulics/Geotech 72
(65 × 0.35) + (78 × 0.35) + (72 × 0.30) = 22.75 + 27.30 + 21.60 = 71.65% (PASSED)

Example 2 (failed despite a 70+ average): Structural 48, Math/Surveying 90, Hydraulics/Geotech 76
(48 × 0.35) + (90 × 0.35) + (76 × 0.30) = 16.80 + 31.50 + 22.80 = 71.10%. This examinee still fails, because Structural is below 50%.

The takeaway: you cannot fully give up on any one subject. A strong Math score cannot save a Structural rating below 50.

CELE Passing Rates

Roughly one in three examinees pass. That national rate includes repeaters, and first-time takers from strong programs usually do much better. Still, the numbers show that CELE success comes from months of consistent problem-solving, not a last-minute cram.

How Long Should You Review for the CELE 2027?

Most successful takers review full-time for 4 to 6 months. Here is a simple 6-month outline you can adapt to your review center’s schedule:

For a detailed final-stretch plan, our CELE 21-Day Final Prep Guide still applies to 2027. Only the dates change.

Calculator reminder

Bring only a PRC-allowed, non-programmable calculator. Always check the calculator advisory in your cycle’s Program of Examination. Practice with the exact unit you will bring for months before the exam, including resetting it and switching modes.

CELE Testing Centers

The September 2026 CELE was held in NCR, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calapan, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Palawan, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga and Ilocos Sur. The 2027 list will be confirmed in the official schedule. You choose your testing center when you file in LERIS, and your specific school and room are posted about a week before the exam. See our CELE Room Assignment and Exam-Day Guide for what to bring.

After You Pass: Oath-Taking and Registration

After results are released, PRC opens online registration for your Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration. For the March 2026 passers, it opened about five weeks after the results. You also attend the oath-taking ceremony, which PRC announces separately. Only after registration can you legally use the title “Engineer” and practice civil engineering.

Curious what the license is worth? See How Much Do Engineers Earn in the Philippines (2027).

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the CELE 2027?

PRC has not released the official 2027 dates as of September 30, 2026. Based on past cycles, expect one CELE in the first half of 2027 (around March–April) and one in the second half (around September–November). The official calendar is likely to come out around November 2026.

Is there a CELE in March 2027?

Possibly. The first 2026 CELE was held on March 26–27, 2026, but the 2025 cycles were held in April and November. Wait for the official PRC 2027 calendar before booking travel or leave.

How many times a year is the Civil Engineering board exam held?

Twice a year.

What is the passing score for the CELE?

A weighted general average of at least 70%, with no subject below 50%.

How much is the CELE application fee?

₱900, plus small payment or processing charges.

How long before results come out?

Recent CELE results were released 4 to 5 working days after the last exam day.

Is CELE the same as the Criminologist exam?

No. On this site and in most PRC materials, CELE refers to the Civil Engineers Licensure Examination. The Criminologist Licensure Examination is the CLE. Here is our CLE 2027 guide.

Sources

• PRC: Schedule of Licensure Examinations for the Year 2026
• PRC: Adjustments in the Order of Subjects Starting March 2026 CELE
• PRC: March 2026 CELE Results
• PRC: November 2025 CELE Results
• PRC: April 2025 CELE Results

Exams Pinas is not affiliated with the PRC. Always confirm dates, requirements and fees on the official PRC website and in your LERIS account before filing.