Control Systems

Professional Engineer Exam

What Does It Mean to Me
and
How Do I Pass the Exam?
Standards
Certification
Education & Training
Publishing
Conferences & Exhibits

International Society of Automation 2011

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Areas of Discussion

1.
2.
3.
4.

Reasons to become a licensed professional engineer

Overview of the Control Systems PE Exam
How to Write the CSE PE Items
How to Pass the CSE PE Exam

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Section 1: Reasons to become Licensed

Advance technical career

Demonstrate capability as an engineer
Differentiation from other engineers
Open new doors of opportunity
Continue Professional Development
Prepare for independent practice
Obtain increased compensation

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Purpose of Professional Engineer Licensure

In order to safeguard life, health, and property,

and to promote the public welfare,
The practice of engineering as a learned
profession will be practiced and regulated
Practitioners shall be held accountable to the
state laws and by members of the public
High professional standards in keeping with
the ethics and practices of the other learned
professions.

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Section 2: Professional Engineer Background

Wyoming passed the first engineering registration law in 1907
Engineering and its variations are legally protected words.
Licensing vs. Registration ???
Individuals are Licensed
Companys are Registered

To Practice Engineering you and your company must be

Licensed and Registered
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and
Surveying (NCEES) manages all FE/PE exams

Formed in 1920
Each exam is by a supporting society
NCEES provides uniform exams for all jurisdictions
There are five Group I exams and 10 Group II exams

Certification is recognition by a technical entity that a person

has a level of competency but does not legal right to practice.
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Section 2:Professional Engineer Background (contd)

Basic Requirements for Professional Engineer
Registration
Graduation from an ABET accredited engineering
program
Successfully pass the Fundamentals of
Engineering Exam-FE (there is waivers to this)
Gain engineering experience in engineering
normally 4 years is required as a minimum
Pass the Principle and Practices Exam (PE) in the
discipline of work

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Section 2: CSE Exam History

California created a state CSE license in the 70s, but was
dropped.
Nationally prior to 1992, control systems engineers had to take
an exam in electrical, chemical, mechanical or other field to
register
Exams are only developed for disciplines that are a recognized
field of practice
CSE or instrument engineering was considered a subset of
other areas of practice
ISA began an activity through the Professional Development
Department to champion the need for a CSE professional
engineer registration

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Section 2: CSE Exam History (contd)

ISA worked with the NCEES and Texas/California
state boards
Baxter Williams, Texas (former SIP employee)
Tom Stout, California

Various requirements to create a CSE Specification

had to be met to establish the need for the exam.
The first CSE PE exam was offered in 1992

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Section 2: Exam Format

All professional engineer exams multiple choice
format, except Structural
The exam is one day (8 hours) in length
The exam is designed to test the knowledge and skills
of a person with a minimum of 4 years of experience
There are 40 Items in the morning
There are 40 Items in the afternoon

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Section 2: CSE Exam Specification

The exam content is based on a Professional
Activities and Knowledge Survey (PAKS) of licensed
CS engineers
The previous PAKS was in 2002
The PAKS was updated in 2010
Revised CSE specification in 2010
The revise CSE exam will start in October 2011.
The exam questions are from the existing Item Bank
Only the number of Items per Domain has changed

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Section 2: CSE Exam Specification (contd)

There are six primary domains or areas:
Measurement 20%, 16 Items, -4%
Signals, Transmission, Networking 15%, 12 Items, +2.5%
Final Control Elements 20%, 16 Items, 0%
Control Systems 22%, 18 Items, -10.5%*
Safety Systems+ 15%, 12 Items, +12.5*
Standards, Codes & Regulations 8%, 6 Items, 0%
Green Change for 2001 PAKS.
* Safety Systems was 2.5% of Control Systems
+ New Domain from Control Systems

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Section 2: CSE PE EXAM RESULTS

Year Percent Passing
1992*
31
1993
35
1994
41
1995
55
1996
48
1997
65
1998
83
1999
87
2000
86
2001
96

Year Percent Passing

2002
82
2003
67
2004
71
2005
66
2006
71
2007
68
2008
62
2009
76
2010
67
2011

* First National CSE PE examination in 1992

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Section 3: How to Write the CSE PE Exam

Exam Myths
CSE Exam is written by PhD Students
You must be an Expert in All things
You need a hundred years of experience
The question are twisted
Einstein would have trouble passing

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Section 3: How CSE PE Exam/Items are Created

All Items are developed within the CSE Specification

Items are written by CSE PE who are a Subject Matter Expert (SMEs)
Items are based on Examinee with 4 Years experiences.
When an Item is Created or Revised:
CSE PE writes or revises the Items
How long does it take to solve the item; 80 items, 8 hours do the math
6 minutes average.
2 different CSE PE review and recommends for approval
The CSE Exam Chair reviews and approves

The number of items per exam are set by Domains and Areas of
Knowledge
Question are from the Approved Item Bank
Exam assembled by CSE Chair and Senior Team Members
Reviewed by NCEES

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Section 3: How CSE PE Exam Items

Performance is Monitored

All Items performance is monitored

Too Easy or Hard
How many get a item Right and Pass / How many get an item Wrong and Fail
Equators

Examinees Item Challenge is reviewed by:

Reviewed by SME
Reviewed by CSE Exam Chair

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Section 4: How to Pass the Exam

Read the CSE Specification

Identify your strengths and weakness
Create a study plan
Reference Materials
Study Guide
Refresher Courses

Reference Materials Check the NCEES Candidates Agreement

Make certain that they meet your jurisdiction requirements
Any notes should be in ink (cause you only have pencil in the exam)
Reference material are to be bound in accordance NCEES Candidates
Agreement

Study Guide ISA 5th Edition is out and based on the new specification
Refresher Courses ISA has both classroom and Web Based.
Most important READ THE QUESTION FIRST all of it!!!

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Section 4: Specification - Measurement

I. Measurement 16 Items
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.

Sensor technologies applicable to the desired type of measurement

Sensor characteristics
Material compatibility
Calculations involved in pressure drop
Calculations involved in flow element sizing
Calculations involved in level; differential pressure
Calculations involved in unit conversions
Calculations involved in velocity
Calculations involved in linearization
Installation details

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Section 4: Specification Signals, Transmission and Networks

II. Signals; Transmission; and Networking 12 Items

A. Signals 4 Items
1) Pneumatic; electronic; optical; hydraulic; digital; analog; buses
2) Transducers
3) Intrinsically safe (IS) barriers
4) Grounding; shielding; segregation; AC coupling
5) Basic signal circuit design
6) Circuit calculations
7) Unit conversion calculations
B. Transmission 4 Items
1) Different communications systems architecture and protocols
2) Distance considerations versus transmission medium
C. Networking 4 Items

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Section 4: Final Control Elements

III. Final Control Elements 16 Items
A. Valves 7 Items
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

Types
Characteristics
Calculation
Selection of motive power
Applications of fluid dynamics
Material selection based on process characteristics
Accessories
Environmental constraints
Installation practices

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Section 4: Final Control Elements cont

B.

Pressure Relieving Devices 3 Items

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Pressure relieving valve types

Pressure relieving valve characteristics
Pressure relieving valve calculations
Pressure relieving device material selections based on process characteristics
Pressure relieving valve installation practices
Rupture discs

C. C. Motor Controls 4 Items

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Types
Applications
Calculations
Accessories
Troubleshooting
Other

D. Other Final Control Elements 2 Items

1)
2)
3)

Solenoid valves
On-off devices and relays
Self-regulating devices

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Section 4: Control System

IV. Control Systems 18 Items
A. Drawings 4 Items
B. Theory 7 Items
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Basic processes
Process dynamics
Basic control
Discrete control
Sequential control

C. Implementation 7 Items
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

HMI
Configuration and programming
System comparisons and compatibilities
Installation requirements
Network security
System testing
Commissioning
Troubleshooting
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Section 4: Safety Systems

V. Safety Systems 12 Items
A. Basic documentation 2 Items
B. Theory 4 Items
1)
2)

Reliability
SIL Selection

C. Implementation 6 Items
1)
2)
3)
4)

Safety System Design

Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Verification Calculations
Testing
Management of Change

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Section 4: Codes, Standards; and Regulations

VI. Codes; Standards; and Regulations 6 Items

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

American Petroleum Institute (API)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Society of Automation (ISA)
National Electrical Code (NEC)
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

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Wrap-Up: Be Involved
Licensed Engineers can help by:
Promote and encourage registration
Join the CSE PE Exam Committee
Join CSE PE Exam Support Committees
Instruct ISA training classes
Develop ISA reference materials and study information for the
CS PE Exam

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Conclusion

Thanks for attending and your participation

Are there any questions?
Good Luck!
If you would like to get involved in the Control Systems
Professional Engineer Licensure process, please let us know
of your interest

The End
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