NCEES Approved Calculators for the PE Exam

NCEES allows Casio fx-115 and fx-991 models, Texas Instruments TI-30X and TI-36X models, and the HP 33s and HP 35s for the PE exam under its standard calculator policy. Additional Casio models are permitted at non-North American test sites. Check your exact model and exam location before buying or packing a calculator.

Still have the calculator you used for the FE exam? You may not need a new one. Check that it’s allowed, then focus on getting comfortable with it. You want to spend your exam time solving the problem, not trying to remember where a function is.

Which calculators are approved for the PE exam

Here’s the NCEES calculator list for 2026. For Casio and Texas Instruments, the list covers whole model families. For HP, only the two models below are allowed.

Don’t worry if your calculator’s full name isn’t in the examples column. What matters is whether it belongs to an allowed family. Before your exam, check the current NCEES calculator policy in case the list has changed.

How to check your exact model

Look at the model name printed on your calculator. An fx-991CW belongs to the fx-991 family, and a TI-36X Pro belongs to the TI-36X family. A similar-looking calculator isn’t enough, even if the packaging calls it a scientific calculator.

Check the device itself rather than relying on an “exam approved” label in an online listing. That label could refer to another exam. If you’re unsure about your model, ask NCEES before test day.

Additional models outside North America

Taking the exam outside North America? The NCEES PE exam page also lists these Casio families for non-North American sites: fx-912, fx-915, fx-993, fx-995, fx-570, fx-JP700, and fx-JP900. This exception depends on where you test, so check your location before packing one of these models.

Which approved calculator should you choose

If you’re buying a calculator, start by comparing the TI-36X Pro, Casio fx-115ES PLUS 2nd Edition, and Casio fx-991CW. All three are worth considering. The best fit for you comes down to which layout you find easiest to use and how much time you have to learn it.

These are our suggestions, not an NCEES ranking. You don’t need to replace a calculator you already use confidently just to get more functions.

TI-36X Pro for candidates who prefer TI

The TI-36X Pro lets you see up to four lines of calculations. Its MathPrint display shows fractions and other expressions in a familiar format, and it includes numeric, polynomial, and linear-system solvers. It runs on a battery with solar assistance.

If you’re used to TI calculators, this is a good place to start. Try editing an expression, recalling a value, and changing modes. Being comfortable with those everyday steps matters more than having a long list of features you never use.

Casio options for candidates who prefer Casio

The fx-115ES PLUS 2nd Edition displays expressions in textbook-style notation and handles matrix, vector, and complex-number calculations. It has a two-way power supply. If you already like this Casio layout, there’s a good reason to stay with something familiar.

The fx-991CW gives you icon menus, a Math Catalog, and tools for equations and statistics. It uses solar and battery power. Give yourself time to learn its menus so you aren’t searching for a command in the middle of a timed question.

One thing to watch: two calculators with fx-991 in the name can have different controls. Both may be allowed, but a tutorial for one might not match the other. Look for instructions for the exact model you own.

When keeping your existing calculator makes sense

Already comfortable with an allowed TI-30X model, HP 33s, or HP 35s? Try it during your practice sessions before deciding to switch. Notice whether the calculator is actually slowing you down, or whether you simply need more practice with a particular operation.

A change may help if you keep struggling to enter expressions or use a function you need. Just make the switch early. The week before your exam is a difficult time to start learning a new keypad.

What are the calculator rules on exam day

The main rule is simple: you can take one approved physical calculator into the testing room, without its cover. Your spare calculator and cover stay with your personal belongings. You’ll find this rule in the NCEES Examinee Guide.

Bringing a backup calculator

You can bring a spare to the center, but you can’t keep both calculators on your desk. If you choose to bring a backup, having the same model can make things easier because you already know how to use it. Buying a second calculator is optional.

If your calculator stops working, raise your hand and ask the proctor for help. Ask before trying to retrieve your spare, and don’t count on a loaner calculator or extra time.

Graphing calculators and calculator apps

The TI-84, TI-89, TI-Nspire, and HP Prime aren’t on the standard allowed list. Exam mode doesn’t change that. You also can’t use a phone app in their place; phones aren’t allowed in the testing room.

Memory and stored equations

Wondering whether you need to clear the memory? The calculator section of the current Examinee Guide doesn’t give a blanket instruction to do so. If you plan to use stored programs or equations and aren’t sure what’s allowed, check with NCEES beforehand. Don’t rely on a general tip from an old exam guide.

For help with the rest of your packing, see our guide to what to bring on PE exam day.

Does the PE exam have an on screen calculator

Yes. The computer-based exam includes an on-screen TI-30XS. Try it through the official exam tutorial before test day, especially if you’re planning to use it as a backup.

Take a few minutes to enter an expression, fix a mistake, and change a setting. That small bit of practice can make the tool feel more familiar. If you normally use a TI-36X Pro, remember that the TI-30XS has different controls and capabilities.

When you practice with PEwise, you can use your own approved physical calculator or the built-in TI-36X Pro practice tool. The built-in tool is a different model from the official TI-30XS, so it isn’t a replica of the exam calculator. Our PE Civil computer-based exam guide walks you through the wider exam format.

Where can you buy an approved PE exam calculator

A simple place to start is the manufacturer’s website. The TI-36X Pro page links to buying options, and Casio’s fx-115ES PLUS and fx-991CW pages include purchase and store options. You can use the product links above to check the exact model.

Established retailers and office-supply stores are other places to look. Before you order, make sure the model name matches the photos, check the seller, and read the return policy. Compare today’s price and delivery date rather than relying on a price quoted in an older article.

When your calculator arrives, check the model name and try the keys and screen. Buy early enough to return it if something is wrong. If you’re buying used, check the battery compartment too. An older model can still be allowed even when it’s hard to find new.

How to prepare with your calculator before the PE exam

Use your exam calculator from the start of your preparation. The more familiar it becomes, the less attention you’ll need to spend on the buttons while you’re working through a question.

Practice the functions you actually use

Start with the basics: degree and radian modes, parentheses, negative signs, powers, scientific notation, and switching between fractions and decimals. Learn how to recall a value and edit an earlier calculation without typing everything again.

Then practice any solvers, matrix tools, or statistics functions that come up in your study sessions. Make sure you understand what you’re entering and what the answer means. Even with the right calculator, you still need the right equation and consistent units.

Separate entry errors from understanding gaps

Got a practice question wrong? Before you decide you don’t understand the topic, check what you typed. You might have used the right method but missed a parenthesis or left the calculator in the wrong angle mode. Fixing an input habit is different from relearning a concept.

Practice the step that went wrong, then try it again in a later timed session. For a fuller review routine, read our guide to using PE practice exams.

Check your device before test day

• Recheck your exact model against the policy for your exam date and location.
• Confirm that the display, keys, and power supply work reliably; follow the manufacturer’s battery guidance.
• Rehearse the operations that still make you stop and search through menus.
• Know how to use the on-screen option and where your spare and cover must be stored.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Casio fx-991CW allowed on the PE exam

Yes. The fx-991CW is part of the allowed fx-991 family. If you’re moving from an older Casio, spend some time learning the CW menus before using it in timed practice.

Can I use the calculator I used for the FE exam

Yes, as long as it’s still on the allowed list and works properly. If it’s been a few years, check both the current policy and the calculator’s condition. There’s no need to start over with a new model if yours still suits you.

Is the Casio fx-570 allowed

It’s included in the additional Casio models allowed at non-North American sites. It isn’t on the standard North American list, so the answer depends on where you’re taking the exam.

Can I replace an HP 35s with an HP Prime or HP 300s+

No. The allowed HP models are the 33s and 35s only. An HP Prime or HP 300s+ doesn’t qualify just because it’s made by the same brand.

Do I need the most advanced calculator available

No. Choose an allowed calculator you can use comfortably. Extra features are helpful only if you use them. If your current calculator handles your practice work well, you may be better off getting faster with it than learning a replacement.

Does solar power remove the need to check the battery

No. Check the battery instructions for your model and test the calculator before exam day. A solar panel isn’t a reason to ignore a weak battery or an unreliable device.

Put your calculator to work with PEwise

Once you’ve chosen your calculator, use it during PE Civil practice exams. Timed practice helps you spot the little things that interrupt your progress, such as hunting for a function or repeatedly retyping an expression.

With PEwise, you can work through practice questions, review detailed solutions, and see your results by topic to decide what to study next. If you’d also like a structured way to build the concepts behind those calculations, explore our PE Civil prep courses. Bring the same calculator to each study session so you’re getting comfortable with it as you learn.