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The study guide lays out a four-hour, open-book exam with 120 questions across 12 domains, so we build your plan around that reality.
CEA test day is a four-hour, open-book session with 120 multiple-choice questions spanning 12 subject areas. The study guide notes that 100 questions are scored and 20 are trial questions, so you should answer every item. Bring a hand-held calculator and leave digital devices behind. If you take a remote proctored exam, AEE allows printed, bound references only. A clean binder and clear tabs make the clock feel manageable.
Built on the CEA study guide
We map your prep to the official Body of Knowledge, including the 12 domains and their exam weightings, so priorities are clear.
Four-hour structure mapped
120 questions in four hours demands pace. We create checkpoints and timed drills that mirror the actual exam rhythm.
Binder rules made simple
AEE allows printed, bound references and bans digital devices, so we help you organize compliant materials and tabs.
Energy audit tasks first
The domains mirror real audit work, from energy use analysis to HVAC and envelope systems, so study time stays practical.
AEE publishes the Body of Knowledge and aligns question counts to it; that lets you prioritize study time instead of spreading thin.
Once you know the sections and open-book rules, the exam feels structured rather than chaotic.
Build your binder, calculator kit, and pacing plan this week so test day is calm.
You will know the 12 domains, the four-hour format, and exactly where key references live.
The study guide lays out the format, the domains, and the open-book rules.
CEA is built around AEE's Body of Knowledge. AEE notes that question counts align with the published content percentages, so the outline is more than a syllabus; it is the exam blueprint. Candidates can schedule the exam as part of an in-person training program or via remote proctoring, so your preparation should account for either setting. Start by anchoring your study plan to that official outline.
The CEA Body of Knowledge and Study Guide describes a four-hour, open-book exam with 120 multiple-choice questions. Of those, 100 are scored and 20 are trial questions placed randomly, so every item should be answered. The guide also states that a hand-held calculator is required and that computers, tablets, or cell phones are not allowed during the test.
The 12 domains cover the full audit workflow: developing an energy audit strategy and plan, energy use analysis, data collection and analysis, economic analysis, lighting systems, HVAC systems, domestic hot water systems, motors and drives and compressed air systems, building envelope, BAS/PAS/EMCS, alternative generation and storage, and transport. Treat each domain as a checkpoint and connect it to real audit deliverables.
If you choose remote proctoring, AEE's rules say the exam is open book but only printed, bound notes or textbooks are allowed for reference, and digital devices are prohibited. That means your prep should include a clean binder, labeled tabs, and a calculator you are comfortable with. Confirm the latest proctoring rules before test day so there are no surprises.
Use the official guide to set scope, then build a study system that matches the real exam conditions.
Lock in the four-hour structure
Start with the CEA Body of Knowledge and Study Guide: four hours, open book, 120 multiple-choice questions. Note the 100 scored and 20 trial items, then plan to answer every question. This prevents surprises and keeps your pacing realistic.
Turn the outline into a checklist
List the 12 subject areas and their percentages, then assign study blocks to each: audit strategy, energy use, data collection, economics, lighting, HVAC, hot water, motors and compressed air, envelope, BAS/PAS/EMCS, alternative generation, and transport.
Binder plus calculator, no devices
The study guide bans computers, tablets, and phones during the exam, and AEE remote proctoring allows only printed, bound references. Assemble a compliant binder with tabs and bring a hand-held calculator you trust.
Train for 120 questions in four hours
Run timed sets that mimic the real clock. Use checkpoints to keep momentum, practice quick lookups in your binder, and finish with a few minutes to review marked items.
Everything is tied to the official Body of Knowledge and the exam's open-book format.
Know the exam in minutes
A concise brief covering four-hour timing, 120 questions, scored versus trial items, and calculator requirements.
All 12 areas accounted for
A checklist for each Body of Knowledge domain so you can track progress and balance study time.
Binder rules made practical
Guidance for printed, bound references, tab labels, and quick-access sections that stay within AEE rules.
Time blocks that mirror the test
A pacing worksheet that turns four hours into checkpoints and keeps you moving through all questions.
Last-week verification list
A short list to confirm training, exam delivery mode, proctoring rules, and your calculator and binder.
It is built from the same sources AEE uses to design the exam.
We start with the CEA Body of Knowledge and Study Guide, then translate the format and domain weights into a practical plan. That keeps your prep aligned to what the exam is designed to test.
The domains mirror real energy audit tasks, from data collection to HVAC and envelope analysis. We help you connect study topics to the workflow you use on actual projects.
Open book only helps when your references are organized. We emphasize binder structure, tabbing, and calculator readiness so you can retrieve information quickly.
Knowing there are 120 questions and four hours lets you pace with intent. Our drills teach you when to move on and how to finish with time to review.
“The Body of Knowledge made the CEA feel less mysterious. Once I organized the 12 domains, built a binder that matched the open-book rules, and practiced pacing for 120 questions, the exam felt like a long audit day instead of a surprise.”
The CEA Body of Knowledge and Study Guide states the exam is four hours, open book, and contains 120 multiple-choice questions. It also notes that 100 questions are scored and 20 are trial items placed randomly, so every question should be answered. Use those numbers to build a pacing plan and practice timed sets.
Yes. The study guide calls the CEA exam open book and says computers, tablets, or cell phones are not allowed during the test. For remote proctoring, AEE allows printed, bound notes or reference textbooks and prohibits digital devices for lookup. Bring a hand-held calculator and keep your binder compliant.
The guide lists 12 domains: audit strategy and plan, energy use analysis, data collection and analysis, economic analysis, lighting, HVAC, domestic hot water, motors and drives and compressed air, building envelope, BAS/PAS/EMCS, alternative generation and storage, and transport. AEE notes that the number of questions aligns with the Body of Knowledge percentages, so prioritize accordingly.
AEE states that you may schedule the exam as part of an in-person training program or schedule a remote proctored exam. If you choose remote proctoring, review the open-book rules and make sure your printed references are bound and ready before test day.
AEE requires all certification candidates to attend an approved training program and then submit an application, schedule, and pass the exam. Eligibility also depends on education and experience pathways, so confirm the current requirements on the AEE CEA page before you apply.
Share your exam date and format, and we will map the 12 domains into a focused plan you can follow.
Clear steps, no pressure, just a workable plan.
CEA (Certified Energy Auditor)|ProctorU|AEE Energy Certifications
Last updated: February 2, 2026