CEA Practice Test

The Certified Energy Analyst (CEA) credential is run by the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC). It is for people who prepare Title 24 Part 6 compliance work. This page sets out the verified exam facts: the $700 full-exam fee for non-members, the 70% multiple-choice pass score and the 4-hour and 3-hour sessions. It also has free practice sets and worked explanations to help you study.

CEA Exam at a Glance

What changed for CEA in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Time limit (Multiple Choice) changed to 4 hours (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM) (previously 4 hours (8 am – noon)).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Time limit (ACM Modeling) changed to 3 hours (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) (previously 3 hours (1 – 4 pm)).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake policy changed to Retake at next available date; repeat only failed portion (previously Retake at next available date; repeat only the failed portion).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Next exam date changed to November 13, 2026 (previously November 13, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV).^[2]

What the CEA is and how it works

According to California Association of Building Energy Consultants, “The Residential and Nonresidential exams have two sections: A 50 question multiple-choice section in which you will select one correct answer for each question.”^[1]

The CEA exam checks whether you can apply California's Title 24 Part 6 energy standards and produce compliance results with approved software. CABEC offers Residential and Nonresidential exams. Each has a 50-question multiple-choice section, where you pick one correct answer per question, and an ACM modeling section.

Delivery and timing. You sit the exam in person at a CABEC testing site. Bring a pencil, a notepad, a calculator and a laptop with currently licensed, state-approved compliance software. The multiple-choice section runs for 4 hours (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, setup from 7:30 AM). The ACM modeling section runs for 3 hours (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, setup from 12:30 PM).

Scoring. CABEC's preparation material gives a pass score of 70% for the multiple-choice section.

Eligibility. You need 100 points of experience and education. At least 50 of those points must come from direct experience with Title 24 Part 6 projects.

Fees and retakes. The full exam costs $700 for non-members and $350 for CABEC members. If you fail, you can retake the exam at the next available date, and you only repeat the portion you failed. A single portion costs $350 for non-members and $175 for members.

Dates, locations and fees can change from one code cycle to the next, so check the details on cabec.org before you register.

Worked examples: how to reason through CEA questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: In ISO 50001, what is the difference between an energy objective and an energy target?

1. Objectives are set by regulators; targets are set internally by the organization
2. An objective is a broad outcome to achieve; a target is a specific, measurable requirement derived from the objective
3. Objectives apply to energy procurement; targets apply to energy consumption only
4. There is no distinction — the terms are used interchangeably in the standard

Answer: B. An objective is a broad outcome to achieve; a target is a specific, measurable requirement derived from the objective

Explanation:

B is correct. In ISO 50001, an energy objective is the broad result an organization wants to reach, such as making a process more efficient. An energy target is a detailed, measurable requirement that comes from that objective and shows whether it is being met. Option A is wrong because the organization sets both objectives and targets itself, as part of its own energy management system. Regulators do not hand them down. Option C is wrong because neither term is limited to procurement or to consumption. Option D is wrong because the standard treats them as separate terms that are linked. Rule to remember: the objective says what you want to achieve, and the target puts a measurable figure on it.

Example 2

Question: What is the role of benchmarking in energy reporting?

1. Ignoring data.
2. Comparing performance
3. Increasing consumption.
4. Reducing data collection.

Answer: B. Comparing performance

Explanation:

B is correct. Benchmarking means comparing a building's energy performance with similar buildings, an industry reference or the building's own past results. That comparison puts raw consumption figures in context, so an analyst can see whether a facility is doing poorly or well and where to look for savings. Option A is wrong because benchmarking depends on data, and ignoring the data defeats the purpose. Option C is wrong because the goal is to find ways to use less energy, not more. Option D is wrong because useful benchmarking needs consistent, reliable data collection, not less of it. Rule to remember: a usage number on its own tells you little, and benchmarking turns it into a comparison you can act on.

Example 3

Question: In ISO 50001, corrective actions are required when:

1. Energy costs increase due to rising utility rates
2. A nonconformity or significant deviation from expected energy performance is identified
3. New energy-efficient equipment becomes available on the market
4. A facility adds more than 5% of its current floor area

Answer: B. A nonconformity or significant deviation from expected energy performance is identified

Explanation:

B is correct. ISO 50001 requires corrective action when a nonconformity is found or when energy performance moves well away from what was expected. The organization has to deal with the cause and take steps so the problem does not happen again. Option A is wrong because higher utility rates change what energy costs, not how the energy management system performs. Option C is wrong because new equipment on the market may be a chance to improve, but it is not a nonconformity. Option D is wrong because adding 5% more floor area is a change to the facility that may affect baselines, and the standard does not link corrective action to any floor-area threshold. Rule to remember: corrective action responds to a failure in the system or a shortfall against expected performance, and it removes the cause.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. The CABEC exam is about Title 24 Part 6 compliance and ACM modeling. Read CABEC's exam pages and preparation documents first, and work from the current code-cycle standards. Our practice sets cover general energy-analysis topics. They are useful background, but they do not replace the official standards.

Practise the modeling section on your own laptop. You have to bring licensed, state-approved compliance software to the exam. Run full practice models in that software ahead of time, and give yourself the 3-hour window to finish each one.

Build background knowledge with our sets. For envelope, HVAC and lighting ideas, use Building Systems & Energy Efficiency and Lighting & HVAC Energy Analysis. For modeling concepts, use Energy Modeling & Simulation Tools. After each set, read every explanation, including the ones for questions you got right.

Rehearse the multiple-choice section. Practise answering questions under time pressure. Each time you miss one, find the section of the standards that answers it. Aim to score well above the 70% pass mark before test day.

Prepare the day before. Pack your pencil, notepad, calculator and charged laptop. Check that your software license is current.

Sources & last verified

1. California Association of Building Energy Consultants — number of questions, retake policy, delivery (official source). “The Residential and Nonresidential exams have two sections: A 50 question multiple-choice section in which you will select one correct answer for each question.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
2. California Association of Building Energy Consultants — time limit, exam fee, retake fee, next exam date (official source). “Times: Multiple Choice Exam and Recertification Exam: Setup 7:30am , Exam 8 – Noon ACM Modeling Exam: Setup 12:30pm, Exam 1 – 4pm” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
3. California Association of Building Energy Consultants — passing score (official source). “Pass score is 70%” Verified Oct 28, 2026 · source checked Oct 28, 2026.
4. California Association of Building Energy Consultants — renewal (official source). “Maintaining your Active CEA: yearly requirements Take and Log 9 hours of CEUs for Title 24 Residential / Nonresidential Education for each year after being…” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 26, 2026.
5. California Association of Building Energy Consultants — eligibility (official source). “At least 50, and up to 100, of these points must come from Direct Experience with Title 24 Part 6 projects.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.