Trades, Construction & Engineering
There are 24 trades, construction & engineering credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 24 national certifications awarded by a single body.
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, automotive and crane credentials, plus NCEES FE and PE engineering licensure.
- Credentials
- 24
- Specialisms
- 9
- National
- 24
How do the main trades, construction & engineering credentials compare?
Verified figures for 10 of the national trades, construction & engineering credentials, drawn from each awarding body's published material. Fees change — confirm with the body before you book.
| Credential | Awarded by | Exam fee | Length | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCCER Carpenter | NCCER | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | Per module, set by the training program (no single published duration) | 70% per module test by convention (NCCER publishes no pass rates) |
| NCCER Concrete Finisher | NCCER | Assessment-center fee varies by center — confirm with your program; trainee guide ~$60-100 | 2 hours (written assessment) | 70% minimum passing score (written assessment) |
| NCCER Core Curriculum | NCCER | ~$30-$100 per module | ~5-6 hours per module | Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report |
| NCCER Crane Operator | NCCER | Knowledge assessment $200 + practical examination $75 (Boom Truck line); recertification $275/5 years | Boom Truck certification assessment: 3 hours; module tests per the training program | 80 minimum on the Boom Truck certification assessment; module tests 70% by convention |
| NCCER Electrical | NCCER | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | Level One test: 3 hours; module tests per the training program | 70% minimum (Level One test specification; module tests 70% by convention) |
| NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator | NCCER | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | Excavator knowledge assessment: 2 hours; module tests per the training program | 75 minimum on the Excavator knowledge assessment; module tests 70% by convention |
| NCCER HVAC | NCCER | Set by the training sponsor/accredited assessment centre | Varies by module (typically 30-60 minutes per exam) | Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report |
| NCCER Masonry | NCCER | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | Level Two test: 3 hours; module tests per the training program | 70% minimum (Level Two test specification; Level One module tests at 70% each) |
| NCCER Pipefitting | NCCER | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | Industrial Pipefitter assessment: 3 hours; module tests per the training program | 70% per module by convention; 75% minimum on the Industrial Pipefitter assessment |
| NCCER Plumbing | NCCER | Set by the training sponsor/accredited assessment centre | Varies by module (typically 30-60 minutes per exam) | Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report |
Which trades, construction & engineering credentials lead to the highest published pay?
Ranked by the median annual wage published for the occupation each credential unlocks — the most recent figure per occupation, quoted from the source named in the guide (usually the BLS occupational series). A credential is the entry ticket to an occupation, not a pay guarantee: these are occupation medians, not starting salaries.
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Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Civil Exam
$99,590 median for civil engineers (BLS, May 2024)
NCEES publishes FE Civil pass rates: about 61% first-time, 32% repeat
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Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Civil Exam
$99,590 median for civil engineers (BLS, May 2024)
NCEES publishes pass rates by discipline — recent PE Civil rates have been in the low-to-mid 60s percent
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ICC Residential Building Inspector (B1)
$72,120 median for construction and building inspectors (BLS, May 2024)
ICC publishes no pass rate — the published standard is a scaled score of 75 on the 60-question B1 exam
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NCCER Crane Operator
$66,370 median for crane and tower operators (BLS, May 2024), and the NCCER crane credential is the training and certification backbone for this specialized workforce
NCCER publishes no pass rate — module tests use a 70% threshold by convention, while the crane certification assessments are closed book with a reported minimum of 80 for the boom truck line
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NCCER Pipefitting
$62,970 median for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (BLS, May 2024)
NCCER publishes no pass rate — module tests use a 70% threshold by convention, and the journey-level Industrial Pipefitter assessment sets a 75% bar
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NCCER Plumbing
$62,970 median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (BLS, May 2024)
NCCER publishes no pass rate — module tests use a 70% threshold by convention
NCCER & Craft Training 11 credentials
- NCCER Carpenter NCCER Carpenter — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Concrete Finisher NCCER Concrete Finisher — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Core Curriculum NCCER Core Curriculum — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Crane Operator NCCER Crane Operator — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Electrical NCCER Electrical — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER HVAC NCCER HVAC — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Masonry NCCER Masonry — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Pipefitting NCCER Pipefitting — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Plumbing NCCER Plumbing — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
- NCCER Scaffolding NCCER Scaffolding — Trades & Construction credential from NCCER
Automotive & Diesel 4 credentials
- ASE A8 Engine Performance Certification Test ASE A8 Engine Performance Certification Test — Trades & Construction credential from National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- ASE T7 Medium-Heavy Truck Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certification Test ASE T7 Medium-Heavy Truck Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certification Test — Trades & Construction credential from National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- ASE xEV Level 1 Electrical Safety Awareness Certification ASE xEV Level 1 Electrical Safety Awareness Certification — Trades & Construction credential from National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- EPA Section 609 Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Technician Certification EPA Section 609 Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Technician Certification — Trades & Construction credential from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved programmes
HVAC/Refrigeration & Energy 2 credentials
- EPA Section 608 Universal Certification EPA Section 608 Universal Certification — Trades & Construction credential from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved programmes
- HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification — Trades & Construction credential from ESCO Institute / HVAC Excellence
Welding & Metal 2 credentials
Building Codes & Inspection 1 credential
Electrical/Solar & Low Voltage 1 credential
HVAC & Refrigeration 1 credential
NCEES FE Exams 1 credential
NCEES PE Exams 1 credential
Frequently asked questions about trades, construction & engineering credentials
How many trades, construction & engineering credentials are there?
There are 24 trades, construction & engineering credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 24 national certifications awarded by a single body.
How much do trades, construction & engineering exams cost?
Across the 10 national trades, construction & engineering credentials we have verified fee data for, exam fees run from $30–$200. Renewal, membership and study-material costs are additional and vary by awarding body — each guide breaks out its own full cost table.
Do you need a certification to work in trades, construction & engineering?
None of the 24 credentials in this field is a state-issued licence — all 24 are national certifications awarded by a professional body. That usually means the certification is not legally mandatory, but employers, insurers or clients may require it as a condition of the work.
Which trades, construction & engineering credential should you start with?
Start with the one your target employer or state board names. The most widely recognised national options in this field are NCCER Carpenter, NCCER Concrete Finisher, NCCER Core Curriculum — each has a full guide with eligibility rules, fees and a week-by-week study plan.
How often do trades, construction & engineering requirements change?
Fees are revised most years and eligibility rules change whenever a state legislature or awarding body acts. Every guide on TestPrepPilot links to the primary regulatory source it was verified against, and the "Sources" section is the authoritative place to confirm current figures before you book.