CPD Q&A

The Certified in Plumbing Design program and the Certified in Plumbing Design designation are under the control of an independent committee appointed by the Society’s Board of Directors.

The Certified in Plumbing Design Examination has been developed by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers to provide professional recognition of qualified individuals who design plumbing systems. The Certified in Plumbing Design program has five primary objectives:

1. Provide a standard of professional competence in the practice of plumbing engineering.
2. Identify and recognize those individuals who successfully complete the certification examination, thereby demonstrating their acquired knowledge and abilities in the field of plumbing engineering.
3. Encourage plumbing engineers to participate in a continuing program of professional development.
4. Provide a standard for educational programs in plumbing engineering and encourage implementation of such programs.
5. Enhance the status of plumbing engineering as a unique discipline and profession by demonstrating that a realistic standard of professional competence can be clearly defined.

Examination results should not be used for employment ranking.

To be eligible to take the CPD examination, a candidate must possess a minimum of four (4) years of practical experience in a position of responsibility for the design of plumbing systems and possess a baccalaureate degree in a field related to engineering. In lieu of an accredited degree, a candidate may substitute up to an additional four (4) years of practical experience in the design of plumbing systems [for a total of eight (8) years] or be granted a credit of one–half year of practical experience for each one (1) full–year of education in an accredited curriculum related to plumbing engineering.

No you do not. However, generally active CPDT credential holders score higher on the CPD Examination than their peers who previously never held the CPDT credential.

The next CPD exam will be held via remote proctor in the spring of 2027, dates TBD.

The Certified in Plumbing Design Examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The test specifications for the examination were developed by ASPE’s CPD Committee with the help of an independent testing and certification service organization, using information derived from a job analysis. The test specifications and content reflect the knowledge, skills and problem solving experience essential to performing the job of a plumbing engineer.

Candidates have 3.5 hours to take the 100-question multiple-choice exam. There are no short answer questions.

The single most important criterion used in the development of the CPD examination was job relatedness — the knowledge and skills required of a competent plumbing engineer. Each examination question deals with a critical and important task performed by a plumbing engineer; uses the language and symbols familiar to the profession; and the wording of written passages and the calculations needed to solve mathematical problems are those commonly used by plumbing engineers on the job.

To ensure the job relatedness of the CPD exam, a job analysis was conducted by the CPD Committee and an independent testing and certification organization (the Educational Testing Service). The job analysis determined what a plumbing engineer actually does on the job and was performed by visiting with experienced plumbing engineers and their supervisors and conducting interviews and on–site job observations.

As a result of observations and interviews, task statements were developed — descriptions of specific activities a plumbing engineer may perform during the work day. Examples of task statements are:

• Review the water distribution riser diagram(s) to see that the systems are designed and sized correctly and are adequately protected against backflow and cross-connections.
• Determine water pressure requirements to establish the need for auxiliary pressure systems.
• Select piping insulation for thermal and condensation requirements.
• Determine the type and location of underground systems and sub-structures.

To establish that the developed task statements were truly representative of the job content of a plumbing engineer, they were evaluated, utilizing a specially constructed questionnaire, by a sample group of professional plumbing engineers. The engineers rated each task based on four factors: Frequency; Difficulty; Importance; and Experience Required for Proficiency. Factor analysis (a statistical procedure used to identify and to group related tasks) was performed on the questionnaire responses to identify the major content areas and job dimensions of a plumbing engineer. This evaluation and analysis procedure established five broad job dimensions or job categories: Gathering Information; Design; Specifications; Construction Services; and Administration. Every question in the CPD examination is linked to a task statement and demonstrably related to the job of a plumbing engineer.

The development of the CPD examination included a series of reviews by the editors and test development staff of the independent testing and certification service organization to insure conformance to test specification classification, statistical criteria, question format, and clarity of language. In addition, in accordance with the Educational Testing Service Standards for Quality and Fairness, each examination question is subjected to a Test Sensitivity Review designed to detect and eliminate any language, symbols, or content that might be considered potentially offensive or inappropriate by any examination candidate.

The questions in the CPD examination are linked to five broad task statements that describe the job dimensions of a plumbing engineer. These task statements are:

Task 1 and Task 2: Gathering Information and Administration — The plumbing engineer identifies the scope of work, existing physical conditions, and project team contacts; determines applicable requirements of authorities having jurisdiction, utility availability and budgetary constraints; and prepares and monitors work plans and schedules, coordinates work with other members of the professional design team, e.g., HVAC, electrical, etc. (There are approximately 11 questions covering these two task statements.)

Task 3: Design — The plumbing engineer identifies the required systems; establishes the design criteria for each system; designs each system; and coordinates that system with each other and all other building elements. (There are approximately 65 questions covering this task statement.)

Task 4: Specifications — The plumbing engineer determines the format and coordinates it with the design; describes the systems to be used; and coordinates plumbing specifications with all other specifications. (There are approximately 13 questions covering this task statement.)

Task 5: Construction Services — The plumbing engineer reviews submittals for compliance with contract documents; reviews the installation for compliance with contract documents; and witnesses system test(s). (There are approximately 11 questions covering this task statement.)

The exam is offered annually in electronic digital form only and remotely proctored. To ensure the independence of the CPD examination, ASPE contracts with third-party exam administrators to create the test forms and to conduct, oversee and grade the examination. The test administrator is engaged in test development, test administration, and educational and occupational measurement and research.

To ensure equality and quality of the CPD examination, all Proctored Exams follow the following standard procedures and policies:

• The CPD examination will be administered only on the day(s) and at the time(s) scheduled.
• Examination candidates are urged to be prompt.
• The examination will end on time; no examination candidates are permitted to continue beyond the established time limit for any reason. The examination candidate is responsible for his/ her test–taking pace. Candidates leaving the examination room for personal reasons must first obtain the exam supervisor’s permission; there will be no examination time extension for any reason.
• The CPD Exam is an open book exam. Exam candidates are allowed to bring in and use any printed reference materials. These materials may be professionally bound or printed by the exam candidate but they must remain bound during the exam. Loose paper, such as printed and downloaded publications, may be bound with ring binders, brads, plastic snap binders, spiralbounding, or screw posts. Staples, sticky notes, tabs, and flags will not be permitted. Handwritten notes and highlighting within the reference materials are permitted. The proctor will flip through the books to ensure there are no loose notes hidden inside. Calculators will not be provided by the proctors; however, candidates can bring in and use any calculator. Visit aspe.org/education-credentialing/cpd/cpdqa to read more.
• Examination candidates determined to be engaging in any kind of misconduct by the supervisor will be dismissed from the examination room and not permitted to return.

It is the responsibility of the examination candidate to inform the exam proctor of any special arrangements that have been approved. Examination candidates are encouraged to provide feedback about the CPD examination or a question. A comment section is available for each question.

Any individual who has a physical or cognitive impairment or limitation that prevents him/her from taking the test under standard conditions may request special testing arrangements.

The American Society of Plumbing Engineers or its examination service providers will send a letter confirming the special arrangements (an alternate date, if appropriate, time, and location) for the examination to the candidate approximately 10 days prior the examination date. The Examination Registration Form accompanied by the required documentation must be received by March 1. There is no additional fee for special arrangements or accommodations.

Changes, additions, and modifications to registration information and data must be made in writing, no later than two weeks prior to the examination, to certification@aspe.org.

Be sure all requests include your name and address as shown on the assessment purchase confirmation or letter of authorization or the proctor number.

Prior to the examination, the supervisor will give instructions for the proper access to the identification section of the examination. You will be required to enter your special proctor number for access. Carefully check all of the information shown that has been taken from your registration form. The required information includes the examination candidate’s name, unique examination file number, Exam Center code, and the test date. All information must be entered correctly or the examination results and final scores may be delayed.

If additional information is required, the on-site proctor will guide each candidate through the necessary process.

Each CPD examination candidate is permitted three hours and thirty minutes (210 minutes) to complete the exam. No one will be permitted to work on the exam beyond the allotted time. A sample of a typical CPD examination schedule is:

• 2:00 pm: Registered examination candidates sign on to test site.
• 2:15 pm: CPD Examination begins.
• 5:45 pm: Examination ends.

Actual timing for each examination depends on the remote proctor.

The CPD examination score is based on the number of correct answers. There are no penalties assessed for wrong answers. Therefore, it is advantageous to answer every question, even if it is a guess.

• Once the exam has begun, use your time economically. Take the questions in order, but do not waste time on those that contain difficult or unfamiliar material.
• If a question is difficult, guess at the answer, mark the answer in the appropriate answer box. Make a note of the question number and go on to the next question. If there is time left when you have finished the test, you can go back and review the questions that you were unsure of.
• For each examination, all candidates will be presented with the same 100 questions. However, questions for the electronic examination will be presented in a random manner. No two candidates taking the same examination will be presented with the same exact question for the same indicated question number.

Each question will have a series of multiple-choice answers presented with the question on the computer screen. The candidate will pick his/her preferred answer and will be directed to type in a letter or number in the answer block box or to pick on of the answers using the curser or mouse.

For each question, decide which of the suggested answers is best and make the desired choice following each questions answering requirements (letter, number, or selection). Double check to be sure that you have properly answered the question in the correct manner.

The following example illustrates question answer responses:

Electronic Examination Question 28.

Which of the following is the capital of the United States?
(A) New York, NY
(B) Washington, DC
(C) Chicago, IL
(D) Los Angeles, CA

Electronic Examination Answer
For Question 28: Enter (type) the letter corresponding to your answer. __

You may retype any letter at any time for a correct intended response.

The examination is timed. Read the directions for each question on the computer screen carefully and be sure that you understand them before attempting to answer any questions.

Results are shared via email 6-8 weeks after the exam. This allows for the process to provide accurate results.

The submitted Examination Registration Form constitutes written authorization for a candidate’s examination results to be released only to the candidate and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. Employers will not be informed of examination results unless a candidate provides the information or gives written authorization to ASPE.

Because of the statistical review process for every CPD examination, approximately six to eight weeks after the examination date, candidates will receive either a pass or fail notification. Examination results are emailed simultaneously to all candidates. (Examination results will not be given over the telephone and will not be released to anyone unless there is a written request by the candidate.)

As the certifying organization, ASPE will issue each successful candidate a Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) certificate, approximately six to eight weeks after the examination results have been received.

Under the guidance of the ASPE Examination Service Provider or contracted psychometrician, the CPD Committee establishes the required examination performance level, or cut score, that candidates must achieve to earn the Certified in Plumbing Design designation. The final criteria and cut score are determined through an examination performance evaluation.

The CPD examination results are confidential and reported only to the examination candidate. Successful candidates will receive only notice of passing score.

You can find the two available practice tests online at ASPE Education. Each practice test contains 30 sample questions with explanations to the correct answers.

This page has a list of common questions related to the open book policy for the CPD Examination.

• Plumbing Engineering Design Handbooks
• Pharmaceutical Facilities Plumbing Systems
• Domestic Water Heating Design Guide
• Engineered Plumbing Design II
• Advanced Plumbing Technology II
• CPD Study Guide

All examination cancellations and requests for refunds must be emailed to the Certification Department, certification@aspe.org, at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled exam date. A processing and administration fee of $100 will be deducted from the examination fee prior to the issuing of the refund. Refunds will be issued two to three weeks after the examination date.

The Certified in Plumbing Design Program reserves the right to cancel or withhold exam results if, in its opinion, there is adequate reason to question examination validity or a candidate’s conduct, such as:

1. An examination may be rendered invalid because of circumstances beyond the examination candidate’s control, such as faulty exam materials or mistiming. When warranted, The ASPE Examination Service Provider will conduct an investigation. In the event examination results are ruled invalid, arrangements will be made for a no–cost re–examination.
2. Doubts raised about the validity of an examination candidate’s test results because of suspected misconduct, such as giving or receiving help, using notes or unauthorized books or papers, removing exam material or notes from the testing room, or attempting to take the test for someone else. In such circumstances, the candidate will be notified of established ASPE Examination Service Provider procedures for ensuring fair treatment. An examination candidate is expected to cooperate in a certification investigation.

Complaints or comments about examination supervision, proctors, examination content, or any other matter related to the Certified in Plumbing Design program should be reported immediately on an Examination Candidate’s Comment Form available from the examination supervisor or in a letter sent to the CPD Certification Program to ASPE, certification@aspe.org.

When writing to ASPE regarding the CPD Examination, please be sure to identify the examination date and your complete name, address, and examination candidate identification number. The ASPE Examination Service Provider will investigate and respond to all complaints and comments.