SCTE CEP Exam Study Guide (2026)
Everything the SCTE Construction Engineering Professional (CEP) tests, topic by topic: what each section covers, the facts that come up most, and how to study it. Pair it with the free 15-question practice test.
The exam at a glance
| Questions | 50 multiple-choice questions |
|---|---|
| Time | 2 hours; the exam cannot be paused and breaks are not allowed |
| Passing score | 76% |
| Format | Open book: SCTE training materials, books, printed documents, notes, tables, calculators and internet resources are allowed (digital content in a separate tab of the same browser); AI tools are not allowed |
| Certifying body | SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers), a subsidiary of CableLabs |
| Test provider | Online through the SCTE account portal, with Proctorio automated remote proctoring on Chrome or Edge (webcam, microphone and photo ID required) |
Mind map: the whole exam on one screen
Read the complete SCTE CEP study notes for “System Architectures and Distribution Components”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 12 minutes of reading: HFC architecture · Fiber and DAA architectures · Passive distribution components · Active components, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.
1. System Architectures and Distribution Components
SCTE CEP categories 'system architectures' and 'distribution components': HFC and fiber access architectures, node and amplifier cascades, and the passives and actives a construction engineer places. SCTE does not publish topic weights for CEP.
Key facts
- HFC: fiber from headend or hub to an optical node, then coax through amplifiers, line extenders and taps to drops.
- Node+N describes the amplifier cascade after the node; N+0 means only passives follow the node.
- FTTH/PON: fiber from the OLT through splitters (centralized in a cabinet or distributed in terminals) to ONTs.
- Taps: highest values nearest the amplifier, decreasing down the line as the signal level drops.
- Directional couplers split unequally (low through loss, higher tapped loss); 2-way splitters split equally at about 3.5 dB per leg.
- Power inserters feed AC power (typically 60 or 90 V) from a power supply onto the coax to run actives.
- Distributed access architecture (Remote PHY, Remote MACPHY) places digital nodes deeper and needs more fiber.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Draw a quick line diagram for any component question: amplifier, coupler, taps, end of line. Levels and device choice follow from it.
2. Coaxial Construction
SCTE CEP category 'coaxial construction': aerial and underground hardline and drop practices, lashing, expansion loops, connectorization, bonding and pulling coax.
Key facts
- Aerial hardline is lashed to a steel strand with lashing wire; the strand carries the load.
- Form expansion loops at poles so the aluminum sheath can move with temperature without suck-out at connectors.
- Respect the cable's minimum bend radius during installation and when forming loops.
- Pull underground coax with a grip or pulling eye on jacket and sheath, a swivel, and within rated tension; never pull on the center conductor.
- Prepare hardline with coring and stripping tools to the connector maker's dimensions so the pin length is correct.
- Weatherproof connectors with heat shrink or boots; water ingress raises loss and corrodes connectors.
- Bond strand and cable shields to the pole ground system as the design and pole owner require.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Coax construction answers usually protect the sheath and center conductor from stress, water and temperature movement.
3. Optical Construction
SCTE CEP category 'optical construction': aerial and underground fiber placement, color codes, slack storage, splice closures, fusion splicing and blown fiber.
Key facts
- TIA-598 colors: blue, orange, green, brown, slate, white, red, black, yellow, violet, rose, aqua for both tubes and fibers.
- Minimum bend radius: 20 × OD under tension, 10 × OD at rest, unless the manufacturer states otherwise.
- Store aerial slack in storage loops (snowshoes) at planned intervals for future repairs and splicing.
- Air-assisted blowing places fiber into duct or microduct over long, bendy routes with low tension.
- Fusion splices typically lose under 0.1 dB; acceptance is by bidirectional OTDR average.
- Seal and ground splice closures and bond armor or metallic members as specified.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Write the 12 colors in your notes in order. Color code questions are quick marks once you count by twelves.
Test yourself on these topics
Take the free 15-question SCTE CEP test, then save your results to unlock your Readiness Score and the mistakes bank.
4. Construction Equipment, Processes and Troubleshooting
SCTE CEP categories 'construction equipment and processes' and 'troubleshooting': trenching, plowing, directional boring, aerial equipment, locates, acceptance testing and fixing construction defects.
Key facts
- Call 811 before digging; wait the legal period and respect the marks and tolerance zone set by state law.
- Pothole (hand dig or vacuum excavate) to verify depth and location of utilities that the path crosses or parallels closely.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Equipment questions usually hinge on verifying underground conditions first. Locate, pothole, then drill.
5. Field Safety
SCTE CEP category 'field safety': OSHA rules for telecom work, approach distances to power lines, confined spaces and manholes, work zone traffic control, aerial work and personal protective equipment.
Key facts
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.268 covers telecommunications work; 1910.333 covers approach distances for unqualified persons.
- Unqualified persons keep 10 ft from lines up to 50 kV, plus 4 in per 10 kV above 50 kV.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Safety answers are never the fastest option. Pick the one that tests, isolates or keeps distance first.
6. Field Survey and Utility Pole Make Ready
SCTE CEP categories 'field survey' and 'utility pole make ready': collecting pole and span data, NESC clearances, pole loading, attachment applications and make-ready work, including FCC one-touch make-ready.
Key facts
- Field surveys record pole numbers, owners, heights and classes, existing attachment heights, span lengths, mid-span clearances and guying.
- NESC (IEEE C2) sets clearances between supply and communication facilities and above ground; pole owners may be stricter.
Flashcards
Exam tip: On make-ready questions, identify the space (communication or supply) and whether the work is simple or complex. That decides who does it.
7. Right of Way and Permitting
SCTE CEP category 'right of way': public right-of-way permits, franchise and municipal requirements, private easements, railroad and highway crossings and restoration obligations.
Key facts
- Public right of way (streets, road shoulders) needs permits from the municipality, county or state DOT.
- Private land needs an easement or written right-of-way agreement from the owner.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Ask who owns the land under the route. Public land means permits; private land means easements.
8. Project Design
SCTE CEP category 'project design': route design, bills of materials, coax and fiber loss calculations, construction drawings, scheduling and documentation.
Key facts
- Coax loss scales with length and rises with frequency (about with its square root) and temperature; design at the highest frequency.
- Fiber budgets add fiber loss per km, connectors, splices and passives, with a margin for repairs.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Design questions are arithmetic with units. Convert footage to hundreds of feet or kilometers before multiplying.
How to pass
- SCTE lists 11 topic categories with no weights, so cover them all. Make-ready, right of way and project design are what separate CEP from the technician exams.
- You need 38 of 50 correct for 76%, at 2.4 minutes per question. Prepare indexed notes on NESC clearance concepts, OSHA approach distances, color codes and cable loss tables.
- Know who governs what in the US: NESC for utility poles and outside plant clearances, NEC for premises wiring, OSHA for worker safety, the FCC or certified states for pole attachment rules.
- Answer as the construction engineer: verify in the field, document, get permits and easements first, and choose the option that keeps the build safe and code compliant.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the SCTE CEP exam?
Most working candidates need 4 to 8 weeks at 45 to 60 minutes a day. Book your exam once your Readiness Score has stayed at 80 or higher for about a week.
Can I take the SCTE CEP exam online?
BICSI's v15 handbook describes the RCDD exam at Pearson VUE test centers, not remote proctoring. Format: open book: scte training materials, books, printed documents, notes, tables, calculators and internet resources are allowed (digital content in a separate tab of the same browser); ai tools are not allowed. Check pearsonvue.com/bicsi for the options in your country.
What score do I need to pass the SCTE CEP exam?
76%. The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 2 hours; the exam cannot be paused and breaks are not allowed.
What are the most tested topics?
The outline covers system architectures and distribution components, coaxial construction, optical construction, construction equipment, processes and troubleshooting, field safety, field survey and utility pole make ready, right of way and permitting, project design. Use the free practice test to see which ones you need most.
The premium SCTE CEP study path
Premium SCTE CEP prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.
Your step-by-step study path
- 1System Architectures and Distribution Components8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2Coaxial Construction8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3Optical Construction8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4Construction Equipment, Processes and Troubleshooting8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Field Safety7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Field Survey and Utility Pole Make Ready7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 7Right of Way and Permitting7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 8Project Design7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- Final step: 6 full mock exams50 questions each, timed like test day. Pass them, then book your exam.Premium
Get every note, flashcard and question
Premium Monthly
- The RCDD exam: full prep for the v15 blueprint
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: numbers and formulas sheet, standards atlas, study planner and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews monthly until you cancel. Cancel in two clicks from your account; you keep access until the end of the month you've paid for. No minimum term.
Premium Yearly
- The RCDD exam: full prep for the v15 blueprint
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: numbers and formulas sheet, standards atlas, study planner and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Summarized from BICSI's official candidate information and the rules cited, checked October 2026. Confirm current requirements with SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers), a subsidiary of CableLabs.