This is what Prometric posted regarding the April 2013 exam:
Exam content
The area of practice is structured into five primary content areas. The Civil Seismic
Principles Examination Test Plan is located at www.bpelsg.ca.gov. The website
also includes a reference list that may be useful to use while studying for the
exam. (*note: you don't have to bring all of these manuals but the test may be based off this material)
Reference materials
You are permitted to bring as many reference materials into the testing room as
one trip and one box (e.g., Bankers Box) will permit. Boxes larger than 10"H x
15"W x 24"D will not be permitted. All reference materials (i.e. including all forms
of notes) must be bound and remain bound during the exam. Bound refers to
material permanently bound by stitching or glue and materials fastened securely
in its cover by fasteners, which penetrate all papers (i.e. ring binders, spiral
binders, plastic snap binders, brads, or screw posts). Manually or hand stapled
documents that are not securely fastened in their covers are not allowed. The
size of workspace area at Prometric test centers is limited. The approximate desk
dimensions are 48” in length and 24” in width.
Before you enter the exam room, the Test Center Administrator (TCA) will inspect
all references. “Post-Its” will be permitted as book tabs only (must be attached
prior to entering the test center). Items strictly prohibited in the exam area: hand
stapled materials, blank writing tablets or tablets containing blank pages, unbound
tablets, unbound notes, slide charts and/or wheel charts (hand-held cardboard or
plastic calculating devices with rotating or sliding pieces).
In addition, examinees may bring in any two of the following four measuring
devices: ruler, protractor, architect scale, or engineer scale.
Calculator usage
You are limited to two (2) calculators in the exam testing area. The calculators
allowed to be used for the Board’s state-specific examinations includes those
allowed by NCEES together with any handheld calculator that does not meet the
following listed exceptions.
The use of any calculating/computing device having a QWERTY keypad
arrangement similar to a typewriter or a keyboard during the exam is strictly
prohibited. The following devices are also prohibited, whether or not they have a
QWERTY keypad function: palmtop, laptop, handheld or desktop computers, data
collectors, personal data assistants (PDA), organizers and tablet devices.
Calculators with other alphanumeric keypads are acceptable. Notwithstanding the
above, the Board or its designees have the right to prohibit the use of any device
that, in the opinion of the Board, may pose a threat to exam security.
It is your responsibility to determine if your calculator meets the above criteria.
Board staff or Prometric will not confirm whether your calculator is acceptable
prior to your exam.
Please know that you could be required to clear your calculator memory upon
exiting the exam. However, you will not be required to clear your calculator
memory before you take the exam.
Scratch paper
You will be provided scratch paper to use during the exam. You may not bring
your own scratch paper to the exam. The TCA will collect the scratch paper (used
and unused) upon completion of the exam. Removing scratch paper from the test
center is considered an act of misconduct. Pencils will be provided.
