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Arizona Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Land Surveyor Registration

Professional registration for land surveying. Renewal, inactive status, reactivation and registration after cancellation are statuses or routes of this same certificate, not separate professional licenses. The Board applicant page identifies traditional, reciprocity or endorsement, and universal licensure pathways.

Licensing authority: Arizona State Board of Technical Registration · Application information

Delinquent renewal before cancellation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Delinquency
Expired but not yet cancelled after a full renewal period; complete renewal and pay renewal plus statutory penalty of one-sixth of renewal fee per year or fraction of delinquency.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement of existing registration on inactive status (including retirement)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Retired from active practice or not currently practicing in Arizona; submit written request; pay outstanding penalties if invalid; a cancelled certificate cannot be placed inactive.
Practice Restriction
Do not practice, offer to practice or advertise while inactive or invalid.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation of inactive professional registration
Additional Assessment
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Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
Eligibility
Inactive certificate; engaged in land-surveying profession during the preceding five years.
Fundamentals Waiver
A.R.S. § 32-126(D) exempts an approved school/curriculum graduate with at least twelve years of post-graduation professional experience; the Board must approve the waiver before applying without FS.
Professional Reexamination
The statute requires the § 32-122.01 qualifications; it does not mandate fresh professional reexamination for this applicant condition. Previously passed currently offered examinations remain leaves.
Professional Waiver
The Board applicant page permits application with FS and PS passed or waived by this Board. A.R.S. § 32-126(C) still requires the Arizona surveying-methods/legal-principles examination for a land surveyor satisfying § 32-126(A). R4-30-203 requires documentation of the applicable waiver qualifications.
Reactivation
Submit complete reactivation application and meet § 32-122.01 qualifications.
Reactivation of inactive professional registration
Additional Assessment
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Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
Eligibility
Inactive certificate; not engaged in the profession for the five years immediately before application.
Fundamentals Waiver
A.R.S. § 32-126(D) exempts an approved school/curriculum graduate with at least twelve years of post-graduation professional experience; the Board must approve the waiver before applying without FS.
Professional Reexamination
Take the applicable professional examination under § 32-127(H), with PS and state-specific professional parts identified by R4-30-284.
Professional Waiver
The Board applicant page permits application with FS and PS passed or waived by this Board. A.R.S. § 32-126(C) still requires the Arizona surveying-methods/legal-principles examination for a land surveyor satisfying § 32-126(A). R4-30-203 requires documentation of the applicable waiver qualifications.
Reactivation
Submit complete reactivation application and meet § 32-122.01 qualifications.
Registration through reciprocity or endorsement under A.R.S. § 32 122.03
Additional Assessment
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Board Exam Authorization
{"requirement":"The general authorization instructions additionally state FS and PS and 60 months of education/experience. This lower-ranked authorization instruction is retained as a condition; the specific statutory reciprocity route names only the Arizona examination.","source":{"carrierClass":"implementation","checkedAt":"2026-09-30","locator":"State-Specific Examination Authorization Qualifiers","name":"btr-land-surveyor-applicants.html","quote":"To qualify for Arizona state-specific land surveyor exam authorization, (pursuant to Arizona Administrative Code R4-30-204) applicants must demonstrate evidence of successful completion of the FS and PS exam, and at least 60 months of required education or experience, or both, in land surveying.","sourceFile":{"sha256":"d566b0b63d2ba7c974ac3065c23ddb99b702b45d6048c9636e5f8daa9849a417"},"url":"https://btr.az.gov/applicants/land-surveyor-applicants","version":"Official text pinned September 2, 2026; applicable on September 22, 2026"}}
Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
License Held
Valid land-surveyor license/registration/certification from another United States jurisdiction or a country participating in the national council mutual recognition agreement.
National Council Record
Valid applicable national-council certification/model-law/mutual-recognition record. The Board implements this as an NCEES Model Law Land Surveyor designation and direct NCEES Council Record transmission.
Statutory Boundary
Section 32-122.03 applies notwithstanding § 32-122.01 and expressly requires the Arizona examination. Model Law designation is an applicant qualification, not a separately named examination.
Professional registration with an examination exemption under A.R.S. § 32 126
Additional Assessment
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Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
Eligibility
Satisfy at least one § 32-126(A) qualification: substantially identical registration elsewhere; recognized national-bureau qualification certificate; or at least ten years of professional engagement elsewhere with valid registration in good standing. Land surveyors must still pass AZLS under § 32-126(C). All other registration qualifications remain applicable.
Fundamentals Waiver
A.R.S. § 32-126(D) exempts an approved school/curriculum graduate with at least twelve years of post-graduation professional experience; the Board must approve the waiver before applying without FS.
Professional Waiver
The Board applicant page permits application with FS and PS passed or waived by this Board. A.R.S. § 32-126(C) still requires the Arizona surveying-methods/legal-principles examination for a land surveyor satisfying § 32-126(A). R4-30-203 requires documentation of the applicable waiver qualifications.
Waiver Reading
FS and PS are retained as the currently offered examinations involved in the underlying professional-registration requirement; any exemption or Board-approved waiver excuses the applicant rather than removing the examination identity.
Timely renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Cycle
Three-year professional renewal cycle under R4-30-107.
Existing Certificate
Existing certificate; complete and sign renewal, answer moral-character/misconduct questions under R4-30-201(F), and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Registration after cancellation with professional reexamination
Additional Assessment
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Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
Eligibility
Invalid at least five years and no licensed practice in that profession elsewhere during the preceding five years.
New Application
Apply as a new candidate, pay application fee, and take/pass the professional examination. R4-30-284 identifies PS and the Arizona state-specific professional examination; FS remains an underlying qualification, with statutory waiver where applicable.
Registration after cancellation with professional examination exemption
Additional Assessment
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Board General Instruction
{"requirement":"The general Board new-candidate instructions demand FS, PS and Arizona examinations passed or waived; the controlling professional-examination exemption is retained.","source":{"carrierClass":"implementation","checkedAt":"2026-09-30","locator":"Traditional Land Surveyor Registration Pathway, qualification paragraph","name":"btr-land-surveyor-applicants.html","quote":"To qualify for Land Surveyor Registration, (pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 32-122.01 and Arizona Administrative Code R4-30-201 and R4-30-284) applicants must demonstrate evidence of successful completion of the FS exam and PS exam (or had them waived by this Board), the Arizona state-specific land surveyor exam, and at least 72 months of required education or experience, or both, in land surveying.","sourceFile":{"sha256":"d566b0b63d2ba7c974ac3065c23ddb99b702b45d6048c9636e5f8daa9849a417"},"url":"https://btr.az.gov/applicants/land-surveyor-applicants","version":"Official text pinned September 2, 2026; applicable on September 22, 2026"}}
Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
Eligibility
Certificate cancelled and invalid at least five years, but licensed professional practice in that profession elsewhere for the five years immediately before application.
Fundamentals Waiver
A.R.S. § 32-126(D) exempts an approved school/curriculum graduate with at least twelve years of post-graduation professional experience; the Board must approve the waiver before applying without FS.
New Application
Apply as a new candidate and pay the application fee under § 32-127(C)(1)(a).
Professional Exemption
Section 32-127(C)(1)(b) expressly removes taking/passing the applicable professional examination, including the state part; FS remains in the general new-candidate qualification and any applicable fundamentals waiver is a condition.
Registration after cancellation with professional examination exemption
Additional Assessment
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Board General Instruction
{"requirement":"The general Board new-candidate instructions demand FS, PS and Arizona examinations passed or waived; the controlling professional-examination exemption is retained.","source":{"carrierClass":"implementation","checkedAt":"2026-09-30","locator":"Traditional Land Surveyor Registration Pathway, qualification paragraph","name":"btr-land-surveyor-applicants.html","quote":"To qualify for Land Surveyor Registration, (pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 32-122.01 and Arizona Administrative Code R4-30-201 and R4-30-284) applicants must demonstrate evidence of successful completion of the FS exam and PS exam (or had them waived by this Board), the Arizona state-specific land surveyor exam, and at least 72 months of required education or experience, or both, in land surveying.","sourceFile":{"sha256":"d566b0b63d2ba7c974ac3065c23ddb99b702b45d6048c9636e5f8daa9849a417"},"url":"https://btr.az.gov/applicants/land-surveyor-applicants","version":"Official text pinned September 2, 2026; applicable on September 22, 2026"}}
Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
Eligibility
Certificate cancelled after a renewal period; invalid less than five years.
Fundamentals Waiver
A.R.S. § 32-126(D) exempts an approved school/curriculum graduate with at least twelve years of post-graduation professional experience; the Board must approve the waiver before applying without FS.
New Application
Apply as a new candidate and pay the application fee under § 32-127(C)(1)(a).
Professional Exemption
Section 32-127(C)(1)(b) expressly removes taking/passing the applicable professional examination, including the state part; FS remains in the general new-candidate qualification and any applicable fundamentals waiver is a condition.
Traditional professional registration (initial license or existing license elsewhere)
Additional Assessment
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Documentation
Provide truthful and complete application information, required fees, transcripts and direct verification of experience and examination results. An NCEES record may substitute for supporting documentation when complete.
Education Experience
At least six years (72 months) of Board-accepted land-surveying education and experience; educational credit and supervised/comparable experience governed by § 32-122.01(C)-(E) and R4-30-208.
Exam Sequence
FS, then PS, then AZLS under R4-30-284, subject to granted examination waivers. State-exam authorization instructions require 60 months of education/experience and evidence of FS and PS.
Fundamentals Waiver
A.R.S. § 32-126(D) exempts an approved school/curriculum graduate with at least twelve years of post-graduation professional experience; the Board must approve the waiver before applying without FS.
Professional Waiver
The Board applicant page permits application with FS and PS passed or waived by this Board. A.R.S. § 32-126(C) still requires the Arizona surveying-methods/legal-principles examination for a land surveyor satisfying § 32-126(A). R4-30-203 requires documentation of the applicable waiver qualifications.
Universal licensure for spouse accompanying an active duty servicemember
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board General Instruction
{"requirement":"The Board land-surveyor page generally says ALL pathways first require the state examination, without distinguishing this statutory military-spouse exemption. That lower-ranked general statement is recorded for the applicant.","source":{"carrierClass":"implementation","checkedAt":"2026-09-30","locator":"Information regarding the three registration applications, general state-exam statement","name":"btr-land-surveyor-applicants.html","quote":"*Please note that ALL pathways to registration first require successful completion of Arizona's state-specific examination.","sourceFile":{"sha256":"d566b0b63d2ba7c974ac3065c23ddb99b702b45d6048c9636e5f8daa9849a417"},"url":"https://btr.az.gov/applicants/land-surveyor-applicants","version":"Official text pinned September 2, 2026; applicable on September 22, 2026"}}
Disciplinary History
No revocation or surrender while under investigation; disciplinary matters must be resolved, pending complaints/investigations suspend processing, and no disqualifying criminal history under § 41-1093.04.
Documentation
Submit direct registration verification, evidence of equivalent practice level, and supporting residency or military-spouse evidence.
Examination Exemption
The explicit without-examination provision in § 32-4302(A), protected by § 32-4302(C), governs this applicant route.
Fees
Pay applicable fees.
License Held
Licensed in the same discipline and practice level for at least one year and in good standing in all licensing jurisdictions.
Military Spouse
Married to an active-duty member of the United States armed forces and accompanying that member on an official permanent change of station to an Arizona military installation.
Prior Qualifications
The issuing jurisdiction verifies its education and applicable experience/supervision qualifications. Any examination previously required by that jurisdiction is applicant evidence; no particular registered nationwide exam is identified by § 32-4302(A)(4).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Universal licensure for an Arizona resident
Disciplinary History
No revocation or surrender while under investigation; disciplinary matters must be resolved, pending complaints/investigations suspend processing, and no disqualifying criminal history under § 41-1093.04.
Documentation
Submit direct registration verification, evidence of equivalent practice level, and supporting residency or military-spouse evidence.
Fees
Pay applicable fees.
License Held
Licensed in the same discipline and practice level for at least one year and in good standing in all licensing jurisdictions.
Prior Qualifications
The issuing jurisdiction verifies its education and applicable experience/supervision qualifications. Any examination previously required by that jurisdiction is applicant evidence; no particular registered nationwide exam is identified by § 32-4302(A)(4).
Residency
Establish Arizona residence; Board examples include Arizona ID/driver license, vehicle registration, permanent-address records, military Form 2058 or voter registration.
State Exam
The Board exercises § 32-4302(C) authority by requiring AZLS before applying.

Branch Registration

Registration of a firm's branch office with the board.

Licensing authority: Arizona State Board of Technical Registration · Application information

Branch initial registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File complete registration/renewal application, identify responsible registrants and land-surveying services, and pay required fees.
Associated Firm
Arizona branch belongs to a registered firm; designated registrant need not be a firm principal; associated firm must remain active.
Cycle
Annual registration; firm application within thirty days of original-registration anniversary under § 32-141(C).
Responsible Professional
Land surveying services under the full authority/responsible charge of an Arizona registered land surveyor; existing individual registration is an applicant condition, not a firm examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Branch reapplication registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File complete registration/renewal application, identify responsible registrants and land-surveying services, and pay required fees.
Associated Firm
Arizona branch belongs to a registered firm; designated registrant need not be a firm principal; associated firm must remain active.
Cycle
Annual registration; firm application within thirty days of original-registration anniversary under § 32-141(C).
Expired Registration
Reapply after expired firm/branch registration; Board provides separate reapplication instructions. If the firm cannot reactivate after expiration exceeding thirty days, firm and branches must reapply.
Responsible Professional
Land surveying services under the full authority/responsible charge of an Arizona registered land surveyor; existing individual registration is an applicant condition, not a firm examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Branch renewal registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File complete registration/renewal application, identify responsible registrants and land-surveying services, and pay required fees.
Associated Firm
Arizona branch belongs to a registered firm; designated registrant need not be a firm principal; associated firm must remain active.
Cycle
Annual registration; firm application within thirty days of original-registration anniversary under § 32-141(C).
Responsible Professional
Land surveying services under the full authority/responsible charge of an Arizona registered land surveyor; existing individual registration is an applicant condition, not a firm examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Firm Registration

Registration of a firm offering board-regulated professional services under the full authority and responsible charge of a principal who is also a registrant.

Licensing authority: Arizona State Board of Technical Registration · Application information

Firm initial registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File complete registration/renewal application, identify responsible registrants and land-surveying services, and pay required fees.
Cycle
Annual registration; firm application within thirty days of original-registration anniversary under § 32-141(C).
Responsible Professional
Land surveying services under the full authority/responsible charge of an Arizona registered land surveyor; existing individual registration is an applicant condition, not a firm examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Firm reapplication registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File complete registration/renewal application, identify responsible registrants and land-surveying services, and pay required fees.
Cycle
Annual registration; firm application within thirty days of original-registration anniversary under § 32-141(C).
Expired Registration
Reapply after expired firm/branch registration; Board provides separate reapplication instructions. If the firm cannot reactivate after expiration exceeding thirty days, firm and branches must reapply.
Responsible Professional
Land surveying services under the full authority/responsible charge of an Arizona registered land surveyor; existing individual registration is an applicant condition, not a firm examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Firm renewal registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File complete registration/renewal application, identify responsible registrants and land-surveying services, and pay required fees.
Cycle
Annual registration; firm application within thirty days of original-registration anniversary under § 32-141(C).
Responsible Professional
Land surveying services under the full authority/responsible charge of an Arizona registered land surveyor; existing individual registration is an applicant condition, not a firm examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Land Surveyor In-Training Designation

Optional land surveyor in-training designation requiring approved graduation or at least four years of qualifying education or experience, plus an in-training examination unless statutorily exempt.

Licensing authority: Arizona State Board of Technical Registration · Application information

Optional land surveyor in training designation
Education Experience
Approved graduation or at least four years (48 months) of education/experience in land surveying meeting Board standards.
Fundamentals Waiver
A.R.S. § 32-126(D) exempts an approved school/curriculum graduate with at least twelve years of post-graduation professional experience; the Board must approve the waiver before applying without FS.
Status
Optional designation, not authority to practice as a registered professional land surveyor; successful FS verification ordinarily submitted directly by NCEES or the administering jurisdiction.

Arizona Land Surveying Examination (AZLS)

Examination outline
  • Definitions (9-463 and 32-2101)
  • Authority (9-463.01)
  • Subdivision Defined, Applicability (9-463.02)
  • Violations (9-463.03)
  • Subdivisions Plats, Projection of Street and Alley lines, Approval, Survey (9-474)
  • Subdivision Name, Limitation, Title to Streets (9-477)
  • Conveyance by Reference to Plat, Restriction, Violation, Penalty (9-479)
  • Size Prerequisites for Recording Maps and Plats (11-481)
  • Subdivision Regulation, Platting Rules, Penalty (11-821; 11-822)
  • Condominiums (33-1201through1230)
  • Board of Technical Registration (32-101 through145)(AAC R4-30)
  • Survey of Property, Maps and Plats (32-2194.21)
  • Landmarks and Surveys (33-101through106)
  • "Old" Arizona Coordinate System (Repealed 33-121through128)
  • "New" Arizona Coordinate System (33-131 through 138)
  • Adverse Possession (12-521 through 530)
  • Arizona Minimum Standards
  • Mining Locations (27-201 through209)
  • Public Land Survey System
Examination sources

Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam

Provider
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); administered year-round in testing windows at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based test, closed book with an electronic reference (NCEES FS Reference Handbook and the specified standards); includes alternative item types (AITs) in addition to traditional multiple-choice questions; uses both SI and U.S. Customary units
Exam questions
110 questions
Time limit
6-hour appointment: nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes), tutorial (8 minutes), exam (5 hours and 20 minutes), scheduled break (25 minutes)
Passing score
Results reported as pass or fail; failing examinees receive a diagnostic report by major topic
Exam fee
$225 exam fee payable directly to NCEES
Examination outline
  • 1. Surveying Processes and Methods (16–24 of 110 questions)
    • A. Instrumentation (e.g., GNSS/GPS, levels, total stations, robotic total stations, scanners, UAS)
    • B. GNSS/GPS surveys (e.g., static, kinematic, OPUS, real-time networks)
    • C. Control surveys (e.g., horizontal, vertical, network design, accuracy standards)
    • D. Cadastral (e.g., Public Land Survey System [PLSS], boundary, metes and bounds, land title)
    • E. Topographic surveys
    • F. Construction surveys (e.g., layout, as-built, quantity)
    • G. Land development (e.g., subdivision design/platting, land use, environmental, flood plains, wetlands)
    • H. Field record keeping and documentation (e.g., procedures, field books, raw data files)
  • 2. Mapping Processes and Methods (14–21 of 110 questions)
    • A. Basic mapping concepts (e.g., scaling, symbols, features, legend, contours, cartography)
    • B. Types of maps (e.g., plan and profile, cross section, plat, record of survey, ALTA, topographic, planimetric)
    • C. CAD (e.g., 2-D, 3-D, building information modeling [BIM])
    • D. GIS (e.g., feature collection, map projections, coordinate systems, metadata, database design and management, spatial data analysis, GIS applications)
    • E. Digital terrain model (e.g., machine control, triangulated irregular network [TIN], digital surface model, digital elevation model)
    • F. Photogrammetry and remote sensing (e.g., close range, conventional, softcopy, ground control, quality control, flight planning, project planning, UAS, drone, LiDAR, satellite, digital image analysis and processing)
  • 3. Boundary Law and Real Property Principles (19–29 of 110 questions)
    • A. Public records and descriptions (e.g., land descriptions, mineral rights, ownership rights, weighting evidence)
    • B. Common law principles (e.g., controlling elements, unwritten rights, adverse possession)
    • C. Easements (e.g., granted, implied/prescriptive)
    • D. Simultaneous and sequential conveyances
    • E. Metes and bounds
    • F. PLSS
    • G. Water law (e.g., riparian, littoral rights, water marks/levels)
    • H. Sources of law (e.g., federal/state/local, administrative, common, citations, legal research)
    • I. Encumbrances (e.g., restrictive covenants, mortgages, liens)
    • J. Real property law (e.g., deeds, chains of title)
  • 4. Surveying Principles (13–20 of 110 questions)
    • A. Basic surveying (e.g., horizontal surveys, vertical surveys, understanding of historical methods and instruments, route surveying, magnetic declination)
    • B. Geodesy (e.g., spherical trigonometry, geometric, physical, geodetic coordinates, orthometric corrections, convergence, geodetic reductions, gravity modeling, geoid modeling)
    • C. Applied geodesy (e.g., datums and datum conversions, latitude/longitude, coordinate transformations, state plane coordinate system [SPCS], map projections, control networks, reduction of observations, deflection of vertical, satellite coordinate systems)
  • 5. Survey Computations and Computer Applications (17–26 of 110 questions)
    • A. Coordinate geometry
    • B. Traverse closure and adjustments
    • C. Leveling (e.g., differential, trigonometric, reciprocal, precise)
    • D. Least squares adjustments
    • E. Area
    • F. Horizontal curves
    • G. Vertical curves
    • H. Volume (e.g., mass diagrams, earthwork)
    • I. Spreadsheets
    • J. Slopes and grades
  • 6. Business Concepts (11–17 of 110 questions)
    • A. Project planning (e.g., resource management, scheduling, cost estimation, tracking)
    • B. Safety (e.g., signage, basic first aid, safety equipment)
    • C. Liabilities (e.g., negligence, employee behavior, errors and omissions)
    • D. Contracts (e.g., basic elements, scope of work, specifications)
    • E. Supervision (e.g., survey team leadership, personnel management)
    • F. Project documentation and record management
    • G. Ethics
    • H. Communication (e.g., written communication, oral communication, alternate forms of communication, conflict resolution)
  • 7. Applied Mathematics and Statistics (10–15 of 110 questions)
    • A. College mathematics (e.g., trigonometry, analytical geometry and calculus, linear algebra and matrix theory)
    • B. Probability and statistics (e.g., mean, median, mode, hypothesis testing, normal distribution, linear regression)
    • C. Measurement science (e.g., error analysis, error propagation, positional tolerance, positional accuracy, random/systematic/blunder errors, unit conversions)
    • D. Quantitative reasoning (e.g., critical thinking, data analysis and validation, blunder detection, data quality, redundancy)
Examination sources

Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam

Provider
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); administered year-round via computer-based testing at approved Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed book with an electronic reference (NCEES PS Reference Handbook and the specified standards); U.S. Customary units; questions require a variety of approaches and methodologies, including design, analysis, and application
Exam questions
100 questions
Time limit
7 hours, including a tutorial and an optional scheduled break
Passing score
Results reported as pass or fail; failing examinees receive a diagnostic report by major topic
Exam fee
$375 exam fee payable directly to NCEES
Examination outline
  • 1. Legal Principles (18–27 of 100 questions)
    • A. Principles of Evidence — 1. How to search for data and for physical evidence to evaluate data; 2. How to evaluate data; 3. Parol evidence; 4. Prescriptive rights; 5. Adverse possession; 6. Acquiescence; 7. Controlling elements; 8. Easement rights
    • B. Common Law Boundary Principles — 1. Historical and current common law principles; 2. Riparian and littoral rights; 3. Sovereign rights, including both navigable waters and eminent domain; 4. Sovereign land grants
    • C. Sequential and Simultaneous Conveyance Concepts — 1. Types of conveyances; 2. Junior/senior rights; 3. Record and physical evidence
    • D. Legal Descriptions for Real Property Transactions — 1. Preparation and interpretation of legal descriptions; 2. Controlling elements and how they impact the description; 3. Unwritten rights and how they impact the description; 4. Encumbrances and how they impact the description; 5. Easements and how they impact the description
    • E. Evidence for the Perpetuation of the U.S. PLSS
  • 2. Professional Survey Practices (22–33 of 100 questions)
    • A. Public/Private Record Sources — 1. Resources for private and public records; 2. Local public records indexing and filing system; 3. Local survey office records
    • B. Documentation, Supervision, and Clear Communication of Field Procedures — 1. Field surveying techniques; 2. Field surveying practices; 3. Data collection protocols
    • C. GPS/GNSS including satellite constellations, static GPS, RTK, PPP, and virtual networks
    • D. Surveying Principles and Computations — 1. Technical computations; 2. Applicable software
    • E. Monumentation Standards — 1. Applicable monumentation criteria; 2. Monument types
    • F. Land Development Solutions — 1. Regulatory land development criteria; 2. Construction criteria; 3. Land development implementation procedures
    • G. Survey Maps/Plats/Reports — 1. Technical communications by schematic, platting, and mapping processes and procedures; 2. Communication options
    • H. GIS — 1. GIS spatial databases and metadata; 2. Datums and projections related to GIS
  • 3. Standards and Specifications (8–12 of 100 questions)
    • A. BLM Manual of Surveying Instructions
    • B. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards — 1. Current ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards; 2. State statutes regarding boundary surveys in conjunction with ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
    • C. FEMA Requirements — 1. FEMA specifications and instructions; 2. Horizontal and vertical datums related to FEMA flood zones; 3. Current FEMA elevation certificate; 4. FEMA Flood Insurance Study
  • 4. Business Practices (13–19 of 100 questions)
    • A. General Business Practices and Procedures — 1. Project planning and project management; 2. Deliverables; 3. Costs, budgets, and contracts; 4. Types of surveys; 5. Site features and conditions; 6. Scope of services; 7. Appropriate equipment and instruments
    • B. Risk Management Procedures — 1. Safety procedures; 2. QA/QC methods; 3. Risk management in contracts; 4. Insurance needs and requirements; 5. Potential liabilities
    • C. Professional Conduct
    • D. Communication with Clients, Staff, Related Professions, and the Public — 1. Different forms of communications; 2. Appropriate type of communication to convey concepts; 3. Related professions and their impact on client needs and deliverables
  • 5. Areas of Practice (24–36 of 100 questions)
    • A. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys — 1. Legal documents, such as deeds, easements, and agreements; 2. Zoning information as applied to ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys; 3. Title insurance commitment letters and policies; 4. Underground features as applied to ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
    • B. Control Networks and Geodetic Network Surveys — 1. Datums and reference frames relative to control networks; 2. Differences between local datums and geodetic datums; 3. Equipment appropriate for control surveys; 4. The Federal Geographic Data Committee Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards; 5. The National Geospatial Programs (NGP) Standards and Specifications—Digital Data Standards
    • C. Construction Surveys — 1. Construction plan reading; 2. Construction calculations including slopes, grades, and plan details; 3. Construction techniques and activities; 4. Horizontal and vertical positioning relative to a plan or datum
    • D. Boundary Surveys — 1. Physical boundary evidence; 2. Boundary reconciliations; 3. Historical measurement accuracy, equipment, and techniques; 4. Legal principles related to boundary surveys
    • E. Route Surveys for Alignments and Utilities — 1. Route alignment stationing practices; 2. Reading and interpreting roadway and utility plans
    • F. Topographic — 1. Topographic/planimetric mapping and control standards; 2. Interpretation, reconciliation, and adjustment of topographic survey data; 3. QA/QC procedures as applied to topographic surveys; 4. Ground, hydrographic, and remote sensing equipment; 5. The U.S. National Map Accuracy Standards as applied to topographic surveys; 6. Tools and techniques required to perform hydrographic, bathymetric, and remote sensing surveys; 7. Nomenclature related to utilities
    • G. Surveys to Establish New Parcels, Lots, or Units — 1. Types of subdivisions; 2. Platting; 3. Condominiums and associations; 4. Deed restrictions and restrictive covenants; 5. Zoning and subdivision ordinances
    • H. As-Built/Record Drawing Surveys — 1. As-built/record drawing calculations including slopes, grades, and plan details; 2. As-built/record drawing techniques and activities; 3. Horizontal and vertical as-built/record drawing positions relative to a plan or datum
    • I. Consultation Services — 1. Site topography and slope for development purposes; 2. Site access for development purposes; 3. Zoning standards related to new projects; 4. Floodplains as related to land development
Examination sources