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Arkansas Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Military Temporary License — Professional Surveyor

Military temporary license with the examination and application requirements incorporated by 17 CAR § 285-309(c)(2); lasts 90 days or until the Board determines qualification.

Licensing authority: Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors · Application information

Military temporary licensure — associate
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Board-approved AS or AAS in surveying or surveying technology, or Board-approved equivalent.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Experience
At least six years of acceptable post-graduation surveying experience, including at least two years of field boundary surveying in a public-land system similar to Arkansas and at least two years of office boundary-survey work; the remaining two years may be qualifying field, office, construction, engineering-project or topographic surveying or surveying measurement certification.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Military Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas; veteran discharged other than dishonorably residing or establishing residency in Arkansas; or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 285-309(c)(1), including the specified unaccompanied-duty and line-of-duty death situations.
Military Evidence
Provide initial licensure fee, evidence of military/spouse eligibility, and an application meeting the applicable original or comity professional surveyor qualifications.
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
Service Training
Relevant and applicable uniformed-service education, training, national certification or service-issued credentials are considered toward initial licensure qualifications under Act 137 of 2023; this is applicant qualification evidence, not an additional examination leaf.
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Temporary Duration
Effective for 90 days or until the Board determines whether the application meets original or comity qualifications.
Military temporary licensure — baccalaureate
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Board-approved baccalaureate degree of four years or more with at least 30 semester credits or Board-approved equivalent in surveying, mapping, and real property. Implementing rule recognizes an ABET-accredited or Board-approved BS in surveying, geomatics, geomatics engineering, or spatial information systems with surveying emphasis, or another qualifying baccalaureate with the prescribed courses. Courses must cover USPLSS and surveying law/professionalism.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Experience
At least three years of acceptable post-graduation surveying experience, including at least one year of field boundary surveying in a public-land system similar to Arkansas and at least one year of office boundary-survey work; the remaining year may be qualifying field, office, construction, engineering-project or topographic surveying or surveying measurement certification.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Military Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas; veteran discharged other than dishonorably residing or establishing residency in Arkansas; or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 285-309(c)(1), including the specified unaccompanied-duty and line-of-duty death situations.
Military Evidence
Provide initial licensure fee, evidence of military/spouse eligibility, and an application meeting the applicable original or comity professional surveyor qualifications.
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
Service Training
Relevant and applicable uniformed-service education, training, national certification or service-issued credentials are considered toward initial licensure qualifications under Act 137 of 2023; this is applicant qualification evidence, not an additional examination leaf.
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Temporary Duration
Effective for 90 days or until the Board determines whether the application meets original or comity qualifications.
Military temporary licensure — comity
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Meet one of the Board’s current degree alternatives or the Arkansas initial-licensure requirements in effect when first licensed elsewhere, whichever is least restrictive.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Existing License
Hold a professional surveyor license in good standing in another United States jurisdiction, substantially similar to Arkansas; submit licensure verifications and identify every current or past licensing jurisdiction.
Experience
Three years for a bachelor’s degree or six for an associate’s degree under the least restrictive rule; Arkansas accepts experience already accepted by another jurisdiction where the applicant holds a substantially similar professional surveyor license in good standing.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Fs Waiver
The Board may waive FS for an applicant with at least 15 years of licensed practice; FS remains an examination involved in this route.
License History
No license revoked for bad faith or violation of law, rule or ethics; no suspended or probationary United States license.
Military Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas; veteran discharged other than dishonorably residing or establishing residency in Arkansas; or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 285-309(c)(1), including the specified unaccompanied-duty and line-of-duty death situations.
Military Evidence
Provide initial licensure fee, evidence of military/spouse eligibility, and an application meeting the applicable original or comity professional surveyor qualifications.
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
References
Five references, at least three professional surveyors personally familiar with the applicant’s experience; preferably current or past supervisors.
Service Training
Relevant and applicable uniformed-service education, training, national certification or service-issued credentials are considered toward initial licensure qualifications under Act 137 of 2023; this is applicant qualification evidence, not an additional examination leaf.
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Temporary Duration
Effective for 90 days or until the Board determines whether the application meets original or comity qualifications.

Professional Surveyor

Individual license to practice land surveying and surveying measurement certification; inactive status is a status of this license, not a separate credential.

Licensing authority: Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors · Application information

Reciprocity (comity) — United States license
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Meet one of the Board’s current degree alternatives or the Arkansas initial-licensure requirements in effect when first licensed elsewhere, whichever is least restrictive.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Existing License
Hold a professional surveyor license in good standing in another United States jurisdiction, substantially similar to Arkansas; submit licensure verifications and identify every current or past licensing jurisdiction.
Experience
Three years for a bachelor’s degree or six for an associate’s degree under the least restrictive rule; Arkansas accepts experience already accepted by another jurisdiction where the applicant holds a substantially similar professional surveyor license in good standing.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Fs Waiver
The Board may waive FS for an applicant with at least 15 years of licensed practice; FS remains an examination involved in this route.
License History
No license revoked for bad faith or violation of law, rule or ethics; no suspended or probationary United States license.
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
References
Five references, at least three professional surveyors personally familiar with the applicant’s experience; preferably current or past supervisors.
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Maintenance of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Existing inactive licensee not engaged in surveying practice.
Maintenance
Pay applicable inactive-status fees; no professional services for remuneration while claiming the inactive PDH exemption.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement on inactive roll
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Existing licensee not engaged in land surveying practice; submit a written request for inactive status.
Maintenance
Continue paying the fee required by the Board’s rules; inactive status does not authorize practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military expedited licensure — associate
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Board-approved AS or AAS in surveying or surveying technology, or Board-approved equivalent.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Experience
At least six years of acceptable post-graduation surveying experience, including at least two years of field boundary surveying in a public-land system similar to Arkansas and at least two years of office boundary-survey work; the remaining two years may be qualifying field, office, construction, engineering-project or topographic surveying or surveying measurement certification.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Military Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas; veteran discharged other than dishonorably residing or establishing residency in Arkansas; or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 285-309(c)(1), including the specified unaccompanied-duty and line-of-duty death situations.
Military Evidence
Provide initial licensure fee, evidence of military/spouse eligibility, and an application meeting the applicable original or comity professional surveyor qualifications.
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
Service Training
Relevant and applicable uniformed-service education, training, national certification or service-issued credentials are considered toward initial licensure qualifications under Act 137 of 2023; this is applicant qualification evidence, not an additional examination leaf.
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Military expedited licensure — baccalaureate
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Board-approved baccalaureate degree of four years or more with at least 30 semester credits or Board-approved equivalent in surveying, mapping, and real property. Implementing rule recognizes an ABET-accredited or Board-approved BS in surveying, geomatics, geomatics engineering, or spatial information systems with surveying emphasis, or another qualifying baccalaureate with the prescribed courses. Courses must cover USPLSS and surveying law/professionalism.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Experience
At least three years of acceptable post-graduation surveying experience, including at least one year of field boundary surveying in a public-land system similar to Arkansas and at least one year of office boundary-survey work; the remaining year may be qualifying field, office, construction, engineering-project or topographic surveying or surveying measurement certification.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Military Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas; veteran discharged other than dishonorably residing or establishing residency in Arkansas; or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 285-309(c)(1), including the specified unaccompanied-duty and line-of-duty death situations.
Military Evidence
Provide initial licensure fee, evidence of military/spouse eligibility, and an application meeting the applicable original or comity professional surveyor qualifications.
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
Service Training
Relevant and applicable uniformed-service education, training, national certification or service-issued credentials are considered toward initial licensure qualifications under Act 137 of 2023; this is applicant qualification evidence, not an additional examination leaf.
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Military expedited licensure — comity
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Meet one of the Board’s current degree alternatives or the Arkansas initial-licensure requirements in effect when first licensed elsewhere, whichever is least restrictive.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Existing License
Hold a professional surveyor license in good standing in another United States jurisdiction, substantially similar to Arkansas; submit licensure verifications and identify every current or past licensing jurisdiction.
Experience
Three years for a bachelor’s degree or six for an associate’s degree under the least restrictive rule; Arkansas accepts experience already accepted by another jurisdiction where the applicant holds a substantially similar professional surveyor license in good standing.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Fs Waiver
The Board may waive FS for an applicant with at least 15 years of licensed practice; FS remains an examination involved in this route.
License History
No license revoked for bad faith or violation of law, rule or ethics; no suspended or probationary United States license.
Military Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas; veteran discharged other than dishonorably residing or establishing residency in Arkansas; or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 285-309(c)(1), including the specified unaccompanied-duty and line-of-duty death situations.
Military Evidence
Provide initial licensure fee, evidence of military/spouse eligibility, and an application meeting the applicable original or comity professional surveyor qualifications.
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
References
Five references, at least three professional surveyors personally familiar with the applicant’s experience; preferably current or past supervisors.
Service Training
Relevant and applicable uniformed-service education, training, national certification or service-issued credentials are considered toward initial licensure qualifications under Act 137 of 2023; this is applicant qualification evidence, not an additional examination leaf.
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Original licensure — associate qualification
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Board-approved AS or AAS in surveying or surveying technology, or Board-approved equivalent.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Experience
At least six years of acceptable post-graduation surveying experience, including at least two years of field boundary surveying in a public-land system similar to Arkansas and at least two years of office boundary-survey work; the remaining two years may be qualifying field, office, construction, engineering-project or topographic surveying or surveying measurement certification.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Original licensure — baccalaureate qualification
Application
Submit a sworn application, education and experience evidence, required fees, and five references; three references must be professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the applicant’s work, including present and past supervisors when available.
Education
Board-approved baccalaureate degree of four years or more with at least 30 semester credits or Board-approved equivalent in surveying, mapping, and real property. Implementing rule recognizes an ABET-accredited or Board-approved BS in surveying, geomatics, geomatics engineering, or spatial information systems with surveying emphasis, or another qualifying baccalaureate with the prescribed courses. Courses must cover USPLSS and surveying law/professionalism.
Examination Timing
FS must have been passed. PS may be taken following admission or its previously passed results accepted. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf; this does not require every applicant to sit it again.
Experience
At least three years of acceptable post-graduation surveying experience, including at least one year of field boundary surveying in a public-land system similar to Arkansas and at least one year of office boundary-survey work; the remaining year may be qualifying field, office, construction, engineering-project or topographic surveying or surveying measurement certification.
Experience Credit
Additional surveying or engineering classroom training may substitute only for the permitted remainder of field or office experience at Board discretion; degree-required courses are not additional experience credit.
Experience Supervision
Qualifying experience follows completion of graduation requirements, involves original thought and responsibility, and is supervised by a professional surveyor; the Board may approve an equivalent supervisory arrangement under 17 CAR § 285-501(f).
Minimum Age
Applicant for professional surveyor licensure must be over 21 years of age under A.C.A. § 17-48-203(a).
State Examination
Both independently scored parts must be passed; a previously passed part need not be repeated after failing the other part.
Reinstatement from inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Written request to return to active status and prescribed fee.
Continuing Education
Proof of 15 hours per inactive year, capped at 30 hours, as stated in § 285-306(b)(2); A.C.A. § 17-48-204(c)(2) requires advance notice, appropriate fees and all Board competency requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement — over two years with continuous license elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed reinstatement application covering all experience and activities since licensure; conditional approval by Director subject to Board ratification.
Continuing Education
15 PDH hours per year, capped at 30.
Lapse
More than two years nonrenewed, with continuous active registration in another jurisdiction and no discipline throughout that period.
Payment
Reinstatement fee plus two years of renewal fees and late penalties.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement — over two years under reduced requirements
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed application covering experience and activities since original licensure, five references, prescribed reinstatement and biennial renewal fees and late penalties.
Background Check
The entity may require the same criminal background check as applies to original or current licensees under § 17-1-107(e).
Competence Discretion
Act 1011 permits proficiency testing and/or recommendation letters to establish competence; no particular currently offered examination is identified by that clause. The Board’s implementing § 285-306 provides the administrative submission requirements for this pathway.
Continuing Education
15 PDH hours per year, capped at 30.
Prior License
Previously Arkansas-licensed in good standing, no revocation for bad faith or violation of law, rule or ethics, no suspended or probationary license anywhere, and sufficient competence under § 17-1-107.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Administrative reinstatement — nonrenewed two years or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
A.C.A. § 17-48-204(d) permits the Board to consider reexamination generally; § 285-306(b)(3)(A) implements this pathway through administrative fees and penalties.
Lapse
License nonrenewed for no more than two years.
Payment
Pay the required fees and late penalties under § 285-403(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Discretionary reissue on petition
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
Reissue is discretionary under A.C.A. § 17-48-208(d); the applicant remains subject to applicable disciplinary orders.
Petition
Individual licensee or firm petitions the Board for reissue; a majority of Board members must vote for issuance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
30 PDH per renewal period, including at least 2 PDH in Arkansas Standards of Practice No. 1; carryover and exemptions under §§ 285-1003 and 285-1007 apply. Dual licensees need 40 PDH with at least 10 in each profession. Maintain the supporting records for 3 years. New examination/comity licensees are exempt for the first renewal period. A surveyor aged at least 60 with 20 years of acceptable professional experience may request exemption.
Military Deployment
Deployment extends expiration and continuing-education exemption through 180 days after the service member returns, including a qualifying spouse.
Payment
Submit renewal and applicable fee through the PELS portal; late fees apply as prescribed in 17 CAR § 285-403.
Renewal Cycle
Biennial renewal. SI and PS licenses expire June 30; even license numbers renew in even years and odd numbers in odd years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Surveyor Intern

Surveyor intern license; practice is permitted only as an employee of or under the supervision of a professional surveyor under A.C.A. § 17-48-201(d).

Licensing authority: Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors · Application information

Reciprocity (comity) — United States surveyor intern license
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Submit completed application, degree verification and required fee; the Board must approve the materials.
Competence
Passing an examination in surveying fundamentals is required to demonstrate competence; the Board identifies the approved NCEES FS examination in § 285-304(b).
Education
Graduation from an ABET-accredited or Board-approved BS in surveying, geomatics, geomatics engineering, or spatial information systems with surveying emphasis; or a Board-approved AS/AAS in surveying/surveying technology; or a four-year baccalaureate plus at least 30 semester hours or Board-approved equivalent in surveying-related courses. The baccalaureate statutory pathway requires the approved surveying, mapping and real-property coursework. Coursework includes USPLSS and surveying law/professionalism where required by 17 CAR § 285-304(a).
Examination Timing
FS can be taken directly through NCEES without Board authorization; licensure requires verification of passing FS and proof of graduation.
Existing License
Substantially similar surveyor intern license in good standing in another United States jurisdiction and educational qualifications corresponding to 17 CAR § 285-304(d)(1)(A)(ii).
License History
No revocation for bad faith or violation of law, rules or ethics; no suspended or probationary license. Identify all past and current licensing jurisdictions and provide good-standing evidence.
Practice Limitation
An intern may practice only as an employee of or under a professional surveyor.
Maintenance of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Existing inactive licensee not engaged in surveying practice.
Maintenance
Pay applicable inactive-status fees; no professional services for remuneration while claiming the inactive PDH exemption.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement on inactive roll
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Existing licensee not engaged in land surveying practice; submit a written request for inactive status.
Maintenance
Continue paying the fee required by the Board’s rules; inactive status does not authorize practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military automatic surveyor intern licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documentation
Pay initial license fee and submit evidence of the existing similar-scope license and qualifying military or spouse status.
Existing License
Surveyor intern license in good standing with a similar scope of practice issued by another United States state, territory or district.
Military Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas; veteran discharged other than dishonorably residing or establishing residency in Arkansas; or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 285-309(b)(1), including the specified unaccompanied-duty and line-of-duty death situations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Original surveyor intern licensure
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Submit completed application, degree verification and required fee; the Board must approve the materials.
Education
Graduation from an ABET-accredited or Board-approved BS in surveying, geomatics, geomatics engineering, or spatial information systems with surveying emphasis; or a Board-approved AS/AAS in surveying/surveying technology; or a four-year baccalaureate plus at least 30 semester hours or Board-approved equivalent in surveying-related courses. The baccalaureate statutory pathway requires the approved surveying, mapping and real-property coursework. Coursework includes USPLSS and surveying law/professionalism where required by 17 CAR § 285-304(a).
Examination Timing
FS can be taken directly through NCEES without Board authorization; licensure requires verification of passing FS and proof of graduation.
Practice Limitation
An intern may practice only as an employee of or under a professional surveyor.
Return from inactive intern status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
An inactive intern retains the right to obtain a certificate under A.C.A. § 17-48-204(c)(1); § 285-306(a) directs administrative reinstatement for any qualifying intern licensee.
Background Check
The entity may require the same criminal background check as applies to original or current licensees under § 17-1-107(e).
Competence Discretion
Act 1011 permits proficiency testing and/or recommendation letters to establish competence; no particular currently offered examination is identified by that clause. The Board’s implementing § 285-306 provides the administrative submission requirements for this pathway.
Payment
Pay applicable intern fees and penalties; the professional-licensee 15-PDH provision in § 285-306(b)(2) is not applied to interns.
Prior License
Previously Arkansas-licensed in good standing, no revocation for bad faith or violation of law, rule or ethics, no suspended or probationary license anywhere, and sufficient competence under § 17-1-107.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Administrative reinstatement of nonrenewed intern license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background Check
The entity may require the same criminal background check as applies to original or current licensees under § 17-1-107(e).
Competence Discretion
The general statute permits proficiency testing or recommendation letters; the Board’s intern rule directs administrative reinstatement for applicants meeting § 17-1-107, without naming a current examination.
Payment
Pay the required fees and penalties under § 285-403(b).
Prior License
Previously Arkansas-licensed in good standing, no revocation for bad faith or violation of law, rule or ethics, no suspended or probationary license anywhere, and sufficient competence under § 17-1-107.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Discretionary reissue on petition
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
Reissue is discretionary under A.C.A. § 17-48-208(d); the applicant remains subject to applicable disciplinary orders.
Petition
Individual licensee or firm petitions the Board for reissue; a majority of Board members must vote for issuance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fee
Surveyor intern renewal fee is $10.00. The Board’s continuing-education implementation specifies professional licensees; this survey does not infer an intern PDH requirement from the professional-license rule.
Military Deployment
Deployment extends expiration and continuing-education exemption through 180 days after the service member returns, including a qualifying spouse.
Payment
Submit renewal and applicable fee through the PELS portal; late fees apply as prescribed in 17 CAR § 285-403.
Renewal Cycle
Biennial renewal. SI and PS licenses expire June 30; even license numbers renew in even years and odd numbers in odd years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Arkansas State Specific Examination — Part I, General (Professional Surveyor)

Provider
Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors
Format
Open-book written examination; multiple-choice questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
A separate acceptable score is set for each part; historically approximately 70% of available points.
Examination outline
  • AR Minimum Standards for Boundary Surveys (33%)
  • State Statutes and Licensing Board Rules (37%)
  • AR State Plane Coordinate System (17%)
  • AR Riparian Boundaries (13%)
Examination sources

Arkansas State Specific Examination — Part II, USPLSS

Provider
Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors
Format
Open-book written examination; multiple-choice questions; numerical calculation problems with partial credit
Time limit
1.5 hours
Passing score
A separate acceptable score is set for each part; historically approximately 70% of available points.
Examination outline
  • Original GLO (28%)
  • Resurveys on the USPLSS (32%)
  • Calculation problems on the USPLSS (40%)
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