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District of Columbia Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Land Surveyor Intern

Board certification based on Board-approved education and verified NCEES fundamentals examination passage.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Professional Engineering · Application information

Termination of intern certification discipline after conviction is overturned
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conviction
Discipline based on a conviction ends when the conviction is overturned under § 47-2853.24(b)(1).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of suspended or revoked intern certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Reinstatement
Disciplinary order or final-review terms and Board approval apply; § 1522 expressly allows reissue of certification after revocation. General provisions identify no examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New intern certification after expiration exceeding five years
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
New application
Current intern certification requirements: verified FS, approved degree or verified final-semester enrollment, three verified character references, application and fees.
Reinstatement of expired intern certification within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Reinstatement
Application within five years, current certification renewal qualifications, fees and satisfactory evidence under § 47-2853.15(a).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Intern certification by education and examination
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Prescribed application, fees and Board approval; foreign documents and transcripts are evaluated under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Education
Currently enrolled within one semester of completing a Board-approved surveying baccalaureate degree; the institution verifies enrollment.
Examination
Verification of passed NCEES FS, called FLS in the District rules. Candidates apply directly to NCEES (§ 1511.6).
References
At least three verified character references; no relatives or current Board members (§ 1510.3–1510.6).
Intern certification by education and examination
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Prescribed application, fees and Board approval; foreign documents and transcripts are evaluated under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Education
Completed four-year Board-approved land surveying baccalaureate degree.
Examination
Verification of passed NCEES FS, called FLS in the District rules. Candidates apply directly to NCEES (§ 1511.6).
References
At least three verified character references; no relatives or current Board members (§ 1510.3–1510.6).
New intern certification after five years inactive
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
New application
Five years or more inactive; current initial intern certification requirements apply unless the Board finds reasonable cause or excusable neglect.
Placement of intern certification on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing certification
Existing certification and inactive-status application/fee under § 47-2853.14(a); no practice while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation of intern certification before five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Reactivation
Inactive less than five years; fees, applicable continuing education and current certification renewal qualifications under § 47-2853.14(c).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Intern certification by qualifying reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing certification
Current certification in the same or substantially similar profession in a reciprocating jurisdiction, with standards at least as high when issued and good standing (§ 47-2853.12(b)(1)).
Waiver
The statute mandates waiver of examination or other proof of fitness. Rule 1511.6 ordinarily requests verification of passed FLS; this lower-ranked implementing demand is subject to that waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Intern certification renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Timely application, fee and current statutory renewal criteria under § 47-2853.13(b). Continuing education is required only if prescribed for this certification; § 1526 applies to licenses to practice, rather than intern certification alone.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Voluntary limitation of intern certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Limitation
Existing certification, permanent or indefinite limitation or fixed agreement, with possible treatment/education/supervision under § 47-2853.21.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration of voluntarily limited or surrendered intern certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restoration
Only the indefinite or fixed agreed period permits restoration under Board discretion or agreement; restrictions and remedial terms remain conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Professional Land Surveyor

Board-issued professional license. Inactive status, voluntary limitations, and reinstatement modify this same official identity. Separate Office of the Surveyor approval for District survey certification is governed by D.C. Code § 1-1329(c).

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Professional Engineering · Application information

Termination of discipline after conviction is overturned
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conviction
When suspension or revocation rested on a conviction later overturned, the disciplinary action ends when overturned (§ 47-2853.24(b)(1)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Board majority vote for reissue. Section 3309 normally imposes a one-year waiting period unless the order states otherwise, application/fees, satisfactory integrity and competency evidence, and possible education or training. No examination is identified by these general provisions.
Order
Meet the disciplinary order or final-review terms; individual order conditions remain applicant conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity or endorsement
District law examination (District of Columbia land surveying)
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fees and verified credentials. Endorsement may use the NCEES verified licensure record in lieu of originals (§ 1503.3).
Education
Without an approved four-year surveying degree, a licensee in good standing elsewhere must establish at least 12 years combined education and experience and at least one Board-acceptable surveying course at a qualifying institution under § 1508.5; experience must satisfy § 1509.
Existing license
Current license in the same or substantially similar profession, good standing, standards at least as high when issued, and reciprocal admission of District licensees (§ 47-2853.12(b)(1)).
Experience
At least four years of progressive, lawful surveying experience showing increasing responsibility. A substantial portion must be in responsible charge of property conveyance or boundary determination, with adequate technical field experience. Normally supervised by a licensed surveyor; explain unsupervised experience. Military and teaching experience must satisfy § 1509.2.
Fitness
The Board evaluates directly related criminal offenses and disciplinary history under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.12 and 47-2853.17.
Foreign documentation
Certified translations of foreign-language documents sent directly to the Board, approved evaluation of foreign or nonaccredited transcripts, and possible TOEFL score of at least 500 under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Implementing page demands
The Board page https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-professional-engineers, independently read by server-side access on 2026-09-30, states for Land Surveyor endorsement: "Have successfully passed the Fundamentals Exam (this requirement will not be waived in lieu of experience)" and "In addition to passing the national exam, surveyors must also pass the state specific exam before the license is issued." Its national-examination demands remain visible here subject to the mandatory statutory waiver in § 47-2853.12(b); the District-law examination is retained under § 47-2853.12(c)(1).
Minimum age
At least 18 years under D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2).
Office authorization
D.C. Code § 1-1329(c) separately requires Office of the Surveyor approval and permission for an already licensed person or firm to prepare and certify District surveys and subdivision plats; it does not identify another Board-issued license.
References
Five references including three licensed Professional Land Surveyors familiar with the work; provide references for each employment period. Relatives and Board members cannot be references (§ 1510).
Waiver
The qualifying applicant receives the mandatory examination/proof-of-fitness waiver in § 47-2853.12(b). Section 47-2853.12(c)(1) permits a District-law exam, exercised by the surveying classification and examination rules.
Licensure by reciprocity or endorsement
District law examination (District of Columbia land surveying)
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fees and verified credentials. Endorsement may use the NCEES verified licensure record in lieu of originals (§ 1503.3).
Education
A four-year Board-approved surveying degree meeting § 1508.4: qualifying institutional accreditation, ABET accreditation at graduation or within three years afterward, or Board-approved substantially equivalent coursework.
Existing license
Current license in the same or substantially similar profession, good standing, standards at least as high when issued, and reciprocal admission of District licensees (§ 47-2853.12(b)(1)).
Experience
At least four years of progressive, lawful surveying experience showing increasing responsibility. A substantial portion must be in responsible charge of property conveyance or boundary determination, with adequate technical field experience. Normally supervised by a licensed surveyor; explain unsupervised experience. Military and teaching experience must satisfy § 1509.2.
Fitness
The Board evaluates directly related criminal offenses and disciplinary history under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.12 and 47-2853.17.
Foreign documentation
Certified translations of foreign-language documents sent directly to the Board, approved evaluation of foreign or nonaccredited transcripts, and possible TOEFL score of at least 500 under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Implementing page demands
The Board page https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-professional-engineers, independently read by server-side access on 2026-09-30, states for Land Surveyor endorsement: "Have successfully passed the Fundamentals Exam (this requirement will not be waived in lieu of experience)" and "In addition to passing the national exam, surveyors must also pass the state specific exam before the license is issued." Its national-examination demands remain visible here subject to the mandatory statutory waiver in § 47-2853.12(b); the District-law examination is retained under § 47-2853.12(c)(1).
Minimum age
At least 18 years under D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2).
Office authorization
D.C. Code § 1-1329(c) separately requires Office of the Surveyor approval and permission for an already licensed person or firm to prepare and certify District surveys and subdivision plats; it does not identify another Board-issued license.
References
Five references including three licensed Professional Land Surveyors familiar with the work; provide references for each employment period. Relatives and Board members cannot be references (§ 1510).
Waiver
The qualifying applicant receives the mandatory examination/proof-of-fitness waiver in § 47-2853.12(b). Section 47-2853.12(c)(1) permits a District-law exam, exercised by the surveying classification and examination rules.
New licensure after expiration exceeding five years
Alternative qualification
An applicant independently qualifying for endorsement may use that separately described route. Expiration by itself grants no waiver.
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fees and verified credentials. Endorsement may use the NCEES verified licensure record in lieu of originals (§ 1503.3).
Education
A four-year Board-approved surveying degree meeting § 1508.4: qualifying institutional accreditation, ABET accreditation at graduation or within three years afterward, or Board-approved substantially equivalent coursework.
Experience
At least four years of progressive, lawful surveying experience showing increasing responsibility. A substantial portion must be in responsible charge of property conveyance or boundary determination, with adequate technical field experience. Normally supervised by a licensed surveyor; explain unsupervised experience. Military and teaching experience must satisfy § 1509.2.
Fitness
The Board evaluates directly related criminal offenses and disciplinary history under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.12 and 47-2853.17.
Foreign documentation
Certified translations of foreign-language documents sent directly to the Board, approved evaluation of foreign or nonaccredited transcripts, and possible TOEFL score of at least 500 under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Minimum age
At least 18 years under D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2).
Office authorization
D.C. Code § 1-1329(c) separately requires Office of the Surveyor approval and permission for an already licensed person or firm to prepare and certify District surveys and subdivision plats; it does not identify another Board-issued license.
References
Five references including three licensed Professional Land Surveyors familiar with the work; provide references for each employment period. Relatives and Board members cannot be references (§ 1510).
Time limit
After the five-year reinstatement period, meet initial licensure requirements under § 47-2853.15(b) and § 1515.3.
Reinstatement of expired license within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Competency demonstration and educational/training requirements may be imposed under §§ 1515.4 and 3308.3–3308.5. These provisions identify no examination.
Continuing education
At least six approved hours per expired or inactive year, up to 24 hours, completed no more than two years before application; include at least eight hours specific to District surveying and at least one ethics hour (§ 1526.4).
Submission
Application and fees, current renewal qualifications and satisfactory professional competency evidence.
Time limit
Apply within five years of expiration; lapse exceeding the 60-day late-renewal window requires reinstatement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure based on a foreign professional license
District law examination (District of Columbia land surveying)
Acceptable examination
Rule 1504.5 requires a passed examination acceptable to the Board without identifying FS or PS. A foreign national exam or unnamed acceptable exam is a condition; the identified District-law exam remains in this route.
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fees and verified credentials. Endorsement may use the NCEES verified licensure record in lieu of originals (§ 1503.3).
Board discretion
The Board decides equivalence and whether the submitted foreign license and acceptable examination satisfy § 1504.5 and § 47-2853.12(g).
Fitness
The Board evaluates directly related criminal offenses and disciplinary history under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.12 and 47-2853.17.
Foreign documentation
Certified translations of foreign-language documents sent directly to the Board, approved evaluation of foreign or nonaccredited transcripts, and possible TOEFL score of at least 500 under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Foreign license
Current foreign Professional Land Surveyor license and proof of otherwise qualifying under this chapter; foreign education and training must have been substantially equivalent when received.
Minimum age
At least 18 years under D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2).
Office authorization
D.C. Code § 1-1329(c) separately requires Office of the Surveyor approval and permission for an already licensed person or firm to prepare and certify District surveys and subdivision plats; it does not identify another Board-issued license.
References
Five references including three licensed Professional Land Surveyors familiar with the work; provide references for each employment period. Relatives and Board members cannot be references (§ 1510).
Return after five years inactive as a new applicant
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fees and verified credentials. Endorsement may use the NCEES verified licensure record in lieu of originals (§ 1503.3).
Board exception
The Board may grant the stated reasonable-cause or excusable-neglect exception to the new-applicant rule (§ 1514.5).
Continuing licensure
Failure to maintain any current jurisdictional license during the preceding five years independently requires PS and District exam (§ 1514.6). Independently qualifying endorsement applicants may use that route.
Education
A four-year Board-approved surveying degree meeting § 1508.4: qualifying institutional accreditation, ABET accreditation at graduation or within three years afterward, or Board-approved substantially equivalent coursework.
Experience
At least four years of progressive, lawful surveying experience showing increasing responsibility. A substantial portion must be in responsible charge of property conveyance or boundary determination, with adequate technical field experience. Normally supervised by a licensed surveyor; explain unsupervised experience. Military and teaching experience must satisfy § 1509.2.
Fitness
The Board evaluates directly related criminal offenses and disciplinary history under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.12 and 47-2853.17.
Foreign documentation
Certified translations of foreign-language documents sent directly to the Board, approved evaluation of foreign or nonaccredited transcripts, and possible TOEFL score of at least 500 under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Inactive duration
Five years or more; satisfy current initial issuance requirements.
Minimum age
At least 18 years under D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2).
Office authorization
D.C. Code § 1-1329(c) separately requires Office of the Surveyor approval and permission for an already licensed person or firm to prepare and certify District surveys and subdivision plats; it does not identify another Board-issued license.
References
Five references including three licensed Professional Land Surveyors familiar with the work; provide references for each employment period. Relatives and Board members cannot be references (§ 1510).
Placement of existing license on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Inactive status is available up to five years (§ 1514.3).
Existing license
Existing license, completed inactive application and fee.
Practice
No practice, offers or attempts while inactive; no biennial renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation within five years with continuing licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
At least six approved hours per expired or inactive year, up to 24 hours, completed no more than two years before application; include at least eight hours specific to District surveying and at least one ethics hour (§ 1526.4).
Continuing licensure
Maintained a current license in another jurisdiction during the preceding five years; § 1514.6 examination trigger does not apply.
Inactive duration
Less than five years; notify the Board, pay fees and meet renewal requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation without continuous licensure in preceding five years
Continuing education
At least six approved hours per expired or inactive year, up to 24 hours, completed no more than two years before application; include at least eight hours specific to District surveying and at least one ethics hour (§ 1526.4).
Examinations
Rule 1514.6 expressly requires PS and District-specific examination.
Inactive status
Inactive licensee who did not maintain a current license in any jurisdiction for the five years before requesting reinstatement.
Renewal
Meet fees, renewal/competency requirements and continuing education. If inactive for five years or more, the new-applicant rule in § 1514.5 also applies unless its exception is granted.
Initial licensure by examination
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fees and verified credentials. Endorsement may use the NCEES verified licensure record in lieu of originals (§ 1503.3).
Current application
The Board page, independently read through server-side access, requires an NCEES credentialing record and the online application for eligibility approval effective September 1, 2023; https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-professional-engineers.
Education
A four-year Board-approved surveying degree meeting § 1508.4: qualifying institutional accreditation, ABET accreditation at graduation or within three years afterward, or Board-approved substantially equivalent coursework.
Experience
At least four years of progressive, lawful surveying experience showing increasing responsibility. A substantial portion must be in responsible charge of property conveyance or boundary determination, with adequate technical field experience. Normally supervised by a licensed surveyor; explain unsupervised experience. Military and teaching experience must satisfy § 1509.2.
Fitness
The Board evaluates directly related criminal offenses and disciplinary history under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.12 and 47-2853.17.
Foreign documentation
Certified translations of foreign-language documents sent directly to the Board, approved evaluation of foreign or nonaccredited transcripts, and possible TOEFL score of at least 500 under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Intern status
The ordinary route follows Land Surveyor Intern certification under § 1512.2(b). FS passage precedes PS; Board approval precedes PS and District-law registration.
Minimum age
At least 18 years under D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2).
Office authorization
D.C. Code § 1-1329(c) separately requires Office of the Surveyor approval and permission for an already licensed person or firm to prepare and certify District surveys and subdivision plats; it does not identify another Board-issued license.
Other acceptable examinations
Section 47-2853.112(3) also permits other Board-acceptable national-certifying-organization or state examinations. Unnamed alternatives and another jurisdiction’s own examinations remain applicant conditions.
References
Five references including three licensed Professional Land Surveyors familiar with the work; provide references for each employment period. Relatives and Board members cannot be references (§ 1510).
Licensure based on recognized national certification
District law examination (District of Columbia land surveying)
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fees and verified credentials. Endorsement may use the NCEES verified licensure record in lieu of originals (§ 1503.3).
Fitness
The Board evaluates directly related criminal offenses and disciplinary history under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.12 and 47-2853.17.
Foreign documentation
Certified translations of foreign-language documents sent directly to the Board, approved evaluation of foreign or nonaccredited transcripts, and possible TOEFL score of at least 500 under §§ 1504 and 1508.7.
Minimum age
At least 18 years under D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2).
National certification
Board-acceptable recognized national certification, based on an acceptable examination or other certification requirements, with standards at least as high when certified and no disciplinary disqualification (§ 47-2853.12(b)(2)).
Office authorization
D.C. Code § 1-1329(c) separately requires Office of the Surveyor approval and permission for an already licensed person or firm to prepare and certify District surveys and subdivision plats; it does not identify another Board-issued license.
Qualifying examination
The certifying examination is unnamed. Passage of an unnamed examination is a condition; its national identity is not inferred.
References
Five references including three licensed Professional Land Surveyors familiar with the work; provide references for each employment period. Relatives and Board members cannot be references (§ 1510).
Waiver
Qualifying certification receives the statutory waiver; the Board retains the District-law examination under § 47-2853.12(c)(1).
License renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Twelve hours during the license term, including at least eight hours specific to District surveying and at least one professional ethics hour. Programs, reporting, four-year record retention and audits follow §§ 1526–1528.
License cycle
Two-year licenses expire August 31 in even-numbered years; the licensee is responsible for timely renewal.
Submission
Submit the application and fees; meet all current renewal qualifications. Apply before expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

License renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
First renewal of a license granted by examination is exempt under § 1526.1.
License cycle
Two-year licenses expire August 31 in even-numbered years; the licensee is responsible for timely renewal.
Submission
Submit the application and fees; meet all current renewal qualifications. Apply before expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

License renewal within 60 days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Twelve hours during the license term, including at least eight hours specific to District surveying and at least one professional ethics hour. Programs, reporting, four-year record retention and audits follow §§ 1526–1528.
License cycle
Two-year licenses expire August 31 in even-numbered years; the licensee is responsible for timely renewal.
Submission
Submit the application and fees; meet all current renewal qualifications. Complete missing continuing education and pay the late fee within 60 days; postexpiration hours do not count for the next cycle (§ 1526.8). A good-cause extension is possible under § 1526.10.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration after voluntary limitation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
An existing license may be limited or surrendered permanently, indefinitely at Board discretion, or for a fixed agreed period (§ 47-2853.21).
Practice
No affected activities while limited and no practice while surrendered; Board terms may include treatment, education or supervision. The statute prescribes no examination.
Restoration
Restoration applies to indefinite or fixed-period arrangements; the permanent option promises none.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration after voluntary surrender
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
An existing license may be limited or surrendered permanently, indefinitely at Board discretion, or for a fixed agreed period (§ 47-2853.21).
Practice
No affected activities while limited and no practice while surrendered; Board terms may include treatment, education or supervision. The statute prescribes no examination.
Restoration
Restoration applies to indefinite or fixed-period arrangements; the permanent option promises none.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Voluntary limitation of an existing license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
An existing license may be limited or surrendered permanently, indefinitely at Board discretion, or for a fixed agreed period (§ 47-2853.21).
Practice
No affected activities while limited and no practice while surrendered; Board terms may include treatment, education or supervision. The statute prescribes no examination.
Restoration
Restoration applies to indefinite or fixed-period arrangements; the permanent option promises none.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

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

District law examination (District of Columbia land surveying)

Provider
PSI
Format
Computer-administered written examination
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • Authorized Practice and Scope
    • Licensure status, classifications, and authority to practice
    • Scope of land surveying and protected representations
  • Professional Competence and Public Communications
    • Competence, responsible charge, delegation, and sealing responsibility
    • Reports, testimony, public statements, criticism, and reporting misconduct
  • Conflicts and Business Conduct
    • Conflicts, compensation, gratuities, and public service
    • Solicitation, proposals, qualifications, and advertising
  • Seals and Document Authentication
    • Required sealing, preliminary documents, reproducible originals, and multi-sheet work
    • Computer-generated seals and digital signatures
  • License Maintenance and Continuing Education
    • Expiration, renewal, inactive status, and reinstatement
    • Continuing education, documentation, and audits
  • Office of the Surveyor Records and Private-Survey Authority
    • Legal records, preservation, plat scale, and evidentiary status
    • Registered surveyor authority, certification, and Office procedures
  • Subdivision and Boundary Procedures
    • Subdivision plat preparation, certification, examination, and recordation
    • Square measurement, apportionment, Georgetown rules, and party-wall boundaries
  • Condominium and Construction Surveys
    • Condominium plats, plans, conversions, and unit-boundary changes
    • Wall checks, field notes, submission, and agency review
  • District Survey Methods and Enforcement
    • District property-line extension, square geometry, and building-line methods
    • Compliance, complaints, hearings, notice, and discipline
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