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Hawaii Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

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Professional Land Surveyor

Individual professional land surveyor licensure under HRS Chapter 464.

Licensing authority: Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal date
Every license expires April 30 of each even-numbered year; renew by that date and pay the applicable renewal fees. HAR §16-115-7 treats renewal fees mailed with an April 30 or earlier postmark as timely.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement with NCEES examinations
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Application pathway
Application option 1a: hold and verify a current license in another jurisdiction; HRS §464-8(c)(1)(A) permits a domestic or foreign jurisdiction whose licensing standards satisfy the Board. The application describes an existing license in another state.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Fs waiver
HAR §16-115-66(b)(1) permits the Board to waive FS for at least fifteen years of approved responsible-charge land surveying experience; the discretion is an applicant condition and FS remains a leaf.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
Prior examination passage
Verify successful FS and PS examination passage. The PS examination cannot be waived under the Board application.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Statutory discretion
HRS §464-8(c)(1)(A) requires national and state examinations when the Board doubts the prior standards or compliance. HAR §16-115-66 exercises Board authority by specifying FS, PS and the Board-produced exam for endorsement.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
Licensure by endorsement seeking an FS waiver
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Application pathway
Application option 1b: current license in another jurisdiction and Board approval of fifteen years of responsible-charge land surveying experience.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Fs waiver
FS may be waived at the Board’s discretion under HAR §16-115-66(b)(1). FS remains in the requirement tree because it is currently offered and the waiver is applicant-specific.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
Ps and state exam
The application says the PS examination cannot be waived and all endorsement applicants must pass Hawaii Description Writings.
Responsible charge verification
Submit form EAS-11(b) documenting fifteen years of responsible charge, completed by a licensed surveyor; only experience gained while already licensed in another jurisdiction is considered.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
Licensure by examination — applying to take FS and/or PS
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Application pathway
Application option 2a: applicant is not currently licensed elsewhere and seeks eligibility to take FS and/or PS.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Fs exam entry
HAR §16-115-73 permits approved four-year graduates without experience; qualifying final-year students expecting graduation within seven months; specified arts/science or two-year technology graduates with five years lawful experience; or no-degree applicants with nine years. The Board application permits ABET degree holders to register directly for FS, but a licensure application remains necessary.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
Initial licensure after already passing FS and PS
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Application pathway
Application option 2b: applicant has already passed both FS and PS and is not licensed in another United States jurisdiction. Already-passed currently offered examinations remain leaves; submit verification of passage.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
Military deployment renewal or restoration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Request restoration within 120 days after discharge or release from active duty deployment.
Exclusions
Scheduled annual or specialized training, suspended or revoked licenses and adjudicated disciplinary cases do not qualify under HRS §436B-14.5(c)(1).
Qualifying service
Member of the armed forces, National Guard or a reserve component whose license expires, is forfeited or delinquent while on active duty and deployed during a state or national crisis. Also covers a current license expiring within 120 days after discharge or release.
Supporting documents
Provide active deployment and discharge or release orders; pay the current renewal fee and provide any federally required or financial-integrity documentation required for renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Endorsement for a nonresident military spouse
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Current license
Hold a current license in another jurisdiction and meet the ordinary endorsement examination requirements.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Fs waiver
An FS waiver remains subject to HAR §16-115-66(b)(1) and Board approval; prior passage is a leaf because the exams are currently offered.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
Military spouse competency
Under HRS §436B-14.6, unless otherwise provided by law, a nonresident military spouse may demonstrate competency as determined by the licensing authority in lieu of the specified prior practice period; consideration must be expedited.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
New licensure after revocation
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Board waiver
HRS §436B-21 permits the Board to waive applicable education or examinations upon documentation of maintained equivalent knowledge, competence and qualifications through work experience, training or education. Registered examinations remain leaves.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
Revocation wait
Apply only after five years from the effective date of revocation, by filing a new application and complying with all current new-applicant requirements.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
Reapplication after failing to restore within two years
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Endorsement if applicable
If currently licensed elsewhere, the new application follows endorsement and any Board-approved FS waiver is a condition.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
New applicant requirements
HRS §464-9(c) requires a new application and all requirements in effect at the time. Verify previously passed currently offered examinations as accepted by the Board; prior passage does not remove their leaves.
Prior hawaii license
The license expired for failure to renew and was not restored within two years.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
Reexamination after failing an examination
Abandonment
Complete the licensing process within one year of application or the application may be deemed abandoned under HRS §436B-9; a new application then must meet requirements current when reapplied.
Age
Be beyond the age of majority.
Application disclosures
Submit a complete signed application, residence and mailing information, Social Security number, relevant criminal and disciplinary disclosures, supporting documents and required fees.
Character
Possess a history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing; the Board may require additional proof of professional competence or further examinations under HRS §464-8. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition.
Council record
An up-to-date NCEES Council Record may document education, experience, licenses and examination passage to the satisfaction of the Board; the Board may request additional verification.
Education and experience
Meet one of the approved education/experience combinations: four-year land surveying, geoscience, civil or general engineering degree and three years lawful experience; four-year arts/science degree with a math, science or science-related major and seven years; two-year civil engineering technology (survey option) degree and seven years; or no degree and eleven years. The Board evaluates part-time equivalents and approved schooling under HRS §464-8(c) and HAR §16-115-75(a).
Education verification
Provide a certified diploma or official transcript unless applying without a degree; foreign education must be evaluated by a Board-approved professional service. The application says non-equivalent foreign programs use the no-degree pathway.
Experience verification
Document lawful supervised surveying experience through licensed professional land surveyor supervisors. Responsible-charge experience, if accepted by the Board in lieu of lawful experience, is credited at a 2:1 ratio. Teaching credit is limited by HAR §16-115-79; overlapping engagements cannot receive dual credit and education used as a qualification cannot concurrently receive experience credit.
Failed examinations
HAR §16-115-77 permits retaking the examination(s) failed; only the failed FS, PS or Hawaii Description Writings examinations need to be retaken by an individual applicant.
Law certification
Certify that the applicant has read, understood and agrees to comply with the laws and rules required by the Board.
Reexamination application
File the Application for Reexamination with the required examination fee. The rule specifies filing no later than ninety days before examination; the PSI bulletin also permits a failed state-exam candidate to reschedule subject to processing and availability.
State exam eligibility
Obtain Board application approval before registering for Hawaii Description Writings with PSI. The application states that the exam has been PSI-proctored since December 20, 2023.
Work authorization
Be a United States citizen or national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.
Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fees
Pay all applicable reinstatement, compliance resolution fund and recovery fund fees. Suspension may not exceed five years.
Suspension order
Apply for reinstatement to the extent authorized by law and comply completely with every term or condition imposed by the suspension order. Order-specific requirements remain applicant conditions; §436B-20 itself names no examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration within two years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Governing period
HRS §464-9(c) supplies the profession-specific two-year period. HRS §436B-3(b) gives licensing laws precedence over the general act; the general one-year default in §436B-14 does not replace this period.
Restoration window
An ordinary license expired for failure to pay renewal fees may be restored within two years of expiration upon payment of the required renewal and late fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

EASLA Professional Land Surveying State Exam – Hawaii Description Writings (HDW)

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Computer-based, written multiple-choice examination
Exam questions
65
Time limit
300 minutes
Passing score
70%
Examination outline
  • General
    • Document Research (locations)
    • Filing of Maps
    • Mathematical Calculations
    • Geodetic Calculations (azimuths and distances)
    • Conversions of Azimuths and Bearings; True Azimuths
  • Laws and Rules
    • Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 3-40, Rules Governing Public use of the Land Survey Division Maps, Descriptions, and Records, and Schedule of Fees for Services, Maps, and other Record Data
    • Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 13-16, Rules Relating to Conveyances
    • Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 13-222, Shoreline Certifications
    • Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 16-115, Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects
    • Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 7, Miscellaneous Rights of the People
    • Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 464, Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects
    • Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 501, Land Court Registration
    • Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 502, Bureau of Conveyances; Recording
    • Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 514B-33, Condominium Map
    • Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 657, Limitation of Actions
    • Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 669, Quieting Title
    • Rules of the Land Court
  • Land System
    • Division of Lands (Hawaiian)
    • Regular System
    • Land Court
  • Land Titles
    • Abbreviations
    • Original Land Titles
  • Translations for the Purpose of Surveying
    • Definitions (Hawaiian)
    • Hawaiian Descriptions
    • Units of Measure
  • Description Writing and Subdivisions
    • Types of Land and Descriptions
    • Format Utilized in Hawaii
    • Bureau of Conveyances, Requirements
    • Subdivision of Lands and Easements
    • Retrieve and Identify Information from Maps
    • Steps in Generating a Description
    • Coordinates
    • Area
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