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Maryland Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Temporary License — Professional Land Surveyor

Discretionary temporary occupational license authorized by Business Regulation section 2.5-107 for eligible military applicants whose other-state license has been held for less than one year; term determined by the licensing unit.

Licensing authority: Maryland State Board for Professional Land Surveyors · Application information

Discretionary temporary issuance for eligible military applicants
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Additional Requirements
Section 2.5-107 leaves the additional permanent-licensure requirements to the unit; it imposes no identified examination as a prerequisite to this temporary grant. This is statutory discretionary authority; the Board’s general military page links the profession’s application process without publishing a separate temporary application.
Military Eligibility
An active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse under Business Regulation section 2.5-101.
Other State License
A valid other-state occupational license held for less than one year, with every valid license held in good standing.
Public Protection
The Board may not issue this temporary license if issuance poses a risk to public health, welfare or safety.
Term And Scope
The licensing unit determines the temporary term; it permits regulated services while additional Maryland licensure requirements are completed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Retired Professional Land Surveyor

Retired-status license; holder may use the retired designation and may not practice.

Licensing authority: Maryland State Board for Professional Land Surveyors · Application information

Issuance of retired status license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board retired-status application and applicable fee.
Current License
Currently licensed in Maryland in the corresponding professional land or property line surveying identity.
Discipline
No pending disciplinary action related to surveying in Maryland or another jurisdiction.
Experience
At least 25 years licensed or otherwise authorized under section 15-303, including five years in Maryland. The Board retired-status page describes 25 years as a Professional Land Surveyor; the broader statutory qualification also includes property line licensure and authorized supervised practice.
Practice Restriction
No surveying practice under this license; retired designation permitted. The Board states that this license does not have to be renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Professional Land Surveyor

Individual license to practice professional land surveying under Title 15.

Licensing authority: Board for Professional Land Surveyors · Application information

Renewal accommodations for deployed active service members
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Competency
COMAR 09.13.08 requires 24 CPC units in each two-year cycle, including at least four in the specified professional responsibility subjects, attestation and records; Board may audit. Section 15-314(f)(1) exempts first renewal; the implementing rule’s narrower military initial-renewal exception is stated in COMAR 09.13.08.12A.
Deployment
The Board may allow late renewal without penalty or reinstatement fee when active military deployment outside Maryland directly caused the delay, and allow a reasonable time after renewal to complete CPC (Business Regulation section 2.5-104).
License Held
An existing Maryland professional land surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Application
Otherwise entitled to licensure; submit the Board renewal application and license fee for a two-year term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination — Approved four year land surveying curriculum
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Education And Experience
A Board-approved four-year land surveying curriculum from a regionally accredited institution and at least two years of satisfactory land surveying experience.
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Licensure by examination — Four year physical or applied science curriculum
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Education And Experience
A four-year physical or applied science curriculum from a regionally accredited institution and at least four years of satisfactory experience; Board may allow one year of credit per 30 approved surveying-related semester hours, up to three years.
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Licensure by examination — Four year degree with surveying coursework
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Education And Experience
An accredited four-year degree, at least 30 Board-approved surveying-related credit hours, and four years of satisfactory experience; additional approved surveying courses may earn up to three years of experience credit.
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Licensure by examination — High school education with surveying coursework
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Education And Experience
High-school graduation or equivalent, at least 30 Board-approved surveying-related credit hours, and six years of satisfactory experience; additional approved surveying courses may earn up to three years of experience credit.
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Licensure by examination — Pending nonacademic applications filed by December 31, 2025
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Application Cutoff
The Board FAQ still lists five options. The controlling section 15-305(f)(1)(i) says: "applies for a license on or before December 31, 2025". The January 2026 examination form lists only options (b)–(e); this route represents only previously timely-filed applications awaiting issuance.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Education And Experience
This statutory option is restricted to applicants who applied on or before December 31, 2025; it is not open to new 2026 applications. Requires high-school graduation or equivalent and nine years of satisfactory experience, with up to three years of Board-approved surveying-course experience credit.
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Expedited permanent licensure for eligible military applicants
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Board Current Instruction
The Board reciprocal-license page states: "An applicant who is licensed to practice surveying in another US State/ jurisdiction will still need to apply as an original exam applicant as the MD Board of Professional Land Surveyors does not recognize reciprocity; the two State-Specific Examinations still need to be passed successfully prior to licensure." This is the Board’s current implementation of its statutory discretion.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Expedited Processing
Submit the full license application, required documentation and fees; section 2.5-106 requires issuance within 60 days when licensure requirements are met. Expedition changes processing, not the identified surveying examinations.
Law Exception
The state-exam page excuses reciprocity applicants licensed before October 1987 or holders of a current property line license from Law and Ethics. The out-of-state instructions add continuous licensure before October 1987. These conditions remain visible despite the reciprocal page’s general two-exam instruction.
Military Credit
Relevant military practice experience must be credited; substantially equivalent military training and education must be credited when not contrary to another licensing requirement (section 2.5-105).
Military Eligibility
Active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse under Business Regulation section 2.5-101; prove status and qualifying Maryland duty station or legal residence, including the spouse’s assignment or residence as applicable.
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
Other State License Duration
Section 2.5-106(b) requires a valid other-state license held in good standing for at least one year and every other valid license in good standing.
Out Of State Documentation
Provide licensure and FS/PS verification, professional experience, references, official transcripts, and any required foreign-degree evaluation. The Board determines which state-specific examinations must be taken.
Out Of State License
Licensed to practice land surveying in another United States jurisdiction. For a statutory examination waiver, section 15-311 requires proof that qualifications at original licensure were equivalent to Maryland requirements then in effect, good character, and fees.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Waiver Discretion
The Board may waive any examination requirement or part of it under section 15-311(a), and may require state-specific examinations or a previously failed part of a nationally administered examination under subsection (c).
Out of state licensure and statutory examination waiver consideration
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Board Current Instruction
The Board reciprocal-license page states: "An applicant who is licensed to practice surveying in another US State/ jurisdiction will still need to apply as an original exam applicant as the MD Board of Professional Land Surveyors does not recognize reciprocity; the two State-Specific Examinations still need to be passed successfully prior to licensure." This is the Board’s current implementation of its statutory discretion.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Law Exception
The state-exam page excuses reciprocity applicants licensed before October 1987 or holders of a current property line license from Law and Ethics. The out-of-state instructions add continuous licensure before October 1987. These conditions remain visible despite the reciprocal page’s general two-exam instruction.
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
Out Of State Documentation
Provide licensure and FS/PS verification, professional experience, references, official transcripts, and any required foreign-degree evaluation. The Board determines which state-specific examinations must be taken.
Out Of State License
Licensed to practice land surveying in another United States jurisdiction. For a statutory examination waiver, section 15-311 requires proof that qualifications at original licensure were equivalent to Maryland requirements then in effect, good character, and fees.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Waiver Discretion
The Board may waive any examination requirement or part of it under section 15-311(a), and may require state-specific examinations or a previously failed part of a nationally administered examination under subsection (c).
Direct reinstatement more than two years after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
The Board may directly reinstate on renewal requirements, reasons if requested, and applicable fees. This route is the direct-reinstatement decision. For professional land surveyors, the separate original-application route applies if the Board instead requires reapplication.
Expiration Window
Apply more than two years after expiration.
Fee Waiver
The Board may waive the reinstatement fee on satisfactory proof that no surveying practice occurred while the license was lapsed (section 15-315(d)).
License Held
An existing Maryland professional land surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Requirements
Meet section 15-314 renewal requirements and past-due CPC up to 48 units under COMAR 09.13.08.14; submit application and applicable fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement through Board required original application
Application
Submit the sworn Board application, supporting education and experience records, five references (normally three professional land surveyors with personal knowledge), and required fees under section 15-306.
Board Discretion
Direct reinstatement under section 15-315(b)(1)(ii) is represented by a separate no-examination route; this route applies to the Board-required original application.
Character
The applicant must be an individual of good character and reputation (section 15-304).
Current Qualification
Meet the applicable current section 15-305 education and experience category (b), (c), (d), or (e). The former (f) option is available only if a qualifying application was filed by December 31, 2025.
Expired License
A professional land surveyor license expired more than two years ago, with the Board requiring an original application under section 15-315(b)(1)(i).
Minor Engineering
COMAR 09.13.07.02D–E requires 18 months of minor engineering experience, acceptable education, or a combination; section .03 permits three approved semester credit hours for six months.
National Exam Timing
Passing FS is documented with the original application; Board approval is not required to sit FS. PS requires the Board-approved education and experience application. Currently offered FS and PS are examination leaves even when passed before applying.
State Examination Waiver
Section 15-305 permits the Board to excuse state-specific examinations. The Board state-exam page exempts current property line license holders from Law and Ethics and professional engineers with civil-engineering experience from Road Grade and Storm Drain. The named examinations remain represented; exemptions depend on the applicant.
Reinstatement within two years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiration Window
Apply within two years after expiration.
Fee Waiver
The Board may waive the reinstatement fee on satisfactory proof that no surveying practice occurred while the license was lapsed (section 15-315(d)).
License Held
An existing Maryland professional land surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Requirements
Meet section 15-314 renewal requirements and past-due CPC up to 48 units under COMAR 09.13.08.14; submit application and applicable fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Competency
COMAR 09.13.08 requires 24 CPC units in each two-year cycle, including at least four in the specified professional responsibility subjects, attestation and records; Board may audit. Section 15-314(f)(1) exempts first renewal; the implementing rule’s narrower military initial-renewal exception is stated in COMAR 09.13.08.12A.
License Held
An existing Maryland professional land surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Application
Otherwise entitled to licensure; submit the Board renewal application and license fee for a two-year term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation from retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board reactivation application and fee.
Continuing Competency
Complete past-due CPC that would have been required, not exceeding 48 credit hours or units.
Discipline
No pending disciplinary action related to land or property line surveying.
Retired License
Hold the corresponding retired-status Maryland license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration of a revoked license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Approval
Affirmative vote of a majority of serving Board members and payment of the reinstatement fee (section 15-320). The applicable hearing rules do not add an examination requirement to this restoration grant.
License Held
An existing Maryland professional land surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Revocation
A revoked Maryland license; reinstatement is discretionary and subject to Board regulations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed Property Line Surveyor

New property line surveying licenses may not be issued on or after July 1, 1990. Individuals licensed as of June 30, 1990, may continue renewing their licenses.

Licensing authority: Maryland State Board for Professional Land Surveyors · Application information

Renewal accommodations for deployed active service members
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Competency
COMAR 09.13.08 requires 24 CPC units in each two-year cycle, including at least four in the specified professional responsibility subjects, attestation and records; Board may audit. Section 15-314(f)(1) exempts first renewal; the implementing rule’s narrower military initial-renewal exception is stated in COMAR 09.13.08.12A.
Deployment
The Board may allow late renewal without penalty or reinstatement fee when active military deployment outside Maryland directly caused the delay, and allow a reasonable time after renewal to complete CPC (Business Regulation section 2.5-104).
License Held
An existing Maryland property line surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Application
Otherwise entitled to licensure; submit the Board renewal application and license fee for a two-year term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Direct reinstatement more than two years after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
The Board may directly reinstate on renewal requirements, reasons if requested, and applicable fees. This route is the direct-reinstatement decision. For professional land surveyors, the separate original-application route applies if the Board instead requires reapplication.
Expiration Window
Apply more than two years after expiration.
Fee Waiver
The Board may waive the reinstatement fee on satisfactory proof that no surveying practice occurred while the license was lapsed (section 15-315(d)).
License Held
An existing Maryland property line surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Requirements
Meet section 15-314 renewal requirements and past-due CPC up to 48 units under COMAR 09.13.08.14; submit application and applicable fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within two years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiration Window
Apply within two years after expiration.
Fee Waiver
The Board may waive the reinstatement fee on satisfactory proof that no surveying practice occurred while the license was lapsed (section 15-315(d)).
License Held
An existing Maryland property line surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Requirements
Meet section 15-314 renewal requirements and past-due CPC up to 48 units under COMAR 09.13.08.14; submit application and applicable fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Competency
COMAR 09.13.08 requires 24 CPC units in each two-year cycle, including at least four in the specified professional responsibility subjects, attestation and records; Board may audit. Section 15-314(f)(1) exempts first renewal; the implementing rule’s narrower military initial-renewal exception is stated in COMAR 09.13.08.12A.
License Held
An existing Maryland property line surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Renewal Application
Otherwise entitled to licensure; submit the Board renewal application and license fee for a two-year term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation from retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board reactivation application and fee.
Continuing Competency
Complete past-due CPC that would have been required, not exceeding 48 credit hours or units.
Discipline
No pending disciplinary action related to land or property line surveying.
Retired License
Hold the corresponding retired-status Maryland license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration of a revoked license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Approval
Affirmative vote of a majority of serving Board members and payment of the reinstatement fee (section 15-320). The applicable hearing rules do not add an examination requirement to this restoration grant.
License Held
An existing Maryland property line surveyor license. Property line licenses are maintained under section 15-302, not newly issued.
Revocation
A revoked Maryland license; reinstatement is discretionary and subject to Board regulations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Retired Property Line Surveyor

Retired-status form for an existing property line licensee; no authority to practice.

Licensing authority: Maryland State Board for Professional Land Surveyors · Application information

Issuance of retired status license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board retired-status application and applicable fee.
Current License
Currently licensed in Maryland in the corresponding professional land or property line surveying identity.
Discipline
No pending disciplinary action related to surveying in Maryland or another jurisdiction.
Experience
At least 25 years licensed or otherwise authorized under section 15-303, including five years in Maryland. The Board retired-status page describes 25 years as a Professional Land Surveyor; the broader statutory qualification also includes property line licensure and authorized supervised practice.
Practice Restriction
No surveying practice under this license; retired designation permitted. The Board states that this license does not have to be renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Maryland Law and Ethics Exam

Format
Open book; computer-based delivery
Exam questions
60 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
2 hours
Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 15 — Professional Land Surveyors
  • COMAR 09.13.01 — Code of Ethics for the Practice of Professional Land Surveying and Property Line Surveying
  • COMAR 09.13.02 — Hearing Regulations
  • COMAR 09.13.03 — Survey Markers
  • COMAR 09.13.04 — Disciplinary Actions
  • COMAR 09.13.06 — Minimum Standards of Practice
  • COMAR 09.13.07 — Educational Equivalency Requirements
  • COMAR 09.13.08 — Continuing Professional Competency Requirements
Examination sources

Road Grade and Storm Drain Exam

Format
Open book, principles and practices problem-solving
Time limit
4 hours
Passing score
70% or better
Practice scope

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

  • Road and Street Grade Design
    • Entrance/street profile grades, grade breaks, and profile documentation
    • Sight distance, curves, cross slopes, and superelevation
  • Hydrologic Design
    • Design storms and Rational Method applications
    • SCS methods, time of concentration, and drainage-area inputs
  • Hydraulic Principles
    • Open-channel design frequencies, stability, and hydraulic computations
    • Entrance-control, outlet-control, and headwater concepts
  • Drainage Facilities and Systems
    • Open drainage, inlets, and culverts
    • Storm-drain systems, hydraulic grades, and losses
  • Stormwater and Environmental Constraints
    • Design controls, downstream capacity, and hydraulic risk checks
    • Floodplains, karst, and environmental constraints
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