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Minnesota Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Professional Land Surveyor License

Minnesota authorization to practice professional land surveying.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design · Application information

Licensure by comity (reciprocity)
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts and supervisor-verified experience documentation; incomplete applications expire after six months. Pay the application and initial license fees.
Documentation
Provide a verified NCEES Record or transcripts, supervisor-verified experience, current license verification and examination verifications. Foreign education requires evaluation.
Existing License
Hold an unexpired license from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements at original licensure and similar privileges for Minnesota licensees, as specified by Minnesota Statutes 326.10, subdivision 1(2).
Experience
The Board page states: Your required experience must have been obtained prior to passing the PS Exam and it must be verified by whomever was your supervisor at that time.
Historical Standard
Education, examination and experience are evaluated against Minnesota requirements in effect at original licensure elsewhere (Minnesota Rules 1800.3505, subpart 1). Historical examinations no longer offered and any historical waivers are applicant conditions; the listed currently offered FS and PS remain leaves even where already passed or excused.
Military Processing
Under Minnesota Statutes 197.4552, subdivision 1, eligible active-duty members, spouses and qualifying veterans receive expedited processing of the same licensure requirements; expedited processing does not waive the examinations.
Mnls
Even applicants already licensed or holding PS results elsewhere must pass MNLS.
Prior Scores
Provide verification of passing required examinations under Minnesota Rules 1800.0850, subpart 2(B)(5). The Board Comity/EEE application instructs applicants to verify FS and PS scores; its examination instructions state that Minnesota licensees take and pass FS, PS and MNLS.
Professional Conduct
Comply with the Board Rules of Professional Conduct; submit signed conduct statement and the applicant certification required by Minnesota Rules 1800.0400, subpart 5.
Licensure by current education, examination and experience (EEE)
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts and supervisor-verified experience documentation; incomplete applications expire after six months. Pay the application and initial license fees.
Education
Meet current Minnesota Rules 1800.3505: four-year surveying degree or bachelor's degree with 22 semester or 32 quarter surveying credits across six listed categories; foreign degree requires evaluation.
Eligibility
Applicants already licensed elsewhere or who took the required examinations elsewhere; EEE also serves applicants who did not meet Minnesota requirements at original licensure but meet current requirements.
Experience
Meet the current education-specific qualifying-hour totals and categories in Minnesota Rules 1800.3505, subpart 3, with licensed supervision and at least one post-education year.
Military Processing
Under Minnesota Statutes 197.4552, subdivision 1, eligible active-duty members, spouses and qualifying veterans receive expedited processing of the same licensure requirements; expedited processing does not waive the examinations.
Mnls
Pass MNLS after Board approval; submit the initial license fee before practicing.
Prior Scores
FS and PS taken and passed in another jurisdiction remain requirement leaves; verify scores. Current examinations are not dropped because passed before applying.
Professional Conduct
Comply with the Board Rules of Professional Conduct; submit signed conduct statement and the applicant certification required by Minnesota Rules 1800.0400, subpart 5.
Reinstatement of expired license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the signed complete Board reinstatement form and required certifications; await Board issuance before practicing.
Continuing Education
Satisfy all prior continuing-education requirements up to 48 hours, earned within the four years immediately before reinstatement; hours previously used for renewal cannot be reused. Board-approved exemption is permitted.
Eligibility
Previously issued ordinary land-surveyor license has expired.
Fees
Pay all past renewal fees, the current renewal fee and the delayed-renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination — bachelor's degree with surveying credits
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts and supervisor-verified experience documentation; incomplete applications expire after six months. Pay the application and initial license fees.
Education
Graduate with a bachelor's degree including 22 semester or 32 quarter credits in land surveying across at least six rule-listed categories.
Experience
At least 160 hours of office plat computations; at least 4,990 field hours with 160 hours in each of four listed categories; at least 3,170 office hours with 160 hours in each of four listed categories; 800 hours in listed right-of-way/easement/mining/route/street work; and 800 drafting hours.
Military Processing
Under Minnesota Statutes 197.4552, subdivision 1, eligible active-duty members, spouses and qualifying veterans receive expedited processing of the same licensure requirements; expedited processing does not waive the examinations.
Professional Conduct
Comply with the Board Rules of Professional Conduct; submit signed conduct statement and the applicant certification required by Minnesota Rules 1800.0400, subpart 5.
Reapplication
An applicant failing an examination must submit a new application and fee; an applicant must retake the entire failed examination.
Sequence
Pass FS before professional examinations. Passage of both PS and MNLS qualifies for issuance after payment of the license fee. Foreign education requires NCEES equivalency evaluation.
Supervision
Experience must be varied, progressive practical surveying under direct supervision of a licensed land surveyor; pre-high-school experience receives no credit; at least one year must follow completion of the required education. A year requires at least 12 months and 2,000 hours.
Licensure by examination — four year surveying curriculum
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts and supervisor-verified experience documentation; incomplete applications expire after six months. Pay the application and initial license fees.
Education
Graduate from a four-year land-surveying curriculum at an accredited institution; curriculum includes 22 semester or 32 quarter surveying credits in at least six rule-listed categories.
Experience
At least 160 hours of office plat computations; at least 3,120 field hours with 160 hours in each of four listed categories; at least 1,920 office hours with 160 hours in each of four listed categories; 400 hours in listed right-of-way/easement/mining/route/street work; and 400 drafting hours.
Military Processing
Under Minnesota Statutes 197.4552, subdivision 1, eligible active-duty members, spouses and qualifying veterans receive expedited processing of the same licensure requirements; expedited processing does not waive the examinations.
Professional Conduct
Comply with the Board Rules of Professional Conduct; submit signed conduct statement and the applicant certification required by Minnesota Rules 1800.0400, subpart 5.
Reapplication
An applicant failing an examination must submit a new application and fee; an applicant must retake the entire failed examination.
Sequence
Pass FS before professional examinations. Passage of both PS and MNLS qualifies for issuance after payment of the license fee. Foreign education requires NCEES equivalency evaluation.
Supervision
Experience must be varied, progressive practical surveying under direct supervision of a licensed land surveyor; pre-high-school experience receives no credit; at least one year must follow completion of the required education. A year requires at least 12 months and 2,000 hours.
Reinstatement after cancellation solely for protected military nonrenewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reinstatement upon application by the licensee or anyone on the licensee's behalf without penalties or costs; no disciplinary-reinstatement inference applies.
Continuing Education
Seek Board approval of any continuing-education exemption before renewal/reinstatement under the Board military-service instructions.
Eligibility
License canceled or revoked solely for renewal nonpayment or failure to apply during the protection in Minnesota Statutes 326.56, subdivision 2.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal protections during active military service or qualifying defense employment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
The Board military-service instructions separately require approval of any requested continuing-education exemption before renewal; active-duty service exceeding 120 consecutive days may qualify.
Eligibility
Minnesota license effective at entry into active military service, or qualifying employment outside the United States essential to war prosecution or national defense.
Renewal Protection
326.56, subdivision 2 exempts renewal fees and filing during qualifying service/employment and for six months afterward; the license remains effective. May apply for renewal within six months of release/return without penalty.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a signed complete renewal application and fee by June 30 of each even-numbered year.
Continuing Education
24 professional development hours, including two in professional ethics, during the prior biennium; permitted carryover cannot exceed 12 hours and ethics cannot carry over. New licensees are exempt for the first renewal; documented hardship or military service may qualify for Board exemption.
Records
Retain supporting continuing-education records for four years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of license after retirement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the signed complete Board reinstatement form and required certifications; await Board issuance before practicing.
Continuing Education
Satisfy all prior continuing-education requirements up to 48 hours, earned within the four years immediately before reinstatement; hours previously used for renewal cannot be reused. Board-approved exemption is permitted.
Eligibility
Previously licensed land surveyor in retired roster status seeks to resume practice; the Board directs retired holders to reinstatement.
Fees
Pay all past renewal fees, the current renewal fee and the delayed-renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Minnesota Land Surveyor Examination (MNLS)

Provider
Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Format
Open-book, paper-based, multiple-choice
Exam questions
70 questions
Time limit
2 hours
Examination outline
  • 1. Public Lands
  • 2. Platting (505)
  • 3. Torrens (508)
  • 4. Condominiums/CICs (515B)
  • 5. Roads (160-164)
  • 6. Land Descriptions
  • 7. Case Law (Supreme Court)
  • 8. Water Boundaries
  • 9. Practice Act (326)
  • 10. Boundary Surveys
  • 11. Ethics
  • 12. Miscellaneous Areas
    • a. Cemeteries
    • b. Adverse Possession
    • c. Trespass Law
    • d. Boundary Commission (465)
    • e. Conveyance/Recording (507)
    • f. Alignment & Grades of Streets
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