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New York Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Professional Land Surveyor

Individual license to practice land surveying; the license is for life subject to Regents discipline, with registration required for New York practice.

Licensing authority: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions; State Board for Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology · Application information

Conditional registration for continuing education deficiency
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Registration Remittance Addendum and applicable fees.
Duration
No more than one year; cannot be renewed or extended.
Eligibility
Existing licensee admits a continuing-education deficiency and requests Department discretionary approval.
Remediation
Agree to remedy prior CE deficiency, complete regular CE at one hour per month, and any additional CE the Department requires.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement of a license issued by another country
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Meet New York professional education and experience requirements; §59.6 additionally requires at least two years of satisfactory professional experience after initial licensure unless a specific regulation provides otherwise.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
External license
Hold a professional license issued by another country; meet Education Law §6506(6) and §59.6. A foreign national or another jurisdiction's own examination is prior qualification evidence, not a New York requirement leaf.
Failed examination
Under §59.6, an unsuccessful attempt at an examination used by New York precludes endorsement unless a comparable examination was later passed.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Grade transfer
Form 3 verifies prior examinations and licensure directly from the licensing authority. Form 1 states that Part 3 grades are not transferable.
Interim practice
Under Education Law §7208(b), a qualified nonresident, applicant with no established New York practice, or resident who arrived within six months may seek interim practice while the license application is pending. Submit Form 5 and Form 3. This is a statutory temporary practice exemption, not a separate New York license.
Licensure by endorsement of out of state examination
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Meet New York professional education and experience requirements; §59.6 additionally requires at least two years of satisfactory professional experience after initial licensure unless a specific regulation provides otherwise.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Examination equivalency
8 NYCRR §68.10 and NYSED FAQ question 3 permit licensing of an applicant who meets all New York requirements except examination when the prior licensing examination was equivalent. NYSED states: "The department may license an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure in New York State, except examination, and has been issued a license or certificate to practice professional engineering or land surveying upon written examination by a legally constituted board of examiners in any other state or political subdivision of the United States, provided that the examination for such license or certificate was the equivalent of the examination required in this State at the time it was issued, in accordance with Commissioner's Regulations". This is the applicant's equivalency/waiver condition; current FS, PS and New York examination requirements remain identified under §6506(6), §68.6 and the current licensing instructions.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
External license
Hold a license or certificate issued upon written examination by a legally constituted board in another United States state or political subdivision; the examination must have been equivalent to New York's examination when issued (§68.10).
Failed examination
Under §59.6, an unsuccessful attempt at an examination used by New York precludes endorsement unless a comparable examination was later passed.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Grade transfer
Form 3 verifies prior examinations and licensure directly from the licensing authority. Form 1 states that Part 3 grades are not transferable.
Interim practice
Under Education Law §7208(b), a qualified nonresident, applicant with no established New York practice, or resident who arrived within six months may seek interim practice while the license application is pending. Submit Form 5 and Form 3. This is a statutory temporary practice exemption, not a separate New York license.
Licensure by examination — secondary education and experience
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Approved secondary education and eight years of acceptable land-surveying experience, all completed before April 3, 2029; acceptable college study may replace up to four years of experience. Education Law §7206-a(2-b) is repealed April 3, 2029.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
Fs admission review
The nondegree experience option is authorized by §7206-a(2-b) and §68.4(b)(5). NYSED requires candidates without an ABET baccalaureate surveying degree to apply for Department FS eligibility review; §68.6(a) does not expressly list the eight-year option.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Licensure with pre February 14, 1975 mathematics examination credit
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Meet one of the alternatives in §68.4(b), and the experience-quality requirements of §68.5.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Prior discontinued examination
Credit established before February 14, 1975 in the discontinued mathematics part; §68.6(d)(1) requires only current Parts 2 and 3.
Licensure with pre February 14, 1975 surveying examination credit
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Meet one of the alternatives in §68.4(b), and the experience-quality requirements of §68.5.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Prior discontinued examination
Credit established before February 14, 1975 in the discontinued surveying part; §68.6(d)(2) requires only current Parts 1 and 3.
Reactivation after a lapse without practice in any jurisdiction
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a Delayed Registration Application and applicable fees before returning to New York practice.
Continuing education
Complete the CE applicable to the last registered period, plus one hour for each month of lapsed registration up to 12 additional hours, completed in the 12 months before the new registration period.
Existing license
Hold an existing New York license with inactive or lapsed registration.
Prior practice
Did not practice the profession in any jurisdiction while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after inactive registration while practicing elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a Delayed Registration Application and applicable fees before returning to New York practice.
Continuing education
Complete the CE applicable to the last registered period, plus one hour for each month of lapsed registration up to 12 additional hours, completed in the 12 months before the new registration period.
Existing license
Hold an existing New York license with inactive or lapsed registration.
Prior practice
Practiced the profession in another jurisdiction while inactive in New York.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure with Regents substantial compliance waiver
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Substantial compliance application
Apply for a Regents waiver under §6506(5); the Committee on the Professions reviews and recommends whether education, experience or examination requirements have been substantially met. A waiver is discretionary and must be granted; it does not establish a new examination.
Regular registration after completion of conditional registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documentation
Submit CE records certifying the required education and the regular registration and CE fee for the remainder of the registration period.
Eligibility
Complete the requirements imposed during the conditional registration period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Triennial registration renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a proper registration application and applicable registration and continuing-education fees.
Ce exemptions
The first registration period is exempt except for initial licensure by endorsement; periods without New York practice are exempt subject to return-to-practice requirements. Good-cause adjustments require Department approval.
Continuing education
Complete 24 acceptable continuing-education hours per triennium, including at least one professional-ethics hour, or qualify for an exemption or adjustment; certify compliance at renewal.
Existing license
Hold a New York land-surveyor license valid for life unless disciplined.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after voluntary temporary surrender for drug or alcohol treatment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Department conditions
The Department may require a personal appearance and conditions including treatment monitoring, CE, supervised practice or limitations on practice; pay applicable registration fees.
Eligibility
Existing Title VIII licensee temporarily surrendered the license under §6510-b and Part 18; the alleged drug/alcohol incapacity caused no patient or client harm.
Monitoring
Part 18 requires a minimum of two years of monitoring including active treatment.
Treatment
Show sufficient progress in the approved treatment program and compliance with conditions imposed at acceptance, and no incapacity for active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement following fixed term disciplinary suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Disciplinary order
The Regents wholly suspended the license for a fixed period under Education Law §6511(2)(a); that period has ended.
Regents conditions
Comply with the individual disciplinary order, including additional education, training, probation, public service or practice restrictions imposed under §6511. Section 6511 names retraining/therapy as the conditions ending these suspensions, rather than a currently offered licensing examination.
Registration
Hold current registration and meet the applicable CE and return-to-practice requirements before resuming New York practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement following partial suspension and retraining
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Disciplinary order
The Regents partially suspended the license until successful completion of the required retraining course in the affected area under §6511(2)(b).
Regents conditions
Comply with the individual disciplinary order, including additional education, training, probation, public service or practice restrictions imposed under §6511. Section 6511 names retraining/therapy as the conditions ending these suspensions, rather than a currently offered licensing examination.
Registration
Hold current registration and meet the applicable CE and return-to-practice requirements before resuming New York practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement following suspension and prescribed therapy or treatment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Disciplinary order
The Regents wholly suspended the license until successful completion of prescribed therapy or treatment under §6511(2)(c).
Regents conditions
Comply with the individual disciplinary order, including additional education, training, probation, public service or practice restrictions imposed under §6511. Section 6511 names retraining/therapy as the conditions ending these suspensions, rather than a currently offered licensing examination.
Registration
Hold current registration and meet the applicable CE and return-to-practice requirements before resuming New York practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination — engineering, mathematics or related science associate's degree
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Associate's degree in engineering, mathematics or related science, with 15 acceptable land-surveying credits, plus six years of acceptable surveying experience.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Licensure by examination — engineering, mathematics or related science bachelor's degree
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, mathematics or related science, with 15 acceptable surveying credits, plus four years of acceptable surveying experience.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Licensure by examination — surveying associate's degree
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Associate's degree in land surveying plus five and one-half years of acceptable surveying experience.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.
Licensure by examination — approved surveying bachelor's degree or higher
Age
At least 21 years of age (Education Law §7206-a(1)(5)).
Application
Submit Form 1 and the required licensing and first-registration fee, with direct education, experience and any external license/examination verifications.
Character
Good moral character as determined by the Department.
Citizenship
Education Law §7206-a(1)(6) states United States citizenship or lawful permanent residence. NYSED 8 NYCRR §59.4 and Form 1 also describe qualifying alien statuses; applicants must document their status under the Department's implementing requirements.
Education experience
Approved bachelor's degree or higher in land surveying, or equivalent, plus three years of acceptable land surveying experience.
Examination admission
Meet §68.6 admission requirements. Obtain Department eligibility for PS and the state examination, and for FS when not eligible for direct NCEES registration. Passing scores may predate application; §68.6(d)(3) disapplies the general five-year grade-retention limit.
Experience quality
Experience must satisfy §68.5: 50 percent in charge of conveyance/boundary work; technical, office and legal work; licensed-surveyor supervision; and at least two years on projects using United States surveying codes and practices.
General waiver
Under Education Law §6506(5), the Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements when substantially met; a waiver is an applicant condition.

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

New York State Specific Land Surveying Examination

Provider
New York State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying; Meazure Learning administers the examination
Exam questions
50
Time limit
2 hours
Passing score
70.0
Examination outline
  • Survey Analysis (16%)
    • Computations/Analysis
    • Measurement/Location
    • Monumentation
  • Survey Project Practices (32%)
    • Documentation/Land Information Systems
    • Land Planning/Design
    • Project Management
  • Survey Legal & Ethical Practices (52%)
    • Ethics/Professional Responsibility
    • Legal Principles
    • Research
Examination sources