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North Carolina Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Surveyor Intern

Optional intern certification; it does not confer independent professional practice authority.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors · Application information

Optional Surveyor Intern certification — apprenticeship
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Complete the free Board application, official transcript and evidence-of-experience materials; references submit sealed evaluations.
Character
Good character and reputation; three character references, at least one from a PLS.
Education
High school graduation or equivalency and completion of Land Surveyor Apprenticeship.
Effect
The certificate does not expire under .0606(b); it is optional and is not independent practice licensure.
Experience
At least 3 year(s) of progressive practical surveying experience under a practicing PLS.
Optional Surveyor Intern certification — associate
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Complete the free Board application, official transcript and evidence-of-experience materials; references submit sealed evaluations.
Character
Good character and reputation; three character references, at least one from a PLS.
Education
Board-approved associate degree in surveying technology; minimum 20 semester hours.
Effect
The certificate does not expire under .0606(b); it is optional and is not independent practice licensure.
Experience
At least 2 year(s) of progressive practical surveying experience under a practicing PLS.
Optional Surveyor Intern certification — bachelors
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Complete the free Board application, official transcript and evidence-of-experience materials; references submit sealed evaluations.
Character
Good character and reputation; three character references, at least one from a PLS.
Education
Board-approved surveying bachelor's or equivalent degree; minimum 45 semester hours.
Effect
The certificate does not expire under .0606(b); it is optional and is not independent practice licensure.
Experience
At least 1 year(s) of progressive practical surveying experience under a practicing PLS.
Optional Surveyor Intern certification — high school
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Complete the free Board application, official transcript and evidence-of-experience materials; references submit sealed evaluations.
Character
Good character and reputation; three character references, at least one from a PLS.
Education
High school graduation or equivalency.
Effect
The certificate does not expire under .0606(b); it is optional and is not independent practice licensure.
Experience
At least 5 year(s) of progressive practical surveying experience under a practicing PLS.

Professional Land Surveyor

Individual license to practice land surveying within the licensee's area of expertise.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors · Application information

Reinstatement after more than 12 months of expiration
Application
G.S. 89C-17 requires a new application and all Chapter 89C licensure requirements; previously passed current examinations remain leaves rather than being deleted because their scores predate application. The Board determines the need to sit an examination again.
Continuing competency
21 NCAC 56 .1708 requires delinquent PDHs, capped at 30, in addition to a new application.
Existing license
Former PLS license has not been reinstated within the first 12 months after becoming invalid.
References
The reinstatement page requires five references dated within one year, including three PLS references.
Source confirmation
The fetched reinstatement page is flagged thin but contains its complete substantive current-reference requirement and contact instructions; it is a genuinely short document.
Licensure by comity or endorsement
Additional assessment
Any additional oral or written examination required by the Board under G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a) is an applicant condition when the official sources do not identify the examination.
Application
Submit the Board application, education transcripts, experience record, references and applicable fees; the Board may interview the applicant.
Board discretion
G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a)f allows licensure without further examination except examinations the Board requires and always requires the North Carolina examination. The current initial/comity page identifies FS and PS; those currently offered examinations remain leaves even if passed before application or excused in the individual case.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Exam sequence
The current Board page directs passing FS and PS before applying to sit the state-specific exam. Prior passing scores remain examination leaves. The separate application rules/laws exam requires a score of at least 80%.
Exhibit
Submit an actual survey map identifying the applicant's work and a supervising PLS; it must comply with 21 NCAC 56 .1600 and G.S. 47-30. The current Board page specifies a black and white 18 by 24 inch single-page plat.
Existing license
Hold a surveying license issued on comparable qualifications by a United States jurisdiction; the Board evaluates standards in effect when that license was issued.
Ncees record
An NCEES record may replace education, experience and reference sections of the comity application under .0602(g); the Board requires verification and no disciplinary record.
Practice scope
Practice only within the professional land surveyor's area of expertise.
References
Five character references; three must be professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board with personal knowledge of surveying experience.
Licensure by examination — Land Surveyor Apprenticeship
Additional assessment
Any additional oral or written examination required by the Board under G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a) is an applicant condition when the official sources do not identify the examination.
Application
Submit the Board application, education transcripts, experience record, references and applicable fees; the Board may interview the applicant.
Apprenticeship options
21 NCAC 56 .0601(a)(3) accepts NSPS CST levels I-IV, ASPRS Technologist certification, the modified 39-semester-hour NCEES Surveying Education Standard, or an equivalent Board-approved ApprenticeshipNC program. These qualification programs are conditions, not professional licensure examination leaves.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Education
High school graduation or equivalency plus a Board-approved Land Surveyor Apprenticeship.
Exam sequence
The current Board page directs passing FS and PS before applying to sit the state-specific exam. Prior passing scores remain examination leaves. The separate application rules/laws exam requires a score of at least 80%.
Exhibit
Submit an actual survey map identifying the applicant's work and a supervising PLS; it must comply with 21 NCAC 56 .1600 and G.S. 47-30. The current Board page specifies a black and white 18 by 24 inch single-page plat.
Experience
At least seven years of progressive practical surveying experience.
Experience quality
Experience must be progressive; not less than half must be professional in grade and under the responsible charge of a PLS, with case-by-case approval of other experience under .0601(b).
Practice scope
Practice only within the professional land surveyor's area of expertise.
References
Five character references; three must be professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board with personal knowledge of surveying experience.
Licensure by examination — surveying associate degree
Additional assessment
Any additional oral or written examination required by the Board under G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a) is an applicant condition when the official sources do not identify the examination.
Application
Submit the Board application, education transcripts, experience record, references and applicable fees; the Board may interview the applicant.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Education
Board-approved associate degree in surveying technology; .0601(a)(2) specifies at least 20 semester hours of surveying courses.
Exam sequence
The current Board page directs passing FS and PS before applying to sit the state-specific exam. Prior passing scores remain examination leaves. The separate application rules/laws exam requires a score of at least 80%.
Exhibit
Submit an actual survey map identifying the applicant's work and a supervising PLS; it must comply with 21 NCAC 56 .1600 and G.S. 47-30. The current Board page specifies a black and white 18 by 24 inch single-page plat.
Experience
At least five years of progressive practical surveying experience.
Experience quality
Experience must be progressive; not less than half must be professional in grade and under the responsible charge of a PLS, with case-by-case approval of other experience under .0601(b).
Practice scope
Practice only within the professional land surveyor's area of expertise.
References
Five character references; three must be professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board with personal knowledge of surveying experience.
Licensure by examination — surveying bachelor's degree
Additional assessment
Any additional oral or written examination required by the Board under G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a) is an applicant condition when the official sources do not identify the examination.
Application
Submit the Board application, education transcripts, experience record, references and applicable fees; the Board may interview the applicant.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Education
Board-approved bachelor of science in surveying or equivalent curriculum; 21 NCAC 56 .0601(a)(1) specifies at least 45 semester hours of surveying courses.
Exam sequence
The current Board page directs passing FS and PS before applying to sit the state-specific exam. Prior passing scores remain examination leaves. The separate application rules/laws exam requires a score of at least 80%.
Exhibit
Submit an actual survey map identifying the applicant's work and a supervising PLS; it must comply with 21 NCAC 56 .1600 and G.S. 47-30. The current Board page specifies a black and white 18 by 24 inch single-page plat.
Experience
At least two years of progressive practical surveying experience.
Experience quality
Experience must be progressive; not less than half must be professional in grade and under the responsible charge of a PLS, with case-by-case approval of other experience under .0601(b).
Practice scope
Practice only within the professional land surveyor's area of expertise.
References
Five character references; three must be professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board with personal knowledge of surveying experience.
Licensure by examination — high school or equivalency
Additional assessment
Any additional oral or written examination required by the Board under G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a) is an applicant condition when the official sources do not identify the examination.
Application
Submit the Board application, education transcripts, experience record, references and applicable fees; the Board may interview the applicant.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Education
Graduation from high school or a high school equivalency certificate.
Exam sequence
The current Board page directs passing FS and PS before applying to sit the state-specific exam. Prior passing scores remain examination leaves. The separate application rules/laws exam requires a score of at least 80%.
Exhibit
Submit an actual survey map identifying the applicant's work and a supervising PLS; it must comply with 21 NCAC 56 .1600 and G.S. 47-30. The current Board page specifies a black and white 18 by 24 inch single-page plat.
Experience
At least nine years of progressive practical surveying experience.
Experience quality
Experience must be progressive; not less than half must be professional in grade and under the responsible charge of a PLS, with case-by-case approval of other experience under .0601(b).
Practice scope
Practice only within the professional land surveyor's area of expertise.
References
Five character references; three must be professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board with personal knowledge of surveying experience.
Licensure by examination — mapping sciences practice

All of the following:

Application exam
The Board application rules/laws examination is submitted with the individual PLS application and requires 80%.
Education and experience
After July 1, 2014, mapping-science applicants must meet the same education, experience and testing requirements as other surveying applicants under G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a)j. Select the applicable degree or apprenticeship qualifications set out in the ordinary initial routes.
Mapping examination
The Board's PLS Mapping Sciences Exam page requires the Mapping Sciences Examination and prior passing of NCEES FS, followed by the two-hour North Carolina exam. The separately named Mapping Sciences/Photogrammetry examination has no version in the supplied nationwide registrations, so it is recorded here as a condition pending nationwide registration; the NCEES PS version is not substituted for it.
Practice scope
Practice is limited to the licensee's demonstrated area of expertise; mapping science is an applied surveying discipline.
Source confirmation
The fetched Mapping Sciences page is flagged thin, but its complete substantive examination paragraph and link to Mapping Exam Specs are present in the pinned HTML. The page is a genuinely short document, not an empty shell.
Active duty military renewal waiver
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Serving in the United States armed forces and eligible for the G.S. 105-249.2 tax extension.
Existing license
Currently licensed and in good standing; no suspended or revoked license.
Waiver
Notify the Board and provide proof of eligibility; annual renewal fee and mandatory CPC are waived for the specified extension period. A qualifying late notification may preserve the license retroactively.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse licensure by endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply with documentation establishing the statutory conditions; initial application fees are waived under subsection (k).
Board instructions
The Board's general military instructions state: All military applicants are required to comply with the licensing requirements of G. S. 89C-13  and  Board Rule 21 NCAC 56.0601 . The notwithstanding-any-other-provision-of-law statute supplies this specific route's operative requirements; the Board's general demand is shown here as an applicant condition rather than overriding that statute.
Competency
Demonstrate competency through Board-determined methods, such as continuing education or at least two of the preceding five years of relevant practice.
Conduct
Good standing; no disciplinary history, disqualifying acts or pending complaints.
Existing license
Current substantially equivalent or greater license, certification or registration from another jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure based on military training and experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply with documentation establishing the statutory conditions; initial application fees are waived under subsection (k).
Board instructions
The Board's general military instructions state: All military applicants are required to comply with the licensing requirements of G. S. 89C-13  and  Board Rule 21 NCAC 56.0601 . The notwithstanding-any-other-provision-of-law statute supplies this specific route's operative requirements; the Board's general demand is shown here as an applicant condition rather than overriding that statute.
Conduct
No disqualifying act and no pending complaints.
Practice
At least two of the five years preceding application in active practice.
Training
Awarded a military occupational specialty with substantially equivalent or greater training, testing or equivalent experience and performance in that specialty.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure recognition under G.S. 93B 15.3

All of the following:

Competency
Demonstrate education, supervision or experience requirements and submit a North Carolina-compliant sample plat.
Documentation
Provide license verifications, standing letters and any relevant disciplinary orders or criminal judgments; unresolved disciplinary matters suspend the application.
Existing license
Hold an active substantially equivalent surveying license in one of the neighboring jurisdictions enumerated in G.S. 93B-15.3(b)(1), for at least one year.
Fees
The Board implementation lists a $100 application fee and $275 state examination fee.
Optional pathway
This recognition pathway is optional; ordinary comity remains available.
Prior examination
Have passed the examination required in the originating jurisdiction if one was required; another jurisdiction's own examination is a condition, not a leaf of this state's route. The statute does not identify FS or PS for this recognition route.
Residence
Establish North Carolina residence and provide documentary proof.
Standing
Good standing in every jurisdiction where licensed; no unprofessional-conduct surrender or revocation, no active or pending disciplinary case, and no disqualifying criminal history.
Licensure by examination — licensed professional engineer
Additional assessment
Any additional oral or written examination required by the Board under G.S. 89C-13(b)(1a) is an applicant condition when the official sources do not identify the examination.
Application
Submit the Board application, education transcripts, experience record, references and applicable fees; the Board may interview the applicant.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Exam sequence
The current Board page directs passing FS and PS before applying to sit the state-specific exam. Prior passing scores remain examination leaves. The separate application rules/laws exam requires a score of at least 80%.
Exhibit
Submit an actual survey map identifying the applicant's work and a supervising PLS; it must comply with 21 NCAC 56 .1600 and G.S. 47-30. The current Board page specifies a black and white 18 by 24 inch single-page plat.
Existing license
Hold a professional engineer license.
Practice scope
Practice only within the professional land surveyor's area of expertise.
References
Five character references; three must be professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board with personal knowledge of surveying experience.
Surveying qualification
Demonstrate that academic training and engineering field experience include enough surveying to reasonably qualify the applicant; Board permission to take the examinations is required.
Return from inactive status to active practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board requirements
Meet Board requirements for reinstatement and demonstrate continuing professional competency before returning to practice.
Continuing competency
Obtain delinquent PDHs for the inactive years, capped at 30. The current Board instructions require documentation when inactive in the previous year or after April 1 of the current year.
Existing license
Currently inactive PLS license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within the first 12 months after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing competency
Meet the applicable delinquent CPC requirements.
Expiration
License became invalid not more than 12 months before reinstatement.
Fees
Pay the $100 reinstatement fee in addition to the established renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing competency
Report required continuing professional competency; obtain 15 PDHs annually, with applicable exemptions and carryover. Course completion tests and professional-development activities are applicant conditions, not currently offered licensure examinations.
Existing license
Hold the PLS license; individual certificates expire December 31.
Reporting
Pay the renewal fee and report required addresses, criminal convictions and disciplinary actions; qualifying nonresident licensees follow .1709 CPC requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal with hardship exemption
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing status
Maintain the knowledge and professional status required by G.S. 89C-17 and satisfy remaining renewal requirements.
Hardship
Document physical disability, illness or other extenuating circumstances preventing PDHs; Board approval is required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam

Provider
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); administered year-round in testing windows at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based test, closed book with an electronic reference (NCEES FS Reference Handbook and the specified standards); includes alternative item types (AITs) in addition to traditional multiple-choice questions; uses both SI and U.S. Customary units
Exam questions
110 questions
Time limit
6-hour appointment: nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes), tutorial (8 minutes), exam (5 hours and 20 minutes), scheduled break (25 minutes)
Passing score
Results reported as pass or fail; failing examinees receive a diagnostic report by major topic
Exam fee
$225 exam fee payable directly to NCEES
Examination outline
  • 1. Surveying Processes and Methods (16–24 of 110 questions)
    • A. Instrumentation (e.g., GNSS/GPS, levels, total stations, robotic total stations, scanners, UAS)
    • B. GNSS/GPS surveys (e.g., static, kinematic, OPUS, real-time networks)
    • C. Control surveys (e.g., horizontal, vertical, network design, accuracy standards)
    • D. Cadastral (e.g., Public Land Survey System [PLSS], boundary, metes and bounds, land title)
    • E. Topographic surveys
    • F. Construction surveys (e.g., layout, as-built, quantity)
    • G. Land development (e.g., subdivision design/platting, land use, environmental, flood plains, wetlands)
    • H. Field record keeping and documentation (e.g., procedures, field books, raw data files)
  • 2. Mapping Processes and Methods (14–21 of 110 questions)
    • A. Basic mapping concepts (e.g., scaling, symbols, features, legend, contours, cartography)
    • B. Types of maps (e.g., plan and profile, cross section, plat, record of survey, ALTA, topographic, planimetric)
    • C. CAD (e.g., 2-D, 3-D, building information modeling [BIM])
    • D. GIS (e.g., feature collection, map projections, coordinate systems, metadata, database design and management, spatial data analysis, GIS applications)
    • E. Digital terrain model (e.g., machine control, triangulated irregular network [TIN], digital surface model, digital elevation model)
    • F. Photogrammetry and remote sensing (e.g., close range, conventional, softcopy, ground control, quality control, flight planning, project planning, UAS, drone, LiDAR, satellite, digital image analysis and processing)
  • 3. Boundary Law and Real Property Principles (19–29 of 110 questions)
    • A. Public records and descriptions (e.g., land descriptions, mineral rights, ownership rights, weighting evidence)
    • B. Common law principles (e.g., controlling elements, unwritten rights, adverse possession)
    • C. Easements (e.g., granted, implied/prescriptive)
    • D. Simultaneous and sequential conveyances
    • E. Metes and bounds
    • F. PLSS
    • G. Water law (e.g., riparian, littoral rights, water marks/levels)
    • H. Sources of law (e.g., federal/state/local, administrative, common, citations, legal research)
    • I. Encumbrances (e.g., restrictive covenants, mortgages, liens)
    • J. Real property law (e.g., deeds, chains of title)
  • 4. Surveying Principles (13–20 of 110 questions)
    • A. Basic surveying (e.g., horizontal surveys, vertical surveys, understanding of historical methods and instruments, route surveying, magnetic declination)
    • B. Geodesy (e.g., spherical trigonometry, geometric, physical, geodetic coordinates, orthometric corrections, convergence, geodetic reductions, gravity modeling, geoid modeling)
    • C. Applied geodesy (e.g., datums and datum conversions, latitude/longitude, coordinate transformations, state plane coordinate system [SPCS], map projections, control networks, reduction of observations, deflection of vertical, satellite coordinate systems)
  • 5. Survey Computations and Computer Applications (17–26 of 110 questions)
    • A. Coordinate geometry
    • B. Traverse closure and adjustments
    • C. Leveling (e.g., differential, trigonometric, reciprocal, precise)
    • D. Least squares adjustments
    • E. Area
    • F. Horizontal curves
    • G. Vertical curves
    • H. Volume (e.g., mass diagrams, earthwork)
    • I. Spreadsheets
    • J. Slopes and grades
  • 6. Business Concepts (11–17 of 110 questions)
    • A. Project planning (e.g., resource management, scheduling, cost estimation, tracking)
    • B. Safety (e.g., signage, basic first aid, safety equipment)
    • C. Liabilities (e.g., negligence, employee behavior, errors and omissions)
    • D. Contracts (e.g., basic elements, scope of work, specifications)
    • E. Supervision (e.g., survey team leadership, personnel management)
    • F. Project documentation and record management
    • G. Ethics
    • H. Communication (e.g., written communication, oral communication, alternate forms of communication, conflict resolution)
  • 7. Applied Mathematics and Statistics (10–15 of 110 questions)
    • A. College mathematics (e.g., trigonometry, analytical geometry and calculus, linear algebra and matrix theory)
    • B. Probability and statistics (e.g., mean, median, mode, hypothesis testing, normal distribution, linear regression)
    • C. Measurement science (e.g., error analysis, error propagation, positional tolerance, positional accuracy, random/systematic/blunder errors, unit conversions)
    • D. Quantitative reasoning (e.g., critical thinking, data analysis and validation, blunder detection, data quality, redundancy)
Examination sources

Board-Prepared Rules/Laws Exam

Provider
North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors
Format
Written multiple choice application examination; submit the completed answer sheet with the application
Exam questions
40
Passing score
80%
Practice scope

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

  • The North Carolina Engineering and Land Surveying Act — Chapter 89C
  • 21 NCAC 56 — Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors
Examination sources

North Carolina Computer Based State Specific Surveying Exam

Provider
North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors
Format
Open book, computer based, multiple choice, administered at the Board office
Exam questions
25
Time limit
2 hours
Passing score
Pass or fail; the Board determines the passing grade.
Examination outline
  • Technical Surveying Methods and Practice (24%)
  • Board Rules (24%)
  • Licensing Related Statutes (16%) Practice Related Statutes and Common Law (20%) (36%)
  • Drainage (16%)
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