OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Ohio Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

US-OH · License preparation

780 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Combined practice

Choose an exam or combined practice to begin.

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

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

Professional Surveyor

Individual registration authorizing professional surveying in Ohio.

Licensing authority: Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors · Application information

Registration by comity under Board published Ohio qualification standards
Application
Apply through eLicense with fees, photograph, official transcripts verified through MyNCEES, detailed verified experience records, and at least five references including three professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the experience.
Current license
Currently licensed and in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction, with qualifications meeting Ohio standards when the original license was granted.
Curriculum deficiencies
Remediate NCEES evaluation deficiencies before approval. CLEP credit requires an official transcript showing passing and full course credit; CLEP is an education condition, not a surveying-licensure examination.
Dual professional experience
For dual engineering/surveying applicants the Board permits up to two documented overlapping years completed in the preceding eight years; required boundary-surveying experience cannot overlap with that credit.
Education
Board-approved surveying, civil engineering with 16 surveying hours, or other bachelor-degree pathways with 30 surveying hours. The Board page states the four-year degree requirement applies to applicants initially licensed after December 31, 1992.
Exam sequence
Pass FS before PS and pass NCEES PS before scheduling OH PS. Verified FS scores previously passed in another U.S. jurisdiction are accepted under O.A.C. 4733-9-04(G) without retaking FS in Ohio.
Experience
Four years or more of acceptable surveying office and field experience, additional to and not overlapping education credited; at least two years after graduation and two years of land-boundary surveying under a professional surveyor. Experience must demonstrate competency for responsible charge.
Intern status
First be certified as a Surveyor Intern in Ohio before applying for professional-surveyor registration.
Military experience
Acceptable surveying experience in armed forces or civilian war services may be credited under R.C. 4733.11(C).
Part time experience
Board may accept documented progressive part-time work after the first surveying course, in increments of at least four hours per week, up to two of the four years, completed within the preceding eight years and verified by the supervising surveyor.
Pregraduation experience
Up to two years after the second year of college may precede graduation only without overlap with four years of education credit and with detailed verification.
Prior exams
Board reciprocity guidelines require verified prior passing FS and PS; schedule OH PS after approval. Prior passage does not imply retaking.
Statutory recognition
R.C. 4733.19 directs recognition under Chapter 4796. Its broader statutory pathways are represented separately; this route preserves the conventional comity process published by the Board.
Teaching experience
Responsible-charge surveying teaching may count; Board guidelines require advanced-level teaching in an approved surveying program and one year of surveying practice beyond teaching.
Registration by examination — other bachelor degree and approved surveying coursework
Application
Apply through eLicense with fees, photograph, official transcripts verified through MyNCEES, detailed verified experience records, and at least five references including three professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the experience.
Curriculum deficiencies
Remediate NCEES evaluation deficiencies before approval. CLEP credit requires an official transcript showing passing and full course credit; CLEP is an education condition, not a surveying-licensure examination.
Dual professional experience
For dual engineering/surveying applicants the Board permits up to two documented overlapping years completed in the preceding eight years; required boundary-surveying experience cannot overlap with that credit.
Education
Regionally accredited four-year BS or BA plus 30 approved surveying hours with at most six in GIS; NCEES evaluation must establish the Surveying Education Standard, including 12 mathematics, six natural science and 16 general education hours.
Exam sequence
Pass FS before PS and pass NCEES PS before scheduling OH PS. Verified FS scores previously passed in another U.S. jurisdiction are accepted under O.A.C. 4733-9-04(G) without retaking FS in Ohio.
Experience
Four years or more of acceptable surveying office and field experience, additional to and not overlapping education credited; at least two years after graduation and two years of land-boundary surveying under a professional surveyor. Experience must demonstrate competency for responsible charge.
Intern status
First be certified as a Surveyor Intern in Ohio before applying for professional-surveyor registration.
Military experience
Acceptable surveying experience in armed forces or civilian war services may be credited under R.C. 4733.11(C).
Part time experience
Board may accept documented progressive part-time work after the first surveying course, in increments of at least four hours per week, up to two of the four years, completed within the preceding eight years and verified by the supervising surveyor.
Pregraduation experience
Up to two years after the second year of college may precede graduation only without overlap with four years of education credit and with detailed verification.
Teaching experience
Responsible-charge surveying teaching may count; Board guidelines require advanced-level teaching in an approved surveying program and one year of surveying practice beyond teaching.
Registration by examination — civil engineering degree and surveying coursework
Application
Apply through eLicense with fees, photograph, official transcripts verified through MyNCEES, detailed verified experience records, and at least five references including three professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the experience.
Curriculum deficiencies
Remediate NCEES evaluation deficiencies before approval. CLEP credit requires an official transcript showing passing and full course credit; CLEP is an education condition, not a surveying-licensure examination.
Dual professional experience
For dual engineering/surveying applicants the Board permits up to two documented overlapping years completed in the preceding eight years; required boundary-surveying experience cannot overlap with that credit.
Education
Four-year EAC/ABET civil engineering degree plus 16 semester hours or equivalent of Board-approved surveying/mapping coursework including six in land boundaries. Courses must include boundary, control, Ohio surveying history, route/construction, and Ohio minimum standards/laws/ethics.
Exam sequence
Pass FS before PS and pass NCEES PS before scheduling OH PS. Verified FS scores previously passed in another U.S. jurisdiction are accepted under O.A.C. 4733-9-04(G) without retaking FS in Ohio.
Experience
Four years or more of acceptable surveying office and field experience, additional to and not overlapping education credited; at least two years after graduation and two years of land-boundary surveying under a professional surveyor. Experience must demonstrate competency for responsible charge.
Intern status
First be certified as a Surveyor Intern in Ohio before applying for professional-surveyor registration.
Military experience
Acceptable surveying experience in armed forces or civilian war services may be credited under R.C. 4733.11(C).
Part time experience
Board may accept documented progressive part-time work after the first surveying course, in increments of at least four hours per week, up to two of the four years, completed within the preceding eight years and verified by the supervising surveyor.
Pregraduation experience
Up to two years after the second year of college may precede graduation only without overlap with four years of education credit and with detailed verification.
Teaching experience
Responsible-charge surveying teaching may count; Board guidelines require advanced-level teaching in an approved surveying program and one year of surveying practice beyond teaching.
Registration by examination — evaluated foreign surveying curriculum
Application
Apply through eLicense with fees, photograph, official transcripts verified through MyNCEES, detailed verified experience records, and at least five references including three professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the experience.
Curriculum deficiencies
Remediate NCEES evaluation deficiencies before approval. CLEP credit requires an official transcript showing passing and full course credit; CLEP is an education condition, not a surveying-licensure examination.
Dual professional experience
For dual engineering/surveying applicants the Board permits up to two documented overlapping years completed in the preceding eight years; required boundary-surveying experience cannot overlap with that credit.
Education
Foreign surveying education must meet the NCEES Surveying Education Standard through evaluation; non-ABET credentials require evaluation, official records, certified English translations and remediation before approval. The Board treats CEAB-accredited Canadian degrees as ABET-equivalent.
Exam sequence
Pass FS before PS and pass NCEES PS before scheduling OH PS. Verified FS scores previously passed in another U.S. jurisdiction are accepted under O.A.C. 4733-9-04(G) without retaking FS in Ohio.
Experience
Four years or more of acceptable surveying office and field experience, additional to and not overlapping education credited; at least two years after graduation and two years of land-boundary surveying under a professional surveyor. Experience must demonstrate competency for responsible charge.
Intern status
First be certified as a Surveyor Intern in Ohio before applying for professional-surveyor registration.
Military experience
Acceptable surveying experience in armed forces or civilian war services may be credited under R.C. 4733.11(C).
Part time experience
Board may accept documented progressive part-time work after the first surveying course, in increments of at least four hours per week, up to two of the four years, completed within the preceding eight years and verified by the supervising surveyor.
Pregraduation experience
Up to two years after the second year of college may precede graduation only without overlap with four years of education credit and with detailed verification.
Teaching experience
Responsible-charge surveying teaching may count; Board guidelines require advanced-level teaching in an approved surveying program and one year of surveying practice beyond teaching.
Registration by examination — approved surveying degree
Application
Apply through eLicense with fees, photograph, official transcripts verified through MyNCEES, detailed verified experience records, and at least five references including three professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the experience.
Curriculum deficiencies
Remediate NCEES evaluation deficiencies before approval. CLEP credit requires an official transcript showing passing and full course credit; CLEP is an education condition, not a surveying-licensure examination.
Dual professional experience
For dual engineering/surveying applicants the Board permits up to two documented overlapping years completed in the preceding eight years; required boundary-surveying experience cannot overlap with that credit.
Education
Four-year ABET-accredited or Board-approved surveying curriculum; approved domestic programs are identified by the Board.
Exam sequence
Pass FS before PS and pass NCEES PS before scheduling OH PS. Verified FS scores previously passed in another U.S. jurisdiction are accepted under O.A.C. 4733-9-04(G) without retaking FS in Ohio.
Experience
Four years or more of acceptable surveying office and field experience, additional to and not overlapping education credited; at least two years after graduation and two years of land-boundary surveying under a professional surveyor. Experience must demonstrate competency for responsible charge.
Intern status
First be certified as a Surveyor Intern in Ohio before applying for professional-surveyor registration.
Military experience
Acceptable surveying experience in armed forces or civilian war services may be credited under R.C. 4733.11(C).
Part time experience
Board may accept documented progressive part-time work after the first surveying course, in increments of at least four hours per week, up to two of the four years, completed within the preceding eight years and verified by the supervising surveyor.
Pregraduation experience
Up to two years after the second year of college may precede graduation only without overlap with four years of education credit and with detailed verification.
Teaching experience
Responsible-charge surveying teaching may count; Board guidelines require advanced-level teaching in an approved surveying program and one year of surveying practice beyond teaching.
Late renewal within twelve months after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Cpd
Thirty hours in the preceding two-year period including two ethics/relevant-rule hours; at most fifteen excess hours carry forward. First-calendar-year exemption and documented military waivers may apply.
Lapse
Expired within the preceding twelve months; renewal fee increases fifty percent. An expired license does not authorize practice.
Records
Keep logs and attendance/completion evidence for four calendar years beyond the year of certification; cooperate with audits.
Registration
Existing professional-surveyor registration.
Renewal
Biennial renewal by December 31 of odd years through eLicense, applicable fee and continuing-development certification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Regular license in lieu of temporary military license at Board discretion
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Separate eLicense application; criminal-record check if required by the profession. No issuance fee.
Discretion
R.C. 4743.041(C) permits a regular license in lieu of temporary when the same qualifications and issuance deadlines are met.
Military duty
Proof of the applicant or spouse on military duty in Ohio.
Prior license
Valid license in another U.S. jurisdiction and good standing.
Scope
Only Ohio-permitted practice within the applicant’s training; underlying license expiration, revocation or loss of good standing can terminate the authorization.
Term
At most six years; Board states it cannot be renewed and directs applicants to permanent reciprocity for continued licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Statutory recognition — government certification from a jurisdiction without occupational licensing
Ohio State-Specific Professional Surveyor Examination
Board additional qualification demand
Board instructions also request Ohio-standard education/experience, verified exam scores, photograph, transcripts, detailed experience and references. Review these narrower instructions alongside the statutory recognition entitlement.
Board national exam demand
{"quote":"3.2 Professional Surveyor Exams\n (A) Applicants for professional surveyor registration in Ohio must have taken and passed\n both the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying [FS] examination and the Principles and\n Practice of Surveying [PS] examination. These exams are required by Ohio law and will\n not be waived by the Board.\n\n (B) Applicants for professional surveyor registration are required to take and pass the Ohio\n state-specific professional surveyor examination [OHPS]. After the application is\n approved, the applicant must contact the Ohio Board to schedule the OHPS exam.","reading":"The Board demands prior passing FS and PS scores. Chapter 4796 statutory recognition criteria govern the recognition routes below; this narrower Board demand is an applicant condition rather than a statutory national-examination leaf.","source":"Ohio Reciprocity Guidelines, revised December 2025, section 3.2(A), page 6"}
Individual capacity
Apply and hold the underlying authorization in individual capacity under R.C. 4796.26.
Prior certification
Same-profession government certification from uniformed services or a jurisdiction not issuing the occupational license; preceding year of certification and one of five years of practice unless waived. Original certification required minimum education, training, experience or an examination.
Standing
Good standing, no disqualifying surrender or revocation for negligence or intentional misconduct, no disqualifying criminal offense, required fee and resolution of pending complaints/investigations.
State exam
R.C. 4796.08(A) permits the Ohio-law examination; O.A.C. 4733-13-01(B) and Board instructions require the Ohio-specific examination for professional-surveyor comity applicants.
Statutory recognition — substantially similar out of state license
Ohio State-Specific Professional Surveyor Examination
Board additional qualification demand
Board instructions also request Ohio-standard education/experience, verified exam scores, photograph, transcripts, detailed experience and references. Review these narrower instructions alongside the statutory recognition entitlement.
Board national exam demand
{"quote":"3.2 Professional Surveyor Exams\n (A) Applicants for professional surveyor registration in Ohio must have taken and passed\n both the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying [FS] examination and the Principles and\n Practice of Surveying [PS] examination. These exams are required by Ohio law and will\n not be waived by the Board.\n\n (B) Applicants for professional surveyor registration are required to take and pass the Ohio\n state-specific professional surveyor examination [OHPS]. After the application is\n approved, the applicant must contact the Ohio Board to schedule the OHPS exam.","reading":"The Board demands prior passing FS and PS scores. Chapter 4796 statutory recognition criteria govern the recognition routes below; this narrower Board demand is an applicant condition rather than a statutory national-examination leaf.","source":"Ohio Reciprocity Guidelines, revised December 2025, section 3.2(A), page 6"}
Individual capacity
Apply and hold the underlying authorization in individual capacity under R.C. 4796.26.
Prior license
Same-profession substantially similar license held for the preceding year, with active practice during at least one of the previous five years, unless waived. Original issuance required minimum education, training, experience or an examination.
Standing
Good standing, no disqualifying surrender or revocation for negligence or intentional misconduct, no disqualifying criminal offense, required fee and resolution of pending complaints/investigations.
State exam
R.C. 4796.08(A) permits the Ohio-law examination; O.A.C. 4733-13-01(B) and Board instructions require the Ohio-specific examination for professional-surveyor comity applicants.
Statutory recognition — private certification where governmental licensure/certification is not issued
Ohio State-Specific Professional Surveyor Examination
Board additional qualification demand
Board instructions also request Ohio-standard education/experience, verified exam scores, photograph, transcripts, detailed experience and references. Review these narrower instructions alongside the statutory recognition entitlement.
Board national exam demand
{"quote":"3.2 Professional Surveyor Exams\n (A) Applicants for professional surveyor registration in Ohio must have taken and passed\n both the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying [FS] examination and the Principles and\n Practice of Surveying [PS] examination. These exams are required by Ohio law and will\n not be waived by the Board.\n\n (B) Applicants for professional surveyor registration are required to take and pass the Ohio\n state-specific professional surveyor examination [OHPS]. After the application is\n approved, the applicant must contact the Ohio Board to schedule the OHPS exam.","reading":"The Board demands prior passing FS and PS scores. Chapter 4796 statutory recognition criteria govern the recognition routes below; this narrower Board demand is an applicant condition rather than a statutory national-examination leaf.","source":"Ohio Reciprocity Guidelines, revised December 2025, section 3.2(A), page 6"}
Individual capacity
Apply and hold the underlying authorization in individual capacity under R.C. 4796.26.
Prior certification
Private certification in good standing held for the preceding two years, and practice in a jurisdiction without occupational licensure/government certification during at least two of the previous five years; these periods may be waived.
Standing
Good standing, no disqualifying surrender or revocation for negligence or intentional misconduct, no disqualifying criminal offense, required fee and resolution of pending complaints/investigations.
State exam
R.C. 4796.08(A) permits the Ohio-law examination; O.A.C. 4733-13-01(B) and Board instructions require the Ohio-specific examination for professional-surveyor comity applicants.
Statutory recognition — adequate work experience with minimum education and an examination
Application
Apply through eLicense with fees, photograph, official transcripts verified through MyNCEES, detailed verified experience records, and at least five references including three professional surveyors with personal knowledge of the experience.
Curriculum deficiencies
Remediate NCEES evaluation deficiencies before approval. CLEP credit requires an official transcript showing passing and full course credit; CLEP is an education condition, not a surveying-licensure examination.
Dual professional experience
For dual engineering/surveying applicants the Board permits up to two documented overlapping years completed in the preceding eight years; required boundary-surveying experience cannot overlap with that credit.
Exam identification
The statute requires an examination without naming it; the Board general surveyor rule names FS, PS and OH PS, which are retained.
Exam sequence
Pass FS before PS and pass NCEES PS before scheduling OH PS. Verified FS scores previously passed in another U.S. jurisdiction are accepted under O.A.C. 4733-9-04(G) without retaking FS in Ohio.
Experience
Four years or more of acceptable surveying office and field experience, additional to and not overlapping education credited; at least two years after graduation and two years of land-boundary surveying under a professional surveyor. Experience must demonstrate competency for responsible charge.
Intern status
First be certified as a Surveyor Intern in Ohio before applying for professional-surveyor registration.
Military experience
Acceptable surveying experience in armed forces or civilian war services may be credited under R.C. 4733.11(C).
Part time experience
Board may accept documented progressive part-time work after the first surveying course, in increments of at least four hours per week, up to two of the four years, completed within the preceding eight years and verified by the supervising surveyor.
Pregraduation experience
Up to two years after the second year of college may precede graduation only without overlap with four years of education credit and with detailed verification.
Recognition experience
Practice for at least three of the preceding five years in a jurisdiction not issuing the occupational license/government certification, or in uniformed services; the Board may waive the period. R.C. 4733.19 additionally requires minimum education and an examination.
Statutory status
Individual capacity, required fees, no disqualifying surrender/revocation or criminal offense and resolution of pending complaints.
Teaching experience
Responsible-charge surveying teaching may count; Board guidelines require advanced-level teaching in an approved surveying program and one year of surveying practice beyond teaching.
Reinstatement with continuous licensure elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply through eLicense with detailed notarized experience and competency statements, reason for lapse/reinstatement, CPD log and evidence. Majority affirmative Board vote required.
Continuous license
Continuous uninterrupted registration in another U.S. jurisdiction throughout the lapse; supply Form 4013 verification if requested.
Cpd
Rule requires fifteen hours per lapsed year. Board page caps attendance documentation at three years/45 hours; the rule controls the requirement.
Fee
Pay reinstatement penalty under O.A.C. 4733-19-01(L). Payment does not validate practice during the lapse.
Lapse
Registration expired for nonpayment more than twelve months.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after more than four years without continuous licensure elsewhere
Application
Apply through eLicense with detailed notarized experience and competency statements, reason for lapse/reinstatement, CPD log and evidence. Majority affirmative Board vote required.
Cpd
Rule requires fifteen hours per lapsed year. Board page caps attendance documentation at three years/45 hours; the rule controls the requirement.
Duration
More than four consecutive years and no continuous uninterrupted registration elsewhere.
Examinations
Pass principles-and-practice surveying; O.A.C. 4733-9-04(E)(3) identifies its NCEES PS and Ohio-specific examinations. FS is not specified for this reexamination route.
Fee
Pay reinstatement penalty under O.A.C. 4733-19-01(L). Payment does not validate practice during the lapse.
Lapse
Registration expired for nonpayment more than twelve months.
Reinstatement after a lapse of up to four years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply through eLicense with detailed notarized experience and competency statements, reason for lapse/reinstatement, CPD log and evidence. Majority affirmative Board vote required.
Cpd
Rule requires fifteen hours per lapsed year. Board page caps attendance documentation at three years/45 hours; the rule controls the requirement.
Duration
More than twelve months but not more than four consecutive years. Board page says “4 years or more”; controlling rule imposes mandatory reexamination after “more than four consecutive years”.
Fee
Pay reinstatement penalty under O.A.C. 4733-19-01(L). Payment does not validate practice during the lapse.
Lapse
Registration expired for nonpayment more than twelve months.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Cpd
Thirty hours in the preceding two-year period including two ethics/relevant-rule hours; at most fifteen excess hours carry forward. First-calendar-year exemption and documented military waivers may apply.
Records
Keep logs and attendance/completion evidence for four calendar years beyond the year of certification; cooperate with audits.
Registration
Existing professional-surveyor registration.
Renewal
Biennial renewal by December 31 of odd years through eLicense, applicable fee and continuing-development certification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation of retired registration with continuous licensure elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply through eLicense with detailed notarized experience and competency statements, reason for lapse/reinstatement, CPD log and evidence. Majority affirmative Board vote required.
Cpd
Rule requires fifteen hours per lapsed year. Board page caps attendance documentation at three years/45 hours; the rule controls the requirement.
Fee
Pay reinstatement penalty under O.A.C. 4733-19-01(L). Payment does not validate practice during the lapse.
Lapse
Registration expired for nonpayment more than twelve months.
Retirement
Previously retired/inactive registration with continuous licensure in another U.S. jurisdiction; apply for reinstatement and provide verification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation of retired registration after more than four years without continuous licensure elsewhere
Application
Apply through eLicense with detailed notarized experience and competency statements, reason for lapse/reinstatement, CPD log and evidence. Majority affirmative Board vote required.
Cpd
Rule requires fifteen hours per lapsed year. Board page caps attendance documentation at three years/45 hours; the rule controls the requirement.
Fee
Pay reinstatement penalty under O.A.C. 4733-19-01(L). Payment does not validate practice during the lapse.
Lapse
Registration expired for nonpayment more than twelve months.
Retirement
Previously retired/inactive registration for more than four years without continuous licensure elsewhere; retake principles-and-practice surveying.
Reactivation of retired registration within four years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply through eLicense with detailed notarized experience and competency statements, reason for lapse/reinstatement, CPD log and evidence. Majority affirmative Board vote required.
Cpd
Rule requires fifteen hours per lapsed year. Board page caps attendance documentation at three years/45 hours; the rule controls the requirement.
Fee
Pay reinstatement penalty under O.A.C. 4733-19-01(L). Payment does not validate practice during the lapse.
Lapse
Registration expired for nonpayment more than twelve months.
Retirement
Previously retired/inactive registration, not more than four years since expiration. Apply for reinstatement.

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

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

Ohio State-Specific Professional Surveyor Examination

Provider
Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors
Format
Open-book pencil-and-paper examination: multiple-choice questions and a legal description written from a Board-provided survey plat
Exam questions
35 multiple-choice questions and one legal-description exercise
Time limit
2 hours
Passing score
Board-approved standard; modified Angoff procedure for multiple choice. Final score = scaled multiple-choice score × 0.70 + legal-description score (30 points).
Examination outline
  • Original Ohio Land Subdivisions
  • Ohio Minimum Standards for Boundary Surveys
  • Ohio Minimum Standards for Mortgage Location Surveys
  • Professional Registration Laws and Board Rules
  • Boundaries & Boundary Agreements
  • Condominiums
  • Conveyances/Title to Property
  • Coordinate Systems of Ohio
  • County Engineer
  • ALTA/ACSM Survey Standards
  • Plats and Platting Laws
  • Right of Entry/Trespass
  • Legal description based on a reference plat supplied by the Board
Examination sources