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South Carolina Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Geographic Information System Surveyor-in-Training

Surveyor-in-training certification for the GIS discipline.

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

Surveyor in training certification
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Submit the Board certification application, official transcripts, ID, social security documentation and eligibility affidavit. South Carolina must have been the designated FS examination board for its certification application.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Discipline
GIS
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree or ABET-accredited related curriculum, with at least twelve semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent of Board-satisfactory courses in the requested discipline.
Examination
Pass the currently offered FS examination; the passing score remains a leaf even when obtained before application.
Lower Rank Experience Statement
R.49-201(C)(1)(b)(1)(a) or (D)(1)(c)(1)(a) states that a four-year-degree surveyor-in-training applicant must have one year of progressive practical experience. Section 40-22-225(B), as amended in 2016, states the current education and FS certification standard and removed the prior experience requirement; the rule statement is retained for the applicant.

Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT)

Certification after completion of the required education and the FS examination; this is not independent surveying-practice licensure.

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

Surveyor in training certification
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Submit the Board certification application, official transcripts, ID, social security documentation and eligibility affidavit. South Carolina must have been the designated FS examination board for its certification application.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Discipline
land-boundary
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree or ABET-accredited related curriculum, with at least twelve semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent of Board-satisfactory courses in the requested discipline.
Examination
Pass the currently offered FS examination; the passing score remains a leaf even when obtained before application.

Temporary Professional Surveyor License — Military Spouse

One-year nonrenewable temporary license under §40-1-630; all state-law requirements for the licensed discipline still apply. This record covers land-boundary surveying.

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

Temporary military spouse licensure
Application
Board application, official transcripts, work-history verification, attestation and affidavit of eligibility; all requested background information and applicable fees.
Background Check
Provide SLED/FBI fingerprint-check results only if comparable checks are required for ordinary licensure.
Board Discretion
Further evidence may be required if the application is inconclusive; examination eligibility and repeat-attempt conditions apply.
Board Instructions
The current July 2023 comity instructions state: "All applicants are required to take and pass sixteen hours of written examinations as well as a 2-hour state specific examination." That duration description is retained as the Board instruction; the registered FS/PS identities and the PSI bulletin identify the examinations.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Comity Review
Meet current South Carolina education, experience and examination requirements; the Board may require additional examinations to establish qualifications. Prior passing scores of currently offered FS and PS exams remain examination leaves.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree or an ABET-commission-accredited related curriculum, with at least twelve semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent of Board-satisfactory land-boundary discipline courses.
Exam Timing
FS must have been passed; Board approval precedes PS and state-specific exam registration. The state examination is offered the first Friday in May and November; application deadlines are February 1 and August 1.
Existing License
Appropriately licensed in the jurisdiction of residence or employment, unless the Board accepts extenuating circumstances; comparable qualifications are considered under §40-22-230(C).
Experience
At least four years of Board-satisfactory progressive practical experience under a practicing registered professional surveyor.
Good Standing
Provide a valid license in the same profession and a certificate of good standing.
Military Spouse
Spouse of an active-duty Armed Forces member assigned to South Carolina under official orders.
Records
NCEES Council Record may document credentials; submit verification of examinations, licensure and current employment not in that record.
References
At least five references, including at least three licensed surveyors with personal knowledge of surveying experience; verify each employment period.
State Requirements
Section 40-1-630(A) retains all state-law licensure requirements; the out-of-state license itself is an applicant condition.
Temporary Term
License expires one year from issuance and cannot be renewed.
Work Samples
Three different survey maps or plats, signed by the supervising surveyor and identifying the applicant work; comply with the current Standards of Practice Manual.

Photogrammetric Surveyor-in-Training

Surveyor-in-training certification for the photogrammetric discipline.

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

Surveyor in training certification
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Submit the Board certification application, official transcripts, ID, social security documentation and eligibility affidavit. South Carolina must have been the designated FS examination board for its certification application.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Discipline
photogrammetric
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree or ABET-accredited related curriculum, with at least twelve semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent of Board-satisfactory courses in the requested discipline.
Examination
Pass the currently offered FS examination; the passing score remains a leaf even when obtained before application.
Lower Rank Experience Statement
R.49-201(C)(1)(b)(1)(a) or (D)(1)(c)(1)(a) states that a four-year-degree surveyor-in-training applicant must have one year of progressive practical experience. Section 40-22-225(B), as amended in 2016, states the current education and FS certification standard and removed the prior experience requirement; the rule statement is retained for the applicant.

TIER A Professional Land Boundary Surveyor (PLS)

Licensure for the land-boundary discipline of Tier A surveying.

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

Licensure by comity
Application
Board application, official transcripts, work-history verification, attestation and affidavit of eligibility; all requested background information and applicable fees.
Board Discretion
Further evidence may be required if the application is inconclusive; examination eligibility and repeat-attempt conditions apply.
Board Instructions
The current July 2023 comity instructions state: "All applicants are required to take and pass sixteen hours of written examinations as well as a 2-hour state specific examination." That duration description is retained as the Board instruction; the registered FS/PS identities and the PSI bulletin identify the examinations.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Comity Review
Meet current South Carolina education, experience and examination requirements; the Board may require additional examinations to establish qualifications. Prior passing scores of currently offered FS and PS exams remain examination leaves.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree or an ABET-commission-accredited related curriculum, with at least twelve semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent of Board-satisfactory land-boundary discipline courses.
Exam Timing
FS must have been passed; Board approval precedes PS and state-specific exam registration. The state examination is offered the first Friday in May and November; application deadlines are February 1 and August 1.
Existing License
Appropriately licensed in the jurisdiction of residence or employment, unless the Board accepts extenuating circumstances; comparable qualifications are considered under §40-22-230(C).
Experience
At least four years of Board-satisfactory progressive practical experience under a practicing registered professional surveyor.
Records
NCEES Council Record may document credentials; submit verification of examinations, licensure and current employment not in that record.
References
At least five references, including at least three licensed surveyors with personal knowledge of surveying experience; verify each employment period.
Work Samples
Three different survey maps or plats, signed by the supervising surveyor and identifying the applicant work; comply with the current Standards of Practice Manual.
Licensure by examination
Application
Board application, official transcripts, work-history verification, attestation and affidavit of eligibility; all requested background information and applicable fees.
Board Discretion
Further evidence may be required if the application is inconclusive; examination eligibility and repeat-attempt conditions apply.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree or an ABET-commission-accredited related curriculum, with at least twelve semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent of Board-satisfactory land-boundary discipline courses.
Exam Timing
FS must have been passed; Board approval precedes PS and state-specific exam registration. The state examination is offered the first Friday in May and November; application deadlines are February 1 and August 1.
Experience
At least four years of Board-satisfactory progressive practical experience under a practicing registered professional surveyor.
References
At least five references, including at least three licensed surveyors with personal knowledge of surveying experience; verify each employment period.
Work Samples
Three different survey maps or plats, signed by the supervising surveyor and identifying the applicant work; comply with the current Standards of Practice Manual.
Expedited comity for a military spouse
Application
Board application, official transcripts, work-history verification, attestation and affidavit of eligibility; all requested background information and applicable fees.
Board Discretion
Further evidence may be required if the application is inconclusive; examination eligibility and repeat-attempt conditions apply.
Board Instructions
The current July 2023 comity instructions state: "All applicants are required to take and pass sixteen hours of written examinations as well as a 2-hour state specific examination." That duration description is retained as the Board instruction; the registered FS/PS identities and the PSI bulletin identify the examinations.
Character
Good character and reputation.
Comity Review
Meet current South Carolina education, experience and examination requirements; the Board may require additional examinations to establish qualifications. Prior passing scores of currently offered FS and PS exams remain examination leaves.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree or an ABET-commission-accredited related curriculum, with at least twelve semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent of Board-satisfactory land-boundary discipline courses.
Exam Timing
FS must have been passed; Board approval precedes PS and state-specific exam registration. The state examination is offered the first Friday in May and November; application deadlines are February 1 and August 1.
Existing License
Appropriately licensed in the jurisdiction of residence or employment, unless the Board accepts extenuating circumstances; comparable qualifications are considered under §40-22-230(C).
Experience
At least four years of Board-satisfactory progressive practical experience under a practicing registered professional surveyor.
Military Spouse
Married to and living with an active-duty U.S. Armed Forces member relocated to and stationed in South Carolina under official orders; provide orders, marriage license and verification of all licenses. Expedited processing does not waive state licensing requirements.
Records
NCEES Council Record may document credentials; submit verification of examinations, licensure and current employment not in that record.
References
At least five references, including at least three licensed surveyors with personal knowledge of surveying experience; verify each employment period.
Work Samples
Three different survey maps or plats, signed by the supervising surveyor and identifying the applicant work; comply with the current Standards of Practice Manual.
Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Satisfy continuing professional competency requirements and applicable exemptions; these education activities are applicant conditions, not examinations.
Current License
Hold the license in this discipline and elect to continue practice.
Renewal
Submit renewal and fees in the even-year renewal cycle. The statute/rule June deadline controls; the Board 2026 renewal page describes late-penalty dates through September 30, 2026.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return to active practice from emeritus status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Review
Submit the requested reinstatement packet to the Board.
Prior Status
Previously held this discipline license in emeritus status.
Reactivation
Complete the reinstatement application and submit applicable fees; complete continuing education for each exempted biennial period, not exceeding two periods. The Board FAQ instructs applicants to obtain at least 30 hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return to active practice from retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Review
The retired certification form requires reactivation in the manner prescribed for expired registrations; Board-imposed unnamed examination slots, if any, are applicant conditions and cannot identify a new exam leaf.
Prior Status
Previously held this discipline license and placed it in retired status.
Reactivation
Complete the reinstatement application, pay the renewal fee and obtain at least 30 hours of continuing education as the Board FAQ states.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reissuance after revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
The Board may reissue for sufficient reason upon a majority vote; satisfy the Board decision and prescribed reissuance charge. Section 40-22-230(G) establishes this discretionary reissuance mechanism.
Revoked License
Previously held this license and it was revoked.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal within three months of lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Satisfy applicable continuing professional competency requirements.
Fees
Pay renewal fees and penalties to retain the original license number.
Lapse
License lapsed for no more than three months.
Nonpractice Certification
Truthfully certify no surveying practice in South Carolina during the lapse; no other irregularities.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

TIER B Professional Land Surveyor

Tier B authority adds specified subdivision storm drainage and sedimentation/erosion-control work to Tier A land-boundary surveying.

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

Tier B licensure by comity
Additional Discipline
Photogrammetric and GIS authority require separate compliance with R.49-201(C) or (D).
Character
Good character and reputation.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree including at least fifteen semester hours (or equivalent) of surveying, mapping, hydraulics and hydrology; alternatively an ABET-accredited surveying or engineering technology bachelor degree with at least twelve such semester hours (or equivalent).
Examinations
Prior passing FS, PS and state-specific land surveying examinations remain leaves; the Tier B written exam is additional.
Existing License
Comity applicant must first obtain South Carolina Tier A licensure and meet current Tier B education and experience requirements.
Experience
At least four years of Board-satisfactory progressive practical experience; qualifying subdivision storm-drainage and sedimentation/erosion-control design experience must be supervised by a licensed Tier B surveyor or professional engineer.
Prior License
Must first hold a South Carolina Tier A Land Boundary Surveyor license.
Tier B classification for a dual engineer and land surveyor licensee
Additional Discipline
Photogrammetric and GIS authority require separate compliance with R.49-201(C) or (D).
Character
Good character and reputation.
Classification Provision
R.49-202(C)(1) states: "Persons registered as both Professional Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer are classified as TIER B Professional Land Surveyors." R.49-201(E)(2)(c) still names the additional written Tier B examination for Tier B applicants. Both same-rank provisions are retained; an applicant may receive classification without being required to sit the additional exam, which remains a leaf under the contract conflict rule.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Dual Licenses
Hold both Professional Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer licenses. The engineering license and its examinations are applicant conditions, not surveying examination leaves.
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree including at least fifteen semester hours (or equivalent) of surveying, mapping, hydraulics and hydrology; alternatively an ABET-accredited surveying or engineering technology bachelor degree with at least twelve such semester hours (or equivalent).
Examinations
Prior passing FS, PS and state-specific land surveying examinations remain leaves; the Tier B written exam is additional.
Experience
At least four years of Board-satisfactory progressive practical experience; qualifying subdivision storm-drainage and sedimentation/erosion-control design experience must be supervised by a licensed Tier B surveyor or professional engineer.
Prior License
Must first hold a South Carolina Tier A Land Boundary Surveyor license.
Tier B licensure after Tier A
Additional Discipline
Photogrammetric and GIS authority require separate compliance with R.49-201(C) or (D).
Character
Good character and reputation.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Education
Four-year Board-approved degree including at least fifteen semester hours (or equivalent) of surveying, mapping, hydraulics and hydrology; alternatively an ABET-accredited surveying or engineering technology bachelor degree with at least twelve such semester hours (or equivalent).
Examinations
Prior passing FS, PS and state-specific land surveying examinations remain leaves; the Tier B written exam is additional.
Experience
At least four years of Board-satisfactory progressive practical experience; qualifying subdivision storm-drainage and sedimentation/erosion-control design experience must be supervised by a licensed Tier B surveyor or professional engineer.
Prior License
Must first hold a South Carolina Tier A Land Boundary Surveyor license.
Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Satisfy continuing professional competency requirements and applicable exemptions; these education activities are applicant conditions, not examinations.
Current License
Hold the license in this discipline and elect to continue practice.
Renewal
Submit renewal and fees in the even-year renewal cycle. The statute/rule June deadline controls; the Board 2026 renewal page describes late-penalty dates through September 30, 2026.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return to active practice from emeritus status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Review
Submit the requested reinstatement packet to the Board.
Prior Status
Previously held this discipline license in emeritus status.
Reactivation
Complete the reinstatement application and submit applicable fees; complete continuing education for each exempted biennial period, not exceeding two periods. The Board FAQ instructs applicants to obtain at least 30 hours.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return to active practice from retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Review
The retired certification form requires reactivation in the manner prescribed for expired registrations; Board-imposed unnamed examination slots, if any, are applicant conditions and cannot identify a new exam leaf.
Prior Status
Previously held this discipline license and placed it in retired status.
Reactivation
Complete the reinstatement application, pay the renewal fee and obtain at least 30 hours of continuing education as the Board FAQ states.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reissuance after revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Discretion
The Board may reissue for sufficient reason upon a majority vote; satisfy the Board decision and prescribed reissuance charge. Section 40-22-230(G) establishes this discretionary reissuance mechanism.
Revoked License
Previously held this license and it was revoked.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal within three months of lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Satisfy applicable continuing professional competency requirements.
Fees
Pay renewal fees and penalties to retain the original license number.
Lapse
License lapsed for no more than three months.
Nonpractice Certification
Truthfully certify no surveying practice in South Carolina during the lapse; no other irregularities.

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

South Carolina State-Specific Land Surveyor Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Computer-based, closed book
Exam questions
50 questions
Time limit
120 minutes
Passing score
70%
Examination outline
  • Board Organization and Rules of Professional Conduct (8 Items)
    • Board Purpose
    • Board Authority, Jurisdiction, & Discipline
    • Rules of Professional Conduct
  • License Requirements and Renewal (5 Items)
    • License Requirements
    • License Renewal
    • Continuing Education PDH
  • Written Descriptions and Land Occupation (5 Items)
    • Trespassing & Adverse Possession
    • Land Description
    • Deeds
    • Right of Way & Easements
  • GNSS Surveys (5 Items)
    • GNSS & RTK
    • PDOP & Multipath
  • Standards of Practice Manual (17 Items)
    • Leveling Surveys and Maps & Certified Plans
    • Survey Classifications
    • Topographic Surveys
    • Plat Standards
    • Property Monuments
    • Calibration Baselines, Instrument Accuracy
  • Application of SC State Plane Coordinate System (7 Items)
    • SC State Plane Coordinate System (General)
    • SC SPCS Calculations Grid Distance
    • SC SPCS Calculations Grid Azimuth (Bearing)
    • SC SPCS N.E. Calculations
  • Boundary Surveys in Wetland and Tidal Areas (3 Items)
    • Wetland Surveys
    • Tide Levels
    • Tidal Datum
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

TIER B Land Surveying Examination

Examination outline
  • Design of storm drainage systems and preparation of sedimentation and erosion control plans associated with the development of residential subdivisions
Examination sources