Utah Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice
US-UT · License preparation
703 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
Loading selected examination banks…
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 Land Surveyor — conditional license pending audit, investigation, or inspection
Conditional initial, renewal, or reinstatement licensure pending an audit, investigation, or inspection under R156-1-308f.
Licensing authority: division of professional licensing · Application information
Conditional initial issuance pending audit, investigation, or inspection
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Condition
- Division may conditionally issue a license while an audit, investigation, or inspection is unfinished; completion determines unconditional issuance or denial.
- Expiration
- Undetermined completion of the audit/investigation/inspection is recorded as expiration; conditional issuance itself is not adverse discipline.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Conditional reinstatement under current initial requirements
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Condition
- Division may conditionally reinstate pending completion of an audit, investigation, or inspection.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Qualification
- Reinstatement route requiring current initial licensure qualifications.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Conditional reinstatement under renewal qualifications
- Condition
- Division may conditionally reinstate pending completion of an audit, investigation, or inspection.
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Qualification
- Expired active license in good standing restored within two years under R156-1-308g(1)-(2).
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-308f(1)-(4)
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-308g(1)-(2), renewal-based reinstatement
Conditional renewal pending audit, investigation, or inspection
- Condition
- Conditional renewal while an audit, investigation, or inspection remains pending; completion determines unconditional renewal or denial.
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-308f(1)-(4)
- Utah Code Title 58
58-22-303(2)-(3), p. 223
- Utah Administrative Code R156-22
R156-22-304(1)
Professional Land Surveyor — inactive license
Inactive form of an existing Utah land-surveyor license; professional practice is prohibited while inactive.
Licensing authority: Division of Professional Licensing · Application information
Placement of active license on inactive status
- Application
- Verified inactive-status application, documentation, and fee; certify no professional practice while inactive.
- Existing license
- Current active Utah land-surveyor license in good standing.
- Status
- May remain inactive indefinitely; continuing education is not required while inactive.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Administrative Code R156-22
R156-22-305(1)-(3)
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-305(2)-(3)
limited supervised training permit
Temporary authorization for supervised limited practice while an endorsement equivalency decision or additional education/experience is pending.
Licensing authority: Division of Professional Licensing · Application information
Limited supervised training permit hardship renewal or extension
- Extension
- Division grants a period proportionate to the hardship; employer consents in writing.
- Hardship
- Circumstances beyond the holder's control prevented completion; show reasonable progress.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Code Title 58
58-1-302(6)(c)(ii), p. 20
Limited supervised training permit issuance
- Employment
- Utah employment offer and employer attestation to required supervision by a licensee in good standing of the same classification who meets the Division's minimum licensing-duration rule.
- Expiration
- Expires on the education/experience deadline or grant/denial of endorsement application.
- Minimum standards
- Meet Board-established minimum professional standards for supervised work, fee, any required background check, and Board interview if requested. An unidentified prior credentialing examination used for equivalency is an applicant condition.
- Previous license
- Present or former foreign or U.S. license, but endorsement requirements not yet satisfied; the Division chooses to evaluate equivalency under 58-1-302(6).
- Review
- Additional time needed for an equivalency decision, or additional education/experience required with a Division deadline.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Code Title 58
58-1-302(6)(b)(i)-(iii), p. 20
- Utah Code Title 58
58-1-302(6)(b)(iv)-(vii), p. 20
Professional Land Surveyor — restricted or probationary license
Restricted or probationary form when the applicant appears qualified but conduct justifies supervision or restrictions.
Licensing authority: Division of Professional Licensing · Application information
Restricted or probationary initial licensure
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Conduct
- Conduct bearing on qualifications causes the Division to impose monitored/supervised practice or reasonable restrictions to protect the public.
- Order
- Restrictions and conditions are set individually; issuance is a partial denial subject to agency review.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Underlying qualification
- Satisfy the applicable initial or endorsement qualifications.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Restricted or probationary reinstatement requiring current initial qualifications
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Conduct
- Division may attach supervision and restrictions to address conduct.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Qualifications
- Current initial qualifications on reinstatement after expiry/suspension; the disciplinary order may specify different individual conditions.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Restricted or probationary renewal
- Conduct
- Division attaches individual supervision or restrictions based on conduct; comply with the order.
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Code Title 58
58-1-304(1), p. 22
- Utah Code Title 58
58-22-303(2)-(3), p. 223
- Utah Administrative Code R156-22
R156-22-304(1)
Professional Land Surveyor — temporary license
Temporary land-surveying licensure under the general authority in 58-1-303.
Licensing authority: division of professional licensing · Application information
Temporary license — emergency or unusual governmental circumstance
- Discretion
- Requires the Division's finding in collaboration with the Board under 58-1-303(1)(c). Prior other-jurisdiction examination history is an applicant condition.
- Division finding
- An emergency or governmental action creates an unusual circumstance materially jeopardizing public health, safety, or welfare.
- Previous license
- A license in another state obtained under requirements equal to or greater than Utah requirements at the time it was issued.
Temporary license — all requirements except examination passed
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Expiration
- Temporary license expires when official results are released if the applicant fails; no more than three consecutive grants within three years.
- Next examination
- Take the next available outstanding examination; prior passing scores are applicant conditions for the other referenced examinations.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Qualification
- Meet all licensure requirements except passing an examination; Division discretion applies.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Temporary license — shortage of necessary services
- Discretion
- Requires the Division's finding in collaboration with the Board under 58-1-303(1)(c). Prior other-jurisdiction examination history is an applicant condition.
- Division finding
- A community or area lacks necessary professional services, materially jeopardizing public health, safety, or welfare.
- Previous license
- A license in another state obtained under requirements equal to or greater than Utah requirements at the time it was issued.
Temporary license — observation before permanent licensure
- Discretion
- Requires the Division's finding in collaboration with the Board under 58-1-303(1)(c). Prior other-jurisdiction examination history is an applicant condition.
- Division finding
- The Division needs to observe the applicant in monitored or supervised practice before deciding a regular-license application.
- Previous license
- A license in another state obtained under requirements equal to or greater than Utah requirements at the time it was issued.
Temporary license — teaching or assisting a Utah licensee
- Discretion
- The Division may grant the temporary license under 58-1-303(1)(b).
- Previous license
- Licensed in another state or country; temporarily in Utah to teach or assist a Utah resident licensed in this profession.
Professional Land Surveyor
Ordinary Utah professional land surveyor license, including initial issuance, endorsement, renewal, reinstatement, and relicensure.
Licensing authority: division of professional licensing · Application information
Reinstatement after suspension term or expiry under discipline
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Order
- Disciplinary order may vary requirements; otherwise demonstrate current initial licensure qualifications, competence, compliance with reinstatement conditions, and pay renewal/reinstatement fees and outstanding fines.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Discretionary endorsement — licensed applicant demonstrating competency
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Application checklist
- DOPL Professional Land Surveyor Application v20260417, p. 7, states: "If applying for Licensure by Endorsement, in addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit: c Verification of Land Surveying Experience as a principal form. c Official verification of licensure for the time documented on the Verification of Experience as a Principal form from the state(s) you are licensed. Please contact the state(s) you are licensed in on how to request verification." General endorsement qualifications in 58-1-302 govern any conflicting principal-experience demand.
- Division review
- Identity, qualifications, fee, and professional good standing must be established; the Division may refuse an unqualified applicant or one with previous or pending disciplinary action.
- Endorsement authority
- 58-1-302(8)(a) makes general endorsement law controlling over conflicting profession-specific endorsement provisions. R156-1-302(4) authorizes the Division to require professional or law examinations, and R156-22-302j(6) specifically applies the land-surveying examination set with conditional national waivers.
- Licensed practice
- A present or former license, U.S. or foreign, at least one year of practice under that license, and a Division determination that education, credentialing examination, experience, and skills demonstrate competency.
- National exam waiver
- Under R156-22-302j(6), the Board may waive FS, PS, or both if the applicant was a principal for five of the last seven years and the original recognized jurisdiction did not require those examinations. Waiver is an applicant condition; the examination references remain.
- Other exam evidence
- A foreign or other jurisdiction's unidentified credentialing examination is applicant evidence, not a Utah route examination reference.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Discretionary endorsement — substantially similar licensure requirements
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Application checklist
- DOPL Professional Land Surveyor Application v20260417, p. 7, states: "If applying for Licensure by Endorsement, in addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit: c Verification of Land Surveying Experience as a principal form. c Official verification of licensure for the time documented on the Verification of Experience as a Principal form from the state(s) you are licensed. Please contact the state(s) you are licensed in on how to request verification." General endorsement qualifications in 58-1-302 govern any conflicting principal-experience demand.
- Division review
- Identity, qualifications, fee, and professional good standing must be established; the Division may refuse an unqualified applicant or one with previous or pending disciplinary action.
- Endorsement authority
- 58-1-302(8)(a) makes general endorsement law controlling over conflicting profession-specific endorsement provisions. R156-1-302(4) authorizes the Division to require professional or law examinations, and R156-22-302j(6) specifically applies the land-surveying examination set with conditional national waivers.
- National exam waiver
- Under R156-22-302j(6), the Board may waive FS, PS, or both if the applicant was a principal for five of the last seven years and the original recognized jurisdiction did not require those examinations. Waiver is an applicant condition; the examination references remain.
- Other exam evidence
- Examination evidence from a foreign jurisdiction or another jurisdiction's own examination is an applicant condition.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Previous license
- Present or former license in another U.S. or foreign jurisdiction whose requirements at issuance are determined substantially similar to current Utah requirements.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Discretionary endorsement — never licensed applicant with equivalent education and experience
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Application checklist
- DOPL Professional Land Surveyor Application v20260417, p. 7, states: "If applying for Licensure by Endorsement, in addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit: c Verification of Land Surveying Experience as a principal form. c Official verification of licensure for the time documented on the Verification of Experience as a Principal form from the state(s) you are licensed. Please contact the state(s) you are licensed in on how to request verification." General endorsement qualifications in 58-1-302 govern any conflicting principal-experience demand.
- Division review
- Identity, qualifications, fee, and professional good standing must be established; the Division may refuse an unqualified applicant or one with previous or pending disciplinary action.
- Endorsement authority
- 58-1-302(8)(a) makes general endorsement law controlling over conflicting profession-specific endorsement provisions. R156-1-302(4) authorizes the Division to require professional or law examinations, and R156-22-302j(6) specifically applies the land-surveying examination set with conditional national waivers.
- National exam waiver
- Under R156-22-302j(6), the Board may waive FS, PS, or both if the applicant was a principal for five of the last seven years and the original recognized jurisdiction did not require those examinations. Waiver is an applicant condition; the examination references remain.
- Other exam evidence
- The unnamed credentialing examination used in the equivalency determination is an applicant condition.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Previous licensure
- Never licensed in any U.S. or foreign jurisdiction; education or relevant experience obtained in another U.S. or foreign jurisdiction, with Division determination of substantially similar education, credentialing-examination, and experience requirements.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Endorsement — U.S. license with similar scope and one year of practice
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Application checklist
- DOPL Professional Land Surveyor Application v20260417, p. 7, states: "If applying for Licensure by Endorsement, in addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit: c Verification of Land Surveying Experience as a principal form. c Official verification of licensure for the time documented on the Verification of Experience as a Principal form from the state(s) you are licensed. Please contact the state(s) you are licensed in on how to request verification." General endorsement qualifications in 58-1-302 govern any conflicting principal-experience demand.
- Division review
- Identity, qualifications, fee, and professional good standing must be established; the Division may refuse an unqualified applicant or one with previous or pending disciplinary action.
- Endorsement authority
- 58-1-302(8)(a) makes general endorsement law controlling over conflicting profession-specific endorsement provisions. R156-1-302(4) authorizes the Division to require professional or law examinations, and R156-22-302j(6) specifically applies the land-surveying examination set with conditional national waivers.
- Licensed practice
- A license in another U.S. jurisdiction with a similar scope, at least one year of practice under it, and good standing. R156-1-302(2) does not require the license to remain active if the required experience has been obtained.
- National exam waiver
- Under R156-22-302j(6), the Board may waive FS, PS, or both if the applicant was a principal for five of the last seven years and the original recognized jurisdiction did not require those examinations. Waiver is an applicant condition; the examination references remain.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Endorsement — professional principal experience
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Application checklist
- DOPL Professional Land Surveyor Application v20260417, p. 7, states: "If applying for Licensure by Endorsement, in addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit: c Verification of Land Surveying Experience as a principal form. c Official verification of licensure for the time documented on the Verification of Experience as a Principal form from the state(s) you are licensed. Please contact the state(s) you are licensed in on how to request verification." General endorsement qualifications in 58-1-302 govern any conflicting principal-experience demand.
- Division review
- Identity, qualifications, fee, and professional good standing must be established; the Division may refuse an unqualified applicant or one with previous or pending disciplinary action.
- Documentation
- The application requests principal-experience verification and official verification of licensure. Its Education Requirements page also refers to being licensed at least five years.
- Endorsement authority
- 58-1-302(8)(a) makes general endorsement law controlling over conflicting profession-specific endorsement provisions. R156-1-302(4) authorizes the Division to require professional or law examinations, and R156-22-302j(6) specifically applies the land-surveying examination set with conditional national waivers.
- National exam waiver
- Under R156-22-302j(6), the Board may waive FS, PS, or both if the applicant was a principal for five of the last seven years and the original recognized jurisdiction did not require those examinations. Waiver is an applicant condition; the examination references remain.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Principal experience
- Current licensure in good standing in a recognized NCEES member jurisdiction, and full-time licensed land-surveyor work as a principal for at least five of the previous seven years under 58-22-302(4).
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Reactivation of inactive land surveyor license
- Application
- Verified activation application and fee; meet current renewal requirements before activation.
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Education
- Provide documentation of 30 hours of continuing education completed within two years of reactivation.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Previous status
- An inactive professional land-surveyor license.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Administrative Code R156-22
R156-22-305(4)-(5)
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-305(4)
Initial licensure — approved associate degree and six years of experience
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Education
- At least an approved associate degree in land surveying or geomatics.
- Experience
- At least six years of qualifying land-surveying experience; the rule allocates three years to field surveying and three years to office surveying.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Ps registration
- R156-22-302j(5) states: "(5) Prior to registering directly with NCEES to sit for the NCEES PS examination, an applicant shall: (a) complete the education requirement set forth in Section R156-22-302c; and (b) provide verification to NCEES of passing the NCEES FS examination." This is an applicant prerequisite; it does not remove any exam leaf.
- Qualifying experience
- Qualifying experience is supervised and certified, progressive, and professional in nature; 2,000 hours equal a year with no more than 2,000 hours claimed per 12-month period. Required field and office content is specified in R156-22-302g.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Initial licensure — approved bachelor or equivalent program and four years of experience
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Education
- Approved bachelor degree in land surveying or approved equivalent program. Equivalent related-field programs require 30 semester or 42 quarter hours and the specified six core subject areas under R156-22-302c. Foreign curricula are evaluated by NCEES.
- Experience
- Statute requires at least four years. R156-22-302g states four years for a bachelor, three for a master, and two for a doctorate; the statutory four-year minimum controls this pathway, while the older rule statements remain disclosed.
- Postgraduate rule statement
- R156-22-302g states: "(3) Each applicant with a masters degree in land surveying or geomatics shall complete a minimum of three years of experience as follows: (a) one and a half years that complies with Subsection (3)(a); and (b) one and a half years that complies with Subsection (3)(b). (4) Each applicant with a doctorate degree in land surveying or geomatics shall complete a minimum of two years of experience as follows: (a) one year that complies with Subsection (3)(a); and (b) one year that complies with Subsection (3)(b)." The four-year statutory minimum controls this degree-based route.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Ps registration
- R156-22-302j(5) states: "(5) Prior to registering directly with NCEES to sit for the NCEES PS examination, an applicant shall: (a) complete the education requirement set forth in Section R156-22-302c; and (b) provide verification to NCEES of passing the NCEES FS examination." This is an applicant prerequisite; it does not remove any exam leaf.
- Qualifying experience
- Qualifying experience is supervised and certified, progressive, and professional in nature; 2,000 hours equal a year with no more than 2,000 hours claimed per 12-month period. Required field and office content is specified in R156-22-302g.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Initial licensure — high school diploma or equivalent and ten years of experience
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Education
- High-school diploma or recognized equivalent under 58-22-302(3)(c)(iii).
- Experience
- At least ten years of qualifying land-surveying experience.
- Older degree instructions
- The Board Utah Applicant Instructions state: "An associate, bachelor, masters or doctorate degree in land surveying or geomatics from a CHEA accredited institution;" R156-22-302c states: "In accordance with Subsection 58-22-302(3)(d), an applicant for licensure as a professional land surveyor shall verify completion of one of the following land surveying programs affiliated with an institution that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and approved by the Division in collaboration with the Board: (1) an associates in applied science degree in land surveying or geomatics; (2) a bachelors, masters or doctorate degree in land surveying or geomatics;" The controlling 2026 statute supplies the alternative qualifications for this route.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Ps registration
- R156-22-302j(5) states: "(5) Prior to registering directly with NCEES to sit for the NCEES PS examination, an applicant shall: (a) complete the education requirement set forth in Section R156-22-302c; and (b) provide verification to NCEES of passing the NCEES FS examination." This is an applicant prerequisite; it does not remove any exam leaf.
- Qualifying experience
- Qualifying experience is supervised and certified, progressive, and professional in nature; 2,000 hours equal a year with no more than 2,000 hours claimed per 12-month period. Required field and office content is specified in R156-22-302g.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Initial licensure — U.S. land surveyor license and one year of practice
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Experience
- At least one year practicing as a professional land surveyor in the United States under 58-22-302(3)(c)(iv).
- Older degree instructions
- The Board Utah Applicant Instructions state: "An associate, bachelor, masters or doctorate degree in land surveying or geomatics from a CHEA accredited institution;" R156-22-302c states: "In accordance with Subsection 58-22-302(3)(d), an applicant for licensure as a professional land surveyor shall verify completion of one of the following land surveying programs affiliated with an institution that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and approved by the Division in collaboration with the Board: (1) an associates in applied science degree in land surveying or geomatics; (2) a bachelors, masters or doctorate degree in land surveying or geomatics;" The controlling 2026 statute supplies the alternative qualifications for this route.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Previous license
- Hold a professional land-surveying license or equivalent license in the United States.
- Ps registration
- R156-22-302j(5) states: "(5) Prior to registering directly with NCEES to sit for the NCEES PS examination, an applicant shall: (a) complete the education requirement set forth in Section R156-22-302c; and (b) provide verification to NCEES of passing the NCEES FS examination." This is an applicant prerequisite; it does not remove any exam leaf.
- Qualifying experience
- Qualifying experience is supervised and certified, progressive, and professional in nature; 2,000 hours equal a year with no more than 2,000 hours claimed per 12-month period. Required field and office content is specified in R156-22-302g.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Military service license extension and renewal
- Application
- Request renewal within 90 days after activation/deployment orders terminate and provide activation/deployment and discharge orders.
- Renewal
- Renewal is free and continuing education or training requirements are excused; meet the remaining renewal requirements. Annual training, in-state orders, and orders not requiring relocation outside Utah are excluded.
- Service
- National Guard/reserve activation or service-member deployment outside Utah; license expiry during qualifying service is extended 90 days after discharge or the deployment end date.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Code 71A-8-103
71A-8-103(4)
- Utah Code Title 58
58-22-303(2)-(3), p. 223
Reinstatement — within 30 days after expiry
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Expiry window
- License was active and in good standing when it expired; apply within 30 days of expiry.
- Fee
- Renewal fee plus late fee.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-308g reinstatement-30-days
- Utah Code Title 58
58-22-303(2)-(3), p. 223
- Utah Administrative Code R156-22
R156-22-304(1)
Reinstatement — more than two years after expiry, current initial requirements
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Continuing education evidence
- Application asks for proof of compliance when the license expired or 30 hours completed within the last two years.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Expiry window
- More than two years after expiry, without continuous qualifying federal-service or licensed out-of-jurisdiction practice; demonstrate current initial licensure qualifications.
- Initial qualification
- One of the four statutory education-and-experience alternatives in 58-22-302(3)(c).
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Reinstatement — continuous federal service or licensed out of jurisdiction practice
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Continuous practice
- Continuously active since Utah expiry in full-time U.S. government employment or under a professional license elsewhere in the United States; submit documentation.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Exemption
- 58-1-308(6)(b) expressly allows reinstatement without examination.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
- Return window
- Apply within six months after reestablishing Utah domicile or terminating full-time federal service.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Code Title 58
58-1-308(6)(b), p. 28
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-308g(3)(b)
Reinstatement — more than two years after expiry, qualification by endorsement
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Application checklist
- DOPL Professional Land Surveyor Application v20260417, p. 7, states: "If applying for Licensure by Endorsement, in addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit: c Verification of Land Surveying Experience as a principal form. c Official verification of licensure for the time documented on the Verification of Experience as a Principal form from the state(s) you are licensed. Please contact the state(s) you are licensed in on how to request verification." General endorsement qualifications in 58-1-302 govern any conflicting principal-experience demand.
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Division review
- Identity, qualifications, fee, and professional good standing must be established; the Division may refuse an unqualified applicant or one with previous or pending disciplinary action.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Endorsement authority
- 58-1-302(8)(a) makes general endorsement law controlling over conflicting profession-specific endorsement provisions. R156-1-302(4) authorizes the Division to require professional or law examinations, and R156-22-302j(6) specifically applies the land-surveying examination set with conditional national waivers.
- Expiry window
- Expired license more than two years old; qualify under an applicable current endorsement pathway and meet reinstatement continuing-education requirements.
- National exam waiver
- Under R156-22-302j(6), the Board may waive FS, PS, or both if the applicant was a principal for five of the last seven years and the original recognized jurisdiction did not require those examinations. Waiver is an applicant condition; the examination references remain.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Reinstatement — 31 days through two years after expiry
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Expiry window
- License was active and in good standing when it expired; apply from day 31 through two years after expiry.
- Fee
- Renewal fee plus reinstatement fee.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-308g reinstatement-two-years
- Utah Code Title 58
58-22-303(2)-(3), p. 223
- Utah Administrative Code R156-22
R156-22-304(1)
Relicensure following revocation
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Qualification
- Demonstrate current initial licensure qualifications, reinstatement-condition compliance, and present competence; pay the new-applicant license fee.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Relicensure following surrender while not in good standing
- Application
- Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fee, and supporting records for qualifying-questionnaire disclosures; meet with the Board or Division representative if requested.
- Pre application timing
- The Board instructs applicants to pass required examinations and satisfy other licensing requirements before applying; this timing does not remove examination leaves.
- Qualification
- Demonstrate current initial qualifications, reinstatement-condition compliance, and current competence; pay the new-license fee and outstanding fines.
- Retakes
- Utah examination retakes: wait at least 30 days after each failure up to three failures, then at least six months after subsequent failures under R156-22-302j(4).
- Score documentation
- Passing NCEES FS and PS scores and the Utah examination score are required under R156-22-302j; NCEES Council Records can document examination history. Scores obtained for a different jurisdiction require official verification to Utah.
- Utah score
- At least 75% on the Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination.
Ordinary license renewal
- Continuing education
- Complete 30 hours of qualifying continuing professional education per two-year period, subject to prorating, carryover, and authorized waivers under R156-22-304. Keep records for four years.
- Education shortfall
- The rule requires double missed hours after an untimely shortfall and, where reinstatement follows noncompliance at expiry, 30 hours within the two years before reinstatement.
- Renewal cycle
- License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years; submit the prescribed renewal and applicable fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-22.
- Utah Code Title 58
58-22-303(2)-(3), p. 223
- Utah Administrative Code R156-22
R156-22-304(1)
- Utah Administrative Code R156-1
R156-1-308c(5)
- DOPL Engineering and Land Surveying Renewal Instructions
Renew a License, requirements
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
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) CBT Exam Specifications
Page 1 heading — effective date
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) CBT Exam Specifications
Page 1 — knowledge area 1 and its question range
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) CBT Exam Specifications
Page 2 — knowledge area 7 and its question range
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam web page
Exam Specifications section — FS specifications link
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) CBT Exam Specifications
Page 1 — first bullet (exam format)
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) CBT Exam Specifications
Page 1 — second bullet (time and question count)
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) CBT Exam Specifications
Standards page — scoring statement
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam web page
Exam results — FS results
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam web page
Exam Specifications — alternative item types
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam web page
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam — administration and fee
- NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam web page
Exam scheduling
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
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) CBT Exam Specifications, effective beginning January 1, 2019
Page 1 heading — effective date
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) CBT Exam Specifications, effective beginning January 1, 2019
Page 1 — first knowledge area and its question range
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) CBT Exam Specifications, effective beginning January 1, 2019
Page 3 — last knowledge area and its question range
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam web page
Exam Specifications section — before/after July 2027 links
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) CBT Exam Specifications, effective beginning January 1, 2019
Page 1 — first bullet (exam format)
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) CBT Exam Specifications, effective beginning January 1, 2019
Page 1 — second bullet (time and question count)
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) CBT Exam Specifications, effective beginning January 1, 2019
Standards page — scoring statement
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam web page
Exam results — PS results
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam web page
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam — administration and fee
- NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam web page
Exam scheduling
UT Professional Land Surveyor Law and Rule Examination
- Provider
- Prov, Inc.
- Format
- Computer-administered, open book; printed references allowed
- Exam questions
- 50
- Time limit
- 2 hours
- Passing score
- 75%
- Exam fee
- $75 per attempt
Examination outline
- Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act and Rule
- Public Land Survey System
- State Legislation
Examination sources
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 3, Subject Area row 1
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 3, Subject Area row 2
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 3, Subject Area row 3
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 3, Exam Description heading
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 5, Results Reporting, scoring statement first line
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 5, Results Reporting, cut-score line
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 3, Number of Questions
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 2, Testing with Prov, delivery format
- DOPL Engineering and Land Surveying Exam Information
Professional Land Surveyor tab
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 2, How to Register Online, certifying body
- State of Utah Professional Land Surveyor Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
p. 2, How to Register Online, license selection