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Iowa Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Land Surveyor Intern

Board-issued intern certificate following the Fundamentals of Surveying examination; it is not the professional license.

Licensing authority: Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board · Application information

Land surveyor intern certification by examination
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Degree
Graduate from a qualifying college program of at least two years. If the degree is not in surveying, surveying technology, engineering, or engineering technology, have at least nine mathematics credits including trigonometry and nine basic-science credits in subjects listed in 481—1049.1(1).
Experience before fs
Only the education-based experience needed before FS is required for the intern certificate. The additional four years required for professional licensure are not a prerequisite for the intern certificate.
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Four year fewer surveying credits
A four-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires two years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Graduate fewer surveying credits
A graduate degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires one year of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Military credit
Advanced education and military experience are reviewed for applicable credit toward statutory experience requirements.
Nine or more surveying credits
A two-year, four-year, or graduate degree with at least nine surveying credits requires no experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Professional practice
The intern certificate does not replace the professional license required by Iowa Code §542B.1 to practice professional land surveying.
References
Provide three references on Board forms with the FS application.
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.
Two year fewer surveying credits
A two-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires four years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.

Professional Land Surveyor

Iowa license to practice land surveying.

Licensing authority: engineering and land surveying examining board · Application information

Restoration after child support noncompliance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Restore an otherwise current Iowa professional land surveyor license suspended or revoked solely because of the specified noncompliance certificate.
Other requirements
Remain otherwise in compliance with licensing requirements and pay all applicable application, renewal, or reinstatement fees. An independently lapsed or inactive license follows its corresponding separate route.
Withdrawal
The licensing authority must receive the responsible agency’s withdrawal of the certificate of noncompliance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by comity — foreign country license
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Degree
Graduate from a qualifying college program of at least two years. If the degree is not in surveying, surveying technology, engineering, or engineering technology, have at least nine mathematics credits including trigonometry and nine basic-science credits in subjects listed in 481—1049.1(1).
Ethics questionnaire
Submit the ethics questionnaire with the comity application.
Existing license
Hold an active professional land surveying license in good standing from a proper licensing authority; requirements cannot conflict with Iowa Code §542B.14 or be below Iowa standards.
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Foreign examination
The Board may compare a passed non-NCEES foreign examination with the corresponding NCEES examination. It must be written, objectively graded, verifiable, and developed and validated under APA or equivalent standards; free-form essays and oral interviews are not equivalent. Any accepted foreign examination is an applicant condition and does not create an exam leaf.
Four year fewer surveying credits
A four-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires two years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Graduate fewer surveying credits
A graduate degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires one year of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Licensing jurisdiction
Hold the qualifying professional land surveying license from a foreign country.
Military credit
Advanced education and military experience are reviewed for applicable credit toward statutory experience requirements.
Nine or more surveying credits
A two-year, four-year, or graduate degree with at least nine surveying credits requires no experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Practical experience
Practical surveying experience occurs after high school under a professional land surveyor; at least one-half is field experience. One year is 1,872 hours, capped at 1,872 hours in any 12 months; demonstrate quality, breadth, and progressively responsible work. Full-time study and full-time employment may not be counted concurrently.
Prior scores
Previously passing FS and PS remains part of the route even when no repeat sitting is needed.
Record
An NCEES record may replace references, verifications, transcripts, and employment history; otherwise submit the required documents.
References
Submit one or more professional land surveyor references sufficient to verify qualifying experience.
Substantial equivalency
The Board may accept requirements meeting or exceeding Iowa initial requirements except the sequence of qualifying experience, under 481—1049.2(3).
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.
Two year fewer surveying credits
A two-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires four years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Licensure by comity — United States jurisdiction
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Degree
Graduate from a qualifying college program of at least two years. If the degree is not in surveying, surveying technology, engineering, or engineering technology, have at least nine mathematics credits including trigonometry and nine basic-science credits in subjects listed in 481—1049.1(1).
Ethics questionnaire
Submit the ethics questionnaire with the comity application.
Existing license
Hold an active professional land surveying license in good standing from a proper licensing authority; requirements cannot conflict with Iowa Code §542B.14 or be below Iowa standards.
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Four year fewer surveying credits
A four-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires two years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Graduate fewer surveying credits
A graduate degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires one year of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Licensing jurisdiction
The qualifying license is from a United States jurisdiction, possession, or the District of Columbia.
Military credit
Advanced education and military experience are reviewed for applicable credit toward statutory experience requirements.
Nine or more surveying credits
A two-year, four-year, or graduate degree with at least nine surveying credits requires no experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Practical experience
Practical surveying experience occurs after high school under a professional land surveyor; at least one-half is field experience. One year is 1,872 hours, capped at 1,872 hours in any 12 months; demonstrate quality, breadth, and progressively responsible work. Full-time study and full-time employment may not be counted concurrently.
Prior scores
Previously passing FS and PS remains part of the route even when no repeat sitting is needed.
Record
An NCEES record may replace references, verifications, transcripts, and employment history; otherwise submit the required documents.
References
Submit one or more professional land surveyor references sufficient to verify qualifying experience.
Substantial equivalency
The Board may accept requirements meeting or exceeding Iowa initial requirements except the sequence of qualifying experience, under 481—1049.2(3).
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.
Two year fewer surveying credits
A two-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires four years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Licensure by examination
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Degree
Graduate from a qualifying college program of at least two years. If the degree is not in surveying, surveying technology, engineering, or engineering technology, have at least nine mathematics credits including trigonometry and nine basic-science credits in subjects listed in 481—1049.1(1).
Degree evaluation
Online degrees require recognized accreditation. The Board may accept substantial-equivalency evaluation and recognized foreign credential evaluations satisfactory to the Board; the applicant initiates and pays for evaluation.
Ethics questionnaire
Submit the Board ethics questionnaire as an application component. It is an application condition, not a separately established examination.
Examination sequence
Pass FS before PS. PS and the Iowa examination may be completed while acquiring the additional qualifying experience; licensure is issued after all experience and examinations are completed.
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Four year fewer surveying credits
A four-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires two years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Graduate fewer surveying credits
A graduate degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires one year of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Military credit
Advanced education and military experience are reviewed for applicable credit toward statutory experience requirements.
Nine or more surveying credits
A two-year, four-year, or graduate degree with at least nine surveying credits requires no experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Practical experience
Practical surveying experience occurs after high school under a professional land surveyor; at least one-half is field experience. One year is 1,872 hours, capped at 1,872 hours in any 12 months; demonstrate quality, breadth, and progressively responsible work. Full-time study and full-time employment may not be counted concurrently.
Project statement
Submit a signed, dated statement of approximately 200 words describing a significant project worked on closely within the past 12 months, responsibility, owner, and location.
References
Provide at least three licensed professional land surveyor references; where applicable at least two supervisors and knowledge of work under at least two employers. The Board may request additional references or employer information.
Retake
After two consecutive failures of the state-specific examination, wait one year to retake it. Further attempts are subject to Iowa Code §542B.15.
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.
Two year fewer surveying credits
A two-year degree with fewer than nine surveying credits requires four years of experience before FS/PS eligibility and four additional years before licensure.
Placement of an existing license on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold an existing Iowa license and do not engage in practices requiring Iowa licensure.
Lapsed exclusion
A lapsed license may not be reinstated to inactive status under 481—1047.5(3).
Practice restriction
Inactive licensees may not practice in Iowa unless otherwise exempted by Iowa Code chapter 542B.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse or veteran licensure after required education or training
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Examination credit
Required examinations must be passed; prior examination credit is available consistent with the Board’s laws and rules under 481—7.3(1).
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Military status
Be a qualifying veteran or active-duty military spouse with an existing license whose scope does not qualify for verification; the Board identifies additional education or training.
Ordinary exam requirements
Read §272C.12A(3)’s issuance after training together with the profession-specific examination requirements in §542B.14 and 481—7.3(1); it does not expressly waive the registered examinations.
Temporary license
The profession-specific prohibition in Iowa Code §542B.14(3) is applied to temporary professional land surveyor licensure, including the general temporary-training provision of §272C.12A(2).
Training completion
Submit records of completing the Board-identified substantially similar education or training.
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.
Expedited verification for veterans and active duty military spouses
Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Discipline
Any prior discipline must be corrected and resolved; otherwise issuance or denial is deferred.
Exam credit
Receive credit for previously passed required examinations when consistent with Iowa law; the statutory verification route reserves only the Iowa state-law examination.
Existing license
Be currently licensed in another issuing jurisdiction with substantially similar scope, in good standing in every issuing jurisdiction, and have met that jurisdiction’s minimum education and any experience or clinical-supervision requirements.
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Military status
Be a veteran or the spouse of an active-duty United States military member, licensed in a profession with similar scope in another state; provide documentation of status. The application receives expedited priority.
Pending investigation
Any pending unprofessional-conduct complaint, allegation, or investigation must be resolved before issuance or denial.
Prior examination
Have previously passed any examination the other issuing jurisdiction required, if applicable. Its identity is not specified in this route; it is a condition, not a reason to infer FS or PS.
Revocation
No prior revocation or voluntary surrender while under investigation for unprofessional conduct.
Temporary license
Iowa Code §542B.14(3) prohibits a temporary professional land surveyor license. The lower-ranked rule 481—1049.3 still states: "The board will issue a temporary license that is valid for a period of three months to professional land surveying candidates who have not yet passed the Iowa State Specific Land Surveying examination prior to their application." The statute controls.
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.
Verification documents
Submit licensing-authority verification directly to the Board, required criminal and disciplinary records, and relevant scope-of-practice laws; use the current Board certification form.
Reinstatement from inactive to active status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Document 45 PDH achieved in the current and previous biennium; dual licensees document 30 PDH per profession. Do not reuse those PDH at the next renewal.
Existing status
Hold an inactive Iowa license.
Fee
Pay the inactive-to-active reinstatement fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse of one year or more
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam
Continuing education alternative
Document 45 PDH achieved in the current and previous biennium; dual licensees provide 30 PDH per profession.
Examination alternative
Passing the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying examination within the year immediately before application is one alternative to continuing-education documentation. The registered PS examination remains a leaf even if the applicant uses another alternative.
Existing status
An Iowa professional land surveyor license has lapsed for one year or more.
Fee
Pay the lapsed-license reinstatement fee and applicable prorated license fee.
Inactive restriction
A lapsed license may not be reinstated to inactive status.
Out of state alternative
An out-of-state resident may provide the resident licensing board’s statement documenting compliance with that state’s required continuing education while the Iowa license was lapsed. If the resident state has no mandatory requirement, provide Iowa-required documentation.
Reinstatement after lapse of less than one year
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam
Continuing education alternative
Document 30 PDH achieved in the current and previous biennium; dual licensees provide 20 PDH per profession.
Examination alternative
Passing the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying examination within the year immediately before application is one alternative to continuing-education documentation. The registered PS examination remains a leaf even if the applicant uses another alternative.
Existing status
An Iowa professional land surveyor license has lapsed for less than one year.
Fee
Pay the lapsed-license reinstatement fee and applicable prorated license fee.
Inactive restriction
A lapsed license may not be reinstated to inactive status.
Out of state alternative
An out-of-state resident may provide the resident licensing board’s statement documenting compliance with that state’s required continuing education while the Iowa license was lapsed. If the resident state has no mandatory requirement, provide Iowa-required documentation.
Pdh reuse
Do not reuse PDH claimed for short-lapse reinstatement at the next renewal; the resident-state statement bears its licensing board’s seal.
Biennial renewal of active licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete, accurate online renewal application and proper fee.
Continuing education
Complete 30 PDH per biennium including at least two in professional ethics; dual active engineer/surveyor licensees complete 40 PDH, 20 per profession and at least four in ethics. Single-profession carryover is up to 15 PDH to the next biennium.
Exemptions
Statutory and rule-based military service, qualifying out-of-state continuing education, overseas service, and Board-approved hardship reductions or waivers may apply; written supporting documentation is required.
Existing license
Hold a currently issued Iowa professional land surveyor license.
Expiration
Renew biennially by December 31; the renewal cycle depends on whether initial issuance was in an even or odd year.
First renewal
An initially licensed new licensee owes half the biennial PDH at first renewal; comity licensees do not receive this reduction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal of inactive licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed online biennial renewal application and inactive-license renewal fee.
Continuing education
Inactive licensees are exempt from continuing education requirements.
Existing license
Hold an inactive Iowa professional land surveyor license.
Practice restriction
Inactive renewal does not authorize practice in Iowa.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within 30 days of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete, accurate online renewal application and proper fee.
Continuing education
Complete 30 PDH per biennium including at least two in professional ethics; dual active engineer/surveyor licensees complete 40 PDH, 20 per profession and at least four in ethics. Single-profession carryover is up to 15 PDH to the next biennium.
Exemptions
Statutory and rule-based military service, qualifying out-of-state continuing education, overseas service, and Board-approved hardship reductions or waivers may apply; written supporting documentation is required.
Existing license
Hold a currently issued Iowa professional land surveyor license.
Expiration
Renew biennially by December 31; the renewal cycle depends on whether initial issuance was in an even or odd year.
First renewal
An initially licensed new licensee owes half the biennial PDH at first renewal; comity licensees do not receive this reduction.
Late application
The Board receives the otherwise sufficient renewal application and late fee within 30 days after expiration.
Practice restriction
After expiration, practice is not authorized until the license is renewed or reinstated.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration after state debt noncompliance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Restore an otherwise current Iowa professional land surveyor license suspended or revoked solely because of the specified noncompliance certificate.
Other requirements
Remain otherwise in compliance with licensing requirements and pay all applicable application, renewal, or reinstatement fees. An independently lapsed or inactive license follows its corresponding separate route.
Withdrawal
The licensing authority must receive the responsible agency’s withdrawal of the certificate of noncompliance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by verification
Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Discipline
Any prior discipline must be corrected and resolved; otherwise issuance or denial is deferred.
Existing license
Be currently licensed in another issuing jurisdiction with substantially similar scope, in good standing in every issuing jurisdiction, and have met that jurisdiction’s minimum education and any experience or clinical-supervision requirements.
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Pending investigation
Any pending unprofessional-conduct complaint, allegation, or investigation must be resolved before issuance or denial.
Prior examination
Have previously passed any examination the other issuing jurisdiction required, if applicable. Its identity is not specified in this route; it is a condition, not a reason to infer FS or PS.
Revocation
No prior revocation or voluntary surrender while under investigation for unprofessional conduct.
Temporary license
Iowa Code §542B.14(3) prohibits a temporary professional land surveyor license. The lower-ranked rule 481—1049.3 still states: "The board will issue a temporary license that is valid for a period of three months to professional land surveying candidates who have not yet passed the Iowa State Specific Land Surveying examination prior to their application." The statute controls.
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.
Verification documents
Submit licensing-authority verification directly to the Board, required criminal and disciplinary records, and relevant scope-of-practice laws; use the current Board certification form.
Initial licensure with qualifying work experience substitution
Application
Submit the completed online application; all components must be received before Board review. Applications received by the first day of the month are reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Criminal history
The Board considers disqualifying criminal convictions under Iowa Code §272C.15; disclose required criminal and disciplinary information.
Evidence
Submit employer or business documentation of experience, a scope statement, and evidence of substantially similar professional services.
Examination sequence
Pass FS before PS and complete the Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination.
Experience substitution
Document at least three years of substantially similar work experience within the four years before application. The Board may treat this as satisfying education, training, and work-experience requirements under §272C.13; the same examination requirements remain.
Fees
Pay the applicable application, examination, and license fees; statutory fee waivers apply when their conditions are satisfied.
Relocation
Relocate to Iowa from a jurisdiction that did not require licensure for this profession; submit proof of Iowa residency.
Transcripts
Qualifying-degree transcripts must be sent directly by each institution; foreign transcripts require authenticity and substantial-equivalency evaluation satisfactory to the Board.

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

Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination

Examination outline
  • THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM IN IOWA
    • Iowa Chronology to Statehood
    • References
    • Iowa Surveyors General
    • U.S. Public Land Survey System Instructions in Iowa
    • History of Sectionalized Surveys in Iowa
    • Control Lines in Iowa
    • Corner Monuments in Iowa
    • Lotting in Iowa
    • Iowa-Missouri Boundary
    • Iowa-Minnesota Boundary
    • East and West Boundaries
    • Center of Section in Iowa
    • Iowa Navigable and Nonnavigable Water Boundaries
    • Navigable/Nonnavigable Surface Waters
    • Source of Ownership of Navigable Waters
    • The Federal Test for Navigable Waters
    • State Tests for Navigable Waters
    • Navigable Waters in the Rectangular Land System
    • Meandered Rivers and Streams of Iowa
    • Established Road Widths
    • County Surveyor
    • Iowa Geodetic Survey
    • Records Research for Land Surveying in Iowa
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