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New Mexico Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Surveyor Intern

Certification demonstrating skills in surveying fundamentals; it does not permit the intern to practice surveying.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors · Application information

Initial surveyor intern certification related science curriculum
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Character
Good moral character and reputation as determined by Board rules.
Education
Completed Board-approved four-year related-science curriculum with surveying, mathematics and basic-science augmentation under 16.39.5.7(E).
Effect
FS passage alone does not confer certification; intern certification does not authorize independent surveying practice.
Experience
Two years of combined office and field experience under a licensed professional surveyor; class time is excluded, and qualifying work before or during school may count at Board discretion.
References
Three references, two licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of knowledge and experience; official transcripts direct from the university.
Initial surveyor intern certification surveying curriculum
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Character
Good moral character and reputation as determined by Board rules.
Education
Completed Board-approved four-year surveying curriculum.
Effect
FS passage alone does not confer certification; intern certification does not authorize independent surveying practice.
Experience
No additional experience prerequisite is prescribed for this four-year surveying-curriculum route.
References
Three references, two licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of knowledge and experience; official transcripts direct from the university.
Transfer of surveyor intern certification related science curriculum
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Board checklist discrepancy
The Board transfer checklist says: Verification of completion of the FE examination. All information must be on the supplied Verification Form, or through the NCEES verification portal. Form(s) must be received by the board directly from the state board office. The higher-ranked surveying rule 16.39.5.8(D) identifies FS. FE belongs to another profession and is only a Board-stated condition.
Character
Good moral character and reputation as determined by Board rules.
Education
Completed Board-approved four-year related-science curriculum with surveying, mathematics and basic-science augmentation under 16.39.5.7(E).
Effect
FS passage alone does not confer certification; intern certification does not authorize independent surveying practice.
Existing certification
Surveyor-intern certification held in another jurisdiction; supply direct verification.
Experience
Two years of combined office and field experience under a licensed professional surveyor; class time is excluded, and qualifying work before or during school may count at Board discretion.
References
Three references, two licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of knowledge and experience; official transcripts direct from the university.
Transfer of surveyor intern certification surveying curriculum
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Board checklist discrepancy
The Board transfer checklist says: Verification of completion of the FE examination. All information must be on the supplied Verification Form, or through the NCEES verification portal. Form(s) must be received by the board directly from the state board office. The higher-ranked surveying rule 16.39.5.8(D) identifies FS. FE belongs to another profession and is only a Board-stated condition.
Character
Good moral character and reputation as determined by Board rules.
Education
Completed Board-approved four-year surveying curriculum.
Effect
FS passage alone does not confer certification; intern certification does not authorize independent surveying practice.
Existing certification
Surveyor-intern certification held in another jurisdiction; supply direct verification.
Experience
No additional experience prerequisite is prescribed for this four-year surveying-curriculum route.
References
Three references, two licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of knowledge and experience; official transcripts direct from the university.

Professional Surveyor

Individual professional surveying license available through examination, endorsement or comity.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors · Application information

Streamlined comity or endorsement fifteen continuous years
Application
Prescribed streamlined application, fee and direct licensing/examination verification; the streamlined application may omit full education/reference/experience attachments.
Discipline
No surveying or professional-conduct discipline during the preceding five years and no suspension or revocation at any time.
Existing license
Current United States-jurisdiction professional surveyor license continuously active for fifteen years immediately preceding application.
Prior exams
The Board implementing checklist and March 2026 application require verification of both NCEES FS and PS passes; prior passage remains a leaf because the examination is currently offered.
State exam
Successfully complete the New Mexico written examination after application acceptance.
Endorsement foreign professional surveying license
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
Discretion
61-23-27.4(E)(3) requires examinations the Board deems necessary, expressly including written questions on New Mexico law, procedures and practice. Applicable surveying rules name FS and PS; the Board judges foreign equivalence.
Education review
The Board individually evaluates foreign degrees and may require an independent approved evaluation at applicant expense.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Existing license
Current foreign-country professional surveyor license; demonstrate that standards equal or exceed current New Mexico standards.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Foreign examinations
Foreign national examinations or licensing assessments are applicant evidence and conditions, never leaves of this state route.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Comity or endorsement pre 1979 experience
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Existing license
Current professional surveyor license in a United States licensing jurisdiction. Initial qualifications must have equaled or exceeded New Mexico standards at the time of initial licensure and must not conflict with the Practice Act.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Initial qualification
Initial licensure before July 1, 1979 and eight years of acceptable experience.
Ncees record
An NCEES Council Record may supply education, reference and experience attachments; Model Law Surveyor status may speed processing, but Board review and the New Mexico examination remain required.
Prior exam format
Historical endorsement provisions describe eight-hour fundamentals and professional examinations. The current Board checklist requires FLS and PPLS verification, identifying NCEES FS and PS; the Board evaluates older passing evidence and formats.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Comity or endorsement pre 1995 45 semester hours
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Existing license
Current professional surveyor license in a United States licensing jurisdiction. Initial qualifications must have equaled or exceeded New Mexico standards at the time of initial licensure and must not conflict with the Practice Act.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Initial qualification
Initial licensure before July 1, 1995; Board-approved surveying or associated curriculum of at least 45 semester hours and eight years of acceptable experience.
Ncees record
An NCEES Council Record may supply education, reference and experience attachments; Model Law Surveyor status may speed processing, but Board review and the New Mexico examination remain required.
Prior exam format
Historical endorsement provisions describe eight-hour fundamentals and professional examinations. The current Board checklist requires FLS and PPLS verification, identifying NCEES FS and PS; the Board evaluates older passing evidence and formats.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Comity or endorsement pre 1995 two year degree
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Existing license
Current professional surveyor license in a United States licensing jurisdiction. Initial qualifications must have equaled or exceeded New Mexico standards at the time of initial licensure and must not conflict with the Practice Act.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Initial qualification
Initial licensure before July 1, 1995; Board-approved two-year surveying or associated curriculum and eight years of acceptable experience.
Ncees record
An NCEES Council Record may supply education, reference and experience attachments; Model Law Surveyor status may speed processing, but Board review and the New Mexico examination remain required.
Prior exam format
Historical endorsement provisions describe eight-hour fundamentals and professional examinations. The current Board checklist requires FLS and PPLS verification, identifying NCEES FS and PS; the Board evaluates older passing evidence and formats.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Comity or endorsement related science degree
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Existing license
Current professional surveyor license in a United States licensing jurisdiction. Initial qualifications must have equaled or exceeded New Mexico standards at the time of initial licensure and must not conflict with the Practice Act.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Initial qualification
Engineering or related-science curriculum approved by the committee, augmented with 18 surveying semester hours, and eight years of acceptable experience.
Ncees record
An NCEES Council Record may supply education, reference and experience attachments; Model Law Surveyor status may speed processing, but Board review and the New Mexico examination remain required.
Prior exam format
Historical endorsement provisions describe eight-hour fundamentals and professional examinations. The current Board checklist requires FLS and PPLS verification, identifying NCEES FS and PS; the Board evaluates older passing evidence and formats.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Comity or endorsement surveying degree
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Existing license
Current professional surveyor license in a United States licensing jurisdiction. Initial qualifications must have equaled or exceeded New Mexico standards at the time of initial licensure and must not conflict with the Practice Act.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Initial qualification
Four-year Board-approved surveying curriculum and four years of acceptable experience.
Ncees record
An NCEES Council Record may supply education, reference and experience attachments; Model Law Surveyor status may speed processing, but Board review and the New Mexico examination remain required.
Prior exam format
Historical endorsement provisions describe eight-hour fundamentals and professional examinations. The current Board checklist requires FLS and PPLS verification, identifying NCEES FS and PS; the Board evaluates older passing evidence and formats.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Conversion from ordinary expedited provisional licensure
Application
Complete the expedited application, pay applicable fees and supply any legally required background check; qualified complete applications must be processed within thirty days.
Deferred examinations
61-1-31.1(C) requires expedited issuance and permits initially required examinations not required in the original jurisdiction to be passed before renewal. FS, PS and the New Mexico examination identify the initial surveying examinations; prior passage, discretion and timing are applicant conditions.
Existing license
Current professional surveying license in good standing in another licensing jurisdiction; meet the New Mexico practice and active-license period required by law.
Existing provisional license
Hold the expedited provisional New Mexico professional surveying license and apply before its term ends for regular issuance through renewal.
Jurisdiction eligibility
61-1-31.1(D) requires Board rules concerning eligible licensing jurisdictions. This survey does not determine another jurisdiction's credential requirements.
Professional development
Meet regular renewal and professional-development requirements.
Term
Ordinary expedited issuance is a one-year provisional license; the Board may specify a longer initial term or extend for extenuating circumstances.
Renewal or conversion from military provisional licensure
Board application discrepancy
The March 2026 application states: Pursuant to the New Mexico Administrative Code 16.39.6.8, documents to expedite licensure for military service members, spouses, and veterans require a completed application and fee, and satisfactory evidence that the applicant holds a license that is current and in good standing, issued by another jurisdiction, including a branch of armed forces of the United States, that has met the minimal licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the licensing requirements for the occupational or professional license the applicant applies for pursuant to Chapter 61, Article 23 NMSA 1978. Higher-ranked 61-1-34(A) controls issuance; the Board's additional substantial-equivalence demand is retained as an applicant condition.
Examination timing
The provisional license confers regular practice rights. 61-1-34(B) permits a Board-required examination before renewal when the original jurisdiction did not require examination. 16.39.6.9 applies the named FS, PS and New Mexico requirements in 16.39.5.8 on renewal.
Existing license
Current professional surveying license in good standing from another jurisdiction, including a United States armed-forces branch.
Existing provisional license
Hold the military expedited New Mexico provisional surveying license and satisfy 16.39.6.9.
Fees
Initial and renewal licensing fees are waived for the first three years under 61-1-34(C); examination fees and other charges excluded by that statute remain separate.
Issuance
61-1-34(A) requires prima facie provisional issuance to a qualified applicant within thirty days of a complete application, with any required background check.
Military status
Military service member, eligible spouse or surviving spouse, federally dependent child, or honorably discharged/separated veteran under 61-1-34(E); submit applicable orders, marriage, dependency or discharge documentation.
Renewal
Meet regular issuance and renewal requirements, applicable professional development and military-status proof under 16.39.6.9.
Delinquent renewal before March 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Current New Mexico professional surveyor license.
Expiration
License expired after December 31; renew before March 1 with twice the biennial renewal fee.
Fees
Pay the applicable fee and keep contact information current.
Practice
Do not practice while delinquent.
Professional development
Thirty PDHs per biennium, including two ethics/business hours; applicable exemptions and permitted carryover remain conditions.
Renewal
Biennial renewal by December 31; odd-numbered licenses renew in odd years and even-numbered licenses in even years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Licensure by examination intern certified by June 30, 1995
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
Education
The current Board advisory compilation states: New Mexico Surveyor Interns who were certified by June 30, 1995 may continue to complete the PS registration in New Mexico without having to obtain a four-year degree under the current Act.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Intern
Hold New Mexico intern certification issued by June 30, 1995; meet Board-approved experience and professional-license requirements.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Licensure by examination related science degree
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
Education
Board-approved four-year related-science degree augmented with 18 core surveying, 12 higher mathematics and six basic-science semester hours under 16.39.5.7(E).
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Intern
Surveyor-intern certification is required. Currently offered FS and PS remain leaves even when passed before application.
Qualifying experience
61-23-27.4(A)(5) requires four years after intern certification. 16.39.5.8(K) additionally demands eight years of United States or United States-corporation experience for related-science graduates.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Licensure by examination surveying degree
Additional examinations
61-23-10(H) permits unnamed additional assessments of qualifications; the text identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed complete application, official transcripts, reference responses and direct license/examination verification. NCEES Council Records may supply attachments; Board approval remains required.
Approval
Approved examination or comity applications remain valid for two years. Examination passage alone does not ensure licensure.
Character
Good moral character and reputation under Board rules; applicable disqualifying criminal convictions are governed by 16.39.7.9.
Education
Board-approved four-year surveying degree under 16.39.5.7(D), including ABET or equivalent surveying credits.
English
Show English proficiency; 16.39.5.8(K) requires United States or United States-corporation experience under a licensed professional surveyor able to attest to competence.
Experience
At least three years of increasingly responsible boundary surveying and four years under direct licensed-professional-surveyor supervision.
Intern
Surveyor-intern certification is required. Currently offered FS and PS remain leaves even when passed before application.
Qualifying experience
Four years of acceptable experience, which may precede or follow intern certification.
References
Five references, three licensed professional surveyors with personal knowledge of experience; Board members may not serve as references.
Election of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply before expiration with no pending complaints or litigation and completed disciplinary actions.
Exemptions
Inactive status waives renewal fees and professional development.
Existing license
Ten consecutive years of professional surveying licensure in New Mexico.
Practice
Not engaged in surveying practice that requires New Mexico licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Reinstatement of lapsed license five or more years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed reinstatement application and fee.
Board review
61-23-27.7(F) requires formal reapplication and says the Board need not question qualifications unless they changed. The complete reinstatement application/checklist identifies no new named examination; any unnamed assessment of changed qualifications remains an applicant condition.
Existing license
Previously held New Mexico professional surveyor license, lapsed beyond the March 1 renewal deadline.
Experience
Document all experience from the expiration date in Section 4 of the prescribed application.
Professional development
Complete delinquent PDHs from the last biennium, capped at thirty, and other reinstatement requirements.
References
Five new references for lapse of five years or more.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Reinstatement of lapsed license under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed reinstatement application and fee.
Board review
61-23-27.7(F) requires formal reapplication and says the Board need not question qualifications unless they changed. The complete reinstatement application/checklist identifies no new named examination; any unnamed assessment of changed qualifications remains an applicant condition.
Existing license
Previously held New Mexico professional surveyor license, lapsed beyond the March 1 renewal deadline.
Experience
Document all experience from the expiration date in Section 4 of the prescribed application.
Professional development
Complete delinquent PDHs from the last biennium, capped at thirty, and other reinstatement requirements.
References
Two current references for lapse of less than five years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Discretionary reissuance after revocation or suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discretion
The Board must find sufficient reasons, and a majority of the surveying committee acting for the Board, or the Board, must vote for reissuance.
Existing license
Professional surveying license revoked or suspended.
Orders
Comply with case-specific disciplinary orders and reissuance conditions; 61-23-27.11(G) names no currently offered examination and grants no unconditional entitlement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Regular biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Current New Mexico professional surveyor license.
Fees
Pay the applicable fee and keep contact information current.
Professional development
Thirty PDHs per biennium, including two ethics/business hours; applicable exemptions and permitted carryover remain conditions.
Renewal
Biennial renewal by December 31; odd-numbered licenses renew in odd years and even-numbered licenses in even years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Election of retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Age
At least sixty years old.
Existing license
Twenty continuous years of professional licensure, including ten years in New Mexico.
Retirement
Retired from active practice; apply before expiration, with no pending complaints or litigation and all disciplinary actions completed.
Title
Add (Ret.) or (Retired) to the professional title; retired status waives renewal fees and required PDHs.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Return to practice after more than six years of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Proper application and completion of Board reinstatement requirements.
Existing status
Inactive New Mexico surveying license for more than six consecutive years.
Professional development
Complete applicable reinstatement PDHs.
Review
The Board evaluates qualifications as on reinstatement. Unnamed assessments remain conditions; 16.39.1.17(G) and the complete reinstatement checklist identify no new examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Return to practice within six years of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Make proper application, obtain approval and pay the fee.
Existing status
Inactive New Mexico surveying license for no more than six years.
Professional development
At least thirty PDHs.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Return to practice from retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Apply, receive Board approval and pay the required fee.
Existing status
New Mexico professional surveyor on retired status.
Professional development
Complete PDHs for the preceding biennial cycle before returning to practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-07-01.

Provisional Professional Surveyor License

Provisional licensure through ordinary or military expedited issuance, with regular-license conversion and renewal conditions.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors · Application information

Ordinary expedited provisional licensure
Application
Complete the expedited application, pay applicable fees and supply any legally required background check; qualified complete applications must be processed within thirty days.
Deferred examinations
61-1-31.1(C) requires expedited issuance and permits initially required examinations not required in the original jurisdiction to be passed before renewal. FS, PS and the New Mexico examination identify the initial surveying examinations; prior passage, discretion and timing are applicant conditions.
Existing license
Current professional surveying license in good standing in another licensing jurisdiction; meet the New Mexico practice and active-license period required by law.
Jurisdiction eligibility
61-1-31.1(D) requires Board rules concerning eligible licensing jurisdictions. This survey does not determine another jurisdiction's credential requirements.
Term
Ordinary expedited issuance is a one-year provisional license; the Board may specify a longer initial term or extend for extenuating circumstances.
Military expedited provisional licensure
Board application discrepancy
The March 2026 application states: Pursuant to the New Mexico Administrative Code 16.39.6.8, documents to expedite licensure for military service members, spouses, and veterans require a completed application and fee, and satisfactory evidence that the applicant holds a license that is current and in good standing, issued by another jurisdiction, including a branch of armed forces of the United States, that has met the minimal licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the licensing requirements for the occupational or professional license the applicant applies for pursuant to Chapter 61, Article 23 NMSA 1978. Higher-ranked 61-1-34(A) controls issuance; the Board's additional substantial-equivalence demand is retained as an applicant condition.
Examination timing
The provisional license confers regular practice rights. 61-1-34(B) permits a Board-required examination before renewal when the original jurisdiction did not require examination. 16.39.6.9 applies the named FS, PS and New Mexico requirements in 16.39.5.8 on renewal.
Existing license
Current professional surveying license in good standing from another jurisdiction, including a United States armed-forces branch.
Fees
Initial and renewal licensing fees are waived for the first three years under 61-1-34(C); examination fees and other charges excluded by that statute remain separate.
Issuance
61-1-34(A) requires prima facie provisional issuance to a qualified applicant within thirty days of a complete application, with any required background check.
Military status
Military service member, eligible spouse or surviving spouse, federally dependent child, or honorably discharged/separated veteran under 61-1-34(E); submit applicable orders, marriage, dependency or discharge documentation.
Renewal
Meet regular issuance and renewal requirements, applicable professional development and military-status proof under 16.39.6.9.

Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam

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

Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam

Provider
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); administered year-round via computer-based testing at approved Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed book with an electronic reference (NCEES PS Reference Handbook and the specified standards); U.S. Customary units; questions require a variety of approaches and methodologies, including design, analysis, and application
Exam questions
100 questions
Time limit
7 hours, including a tutorial and an optional scheduled break
Passing score
Results reported as pass or fail; failing examinees receive a diagnostic report by major topic
Exam fee
$375 exam fee payable directly to NCEES
Examination outline
  • 1. Legal Principles (18–27 of 100 questions)
    • A. Principles of Evidence — 1. How to search for data and for physical evidence to evaluate data; 2. How to evaluate data; 3. Parol evidence; 4. Prescriptive rights; 5. Adverse possession; 6. Acquiescence; 7. Controlling elements; 8. Easement rights
    • B. Common Law Boundary Principles — 1. Historical and current common law principles; 2. Riparian and littoral rights; 3. Sovereign rights, including both navigable waters and eminent domain; 4. Sovereign land grants
    • C. Sequential and Simultaneous Conveyance Concepts — 1. Types of conveyances; 2. Junior/senior rights; 3. Record and physical evidence
    • D. Legal Descriptions for Real Property Transactions — 1. Preparation and interpretation of legal descriptions; 2. Controlling elements and how they impact the description; 3. Unwritten rights and how they impact the description; 4. Encumbrances and how they impact the description; 5. Easements and how they impact the description
    • E. Evidence for the Perpetuation of the U.S. PLSS
  • 2. Professional Survey Practices (22–33 of 100 questions)
    • A. Public/Private Record Sources — 1. Resources for private and public records; 2. Local public records indexing and filing system; 3. Local survey office records
    • B. Documentation, Supervision, and Clear Communication of Field Procedures — 1. Field surveying techniques; 2. Field surveying practices; 3. Data collection protocols
    • C. GPS/GNSS including satellite constellations, static GPS, RTK, PPP, and virtual networks
    • D. Surveying Principles and Computations — 1. Technical computations; 2. Applicable software
    • E. Monumentation Standards — 1. Applicable monumentation criteria; 2. Monument types
    • F. Land Development Solutions — 1. Regulatory land development criteria; 2. Construction criteria; 3. Land development implementation procedures
    • G. Survey Maps/Plats/Reports — 1. Technical communications by schematic, platting, and mapping processes and procedures; 2. Communication options
    • H. GIS — 1. GIS spatial databases and metadata; 2. Datums and projections related to GIS
  • 3. Standards and Specifications (8–12 of 100 questions)
    • A. BLM Manual of Surveying Instructions
    • B. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards — 1. Current ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards; 2. State statutes regarding boundary surveys in conjunction with ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
    • C. FEMA Requirements — 1. FEMA specifications and instructions; 2. Horizontal and vertical datums related to FEMA flood zones; 3. Current FEMA elevation certificate; 4. FEMA Flood Insurance Study
  • 4. Business Practices (13–19 of 100 questions)
    • A. General Business Practices and Procedures — 1. Project planning and project management; 2. Deliverables; 3. Costs, budgets, and contracts; 4. Types of surveys; 5. Site features and conditions; 6. Scope of services; 7. Appropriate equipment and instruments
    • B. Risk Management Procedures — 1. Safety procedures; 2. QA/QC methods; 3. Risk management in contracts; 4. Insurance needs and requirements; 5. Potential liabilities
    • C. Professional Conduct
    • D. Communication with Clients, Staff, Related Professions, and the Public — 1. Different forms of communications; 2. Appropriate type of communication to convey concepts; 3. Related professions and their impact on client needs and deliverables
  • 5. Areas of Practice (24–36 of 100 questions)
    • A. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys — 1. Legal documents, such as deeds, easements, and agreements; 2. Zoning information as applied to ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys; 3. Title insurance commitment letters and policies; 4. Underground features as applied to ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
    • B. Control Networks and Geodetic Network Surveys — 1. Datums and reference frames relative to control networks; 2. Differences between local datums and geodetic datums; 3. Equipment appropriate for control surveys; 4. The Federal Geographic Data Committee Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards; 5. The National Geospatial Programs (NGP) Standards and Specifications—Digital Data Standards
    • C. Construction Surveys — 1. Construction plan reading; 2. Construction calculations including slopes, grades, and plan details; 3. Construction techniques and activities; 4. Horizontal and vertical positioning relative to a plan or datum
    • D. Boundary Surveys — 1. Physical boundary evidence; 2. Boundary reconciliations; 3. Historical measurement accuracy, equipment, and techniques; 4. Legal principles related to boundary surveys
    • E. Route Surveys for Alignments and Utilities — 1. Route alignment stationing practices; 2. Reading and interpreting roadway and utility plans
    • F. Topographic — 1. Topographic/planimetric mapping and control standards; 2. Interpretation, reconciliation, and adjustment of topographic survey data; 3. QA/QC procedures as applied to topographic surveys; 4. Ground, hydrographic, and remote sensing equipment; 5. The U.S. National Map Accuracy Standards as applied to topographic surveys; 6. Tools and techniques required to perform hydrographic, bathymetric, and remote sensing surveys; 7. Nomenclature related to utilities
    • G. Surveys to Establish New Parcels, Lots, or Units — 1. Types of subdivisions; 2. Platting; 3. Condominiums and associations; 4. Deed restrictions and restrictive covenants; 5. Zoning and subdivision ordinances
    • H. As-Built/Record Drawing Surveys — 1. As-built/record drawing calculations including slopes, grades, and plan details; 2. As-built/record drawing techniques and activities; 3. Horizontal and vertical as-built/record drawing positions relative to a plan or datum
    • I. Consultation Services — 1. Site topography and slope for development purposes; 2. Site access for development purposes; 3. Zoning standards related to new projects; 4. Floodplains as related to land development
Examination sources

New Mexico State Specific Surveying Exam

Provider
New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors
Format
Mail-out written examination
Time limit
Two hours as stated in the Board comity application requirements
Practice scope

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

  • Engineering and Surveying Practice Act
  • 16.39.1 NMAC - General Provisions - Professional Engineering and Surveying Organization and Administration
  • 16.39.2 NMAC - Continuing Professional Development
  • 16.39.5 NMAC - Surveying--Applications, Examinations, Practice of Surveying, Seal of Licensee
  • 16.39.6 NMAC - Licensure for Military Service Members, Spouses and Veterans
  • 16.39.7 NMAC - Miscellaneous
  • 16.39.8 NMAC - Code of Professional Conduct--Engineering and Surveying
  • 12.8.2 NMAC - Minimum Standards for Surveying in New Mexico
Examination sources