PS Exam Requirements by State
The Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam is the final national exam on the path to becoming a licensed Professional Land Surveyor.
Experience requirements vary significantly by state. Click your state for details.
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam — Quick Facts
Select Your State
All States & Territories (51)
What You Need to Know About the PS Exam
Prerequisites
- Must have passed the FS exam first
- Most states require 4 years of qualifying surveying experience
- Experience must be progressive and under a licensed PLS
- Some states reduce the experience requirement for ABET graduates
- Confirm whether your state board must authorize you before NCEES registration
Experience Requirements Vary
- Most states: 4 years post-FS under a licensed PLS
- Some states: 2-3 years with an ABET-accredited degree
- Some states: 6-8 years with experience only (no degree)
- Experience must demonstrate increasing responsibility
- Check your specific state for exact requirements
After You Pass
- Some states grant licensure immediately upon passing the PS
- Some boards may require an additional state-law, ethics, or jurisprudence checkpoint
- You can then apply for licensure in other states via comity
- Most states require continuing education to maintain your license
State-Law Checkpoints (49)
These state records include an additional board-specific checkpoint in our current dataset. Treat this as a planning signal, then verify the current rule with the board.
Checkpoints may be a state-law exam, jurisprudence module, ethics requirement, application review, or state-specific documentation step.
Common Licensure Pathways
FS / LSIT to PS
The standard path is passing FS, documenting qualifying experience, receiving board authorization where required, then passing PS.
State-Law Checkpoint Path
Some boards may require an additional state exam, law exam, ethics step, or jurisdiction-specific checklist before initial licensure or comity.
Comity / Reciprocity
Licensed surveyors usually apply by comity with license verification, experience records, references, and any required state-law exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience do I need for the PS exam?
Most states require 4 years of qualifying experience under a licensed Professional Land Surveyor after passing the FS exam. Some states may reduce this to 2-3 years with an ABET-accredited degree, while others may require more experience if you lack a degree. Check your specific state board.
What counts as qualifying experience?
Qualifying experience typically includes boundary surveys, subdivision platting, topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, construction staking, legal description writing, and other work that demonstrates progressive responsibility. The experience must be under the direct supervision of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor.
Can I take the PS exam in a different state than where I passed the FS?
Yes. Your FS exam results are recognized nationally. You can apply for the PS exam through any state board where you meet the experience requirements.
What is the PS exam passing rate?
Passing rates for the PS exam typically range from 50-70%, varying by administration. The PS exam is considered more challenging than the FS because it tests practical application of surveying principles.
Do I need to pass a state-specific exam too?
Some boards require a state-law exam, jurisprudence module, ethics step, or other jurisdiction-specific checkpoint. Check the state detail page and confirm the current rule with the board.
Can I get licensed in multiple states?
Yes. Once you pass the PS exam and are licensed in one state, you can apply for licensure in other states through comity (reciprocity). Some states may still require a law exam, ethics step, or state-specific review. An NCEES Record simplifies the comity process.