Hawaii PS Exam Requirements
Everything you need to know about taking the Principles and Practice of Surveying exam in Hawaii.
Quick Facts
Hawaii PS Pathways
Use these as planning paths, then confirm the exact gate with the board before applying.
Standard PS and Initial Licensure Path
For candidates moving from FS/LSIT into professional licensure.
- 1Must have passed the FS exam
- 24 years of qualifying experience with degree; 6 years without degree
- 3Confirm whether the board authorizes you before NCEES registration or lets you register first.
- 4Pass the NCEES PS exam.
Alternative Experience Path
For candidates relying on additional experience instead of a standard surveying degree.
- 1Request a board review before assuming your experience substitutes for education.
- 2Prepare detailed project history, supervisor verification, and examples of progressive responsibility.
- 3Expect experience-only paths to require more documentation and more total time.
Hawaii State-Law Checkpoint
A board-specific exam, law module, or jurisdiction checkpoint may be required in addition to FS/PS.
- 1Hawaii requires a state-specific exam covering traditional Hawaiian land tenure systems (kuleana, ahupuaa), Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 464, and state-specific survey practices.
- 2Study state statutes, board rules, recording requirements, standards of practice, and local mapping law.
- 3Confirm whether this is currently an exam, module, documentation review, or waived requirement directly with the board.
Comity or Reciprocity Path
For surveyors already licensed in another jurisdiction.
- 1Accepts comity with NCEES record and equivalent qualifications
- 2Prepare license verification, NCEES Record if accepted, references, and disciplinary-history disclosures.
- 3Plan for the Hawaii State-Specific Exam unless the board grants a specific waiver.
The Hawaii board requires PS examinees to first submit an application and/or pay an application fee to the board. Once approved, examinees may register with NCEES to schedule an exam.
NCEES PS registration pageFees, application order, intern titles, and state-law exams change. Verify the board page, then use Survey Bible for exam prep and tracking.
Prerequisite Planning Notes
Must have passed the FS exam
Verify the exact current prerequisite rule with the board before applying.
Experience Planning Notes
4 years of qualifying experience with degree; 6 years without degree
Experience substitutions, supervisor requirements, and responsible-charge rules vary by board.
Hawaii State-Law Checkpoint: Hawaii State-Specific Exam
Hawaii requires a state-specific exam covering traditional Hawaiian land tenure systems (kuleana, ahupuaa), Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 464, and state-specific survey practices.
Verify the current format and whether this checkpoint applies to your path with the board.
How to Apply
- 1Verify you meet Hawaii's experience requirements through the Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.
- 2Gather work experience documentation and professional references.
- 3Submit a board application first if Hawaii requires pre-approval before NCEES registration.
- 4Once approved by the state board, receive authorization from NCEES.
- 5Register and pay through your MyNCEES account ($375 exam fee).
- 6Schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE test center.
Reciprocity / Comity
Accepts comity with NCEES record and equivalent qualifications
Continuing Education
24 PDH per biennial renewal