North Carolina PS Exam Requirements
Everything you need to know about taking the Principles and Practice of Surveying exam in North Carolina.
Quick Facts
North Carolina 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 under a licensed PLS with ABET 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.
North Carolina State-Law Checkpoint
A board-specific exam, law module, or jurisdiction checkpoint may be required in addition to FS/PS.
- 1North Carolina requires a state-specific exam covering North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 89C and Standards of Practice for Land Surveying.
- 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 North Carolina State-Specific Exam unless the board grants a specific waiver.
In order to expedite your approval for this exam, ensure that your Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam is verified in your MyNCEES account before registering. To see if your exam has already been verified, look on the right side of your dashboard when you log in, where there will be a link to Exam Verification .
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 under a licensed PLS with ABET degree; 6 years without degree
Experience substitutions, supervisor requirements, and responsible-charge rules vary by board.
North Carolina State-Law Checkpoint: North Carolina State-Specific Exam
North Carolina requires a state-specific exam covering North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 89C and Standards of Practice for Land Surveying.
Verify the current format and whether this checkpoint applies to your path with the board.
How to Apply
- 1Verify you meet North Carolina's experience requirements through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.
- 2Gather work experience documentation and professional references.
- 3Submit a board application first if North Carolina 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
15 PDH per annual renewal