Exams: Land surveyors
Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam will move to computer-based testing
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is transitioning to computer-based testing in January 2014. Moving to computer-based testing will allow for more flexible scheduling, create more uniform testing conditions, and make exam content more secure. For more information, visit the NCEES website.
Principles and Practices of Land Surveying will become a closed-book exam
When the 6-hour exam becomes a closed-book exam in April 2013, examinees will no longer be allowed to bring reference material into the exam room. The Washington State Specific 2-hour Land Surveyor’s exam will remain an open-book exam. To learn more, see PLS to become closed book exam.
Exam schedule
| Exam | April exam date (Applications due Jan. 15) |
October exam date (Applications due July 31) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State Land Surveyor Exam (2-hour) | April 11, 2014 | October 25, 2013 |
| NCEES Fundamentals of Land Surveying Exam (LSIT) | Computer-based testing starting in 2014. See the NCEES website for details. | October 26, 2013 |
| NCEES Principles and Practices of Land Surveying Exam | April 11, 2013 | October 25, 2013 |
Application deadlines
| Exam date | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| October exams | Your application (or request to reschedule) and fee must be postmarked by July 31, 2013. |
| April exams |
|
Exam fees
- After you get a letter from us approving you to take the exam, you must pay the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) a separate exam fee.
- If you don’t pay the NCEES fee by their deadline, you won’t be admitted to take the exam.
| Exam application fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| NCEES Land Surveyor (includes WA State PLS exam) (Fee includes application, license, PLS state exam, and wall certificate. Fee doesn’t include separate exam fee paid to NCEES.) |
$140 |
| NCEES Fundamentals of Land Surveying Exam (LSIT) (Fee includes application, license, and wall certificate. Fee doesn’t include separate exam fee paid to NCEES.) |
$30 |
| WA State Land Surveyor — Comity (Fee includes application, exam, license, and wall certificate.) |
$140 |
Study guides
You may purchase study materials for most exams on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website.
How to reschedule an exam
You may ask to take the next available exam by mailing a written request with a check or money order for the rescheduling fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
Department of Licensing
PO Box 35001
Seattle, WA 98124-3401
If you originally applied to take the exam within the last 5 years, you don’t need to submit a new application to reschedule your exam.
| Exam rescheduling fees | Fee |
|---|---|
| NCEES Land Surveyor (6-hour) | $30 |
| NCEES Fundamentals of Land Surveying Exam (LSIT) | $20 |
| WA State Land Surveyor | $100 |
Frequently asked questions
What if I have questions about a state-prepared exam?
Please call us at 360-664-1575 if you have questions about the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying exam.
What can I bring to the exam?
Please see the NCEES exam-day policies, for information about items allowed in the exam room.
Are special accommodations available?
Yes, please see the Special accommodations page of the NCEES website for instructions on how to make arrangements for your exam.
What’s the difference between application deadlines and NCEES exam deadlines?
The application deadline is the last day you can submit your application and fee to us for approval to take an exam. The NCEES deadline is the last day you can reserve a seat for the exam after you’ve been approved to take it. You must receive approval from our office before you can register with NCEES.
If I’ve been approved to take an exam in the past, is that approval good for any upcoming exams I want to take?
No, the approval is only good for the exam you applied for. You must submit a new request and fee by the deadline to be approved for another exam.
