Next Steps
PS exam
The PS exam tests your ability to practice the surveying profession competently. It is designed for surveyors who have gained at least four years’ experience. It is typically the last step in the process of becoming a licensed professional surveyor. The PS exam is offered in April and October.
Scheduled exam administrations
PS exam specifications
The PS exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions. It lasts 6 hours and is split into a 4-hour morning session (67 questions) and a 2-hour afternoon session (33 questions). The PS exam uses USCS measurements.
Reference materials
The PS exam is an open-book exam. You are allowed to bring reference materials to the exam, provided they are bound and remain bound during the exam. Loose paper may be bound with ring binders, brads, plastic snap binders, spiral-bound notebooks, and screw posts, but not with staples. Sticky notes and flags are permitted only when they remain attached to book pages.
Scoring and reporting
Exam results are typically released to the licensing boards 8–10 weeks after the exam. Depending on your state, you will be notified of your exam result online through your My NCEES account or via postal mail from your state licensing board.
Learn more about how NCEES exams are scored.
PS pass rates
Pass rates are from the October 2011 exam administration.
| Exam | First-time takers | Repeat takers |
| PS | 66% | 30% |