Board of Licensure for Professional Land Surveyors - Frequently Asked Questions

Land Surveyor-in-Training

What do I need to become licensed as a land surveyor-in-training?
There is a two step process to become licensed as a land surveyor-in-training

Pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying Exam

Qualify for the license: There are four paths to licensure:

 

Education

Experience

Exam

Path 1 Core Curriculum & BS Degree None Yes
Path 2 Core Curriculum & AS Degree 2 years Yes
Path 3 Core Curriculum 6 years Yes
Path 4 None 7 years Yes

What exam do I take?
There is just one exam: NCEES Fundamentals of Land Surveying

When is the exam administered?
The examination is administered via computer based testing (CBT) by NCEES/PearsonVUE and  will be administered during four testing windows throughout the year:  January-February, April-May, July-August, and October-November.  Registration will be open year round, but seating will only be available during the open testing windows.

Who administers the exam?
The exam is administered by the testing company, NCEES.  Click here to go to the NCEES web site.

How many times may I re-take the exam?
You may take it as many times as you need to.

What are the fees?
Exam fees are paid directly to NCEES when you register for the exam.

After you pass the FS exam, you'll need to complete an LSIT license application (PDF) and submit it to the board with the appropriate documentation and $196, payable to Maine State Treasurer ($21 criminal check, $175 license fee).

Is my application confidential?

No. With the exception of Social Security Number, all application information is public. Contact information provided to the Board is posted on our website.

Professional Land Surveyors

What do I need to sit for the professional land surveyor exam?

  1. For the Maine Specific Multiple Choice Exam (MSMC)
    1. Exam application (PDF) and $150.00 fee.
  2. For the NCEES Principles of Surveying Exam (PS)
    1. Register with NCEES on their web site as a Maine exam candidate.
    2. NCEES will charge you additional fees for their exam.

Click here to go to the NCEES web site
How many parts are there to the exam?
There are two parts to the professional exam:

  • NCEES Principles & Practices of Surveying (PS)
  • Maine Specific Multiple Choice (MSMC)

When is the exam administered?
The PS exam is now administered electronically several times a year through a testing vendor.
The MSMC is administered in April and October at the Board office in Gardiner, Maine. 

Who administers the exam?
The NCEES Principles & Practices of Surveying (PS) exam is administered by NCEES.
The Maine Specific Multiple Choice Exam (MSMC) administered by the Board at the office in Gardiner, Maine.

How many times may I re-take the exam?
You may take it as many times as you need to.

How do I obtain my Maine PLS license?
Within 48 months of passage of both the MSMC and PS exams, you must verify and provide the following:

  1. license application (PDF).
  2. A check for $296.00, payable to Maine State Treasurer, or authorization to charge your credit card.
  3. A minimum of two years of full-time experience as a licensed land surveyor-in-training under the supervision of a licensed professional land surveyor.  Experience must demonstrate progressive responsibilities as an LSIT and documented on the experience verification form(s) signed by your supervisor(s).
  4. Reciprocal applicants must provide verification of licensure and exam from their licensing state.

Is my application confidential?
No. With the exception of Social Security Number, all application information is public. Contact information provided to the Board is posted on our website.

Consumer Information regarding Land Surveyors

How can I find out if a land surveyor I want to hire is licensed?
search for a licensee.

How can I file a complaint against a land surveyor?
information regarding filing complaints against land surveyors.