Engineering / FS Exam
- NCEES
- Surveying licensure exam
- Computer-based
- Updated Oct 2026
FS Exam: Cost, Format, Passing Score and How to Register
The Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam is the NCEES exam that is generally your first step toward becoming a licensed professional surveyor. It is taken mainly by recent graduates and students close to finishing an ABET-accredited undergraduate surveying degree.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from NCEES requirements
Exam fee
$225
Paid directly to NCEES for each attempt
Exam length
5 hr 20 min
Exam time only. Nondisclosure agreement, tutorial and a 25-minute break are extra
Questions
110
Closed book with an electronic reference handbook
Passing score
Not stated
NCEES reports pass or fail only and doesn’t publish the passing score
Overview
What is the FS exam?
The FS is a computer-based exam from NCEES (the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying). NCEES describes it as generally your first step in the process of becoming a licensed professional surveyor (P.S.). It is given year-round in testing windows at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers.
Who takes it
- Recent graduates of ABET-accredited undergraduate surveying programs
- Students close to finishing an undergraduate surveying degree from an ABET-accredited program
- Anyone a state or territory licensing board has approved to sit for the exam on the path to surveying licensure
Who doesn’t need it
- Anyone your licensing board doesn’t require to take it. Eligibility is set by each licensing board, so check yours first
The FS doesn’t make you a licensed surveyor
NCEES calls the FS generally your first step toward the P.S. license. Your licensing board decides who may sit for the exam and what comes next, and NCEES notes that passing doesn’t guarantee future licensure, so confirm your board’s rules before you register.
Before you sit
The FS exam, one page
- Confirm your licensing board’s approval steps
- Register in MyNCEES with your name exactly as on your ID
- Pay the $225 fee and wait for your authorization notice
- Schedule at a Pearson center within 12 months
- Bring a current physical photo ID and one approved calculator
- Arrive 30 minutes early
Eligibility
Who can take the FS exam?
NCEES says eligibility to sit for its exams varies and is decided by each licensing board. It is your job to review your board’s requirements before you register.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Education | NCEES designs the FS for recent graduates and students close to finishing an undergraduate surveying degree from an ABET-accredited program. Your board sets its own rule |
| Licensing board approval | Some boards require a separate application, and sometimes a fee, before you register with NCEES. After you register and your board approves you, NCEES emails an authorization notice to schedule |
| MyNCEES account | You need a MyNCEES account to register. Each person may have only one account |
| ID name match | The first and last names you register with must be in English and match your government-issued ID |
| Language | All NCEES exams are given in English only |
| Time limit to test | Once approved, you have 12 months to take the exam or you forfeit the registration fee |
| Location | You may test at any NCEES-approved test center in Canada, the United States or U.S. territories, unless you were approved through an international entity other than Canada |
Format
What’s on the FS exam?
The FS is a closed-book, computer-based exam with an electronic reference handbook. It has 110 questions and 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time. Most questions are multiple choice with one correct answer, and some are alternative item types such as multiple correct options, point and click, drag and drop, and fill in the blank. Both SI and U.S. Customary units are used. Some standards, such as the ALTA/NSPS land title survey standards, are supplied on screen as searchable files.
Format
Computer-based, closed book with electronic reference handbook
Questions
110
Passing score
Not stated (pass or fail only)
Exam owner
NCEES, delivered at Pearson test centers
| Content area | Questions or weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying Processes and Methods | 16–24 questions | Instrumentation, GNSS/GPS surveys, control, cadastral, topographic and construction surveys, land development, field records. |
| Mapping Processes and Methods | 14–21 questions | Basic mapping, types of maps, CAD, GIS, digital terrain models, photogrammetry and remote sensing. |
| Boundary Law and Real Property Principles | 19–29 questions | Public records, common law principles, easements, conveyances, metes and bounds, PLSS, water law, sources of law, encumbrances, real property law. |
| Surveying Principles | 13–20 questions | Basic surveying, geodesy, applied geodesy. |
| Survey Computations and Computer Applications | 17–26 questions | Coordinate geometry, traverse closure, leveling, least squares, area, curves, volume, spreadsheets, slopes and grades. |
| Business Concepts | 11–17 questions | Project planning, safety, liabilities, contracts, supervision, documentation, ethics, communication. |
| Applied Mathematics and Statistics | 10–15 questions | College mathematics, probability and statistics, measurement science, quantitative reasoning. |
Scoring & content
- Content is set out in the NCEES FS CBT exam specifications (effective beginning with the July 2020 exams).
- Your score is based on the number of correct answers. There are no deductions for wrong answers.
- Every question, including alternative item types, is scored right or wrong with no partial credit.
- Each exam includes a limited number of unscored pretest items, and you can’t tell which they are.
- Questions that cite a standard of practice are scored against the standards and revision years NCEES lists.
Retake policy
- You may attempt the exam once per testing window.
- NCEES allows no more than three attempts in any 12-month period.
- The testing windows are January–March, April–June, July–September and October–December.
- Some licensing boards have a stricter retake policy, so check yours.
- You pay the full exam fee each time you register.
Steps
How to register and sit for the exam, step by step
- Check your licensing board’s rulesBefore you apply
Eligibility is decided by each licensing board. Find out whether your board needs its own application or approval before NCEES registration. - Create a MyNCEES accountBefore you register
Use your first and last name in English exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID. You can only have one account. - Register and pay$225 fee
Log in to MyNCEES, choose the FS exam, and pay online by Mastercard, Visa or American Express. Request accommodations during this step if you need them. - Get your authorization noticeAfter board approval
NCEES emails an “Exam Ready to Schedule” notice once you finish registration and your board approves you. You then have 12 months to test. - Schedule your appointmentAt least 1 business day ahead
Choose a Pearson test center and date in MyNCEES. You’ll get a confirmation email from Pearson. If you don’t, you aren’t scheduled. - Arrive early and check inExam day
Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment with your ID. Check-in includes a digital photo and a palm vein scan. - Get your resultsTypically 7–10 days
NCEES emails you when results are in your MyNCEES account. Results are pass or fail.
Scoring
FS exam passing score and pass rates
NCEES scores the FS by counting correct answers, with no penalty for wrong ones. That total is converted to a scaled score to adjust for small differences in difficulty between exam forms, then compared with the ability level required to pass. Results are typically available 7–10 days after the exam. If you fail, you get a diagnostic report showing your performance in each major topic.
| Group or period | Pass rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All FS takers, first time (1,433 examinees) | 63% | NCEES Squared 2025 |
| All FS takers, repeat (853 examinees) | 35% | NCEES Squared 2025 |
| Takers with an ABET bachelor’s degree, first time (231 examinees) | 76% | NCEES Squared 2025 |
| Takers with an ABET bachelor’s degree, repeat (73 examinees) | 37% | NCEES Squared 2025 |
| Other takers, first time (1,202 examinees) | 61% | NCEES Squared 2025 |
| Other takers, repeat (780 examinees) | 35% | NCEES Squared 2025 |
NCEES doesn’t publish the passing score because it varies slightly with exam difficulty, and there is no set percentage of examinees who pass. First-time and repeat takers are graded to the same standard. “Other takers” are examinees without an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree or who didn’t give education information at registration. Source: NCEES Squared 2025 report (covers 2024–25 data).
Exam day
What to expect on exam day
The FS is given at Pearson test centers. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. A proctor checks your pockets, you sign the NCEES Exam Rules and Agreement digitally, and you get a digital photo and palm vein scan before you test.
What to bring
- One current, physical, government-issued photo ID with an expiration date, your name, date of birth, a recognizable photo and your signature. Digital IDs and student IDs aren’t accepted. A valid U.S. military ID without a signature is accepted
- An international passport in roman characters from your country of citizenship or a U.S. military ID also works
- A printed copy of your appointment confirmation letter, which NCEES says speeds up check-in
- One NCEES-approved calculator: Casio fx-115 or fx-991 models, HP 33s or 35s, or TI-30X or TI-36X models (2026 exams). A TI-30XS is also available on screen
- Eyeglasses without the case and a light sweater or jacket
Testing rules
- The first and last name on your confirmation letter and ID must match, or you may not be allowed to test
- Phones, watches, wearables, bags, wallets, hats, notes, pens, food and drinks are not allowed in the testing room
- Pearson supplies reusable booklets and markers for scratch work
- The scheduled break is 25 minutes, taken after you review and submit about half the questions. Unused break time doesn’t extend your exam time
- Unscheduled breaks are allowed, but they use up your testing time and you can’t leave the building
- Reasonable accommodations are available if you request them during registration and document your need
Costs
How much does the exam cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| FS exam fee (paid to NCEES) | Fixed | $225 |
| Licensing board application fee | Variable | Not stated; some boards charge one |
| Pearson fee to reschedule or cancel an appointment (at least 48 hours ahead) | Fixed | $50 each |
| NCEES administrative fee when you cancel a registration | Fixed | $50, deducted from your refund (waived if you paid Pearson a cancellation fee) |
| Approved calculator | Variable | Not stated |
| International scheduling fee (foreign entity approvals only) | Fixed | $25, nonrefundable |
| Minimum NCEES cost | Exam fee only. Board fees and optional costs are extra | $225 |
Fees come from the NCEES Examinee Guide (May 2026) and the NCEES FS exam page, checked October 2026.
Prep
Best exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet. When we do, we’ll test each course with real exam candidates and report what they found.
After you pass
What happens after you pass?
Your result goes to your licensing board, and NCEES results include board-specific information on how to proceed.
Follow your board’s instructions
Results include information specific to your licensing board about what to do next.
Work toward P.S. licensure
NCEES describes the FS as generally the first step toward becoming a licensed professional surveyor. Your board sets the other requirements, and NCEES notes that passing the exam doesn’t guarantee licensure.
Contact your board about certification or enrollment
Some boards have their own process after the exam. Check with your board for any certificate or enrollment it offers.
Maintain
Keeping your result or credential current
The NCEES pages we read don’t say how long an FS result stays valid. Your licensing board sets any rules that follow a pass.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE or credits
Not stated
Renewal fee
Not stated
Lapse rule
Not stated
Governance
Who runs the FS exam?
Exam owner
NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying)
200 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: 800-250-3196
Website: ncees.org/exams/fs-exam
What they handle
- Writes and maintains the FS exam specifications and questions
- Handles registration, fees and results through MyNCEES
- Delivers the exam at approved Pearson test centers
- Reports pass or fail results to licensing boards
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the FS exam?
The FS exam has 110 questions.
How long is the FS exam?
The exam itself is 5 hours 20 minutes. The appointment also includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial and a 25-minute scheduled break.
How much does the FS exam cost?
The fee is $225, paid to NCEES each time you register. Some licensing boards charge a separate application fee.
What is the passing score on the FS exam?
NCEES doesn’t publish it. Results are pass or fail, and the passing standard varies slightly with exam difficulty.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the FS?
No. Your score is based on correct answers, with no deductions for wrong ones.
What is the FS pass rate?
In the NCEES Squared 2025 report, 63% of first-time takers passed (1,433 examinees) and 35% of repeat takers passed. First-time takers with an ABET bachelor’s degree passed at 76%.
How many times can I take the FS?
Once per testing window and no more than three times in any 12-month period. Your board may be stricter.
When do I get FS results?
NCEES says results are typically available 7–10 days after you test. You’ll get an email to view them in MyNCEES.
Which calculators are allowed on the FS?
For 2026: Casio fx-115 and fx-991 models, HP 33s and 35s, and TI-30X and TI-36X models. You may bring one.
Sources
Official sources
- NCEES: FS Exam
- NCEES Examinee Guide (May 2026)
- NCEES: FS CBT specifications
- NCEES: Squared 2025 report
- NCEES: Calculator policy
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with NCEES.