Land Surveyors

To be eligible for Professional Land Surveyor Registration in Rhode Island, you must meet the minimum qualifications set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(e)(i) - (v), as described in the following categories. 

If you do not meet these requirements, you are not eligible for registration in RI.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: For all categories, applicants must demonstrate that their statutorily required years of verified experience:

• Was under the supervision of a registered PLS, registered in any US jurisdiction; and
• That their experience includes the following minimum requirements:
  • 20% of the experience is in the field;
  • 20% of the experience is in research, deed evidence, reconciliation, etc.; and
  • 20% of the experience is in property line calculations and determination.   

FS EXAM: Candidates must apply directly to NCEES to take the FS Exam. Board approval is not required. 

PS Exam: Candidates must submit a complete application to the Board and obtain prior approval to register with NCEES for the PS Exam. 

RI STATE EXAM – Upon passing the PS Exam for initial applicants, or upon Board approval of comity applications, applicants will be notified of their eligibility to sit for the RI State PLS Exam.

NOTE: A passing score on the FS exam is required and no waivers will be granted.

CATEGORY 1: 4-year surveying degree

(R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(e)(i))

• 4-year college degree – survey degree program
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in land surveying working under the supervision of a registered PLS (registered in any US jurisdiction)
• Passing Score the FS Exam
• Passing Score on the PS Exam
• Passing Score on RI State Exam 
• NCEES Record or supplemental forms (NCEES record strongly preferred)

CATEGORY 2: 2-year surveying degree

(R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(e)(iii))

• 2-year college degree – survey degree program
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in land surveying working under the supervision of a registered PLS (registered in any US jurisdiction)
• Passing Score the FS Exam
• Passing Score on the PS Exam
• Passing Score on RI State Exam 
• NCEES Record or supplemental forms (NCEES record strongly preferred)

CATEGORY 3: 4-year degree – Any Major other than surveying

(R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(e)(ii))

• 4-year college degree – any major, including Engineering or Engineering Technology
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in land surveying working under the supervision of a registered PLS (registered in any US jurisdiction)
• Completion of the Core Curriculum (requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(h))
• Passing Score the FS Exam
• Passing Score on the PS Exam
• Passing Score on RI State Exam 
• NCEES Record or supplemental forms (NCEES record strongly preferred)

CATEGORY 4: 2-year degree – Any Major other than surveying

(R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(e)(iv))

• 2-year college degree – any major, including Engineering or Engineering Technology
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in land surveying working under the supervision of a registered PLS (registered in any US jurisdiction)
• Completion of the Core Curriculum (requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(h))
• Passing Score the FS Exam
• Passing Score on the PS Exam
• Passing Score on RI State Exam 
• NCEES Record or supplemental forms (NCEES record strongly preferred)

CATEGORY 5: No Degree

(R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(e)(v))

• No degree required.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in land surveying working under the supervision of a registered PLS (registered in any US jurisdiction)
• Completion of the Core Curriculum (requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-9(h))
• Passing Score the FS Exam
• Passing Score on the PS Exam
• Passing Score on RI State Exam 
• NCEES Record or supplemental forms (NCEES record strongly preferred)