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Land Surveyor
Total cost: $850
Governing Authority
Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
Official website →2 levels
License Levels
Required
FS Exam
Required
PS Exam
4 yrs
Experience Years
15 hrs
CE Hours
$850
Total Initial Fees
Application Fee
$50
FS Exam Fee (Fundamentals of Surveying)
$225
Paid directly to NCEES
PS Exam Fee (Professional Surveyor)
$375
Paid directly to NCEES
State-Specific Exam Fee
$50
License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
$150
Official Title
Land Surveyor Intern
Requirements
Pass NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam; meet education requirements
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
Requirements
Pass NCEES PS exam; 4 years of progressive experience under licensed surveyor; pass state-specific exam
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Education & Degree Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Bachelor's degree in surveying or related field
ABET Accredited
Not Required
Minimum Education
High school diploma with 8 years experience
Accepted Alternatives
Most states require a degree in surveying, geomatics, or a related field from an ABET-accredited program. Some states allow additional experience in lieu of a degree.
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Experience Under Licensed Surveyor
Verified4 yrs
Years with Degree
8 yrs
Years without Degree
Supervision
Must work under the direct supervision of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor
Experience Type
Progressive surveying experience including boundary surveys, geodetic surveys, and/or construction surveys
Alternative Paths
Most states require progressive surveying experience under a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). States with degree requirements typically need fewer experience years.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NCEES FS Exam
Required
NCEES PS Exam
Not Required
State-Specific Exam
NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS)
110
Questions
6 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score; set by NCEES
Passing Score
$225
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based testing (CBT) year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE centers
NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS)
100
Questions
8 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score; set by NCEES
Passing Score
$375
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based testing (CBT) year-round at Pearson VUE
Overall licensing difficulty: 36/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
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Surveyor Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Study guides for the NCEES FS and PS licensing exams.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
FS Exam Fee Paid directly to NCEES | $225 |
PS Exam Fee Paid directly to NCEES | $375 |
State Exam Fee | $50 |
License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $150 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, FS exam ($225), PS exam ($375), state exam ($50), license fee ($150) | $850 |
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Renewal & CE/PDH Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
15 hrs
CE Hours Required
Yes
PDH Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$150
Regulatory Board
Land surveyor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education or professional development hours (PDH) covering surveying standards, legal updates, and technical advancements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
NCEES Comity
Accepted
Model Law Surveyor
Recognized
Reciprocity Type
NCEES comity/reciprocal licensure
Transfer Details
Montana accepts comity applications from surveyors licensed in other states who meet NCEES Model Law Surveyor requirements. Additional state-specific requirements may apply.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Land surveyor license reciprocity is often facilitated through the NCEES comity process. Surveyors who meet Model Law Surveyor requirements may qualify for expedited licensure in other states.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Montana with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Stamp/Seal Requirements
VerifiedProfessional Stamp/Seal Required
Seal Type
Rubber stamp or embosser with signature
Details
All survey plats, maps, and legal descriptions prepared by or under the supervision of the licensee must bear the professional seal, signature, and date.
Licensed Professional Land Surveyors are typically required to affix their professional stamp or seal to all surveying documents, plats, and legal descriptions they prepare.
Montana's state-specific exam extensively covers the USPLSS due to significant federal land holdings. Mining claim surveys are also a notable aspect.
State Minimum Technical Standards Apply
Reference: ARM 24.183
Montana has adopted minimum technical standards for land surveys that licensees must follow. These standards address boundary surveys, subdivisions, ALTA/NSPS surveys, and other survey types performed within the state.
Montana requires 15 PDH annually.
Joint board for engineers and surveyors.
State exam covers USPLSS extensively.
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Land Surveyor requirements in Montana verified against Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, March 2026.
Montana requires the NCEES FS and PS exams for Professional Land Surveyors. 4 years of experience under a licensed PLS is required. All licensing is managed through the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.