Engineering & Surveying

Massachusetts
Professional Land Surveyor (PS)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PCS no longer accepts applications and work experience documentation by mail. Applications and work experience documentation received by mail will be returned to the sender.

  • ‍Applications must be completed, scanned, and uploaded to your PCS Account.
  • All required work experience documentation must also be uploaded to your PCS Account.
  • Official Transcripts sent electronically should be delivered in a secure method directly from your school/university to PCS: maeng@pcshq.com
  • Required Reference Questionnaire forms must be mailed directly to PCS. PCS will then scan the documents to the applicant’s account.
  • Please ensure that all the scanned documents are legible to ensure timely review. We will not accept .zip, .tiff, .txt, .xls, etc. ALL work samples must be .pdf format.

Professional Land Surveyor (PS)

Massachusetts Application & Registration Process

First-Time Candidates:

Step 1: Download and read your Candidate Information Bulletin.

Step 2: Create an Account with PCS if you do not already have one. You will receive an email from PCS once you have successfully created your account.

Step 3: Pre-register and pay for your Application after logging in, if you have not already done so. PCS accepts Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.

! All Application Fees are non-refundable

Step 4: Download the Board Application for PS by Examination.      

Step 5: Go to your account Home Page and upload your completed Board Application for PS, along with all required documents. Board applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Step 6: PCS will process applications, communicate any deficiencies to the applicant, and submit completed applications to the Board for approval to sit for the examination. The standard processing time for first-time applications is 3 to 6 months after receipt of all required documentation has been received.

Step 7: Applicants may not schedule for the examination until approved by the Board. First-time applicants who are Board approved will receive an email notification from PCS with instructions on how to register with NCEES and schedule and pay PCS for their examination. (Board-Approved candidates please see the “NCEES Registration & PCS Scheduling Information” link for more details.)

Step 8: After receiving your approval email from PCS, you must register and schedule your exam with NCEES, including paying the required NCEES fees.

Step 9: Once you have registered with NCEES, you must notify the Engineering Coordinator by uploading your registration confirmation to your PCS account. Failure to do so may result in scheduling delays.  

PS Certification Eligibility Requirements

Candidates may apply based on the following criteria:

(a) Holding a license/registration to practice in another state/jurisdiction in compliance with the requirements of classification.

(b) Having a Bachelor of Science Degree in an approved curriculum (surveying degree or engineering degree with at least 18 credit hours approved courses in land surveying), four years land surveying experience, three years in responsible charge and having previously passed the required Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination.

(c) Having two years or more of formal education comprised of at least sixty semester credit hours of which at least 18 credit hours are approved land surveying courses, six years of land surveying experience, four years in responsible charge and having previously passed the required Fundamentals Of Land Surveying Examination.

(d) Having twelve years land surveying experience, six years in responsible charge and having previously passed the required Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination. Undergraduate study in an approved surveying curriculum may be considered as surveying experience on an equivalent full-time basis up to a maximum of 2 years.

(e) Having twenty years land surveying experience, of which at least ten years were in responsible charge of major land surveying work. Undergraduate study in an approved surveying curriculum may be considered as surveying experience on an equivalent full-time basis up to a maximum of 2 years.

NCEES Registration & PCS Scheduling Information

First-Time Applicants: (All candidates are recommended to read the Candidate Information Bulletin above.)

  1. All first-time applicants must be approved by the Massachusetts Board. Please read the information in the “Application and Registration Process” link for more information. If your eligibility has expired, please contact the Massachusetts Board. Proceed to step 2.
  2. All applicants must create an account online with NCEES at www.ncees.org.
  3. NATIONAL EXAM: Register online with NCEES. You will select your exam type and exam site information at this time. STATE EXAM: Contact the MA Engineering Coordinator at maeng@pcshq.com to register. Only Board-approved applicants may proceed to step 4.
  4. Once you have registered with NCEES, you must notify the Engineering Coordinator by uploading your registration confirmation to your PCS account.

Re-Examinees: (All candidates are recommended to read the Candidate Information Bulletin above.)

  1. All applicants must be approved by the Massachusetts Board. If your eligibility has expired (see “Examination Limits” section below), please contact the Massachusetts Board. Proceed to step 2.
  2. All applicants must create an account online with NCEES. If you have not already done so, please visit www.ncees.org. If you have already created an account, then proceed to step 3.
  3. NATIONAL EXAM: Candidates must re-register online with NCEES. You will select your exam type and exam site information at this time. STATE EXAM: Contact the MA Engineering Coordinator at maeng@pcshq.com to re-register.

EXAMINATION LIMITS:

  1. If an applicant fails to take the examination within 36 months after receiving notification of eligibility, the application automatically lapses and must be re-approved by the Massachusetts Board. This does not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces. For more information, please read the Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations below.
  2. If an applicant takes an examination, fails to pass, and does not retake the examination within 36 months, the application automatically lapses and must be re-approved by the Massachusetts Board. This does not apply to an applicant actively serving in the armed forces. For more information, please read the Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations below.
  3. If an applicant fails the principles and practice examination two or more times, they must be re-approved by the Massachusetts Board. For more information, please read the Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations below. “Re-Admittance to Previously Failed Examinations”‍

PS/State – All Exam Candidates:

Candidates who are Board approved are required to register with NCEES and submit payment to PCS by the registration deadline.

Visit the NCEES website (www.ncees.org) to find NCEES registration opening and closing dates. Exam type, discipline, module and/or site can NOT be changed after the NCEES registration deadline. No exceptions.

Massachusetts Engineering and Surveying Fees

PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING (PC)

  • PS Board Application Fee – $136
  • PS Examination Fee – Paid directly to NCEES (www.ncees.org)
  • State Surveyor Examination Fee – $70
  • PS License Fee – $150
  • Wall Certification Fee – $25

For NCEES PS exam refund policy see NCEES website (www.ncees.org).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How will I know if Professional Credential Services (PCS) has received my Application?

    Once your application has been uploaded to your PCS account, PCS will review your complete application (application, fees, experience documentation, transcripts, references, etc.) to ensure that everything has been received. Applicants will be notified of any discrepancies by email or writing. Applicants will also receive an email notification when their application has been sent to the Massachusetts Board for the eligibility review.
  • Which forms go to PCS and which go to the Massachusetts Board?

    All applications and supporting documentation must be sent to PCS. Documents that are sent to the Massachusetts Board instead of PCS will cause a delay in the processing of your application.
  • How will I know if I am eligible for the examination?

    PCS will send you an email with further instructions on how to register with NCEES and scheduling.
  • Can I schedule and pay with PCS before I have been approved by the board?

    ‍    No. You must wait to hear that you are eligible in order to schedule.
  • What more can you tell me about the examination?

    ‍    For information concerning the examination content, scoring information and national pass rates please visit NCEES web site, www.ncees.org. (All candidates are recommended to read the “NCEES Examinee Guide” on the www.ncees.org website and the “Candidate Information Bulletin” on the www.pcshq.com website.)
  • How do I become licensed?

    ‍    Passing examinees will be notified regarding the remaining steps to the licensure process. Payment of a license fee is required, please see the “Massachusetts Licensing Fees” link for more details.
  • When will my license number be issued?

    ‍    Once a passing score has been obtained, a letter will be emailed from Professional Credential Services notifying the applicant. The letter will inform the applicant of the Board License fee and the PCS Wall Certificate fee. The license number will be issued and posted approximately ten to fifteen business days after the fees have been received. License numbers may be found on the Board’s web site.

Contact PCS and/or Massachusetts Board

MA Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors

Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100

Phone: 617-701-8801
Website: www.mass.gov
‍Email: engineerboard@state.ma.us

‍Professional Credential Services (PCS) staff is available by telephone Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central Time.
References ONLY must be submitted by the U.S. mail or courier service.

Mailing Address

Professional Credential Services
MA Eng/LS Coordinator
PO Box 198728
Nashville, TN 37219

Courier Service Address (i.e. FedEx, UPS, or DHL delivery)

Professional Credential Services
MA Eng/LS Coordinator
25 Century Blvd, Suite 505
Nashville, TN 37214

Phone: 877-ENG-EXAM (877-364-3926)
Email: maeng@pcshq.com

Address or Name Change

Address and name changes must be updated with three organizations:  PCS, NCEES, and your State’s Board.

Address and telephone number changes: These can be made directly in your PCS account.

‍PCS:  To log in to your PCS account, please visit https://www.pcshq.com

Name Changes:  Please click here to download the Name Change Form. Once completed, upload to your PCS account the Name Change Form and supporting documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree or other court documentation confirming your name change).

NCEES:  To log in to your NCEES account, please visit www.ncees.org.

State Board: Massachusetts: engineerboard@state.ma.us