Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the CFedS Program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered/licensed land surveyor under state law in at least one state;
- Have no disciplinary actions within the last 5 years with any state registration board or court resulting in the loss of surveying privileges.
Fees
All application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment of fees shall be by credit card. The initial fees cover the cost of the training courses and testing for admission to the program. After you have registered you will be provided with information on where to submit your fees. Once your fees have been processed you will be able to continue with your training and CFedS activity. You have two years or three attempts at the examination, whichever comes first.
Initial training, examination, and CFedS Certification: $1,200.00
Training Requirements
After acceptance into the program, all applicants will be required to successfully complete the following initial training courses:
- CFedS I Records Investigation, History of the PLSS, Administrative Procedures, Indian Land Law and Cultural Awareness
- CFedS II Federal Boundary Law and Title Examination
- CFedS III Survey Evidence Analysis
- CFedS IV Restoration of Lost Corners
- CFedS V Introduction to Water Boundaries
- CFedS VI Subdivision of Sections
- CFedS VII Federal Boundary Standards and Business Practices
Each applicant will be required to take all of the CFedS courses listed above and successfully complete the quiz associated with each course.
The overall training program is delivered via external hard drive. When you receive your materials, a course map has been provided to walk you through the materials step-by-step. The course lectures are presented via video from leading experts in the field. Web-based problems, optional training courses, and the quizzes are accessed from the courses main menu. Students will also be able to access course study guides which contain the content, exercises, handouts and other valuable resource information. The website and directions to access the courses will be provided when you are accepted into the program.
The CFedS training is designed to be a self paced, distance learning program, flexible enough to adjust to the schedules of busy professionals. However, some of you prefer more structure and contact time with instructors.
*The CFedS Panel policy is that a trainee has two years or three attempts at the examination, whichever comes first, but not before the June 2011 exam.
We have developed a 20 week schedule designed to provide structure to the training by dividing the training into 2 week portions. It will require 5-10 hours of study time per week to complete all the material in the course and properly prepare you for the exam. Bi-weekly conference calls will focus on material covered in the previous two weeks. In addition to answering any questions you might have, we will identify and discuss areas that seem to cause the most problems on exam day.
This is not required. You may complete the training on your own schedule if you desire, but for many of you this will help schedule your time and stay on track.
Exam Dates
Exams are scheduled for the first Friday of each February, June & October.
20 Week Group Exam Preparation Schedule
| 20 Week Start Date | 20 Week Group Name | Exam Cutoff Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2009 | February 2010 Group | January 19, 2010 | February 5, 2010 |
| December 15, 2009 | June 2010 Group | May 17, 2010 | June 4, 2010 |
| April 13, 2010 | October 2010 Group | September 13, 2010 | October 1, 2010 |
| August 10, 2010 | February 2011 Group | January 18, 2011 | February 4, 2011 |
The first conference call of each session will be held on the date list in the 20 Week Start Date column. 20 Week Group Name column is the name of the group that you will sign up for. The Exam Cutoff Date will be the date that you will need to have all seven quizzes passed by and your proctor approved. Exam Date is the day the exam will be administered. Example: if you sign up for CFedS in November 2009 and you want to start in the next 20 week group it will start Dec. 15, 2009, the group name is June 2010 and you should be finished will your quizzes and have a proctor by May 17, 2010 for the June 4 exam.
Exam Information
The exam is divided into three units for a total of 6 1/2 hours.
- Unit #1 covers courses 1 & 2 (2 hours)
- Unit #2 covers courses 3 & 4 (2 1/2 hours)
- Unit #3 covers courses 5, 6 & 7 (2 hours)
Getting College Credit through Oregon Institute of Technology
The Certified Federal Surveyors program has worked out an agreement with Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), where those that have passed the CFedS examination, those that will become certified in the future, and those that want to take a series of classes by distance learning, can receive college credit.
There are three parts to this agreement.
- Existing CFedS (prior to September 2009)
- Future CFedS (after September 2009)
- Anyone interested in public land surveying can attend a series of classes, based on most of the original CFedS training. (need not be a licensed surveyor)
For the existing CFedS group(prior to September 2009), you will be able to obtain 4 credits of 400 level (upper division) course work. This is not new or additional training. It is recognition of the intensity and rigorousness of the work you have already done as demonstrated by passing the CFedS exam.
Why would you want college credit for something you have already done?
Some of you may want to become registered in another state that now has an affirmative education requirement, or want to use this for your continuing education units required by your state. A few of you are working on advanced degrees in surveying and this may help you. For some of you this may be your first college credit ever.
Since there is no training involved, you will not receive any CFedS continuing education for this.
For the existing CFedS group, you must apply to OIT by November 1, 2009, to obtain this credit and the cost will be $250.00. For more information and how to do it, please see the attached information sheet.
For future CFedS (after September 2009), you will be given 90 days from the date of certification to apply for a similar 4 credits of 400 level (upper division) course work. The cost will be $300.00.
The third part of the agreement is an opportunity for anybody who is interested in public land surveying to get access to most of the information in the CFedS course. Unlike the CFedS training you don't have to be a licensed surveyor to take these courses. This will be by distance learning, through OIT and the instructor will be Tim Kent. These OIT courses, Advanced Cadastral Survey I, II, and III, will be 2 credits each and are tentatively scheduled to begin with Spring term, 2010. Watch here for more information.
For more information please contact Roger Green Roger Green or Tim Kent.