How to become a CFedS

Qualification Requirements

To qualify for the CFedS Program, registered/licensed land surveyors 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 five years with any state registration board or court resulting in the loss of surveying privileges.

Pre-registered/pre-licensed land surveyors must have passed the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying examination.

Registration & Fees

All application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. These fees, collected via this website, cover all costs associated with admission to the program. Upon processing, applicants may immediately begin our training or register for a guided 20-week session. To successfully complete the program, applicants must pass the CFedS exam within two years or three attempts of registration, whichever comes first. Initial training, examination, and certification = $1,500.00.

Register ($1,500) or renew your certification ($60) via this website.

Training Requirements

After acceptance into the program, 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

Applicant will be required to take each of the courses listed above and successfully complete all associated quizzes.

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. Course access and completion instructions will be provided upon acceptance 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. As of August 2023, program registrants are also offered the option of joining a guided “20 week session“, providing a structured material completion timetable, bi-weekly online review meetings and more.

Exam Dates

Exams are scheduled for the first Friday of each February, June & October.

The CFedS Training Coordinator and our support staff is available to answer questions you may have, so don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss any aspect of the training.