Massachusetts
Professional Land Surveyor (PS)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective immediately, the following applies to all (FE, FS, PE, and PS) applicants: 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.
- Non-MLE comity applicants must upload all required work experience documentation directly 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 you have logged in if you have not already registered. PCS accepts Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
- Do you currently or have you ever held a license/registration to practice Land Surveying in the United States or in a foreign jurisdiction? If yes, click here.
- If you do not currently hold or have ever held a license/registration to practice Land Surveying in the United States or in a foreign jurisdiction, click here.
! All Application Fees are non-refundable
Step 4: Download the Board Application for PE by Examination.
Step 5: Go to your account Home Page and upload your completed Board Application for PS and all required documents. Board applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The Board does not guarantee entry into any examination date.
- First-time Professional Surveyor (PS) applicants who wish to sit for a particular examination date must submit their application and all supporting documentation directly to PCS by December 1st for the April examination and by June 1st for the October examination.
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 normal processing time for first time applications is two to four months after receipt of all required documentation. Applicants may not schedule for the examination until approved by the Board.
PS Certification Eligibility Requirements
Candidates may apply based on one or more of the following classifications:
(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, page back to see the link.)
- All first-time applicants must be approved by the Massachusetts Board. Please read the information in the "Application Process and Deadlines" link for more information. If your eligibility has expired, please contact the Massachusetts Board. Proceed to step 2.
- All applicants must create an account online with NCEES at www.ncees.org.
- NATIONAL EXAM: Register online with NCEES by the registration deadline. 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.
- Visit NCEES for updates regarding deadlines and/or registration dates.
- Once you have registered with NCEES, you must notify the Engineering Coordinator by sending an email to maeng@pcshq.com.
Re-Examinees:
(All candidates are recommended to read the Candidate Information Bulletin, page back to see the link.)
- 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.
- 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.
- NATIONAL EXAM: Candidates must re-register online with NCEES by the registration deadline. 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:
- If an applicant fails to take the examination within 36 months after notification of eligibility is received, 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.
- If an applicant takes an examination, fails to pass and does not take the examination again 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.
- If an applicant fails the principles and practice examination two or more times, he or she 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"
Massachusetts Engineering and Surveying Deadlines
PE/PS/State - First Time Board Applications:
Applications are accepted on an on-going basis. There is no guarantee of any particular exam date. The Board does their best to grant the exam date requested, but a guarantee is not given.
Your complete first-time PE or PS application, fee, and all requested documents must be received by:
- December 1st for the April examination
- June 1st for the October examination
Candidates whose applications are incomplete at the time of the application deadline will not be able to sit for the exam.
PE/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 ENGINEERING (PE)
- 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
REFUND AND RESCHEDULING POLICIES
If you wish to cancel your examination and receive a partial refund for fees paid directly to PCS you must notify PCS, in writing, no later than the scheduling deadline. A $50 processing fee will apply to all candidates who cancel their examination. Refunds will be issued with-in 30 days after the examination. Fees are NOT transferred to future examination cycles for any reason.
Any withdrawal requests after the deadline will NOT be approved unless there is an extenuating circumstance. Proper documentation may be required such as military orders, doctor notes (for illness), a death certificate (for a death in the family), etc. Extenuating circumstances are NOT job related, vacations, lack of study time, weddings, etc. If you do not show up for the examination you will forfeit your fees and be required to pay the examination fee in full the next time you choose to sit for an exam. If you do not show up for your examination it is not counted as a failed score. It does not count against you in any way.
For NCEES PS exam refund policy see NCEES website (www.ncees.org).
Upcoming Examination Dates
Please click on the link below to view upcoming examination dates:
Professional Engineering Examination
Structural Vertical Forces Engineering Examination
Structural Lateral Forces Engineering Examination
Land Surveying State Examination
Massachusetts Examination Sites
- Boston area - (PE, PS, & State Exam)
- Worcester area - (PE, PS, & State Exam)
Calculator Policy
Special Accommodations
Special accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their request. Examinees who have a documented disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or a scheduling conflict due to a religious Sabbath or a military appointment may request special accommodations. You must indicate any need for accommodations during the registration process.
If you need special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act for the PE or PS exams, please visit www.ncees.org.
If you need special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act for the State Specific examination, please contact PCS at 877.364.3926.
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 and pay PCS for the examination. - 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. If you do not hear from PCS before the registration and scheduling deadline, you will have to wait to schedule for the next exam cycle. - 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.) - I am a Massachusetts applicant. Can I take the examination in a state other than Massachusetts?
No, proctoring is no longer allowed. (If you have military orders, please contact NCEES to request accommodations.) - I have been approved to take the examination in another state (other than Massachusetts). Can I take the examination in Massachusetts?
No, proctoring is no longer allowed. (If you have military orders, please contact NCEES to request accommodations.) - When will I receive my admission materials and will I receive them by mail?
Admission materials are no longer mailed. Approximately two weeks prior to the examination, NCEES will email eligible candidates prompting them to log on to their NCEES account to print their admission materials. The exam authorization will include the date, time and location of the examination. PCS will email State-specific exam candidates. If the exam authorization has not been received within seven days prior to the examination date, please contact PCS at 877-364-3926. Pease check your Spam or Junk folder. If you do not show up for the examination your fees will be forfeited and you will be required to pay the examination fee in full the next time you choose to sit for an exam. - What is the refund and rescheduling policy?
If you wish to cancel your examination and receive a partial refund you must notify PCS, in writing, no later than the scheduling deadline. A $50 processing fee will apply to candidates who cancel the examination. All refunds will be issued 30 days after the examination. FEES WILL NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO FUTURE EXAMINATIONS FOR ANY REASON.
Requests after the deadline will only be approved in cases involving extenuating circumstances. Proper documentation may be required such as military orders, doctor notes (for illness), a death certificate (for a death in the family), etc. Extenuating circumstances are NOT job requirements, vacations, lack of study time, weddings, etc. If you do not show up for the examination you will forfeit your fees and be required to pay the examination fee in full the next time you choose to sit for an exam. - 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.
Massachusetts PE Temporary Permit
A Professional Engineer registered in his or her own state under equivalent qualifications may be given a permit to practice in Massachusetts for 30 days in each calendar year. If the applicant has a board review pending application for registration in Massachusetts, he or she may be given a permit valid until the Board acts on the permanent license application and is approved by the Board. Please be advised that applicants who are residents or have a business address in the state of Massachusetts cannot obtain a temporary permit.
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-Friday between 7:00 am and 4:30 pm Central Time.
References ONLY must be submitted by the U.S. mail or courier service.
Mailing Address
Professional Credential Services
MA Engineering 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)
Fax: 615-846-0153
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: May be done 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, submit the Name Change Form and supporting documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree or other court documentation confirming your name change) via email to the Engineering Coordinator at maeng@pcshq.com and cc the Engineering Board (engineerboard@mass.gov).
NCEES: To log in to your NCEES account, please visit www.ncees.org.
State Board: Massachusetts: engineerboard@state.ma.us
