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Does Everyone Have to Start at Level 1? Where can Applicants Take the Exam?
No. Minimum qualifications at each level are based on hours of experience. The Applicant must find a test site or you can check with the NSPS
Level I– Entry Level Office to see if a test is already set up in your area. Contact Sara Maggi
Level II – Minimum of 1.5 years experience at 240-439-4615, ext. 14 or sara.maggi@nsps.us.com. You can also
Level III – Minimum of 3.5 years experience contact the CST State Coordinator. The NSPS Office is an official
Level IV – Minimum of 5.5 years experience but must already hold a testing site in Frederick, MD.
Level III certification
LICENSED SURVEYORS MAY START AT LEVELS I, II OR III Where Can I Find Out More?
Visit https://cstnsps.com/. Here you’ll find resources for both
How Long are the Exams? employers and applicants, from brochures, prepared presentations,
Beginning January 1, 2023: sample tests, study guides and so much more.
Level I = 200 questions (4 hours to complete) Information included in the article about the CST program has
Level II = 130 questions (4 hours to complete) been provided by NSPS via https://cstnsps.com.
Level III = 110 questions (4 hours to complete)

“Surveying companies are gaining a competitive advantage by making CST
Certification ‘the new normal’ expectation for their surveying technicians.”

– Richard Brooks, LS, CST Coordinator, New York

CST Program Fact Sheet
The Value
Upcoming Test Dates/
The Value CST Program Fact Sheet
of Certification
Locations in New York:
The Certified Survey Technician program is a four-level certification
of Certification What: program for surveying technicians throughout the United States.
The Certified Survey Technician program is a four-level certification
What: program for surveying technicians throughout the United States.
September 29, 2023
Certification as a survey technician is official
Certification as a survey technician is official
recognition by NSPS that a person has
recognition by NSPS that a person has  To provide recognition to the survey technicians in public and private practice.
Why:
demonstrated that he or she is competent
demonstrated that he or she is competent Why:  To provide recognition to the survey technicians in public and private practice.
Exam location:
 To provide objectives for improvement and advancement for field and office
to perform surveying tasks at a specified
to perform surveying tasks at a specified  To provide objectives for improvement and advancement for field and office
survey technicians.
technical level. Certification provides the
technical level. Certification provides the survey technicians.
Foit-Albert Associates
individual with a sense of achievement, since it
 To give employers a way of judging the qualifications of potential employees.
individual with a sense of achievement, since it  To give employers a way of judging the qualifications of potential employees.
reflects advancement in the field of surveying.
reflects advancement in the field of surveying.
295 Main St, Suite 200
Certification also provides employers with a
Certification also provides employers with a
Level IV
method of determining job assignments and
Level I through III
All Levels
method of determining job assignments and How: All Levels Level I through III Level IV
Buffalo, NY 14203
advancement, since certification is an indication
advancement, since certification is an indication How:
of one’s ability to perform specific job tasks.
Open-book exams.
Cycle I applications are due
Quarterly testing
of one’s ability to perform specific job tasks. Open-book exams. Quarterly testing Cycle I applications are due
on or before December 15.
nationwide.
This event is open to the
nationwide.
Certificate suitable
on or before December 15.
Use as an
Use as an Certificate suitable Examinations are four Cycle III applications are
Examinations are four
for framing.
Cycle III applications are
for framing.
general public. Examinees
due on or before June 15.
hours in length.
Annual renewal of
Assessment Tool
Assessment Tool Annual renewal of hours in length. due on or before June 15.
Multiple choice questions.
Take-home exam format.
certification is $40
should submit their exam
Multiple choice questions.
certification is $40
Take-home exam format.
(reinstatement fee: $10).
If failed, no need to reapply
The CST exam can be used as an excellent (reinstatement fee: $10). If failed, no need to reapply Two months to complete.
The CST exam can be used as an excellent Available online and within a one-year period; Two months to complete.
applications to directly NSPS
outcomes assessment tool for courses,
Essay/report form.
outcomes assessment tool for courses, Available online and within a one-year period; Essay/report form.
just pay examination
on paper. Both formats
programs, and schools. The CST program
online at https://cstnsps.com/
programs, and schools. The CST program on paper. Both formats just pay examination Must hold active Level
Must hold active Level
fee for retesting.
must be proctored.
can be used in a number of ways:
III certification or be a
can be used in a number of ways: must be proctored. fee for retesting. III certification or be a
apply-online/. Once the
• Satisfying accreditation requirements
Licensed Land Surveyor.
• Satisfying accreditation requirements Licensed Land Surveyor.
• Assessing employees for promotions
• Assessing employees for promotions
application is approved, please
• Conducting human resources evaluations
• Conducting human resources evaluations
• Recognizing employees and advancing
Level III
Level II
Level I
Level IV
• Recognizing employees and advancing Level I Level II Level III Level IV
contact Roy Garfinkel, LS to
employees' careers
minimum 5.5 years
entry level
minimum 3.5 years
minimum 1.5 years
employees' careers TM entry level minimum 1.5 years minimum 3.5 years minimum 5.5 years
total experience
total experience
total experience
reserve a seat: TM total experience total experience total experience
Chief
Survey
Entry
Chief
Computer
OFFICE
Office: (716) 856-3933, x247 OFFICE Entry Computer Computer Survey
Office
Level
Level
Office
Operator
TRACK
TRACK Position Operator Computer Manager
Operator
Mobile: (585) 405-2426 Position Operator Manager
Email: rgarfinkel@foit-albert.com Entry Party Chief: Survey
Survey
Party Chief:
Entry
FIELD
Instrument
FIELD Level Instrument Boundary or Field
Field
Level
Person
TRACK
TRACK Position Person Boundary or Manager
Construction
Position Construction Manager
Discounts for students, active military and veterans. We also offer group discounts
Discounts for students, active military and veterans. We also offer group discounts
for 10 or more at the same location. Contact NSPS for more information.
for 10 or more at the same location. Contact NSPS for more information.
 240.439.4615 |  cstnsps.com |  cstinformation@nsps.us.com
 240.439.4615 |  cstnsps.com |  cstinformation@nsps.us.com
EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 59 • NO 5 2023 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 21