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Key Changes to the 2026 ALTA/NSPS Standards

Provided by NSPS

Title insurers operating under Top 5 Key Changes:
the American Land Title
Association® (ALTA) require a 1 Refined definition of Relative Positional Precision
level of survey information that goes beyond what can be (RPP): The clarification of RPP is a core technical
found in public records alone when insuring title without change. While it does not alter how surveys are
broad survey-related exceptions. Many conditions that may performed, it improves consistency and understanding of
affect title - such as encroachments, overlaps, or rights arising measurement quality expectations across the profession.
from use or occupation - can only be identified through a
proper survey and physical inspection of the property. Shift from “on the ground” to “practices generally
For a survey and its resulting plat or map to be acceptable for 2 recognized as acceptable” (Sections 5 & 6): This is
this purpose, it must present specific, relevant information one of the most significant forward-looking changes.
in a clear and consistent manner. This ensures a shared It explicitly accommodates modern technologies such
understanding among all parties involved, including the as drones, LiDAR, and future tools (including AI),
insured, the client (where different), the title insurer, the without locking the standards to specific methods.
lender, and the surveyor responsible for the work.
To meet these needs, clients, insurers, insureds, and lenders 3 Expanded guidance on sourcing title evidence
must be able to rely on surveyors to deliver surveys and when a recent title commitment is unavailable: This
associated documents that are professionally prepared, change directly affects research responsibilities and
uniform in content, complete, and accurate. Accordingly, risk management, especially on projects where title
and in the interest of the public, the surveying profession, information is incomplete, delayed, or unconventional.
and the title industry, ALTA and the National Society
of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) jointly establish these 4 Requirement to note evidence of possession or
minimum standards of performance for ALTA/NSPS occupation along the entire perimeter: This materially
Land Title Surveys. broadens what must be considered and documented in
the field, regardless of how close that evidence is to the
The previous version of these standards (2021) is boundary line - an important title-risk issue.
superseded by the 2026 version with effect from February
23rd, 2026.
Professional Surveyors at https://nsps.us.com/page/2026ALTA. 5 Clarification that verbal (“parol”) statements
Information originally provided by the National Society of
must be noted when made: This adds explicit
The webpage also includes both the redline and final version of documentation requirements tied to conversations
with landowners or occupants, which can be critical
the standards available for download. in dispute resolution and liability defense.

Want to learn more?
Follow NSPS on YouTube! As part of the Surveyor Says podcast, NSPS provides an overview
section by section with your host Tim Burch, NSPS Executive Director, and special guest Gary Kent.

Featured Broadcasts:
Section 1: Purpose of the Section 2: Request for survey Section 3: Standard of care, Sections 4-5: Final wrap up
Standards, and how they (contracts, who pays, oddball state rules, boundary survey Tim Burch and Gary Kent explain
get made: properties) requirement, precision the important changes to Sections
Tim Burch (NSPS) interviews Gary Tim Burch and Gary Kent walk definition tweak 4 and 5.
Kent (ALTA) about why ALTA/NSPS through Section 2 and stress that Tim Burch and Gary Kent explain Listen to the Podcast Here
Land Title Survey Standards exist while the text changes little from what Section 3 does: sets the
and how they’re revised every ~5 2021 to 2026, it’s a high-impact 2026 effective date, clarifies how
years. Kent frames the Standards risk-management section: get standards interact with state laws
as fundamentally driven by title written authorization, clarify who and the broader professional
insurance needs (especially lender is paying/contracting, define Table standard of care, reinforces that an
requirements), with Table A as A scope, and manage expectations ALTA survey is a boundary survey,
optional “add-ons” beyond the core for atypical property types. and updates/clarifies the relative
title purpose. Watch Here positional precision definition.
Watch Here Watch Here
EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 62 • NO 3 / 2026 • MAY/JUNE 17