PS & TSSE Exam FAQ
Principles and Practice of Professional Surveying (PS) &
Texas Specific Surveying Exam (TSSE)
Starting May 2023, the current RPLS exam will be replaced with a combination of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Principles and Practice of Professional Surveying (PS) exam and a new Texas Specific Surveying Exam (TSSE).
General PS & TSSE Questions
➤ When is the last time the current 8-hour RPLS exam will be offered?
April 2023 will be the last 8-hour RPLS exam. After April 2023, all applicants will be required to take and pass the NCEES PS and the TSSE to be registered as an RPLS in Texas.
➤ When can I register for the NCEES PS exam?
TBPELS will begin approving NCEES PS exam registrations starting May 1, 2023.
➤ When is the first offering of the TSSE exam?
TBPELS will offer the first TSSE in October 2023. Exam dates are located on our Surveying Exams Page.
➤ Do I need to take 2 exams to become an RPLS now instead of just one?
Yes. To meet the exam requirement to be an RPLS in Texas, you must take and pass the NCEES PS Examination as well as the Texas State Specific Exam (TSSE).
➤ Can I take the PS exam before applying to take the TSSE?
Your application for registration must be approved by TBPELS prior to taking the NCEES PS exam. Once your application is complete and approved, you will be notified by TBPELS and NCEES will be notified to allow you to register for the PS exam and TSSE. If you already hold a surveying license or registration in another state / jurisdiction and/or took the NCEES PS exam as part of that license or registration process, then you can use that exam result to meet the Texas exam requirement. You will NOT need to take the NCEES PS exam again if you passed the PS exam prior to applying for your Texas License. However, you will still need to take and pass the TSSE.
➤ Will the TSSE and PS exams test me on new material that was not covered by the previous RPLS exam?
The NCEES PS exam specifications are located on the NCEES Website. This exam covers general surveying knowledge and practice. The TSSE specifications will be posted starting May 2023 and will be located on our Surveying Exams Page. The TSSE was developed to supplement the NCEES PS exam and focuses on Texas specific laws, rules, practice, and procedures that are not covered in the NCEES PS exam.
➤ Will I have to study anything new to be prepared for the TSSE and PS exams? Will the new exams cover any topics that the traditional RPLS exam didn't?
The TSSE was built using exam specifications put together by Texas RPLS and based on questions and scenarios from the previous RPLS exam item bank. Therefore, questions will be similar to the questions used on previous versions of the Texas RPLS exams. The TSSE specifications will be posted starting May 2023 and will be located on our Surveying Exams Page.
➤ I want to take the traditional RPLS exam, but I will not qualify by April 2023. Can I still take it since I became an SIT before this change was made?
No. April 2023 is the last traditional RPLS exam. After that, all applicants approved for exams must take and pass the NCEES PS and TSSE exams.
➤ If I submit my application for the RPLS exam before the April exam, but it is not approved in time for me to sit for it, can I still take the traditional RPLS exam in the fall instead of having to take and pass the PS exam?
No. April 2023 is the last traditional RPLS exam. After that, all applicants approved for exams must take and pass the NCEES PS and TSSE exams.
➤ What if I pass the TSSE but fail the PS exam? Do I have to retake the TSSE exam again?
No. Once you pass the TSSE the board will have your score and you will not have to take the exam again.
➤ What if I pass the NCEES PS exam but fail the TSSE? Do I have to retake the NCEES PS exam again?
No. Once you pass the NCEES PS exam the board will have your score and you will not have to take the exam again.
➤ After 3 unsuccessful attempts to pass the traditional RPLS exam, I had to reapply to get 3 more attempts. Do I only have 3 attempts to pass both the PS and TSSE before I need to reapply, which would only allow me to fail 1 of the exams once?
TBD
➤ Do I have to take the NCEES PS exam or TSSE in any particular order?
No. You may take either exam in any order. You can also continue to take exams in any order if you do not pass the first time until you have passed both exams.
➤ Are any other requirements to become licensed changing? Am I still required to get 2 years of delegated responsible charge in boundary survey experience before I can apply to take the exams?
All other requirements remain the same for your application, including the required amount of qualifying experience.
TSSE Questions
➤ Will the TSSE be in person, or computer based like the NCEES PS exam?
The TSSE is an in-person paper-and-pencil exam similar to the current RPLS exam format. It is a multiple-choice exam.
➤ Will the TSSE still be held in Austin like the traditional RPLS exam?
Yes. The exam is planned to be held in Austin. We will post all exam dates, locations and registration deadlines on our Surveying Exams Page.
➤ How many times per year will the TSSE be offered?
After October 2023, the TSSE exam will be offered 3 times per year – once in the fall, spring, and summer. All exam dates, locations, and registration deadlines are on our Surveying Exams Page.
➤ How long is the TSSE exam?
The exam is designed for a maximum of 4 hours.
➤ If I pass the TSSE exam first, will I need to submit another application to get a license after passing the PS exam?
No. You can take the exams in any order. You must pass them both prior to becoming registered as an RPLS.
➤ What will be the cost to register for the TSSE exam?
TBD
➤ How many times can I take the TSSE?
TBD
➤ Once my application has been approved by TBPELS, where can I register for the TSSE?
Once you have been notified by TBPELS that your application has been approved, you can register for the next exam during the exam registration window on the TBPELS website Surveying Exams Page.
➤ Will the pass/fail results be available any sooner with the TSSE exam? How long will it take before I am notified?
The exams must be graded and analyzed prior to release of the results. The timing may vary, but the board strives to release the exam results within 6 weeks of the exam date.
NCEES PS Exam Questions
➤ Where can I find more about the NCEES PS Exam? Dates, locations, exam specifications, study materials, etc.?
The NCEES PS exam is developed by NCEES and delivered at Pearson VUE computer based testing centers. Information about the exam format, along with exam specifications, study materials, and videos are located on the NCEES Website.
➤ Once my application has been approved by TBPELS, where can I register for the NCEES PS exam?
Once you have been notified by TBPELS that your application has been approved, you will register for the NCEES PS exam on the NCEES Website
➤ How long is the NCEES PS exam?
Information about the NCEES PS exam can be found on the NCEES Website The total appointment time is approximately 7 hours—2 minutes for nondisclosure agreement, 8 minutes for a tutorial, and 6 hours for the actual exam
➤ When is the NCEES PS exam offered?
The NCEES PS exam is a computer-based exam offered at Pearson VUE testing centers. It is offered year-round. You will need to schedule an appointment with NCEES / Pearson VUE. Go to their website to register and pick your date / location. NCEES Website
➤ Where can I take the NCEES PS exam?
The NCEES PS exam is a computer-based exam offered at Pearson VUE testing centers. You can take the exam at any available Pearson VUE testing center in Texas or any other US state. You will need to schedule an appointment with NCEES / Pearson VUE. Go to their website to register and pick your date / location. NCEES Website
➤ How will the Board know if I pass the PS exam? Will I have to let the Board know once I pass?
You will be notified by NCEES directly with your exam results. TBPELS will be notified automatically; you do not need to notify the board of your results.
➤ What is the cost to take the NCEES PS exam?
The current NCEES PS exam cost is $300. These exam fees are set by NCEES. For more information, check out the NCEES Website.
➤ Is the NCEES PS exam in person or computer based?
The NCEES PS exam is a computer-based exam and not a paper and pencil exam. For more information about the exam format, what you can bring to the testing center, exam preparation materials, approved calculators, and other exam information please visit the NCEES Website.
➤ How many times can I take the NCEES PS exam?
TBD