PS & TSSE Exam FAQ
Questions & Answers
Q: When is the last time the current 8-hour RPLS exam will be offered?
A: April 2023 was 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.
Q: When can I register for the NCEES PS exam?
A: TBPELS began approving NCEES PS exam registrations starting May 1, 2023.
Q: When is the first offering of the TSSE exam?
A: TBPELS will offer the first TSSE on October 13, 2023. Future exam dates are located on our Surveying Exams Page.
Q: Do I need to take 2 exams to become an RPLS now instead of just one?
A: 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).
Q: Who is allowed approval to sit for the PS and TSSE exams?
A: Approval to sit for these exams must come from the TBPELS Licensing and Registration Department and meet the conditions and requirements found in the statute and Board Rules Chapter 134: Licensing, Registration, and Certification for Surveyors. Here are the basic paths for taking the exams:
- Applicant is a currently registered Texas Surveyor-in-Training (SIT)
- SIT may register for approval to take the NCEES PS exam at any time once they are an SIT. This can be before or after submitting an RPLS application.
- There are no additional experience requirements to take the NCEES PS exam for a current SIT.
- Any approved current SIT is allowed as many attempts as necessary to pass the NCEES PS exam.
- An SIT must complete an RPLS application to be eligible to take the TSSE exam.
- Any newly approved RPLS Application is allowed 3 attempts for the TSSE exam and as many attempts as necessary to pass the NCEES PS exam if not completed already. This approval is good for 4 years from the time the application is approved.
- Applicant is a current Texas RPLS and wants to take the NCEES PS exam for record purposes.
- Any current Texas RPLS make take the NCEES PS exam for record purposes at any time. There is no limit on exam attempts.
- Failure to pass the exam will have no impact on a current license.
- RPLS applicants currently in the examination process (as of January 2025)
- All current applications that are previously approved for RPLS or RCP exams are allowed as many attempts as necessary to pass the NCEES PS exam. The number of TSSE exam attempts will be equal to the number of exam attempts they had left for the 4 hour TSSE and 8 hour RPLS exam. A current Texas Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) can attempt the National NCEES PS exam as many times as necessary to pass.
- Out-of-state reciprocal (RCP) applicants for Texas registration
- Must have previously passed the NCEES PS exam and must pass the TSSE. These applicants must be approved to sit for the TSSE through the application process and will receive 3 attempts for the TSSE.
Q: Will the TSSE and PS exams test new material that was not covered by the previous RPLS exam?
A: The NCEES PS exam specifications are located on the NCEES Website. This exam covers general surveying knowledge and practice. The TSSE specifications are 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. The TSSE exam content is based on a similar item bank to the previous RPLS exam. Knowledge of the topics covered by the PS and TSSE exams would have been necessary to pass the 8 hour RPLS exam.
Q: 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?
A: The TSSE was built using exam specifications put together by Texas RPLS and based on similar 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 in the spring of 2023 and will be located on our Surveying Exams Page.
Q: I have an application submitted already but was too late to be approved for the 8 hour RPLS exam in April. What will happen to my application?
A: If your application is approved, then you will be approved to take the NCEES PS exam and the TSSE exam. You may attempt each exam a maximum of 3 times in 4 years with this approval. If you are a Texas SIT, you may register to take the PS exam before your RPLS application is approved.
Q: I have already taken the 8hr RPLS exam once and did not pass. How many PS and TSSE exam attempts will I be granted?
A: All current applications that are previously approved for RPLS or RCP exams are allowed as many attempts as necessary to pass the NCEES PS exam. The number of TSSE exam attempts will be equal to the number of exam attempts they had left for the 4 hour TSSE and 8 hour RPLS exam. A current Texas Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) can attempt the National NCEES PS exam as many times as necessary to pass.
Q: How often will the TSSE exam be offered for me to take? Will it be twice a year, like the old 8hr RPLS exam?
A: The First TSSE exam will be offered on October 13, 2023. Beginning in 2024, the TSSE exam will be offered 3 times per year (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Exam dates are posted on our Surveying Exams Page. Once approved to take the TSSE exam, you may register for the TSSE exam for all 3 times it is offered in a year.
Q: If I fail the TSSE exam 3 times but have not taken the PS exam, can I still take the PS exam?
A: Each application approval allows for 3 TSSE attempts and as many attempts as necessary to pass the PS exam. The exams are counted and scored separately. If you have not passed the TSSE exam in 3 attempts, then you will need to reapply after obtaining 1 year of experience since your last exam attempt, or take 6 semester hours of relevant coursework. You can continue to sit for the NCEES PS exam before you reapply.
Q: If I fail the PS exam 3 times but have not taken the TSSE exam, can I still take the TSSE exam?
A: Yes. You may also continue to attempt the PS exam.
Q: I have already passed the PS exam, but I am not licensed in another state. Do I have to retake the PS exam after my application is approved?
A: No. Once you pass the PS exam, regardless of when you passed it, you will have a passing credential. You will only need to take and pass the TSSE exam to become licensed in Texas.
Q: Since I submitted my application before the last 8hr RPLS exam was given in April 2023, will I still be able to take the 8hr RPLS exam in October 2023?
A: No. The 8hr RPLS exam was offered for the last time in April 2023. There will be no 8hr RPLS exam offered after that date. Your only option will be to take and pass both PS and TSSE exams to obtain a Texas RPLS license.
Q: What if I pass the TSSE but fail the PS exam? Do I have to retake the TSSE exam again?
A: No. Once you pass the TSSE the board will have your score and you will not have to take the exam again.
Q: What if I pass the NCEES PS exam but fail the TSSE? Do I have to retake the NCEES PS exam again?
A: No. Once you pass the NCEES PS exam the board will have your score and you will not have to take the exam again.
Q: Do I have to take the NCEES PS exam or TSSE in any particular order?
A: 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.
Q: Are any other requirements to become an RPLS 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?
A: All other requirements remain the same for your application, including the required amount of qualifying experience. Please review the statute and Chapter 134 of the Board Rules for the official requirements.
Q: 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 previous RPLS exam format. It is a multiple-choice exam.
Q: Will the TSSE still be held in Austin like the traditional RPLS exam?
A: Yes. The exam is currently planned to be held in Austin. We will post all exam dates, locations and registration deadlines on our Surveying Exams Page.
Q: How many times per year will the TSSE be offered?
A: 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.
Q: How long is the TSSE exam?
A: The exam is designed for a maximum of 4 hours.
Q: If I pass the TSSE exam first, will I need to submit another application to get a license after passing the PS exam?
A: No. You can take the exams in any order. You must pass them both prior to becoming registered as an RPLS.
Q: What will be the cost to register for the TSSE exam?
A: The TSSE exam fee is set by the Board. The current fee is $75 per exam registration.
Q: Once my application has been approved by TBPELS, where can I register for the TSSE?
A: 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. You will need to submit the exam registration invoice with your $75 exam fee to the TBPELS.
Q: Will the pass/fail results be available any sooner with the TSSE exam? How long will it take before I am notified?
A: The exams must be graded and analyzed prior to the release of the results. The timing may vary, but the board strives to release the exam results within 6 weeks of the exam date.
Q: Where can I find more about the NCEES PS Exam? Dates, locations, exam specifications, study materials, etc.?
A: 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.
Q: Once my application has been approved by TBPELS, where can I register for the NCEES PS exam?
A: Once you have been notified by TBPELS that your application has been approved or your SIT certificate has been granted, you can register for the NCEES PS exam on the NCEES Website.
Q: How long is the NCEES PS exam?
A: 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.
Q: When is the NCEES PS exam offered?
A: 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.
Q: Where can I take the NCEES PS exam?
A: 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.
Q: How will the Board know if I pass the PS exam? Will I have to let the Board know once I pass?
A: You will be notified by NCEES directly with your exam results. The board will then verify the results with NCEES. You do not need to notify the board of your results.
Q: What is the cost to take the NCEES PS exam?
A: The current NCEES PS exam cost is $300. These exam fees are set by NCEES. For more information, check out the NCEES Website.
Q: Is the NCEES PS exam in person or computer based?
A: 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.