What is the CFedS Program?
Who will be managing the CFedS program?
What is the purpose of the CFedS program?
Who is eligible for the CFedS program?
Will the CFedS certification allow me to work in States where I am not presently registered?
How do I become certified?
Why would I want to be certified?
Do I have to be certified to provide cadastral services in Indian country?
Where will the training be held?
What courses do I have to take?
Is there a limit on the amount of time or exam attempts?
Are there tests involved?
Can I test out of any of the courses?
Are there continuing education requirements?
When can I register for the program?
How do I pay for the CFedS Training Program?
What are the minimum system requirements for the CFedS Training Program?
Will the training qualify for continuing education credits?
Will I receive college credit for the course?
What is the CFedS Program?
The CFedS program is a certification program designed to provide Registered Professional Land Surveyors with training necessary to execute boundary surveys on or near federal interest lands, to basic federal standards.
Who will be managing the CFedS program?
A panel established by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and composed of members selected from BLM, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the private sector will oversee the program.
What is the purpose of the CFedS program?
The CFedS program has been authorized by the Secretary of the Interior to enhance the delivery of cadastral services on or near federal interest lands.
Who is eligible for the CFedS program?
Registered Professional Land Surveyors in good standing.
Will the CFedS certification allow me to work in States where I am not presently registered?
No. This is not a licensing program. You must have a current license for the State in which you are working.
How do I become certified?
You must complete a training module equivalent to a three-credit college course (approximately 160 hrs.) and pass the Certification Examination.
Why would I want to be certified?
The CFedS certification is intended to be a significant addition to the resume and credentials of the Registered Professional Land Surveyor and Tribal Surveyor. Upon completion of the program, the surveyor's name will be placed on the CFedS Roster. Individuals, Tribes and the BIA will be encouraged to select surveyors from the CFedS Roster when contracting for cadastral services in Indian Country. BLM cadastral survey contracts will include credit for those who have completed the CFedS program.
Do I have to be certified to provide cadastral services in Indian country?
The program is voluntary, but certain services must be performed by a CFedS to be accepted by the BLM.
Where will the training be held?
The course will be delivered by various forms of distance learning.
What courses do I have to take?
The training will include portions of the BLM's Advanced Cadastral Survey and Land Tenure in Indian Country courses along with new material covering Standards for Indian Trust Lands Boundary Evidence.
Is there a limit on the amount of time or exam attempts?
You have two years or three attempts at the examination, whichever comes first. All persons entering the Program will have three attempts at the CFedS Examination, the cost of which is included in their original tuition. They are also granted two years to take and complete the examination, counting from their "start date" (shown on your profile under CFedS tab) rounded forward to the nearest examination date. This will result in a simple policy: You have two years or three attempts at the examination, whichever comes first. This means you cannot wait until the two years are almost up to take your first exam, unless you believe you will pass it on the first attempt. It also means you will not be penalized for taking your first exam early in the two years and then waiting many months to re-take it.
Are there tests involved?
Successful completion of the training portion of the certification program will require completion of several quizzes within the various training modules. In addition to the training, a comprehensive Certification Examination must be passed to receive the CFedS certification.
Can I test out of any of the courses?
No. The training courses must be completed to be eligible to take the Certification Examination.
Are there continuing education requirements?
Continuing Education (CE) courses have been developed and a CFedS must pass 6 units per 2 years renewal cycle.
When can I register for the program?
On September 10, 2007 open registration will begin. We will no longer have specific periods when registration is open, instead you will be able to register and pay your tuition at any time. The training material will be shipped when your registration is received. You will proceed through the course work at you own pace. The certification exam will be offered 3 times per year, in February, June and October; you choose the exam the best fits your schedule.
How do I pay for the CFedS Training Program?
Payment of fees shall be by credit card. All application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. The initial fees cover the cost of the training courses and testing for admission to the program. Initial training, examination, and CFedS Certification: $1,200.00. This fee allows you two years or three attempts at the examination, whichever comes first but not before the June 2011 exam.
What are the minimum system requirements for the CFedS Training Program?
- Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 operating system
- Computer with a USB port (USB 2.0 port recommended)
- Internet Explorer (6.0 or higher) or Firefox (3.5 or higher)
- Monitor with a video resolution of 1024x768 or higher.
- Audio playback capability with speakers or headphones.
- Access to the Internet (for the quizzes)
- Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher.*
- Windows Media Player or equivalent
- Flash Player Plug-in 9.0.124 or higher.*
*If you do not have the Flash Player Plug-in or Adobe Reader 8.0 you will find links to these tools located on the hard drive under Program Resources.
Will the training qualify for continuing education credits?
The State(s) of your registration will make that determination.
Will I receive college credit for the course?
The Certified Federal Surveyors program has worked out an agreement with Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), where those that have passed the CFedS examination, those that will become certified in the future, and those that want to take a series of classes by distance learning, can receive college credit.
There are three parts to this agreement.
- Existing CFedS (prior to September 2009)
- Future CFedS (after September 2009)
- Anyone interested in public land surveying can attend a series of classes, based on most of the original CFedS training. (need not be a licensed surveyor)
For the existing CFedS group(prior to September 2009), you will be able to obtain 4 credits of 400 level (upper division) course work. This is not new or additional training. It is recognition of the intensity and rigorousness of the work you have already done as demonstrated by passing the CFedS exam.
Why would you want college credit for something you have already done?
Some of you may want to become registered in another state that now has an affirmative education requirement, or want to use this for your continuing education units required by your state. A few of you are working on advanced degrees in surveying and this may help you. For some of you this may be your first college credit ever.
Since there is no training involved, you will not receive any CFedS continuing education for this.
For the existing CFedS group, you must apply to OIT by November 1, 2009, to obtain this credit and the cost will be $250.00. For more information and how to do it, please see the attached information sheet.
For future CFedS (after September 2009), you will be given 90 days from the date of certification to apply for a similar 4 credits of 400 level (upper division) course work. The cost will be $300.00.
The third part of the agreement is an opportunity for anybody who is interested in public land surveying to get access to most of the information in the CFedS course. Unlike the CFedS training you don't have to be a licensed surveyor to take these courses. This will be by distance learning, through OIT and the instructor will be Tim Kent. These OIT courses, Advanced Cadastral Survey I, II, and III, will be 2 credits each and are tentatively scheduled to begin with Spring term, 2010. Watch here for more information.
For more information please contact Roger Green Roger Green or Tim Kent.