Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the CFedS Program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered/licensed land surveyor under state law in at least one state;
- Have no disciplinary actions within the last 5 years with any state registration board or court resulting in the loss of surveying privileges.
Fees
All application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment of fees shall be by credit card. The initial fees cover the cost of the training courses and testing for admission to the program. After you have registered you will be provided with information on where to submit your fees. Once your fees have been processed you will be able to continue with your training and CFedS activity. You have two years or three attempts at the examination, whichever comes first.
Initial training, examination, and CFedS Certification: $1,200.00
Training Requirements
After acceptance into the program, all applicants will be required to successfully complete the following initial training courses:
- CFedS I Records Investigation, History of the PLSS, Administrative Procedures, Indian Land Law and Cultural Awareness
- CFedS II Federal Boundary Law and Title Examination
- CFedS III Survey Evidence Analysis
- CFedS IV Restoration of Lost Corners
- CFedS V Introduction to Water Boundaries
- CFedS VI Subdivision of Sections
- CFedS VII Federal Boundary Standards and Business Practices
Each applicant will be required to take all of the CFedS courses listed above and successfully complete the quiz associated with each course.
The overall training program is delivered via external hard drive. When you receive your materials, a course map has been provided to walk you through the materials step-by-step. The course lectures are presented via video from leading experts in the field. Web-based problems, optional training courses, and the quizzes are accessed from the courses main menu. Students will also be able to access course study guides which contain the content, exercises, handouts and other valuable resource information. The website and directions to access the courses will be provided when you are accepted into the program.
The CFedS training is designed to be a self-paced, distance learning program, flexible enough to adjust to the schedules of busy professionals. There is a 20 Week Study Group designed for those of you that prefer more structure and contact time with instructors. See below for more information.
Each trainee is given two years or three attempts at passing the certification exam, whichever comes first, to complete the CFedS training and become a CFedS.
Exam Dates
Exams are scheduled for the first Friday of each February, June & October.
20 Week Study Group
We have developed a 20 week schedule designed to provide structure to the training by dividing the training into 2 week portions. It will require 5-10 hours of study time per week to complete all the material in the course and properly prepare you for the exam. Bi-weekly conference calls will focus on material covered in the previous two weeks. In addition to answering any questions you might have, we will identify and discuss areas that seem to cause the most problems on exam day.
This is not required. You may complete the training on your own schedule if you desire, but for many of you this will help schedule your time and stay on track.
20 Week Group Exam Preparation Schedule
| 20 Week Start Date | 20 Week Group Name | Exam Cutoff Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 02, 2011 | February 2012 Group | January 16, 2012 | February 03, 2012 |
| November 29, 2011 | June 2012 Group | May 14, 2012 | June 01, 2012 |
| April 10, 2012 | October 2012 Group | September 17, 2012 | October 05, 2012 |
The first conference call of each session will be held on the date listed in the "20 Week Start Date" column. The "20-Week Group Name" column is the name of the group that you will sign up for. The "Exam Cutoff Date" is the date that you will need to have all seven quizzes passed by and your proctor approved. "Exam Date" is the day the exam will be administered. Example: If you sign up for CFedS in March 2012 and you want to start in the next 20-week group, then you will join the October 2012 Group. This group will start on April 10, 2012. You will need to be finished with your quizzes and have a proctor by September 17, 2012, so you can take the exam on October 05, 2012.
Exam Information
The exam is divided into three units for a total of 6 1/2 hours.
- Unit #1 covers courses 1 & 2 (2 hours)
- Unit #2 covers courses 3 & 4 (2 1/2 hours)
- Unit #3 covers courses 5, 6 & 7 (2 hours)
Getting College Credit through Oregon Institute of Technology
The Certified Federal Surveyors program has an agreement with Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), which provides CFedS with college credit for earning the CFedS certification.
This agreement allows all CFedS the option 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 completed 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.
However, since there is no additional training involved, you will not receive any CFedS continuing education for this.
The cost for the 4 credit hours is $300.00. For more information on how to receive college credit, please contact the CFedS Program Manager at cfedspm@cfeds.org.