NSPS ACSM Survey Technician Certification Program National Society of Professional Surveyors NSPS Am

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August 26, 2005
NSPS / ACSM Survey Technician Certification
Program
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Whats New

• Internet based testing is up available.
• New CST Coordinator Lee Canfield.
• Sample Tests are available.
• All exams are under review.

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Program Organization Chart
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Goals of the Certification Program

• Recognize the important contribution that
  technicians provide to the surveying and mapping
  profession.
• Provide credentials to technicians.

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Goals of the Certification Program

• Identify those technicians who have achieved
  specific technical competencies.
• Provide a career ladder for technicians.

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Goals of the Certification Program

• Provide employers with a way to evaluate
  applicants and an opportunity to promote the
  quality of their technical staff.

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Certified Survey Technicians
History of the Program
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Legal Aspects

• Certification does not license individuals to
  practice surveying. Professional surveying
  licensing is regulated by individual state boards
  of registration. This certification program is
  sponsored by NSPS-ACSM and should not be confused
  with any other certification program.

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Seals and Stamps

• No official seal or stamp for the CST Program
• No legal standing
• Appropriate recognition
• Signature
• CST level
• CST certificate number
• Ex. Susan S. Smith, CST Computer II (0588-1234)
• Any improper use will result in revocation of
  certification and inability to continue in the
  CST Program

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Seals and Stamps
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Some Uses of the Program

• Recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a
  part of the National Apprenticeship Program.
• Registered state apprenticeship program in our
  area of the profession by private industry or
  state society.
• Validation Exam by educational programs just
  prior to students graduation.
• Memoranda of Agreement with DANTES (Defense
  Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support)
• Allows members of the military to prepare for
  civilian certifications prior to leaving the
  service.

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Who Uses the Program

• Public Entities
• Virginia State Board of Registration - FLS exam.
• Washington Metro Area Transit Authority,
  Washington, DC
• City of Orlando, FL
• City of Virginia Beach, VA
• AZDOT, Phoenix, AZ
• Florida Surveying And Mapping Society,
  Tallahassee, FL
• Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors Survey
  Technician Council, Lansing, MI
• Texas Society of Professional Surveyors
• Department of Public Works, Las Vegas, NV
• New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association (pays
  1/2 cost of exam if employer matches)

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Who Uses the Program

• Private Entities
• Cherry Land Surveying, Nashville, TN
• E A Consulting, Omaha, NE
• Miller Legg Assoc., Pembroke Pines, FL
• Tri-State Engineering, Joplin, MO
• Clark Construction Company, Bethesda, MD
• Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN
• VIKA, Inc., Germantown, MD
• Christopher Consultants, ltd, Fairfax, VA
• Doucette Survey, Newmarket, N.H.
• Charles P. Johnson Associates, Inc., Silver
  Spring, MD

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Benefits - Technicians

• Recognition by Peers and Employers
• Personal Pride - Achieving Certification
• Pay CSTs make about 10 more
• Better qualified peers makes your job easier
• Career and Employment opportunities improve -
  CST Preferred and CST Required
• Prepares you for other professional Exams
• CST Program compliments training
• Skills will improve making advancement
  possible
• Certification improves image of survey
  technicians within the profession

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Benefits and Uses - Company

• Sets a standard for your Technical staff
• Can be used as a hiring requirement
• Can be used as a marketing tool - incorporated in
  your QA/QC Program
• Can be used as a marking tool CSTs On Duty
• Can be used as a career ladder which creates a
  promotional tool within your firm or agency
• Can be used in conjunction with training
• Raises the bar and creates healthy competition
• Better qualified staff more production - more
  profit you can pay your staff more you can
  attract better staff your job becomes easier
• Better qualified staff less mistakes
  reputation improves more business

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Benefits and Uses - Consumer

• Can be used as a contract requirement for
  construction contracts.
• Can be used as a pre qualification requirement in
  A/E procurement (Brooks Act).
• Can be used as a contract requirement for
  professional survey services contracts.
• Improves confidence in services procured.

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Exam Formats/Rules

• All exams open book tests.
• Bound books. No loose leaf notes.
• Level I, II and III are multiple choice exams.
• Level IV is take home, open book, essay exam,
  similar to a college level term paper.

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Exam Formats/Rules

• No computers, laptops or keyboard style
  hand-held computers are allowed at the exams
  centers.
• Data collectors with HP-48 style calculators with
  survey cards are allowed.

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A General Note About the Examinations

• The exam is a challenging timed test. You must
  be prepared to move purposefully through four to
  six hours of testing.
• Study, review, and practice in the Work Element
  areas is important to prepare you for the
  questions and to be successful.
• These tests require a significant amount
  of computations.

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Level I Exam

• Entry level exam
• No minimum experience required
• The Level I exam has 200 questions
• Four hours allowed for the completion of the exam

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Level I Exam

• Number of Questions per Examination
• Work Element
• 1) Types of Surveys 10
• 2) Field Equipment Instruments 41
• 3) Survey Computations 50
• 4) Control Points 6
• 5) Field Operations 21
• 6) Field Notes 5
• 7) Plan Map Reading 17
• 8) First Aid and Safety 20
• 9) Drafting/CAD 17
• 10) Electronic Instruments 8
• 11) Survey History 5
• TOTAL QUESTIONS 200

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Level II Exam

• 3000 hours, or 1.5 years of surveying experience
  required.
• (up to 750 hours can be education 1 year
  full-time with a minimum of 12 credit hours per
  term - 24 credit hours)
• (1 CEU 10 classroom hours 0.5 credit hours)
• 180 questions - multiple choice
• Six hours allowed for the completion of the exam.
• Field Track Examination
• Office Track Examination

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Level II Exam

• Number of Questions per Examination
• Work Element Field Office
• 1) Types of Surveys 10 10
• 2) Field Equipment Instruments 35 15
• 3) Survey Computations 40 55
• 4) Control Points 10 10
• 5) Field Operations 35 10
• 6) Field Notes 10 10
• 7) Plan Reading Preparation 15 45
• 8) First Aid and Safety 15 15
• 9) Principles of the Profession 10 10
• Total Questions 180 180

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Level III Exam

• 7000 hours, or 3.5 years total of surveying
  experience required.
• Field Track 3000 hours (1.5 years) Level II
  experience plus 4000 hours (2.0 years) as a party
  chief required.
• Office Track 3000 hours (1.5 years) Level II
  experience plus 4000 hours (2.0 years) as a chief
  computer operator required.
• (Up to 1750 hours can be education 2.33 years,
  full-time with a minimum of 12 credit hours per
  term 56 credit hours)
• (1 CEU 10 classroom hours 0.5 credit hours)
• The Level III exam has 150 questions.
• Six hours allowed for the completion of the exam.

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Level III Exam

• Number of Questions per Examination
• Field Field Office
• Work Element Boundary Construction Computer
• 1) Types of Surveys 7 7 7
• 2) Field Equipment and Instruments 34 34 11
• 3) Survey Computations 21 21 21
• 4) Control Points 8 8 8
• 5) Field Operations 22 Bound. 8 Bound. 8
• 8 Const. 22 Const.
• 6) Field Notes 7 7 7
• 7) Plan Reading and Preparation 8 8 30
• 8) First Aid and Safety 11 11 11
• 9) Principles of the Profession 7 7 7
• 10) Office Operations 7 7 7
• 11) Supervisory Skills 10 10 10
• TOTAL QUESTIONS 150 150 150

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CST LEVEL III
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Level IV Exam

• Must hold a Level III certification to take the
  Level IV exam
• 11,000 hours, or 5.5 years total of surveying
  experience required.
• Field Track 7000 hours (3.5 years) Level II
  III experience plus 4000 hours (2.0 years) as a
  party chief required.
• Office Track 7000 hours (3.5 years) Level II
  III experience plus 4000 hours (2.0 years) as a
  chief computer operator required.
• (Up to 2750 hours can be education 3.66 years,
  full-time with a minimum of 12 credit hours per
  term 88 credit hours)

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Level IV Exam

• Two or more questions
• Two months to complete and return
• Report form, typed, complete with supporting
  documentation
• Affidavit that the exam was completed by examinee

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Application Fees

• All Levels Application Fee
• Student Member None
• Member 30.00
• Non-Member 50.00
• A member is an NSPS dues paying individual or
  an
• employee of an ACSM sustaining member.

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Examination Fees

• All Levels Examination Fee
• Student Member 110.00
• Member 120.00
• Non-Member 150.00
• A member is an NSPS dues paying individual or
  an
• employee of an ACSM sustaining member.
• Prices subject to change. Check www.nspsmo.org
  for updates

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Testing Locations/Dates

• Tests are given four times a year in quarterly
  cycles.
• It is also possible for college programs and
  professional organizations to arrange for special
  testing centers for groups. Special discounts
  apply to groups of 10 or more.
• Internet based testing is available which can be
  delivered at any college testing center or
  approved testing site with an approved proctor.
• See NSPS web site at http\\www.nspsmo.org
• for current for testing schedule.

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Examination Results

• Graded in Four Cycles
• Cycle Test Results
• Cycle 1 mid-May
• Cycle 2 mid-August
• Cycle 3 mid-October
• Cycle 4 mid-February

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Examination Results

• Normal passing score 70
• After failure three times, proof of appropriate
  continuing education required prior to fourth
  attempt
• Or, can step down one level

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Annual Renewal Fees

• Annual Certification Renewal Fee 35.00
• Required for advancement in the Program
• After three years of non-renewal, will have to
  re-test to become certified again.

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Preparing for and Taking one of the Certified
Survey Technician Examinations
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Presentation Outline

• Part 1 How to Prepare for the Examinations
• At Which Level Should You Start
• Using the Work Elements list as a study guide
• Listing Work elements
• Detailed Topics List for W.E. of Questions
• Set Up Study Schedule
• Reviewing Computational Areas
• Part 2 How to Successfully Take the Exams
• Testing Strategies
• What to Bring
• Take Practice Exams
• Part 3 Preparing Training Sessions

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Part One

• HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMINATIONS

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Which Level to Start At

• How many years in the industry?
• doing what type of work?
• How many credits of formal education?
• How many credits of formal Surveying education?
• Decide which track you want to follow Field or
  Office.
• Can start at any level for which experience
  requirement is satisfied
• Level IV applicant must possess a Level III
  certification

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Using the Work Elements List as a Study Guide

• First, List the Work Elements for Level II
  (Field)
• (180 questions)
• 1. Types of Surveys (F 10, O 10)
• 2. Field Equipment and Instruments (F 35, O
  15)
• 3. Survey Computations (F 40, O 55)
• 4. Control Points Horizontal and Vertical (F
  10, O 10)
• 5. Field Operations (F 35, O 10)
• 6. Field Notes (F 10, O 10)
• 7. Plan Reading and Preparation (F 15, O 45)
• 8. First Aid and Safety (F 15, O 15)
• 9. Principles of the Profession (F 10, O 10)
• (Note the number of questions that will be asked
  in each)

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Now make a detailed listing of the components
(topics) of each Work Element

• 1. Types of Surveys (F 10, O 10)
• Performing the following surveys
• leveling
• traversing
• triangulation
• trilateration
• public land surveys
• metes and bounds surveys
• construction surveys
• photo control surveys
• GPS surveys

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A detailed listing of the components (topics) of
each Work Element (Level II)

• 2. Field Equipment Instruments (F 35, O 15)
• Care and cleaning of surveying tools, equipment
  and radios.
• The use, operation, checking and adjustment of
• transits
• theodolites
• total stations
• robotic total stations
• data collectors
• levels
• compass
• tribrachs
• tripods
• GPS equipment
• Historical equipment and instrument knowledge is
  required.

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A detailed listing of the components (topics) of
each Work Element (Level II)

• 3. Survey Computations (F 40, O 55)
• Trigonometry, geometry, algebra, coordinate
  geometry
• Use of calculators and computers
• Survey computations associated with
• leveling
• traversing
• stadia
• topographic mapping
• construction stakeout
• Field note reduction and checking
• Using P.C.s (elementary computer literacy)

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A detailed listing of the components of each Work
Element (Level II)

• 4. Control Points Horizontal Vertical (F
  10, O 10)
• Gathering information on and locating control
  points.
• Know agencies who have this data and agencies
  who set control points.
• 5. Field Operations (F 35, O 10)
• Coordinate field work under the direction of
  chief of parties
• Sun and Polaris observation
• Sources of measurement error
• Stake out and stake marking
• GPS field observation procedures

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A detailed listing of the components of each Work
Element (Level II)

• 6. Field Notes (F 10, O 10)
• Keeping notes for
• leveling
• traversing
• topographic mapping
• layout
• as-built surveys
• boundary surveys
• profile and cross-section surveys

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A detailed listing of the components of each Work
Element (Level II)

• 7. Plan Reading Preparation (F 15, O 45)
• Reading and preparing
• site plans
• boundary plans
• highway plans
• profile and cross sections
• horizontal and vertical curves
• pipeline plans
• foundation plans
• Developing existing and finished contours
• Hand and CAD drafting

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A detailed listing of the components of each Work
Element (Level II)

• 8. First Aid Safety (F 15, O 15)
• Treatment practices of medical emergencies
• Traffic control and safety procedures
• Following OSHA standards
• 9. Principles of the Profession (F 10, O 10)
• Technical Standards for field operations for
  Types of Survey (Work Element 1)
• Ethical standards and issues
• Professional attitude, demeanor and dress
• Know the related professional associations

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Study/Review Schedule

• Now use the detailed topic list from the Work
  Elements to set up a Study Plan.
• Back off the time available from the scheduled
  Examination date.
• Divide up the topics (by importance) with the
  time available.

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Study and Review

• In General
• Assemble a resource study library
• Know how to look up surveying terms in index of
  books.
• Review Typical Formulas (See Formula Sheets)
• Know your books pick favorites and know what is
  in them.

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Presentation Outline

• How to Prepare for the Examinations
• Which Level to start at
• Using the Work Elements list as a study guide
• Reviewing Computational Areas
• How to Successfully Take the Examinations
• Testing Strategies
• What to Bring
• Take Practice Exams
• Preparing Training Sessions

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Part Two

• HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY TAKE THE EXAMINATIONS

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TESTING STRATEGIES For Certified Survey
Technician Program Examinations

• Approach the test confidently, take it calmly.
• Remember to review in the weeks before the test.
• Dont cram. Be careful of your diet and
  sleepespecially as the test draws near.
• Arrive on timeand ready.
• Choose a good seat. Get comfortable and relax.
• Bring the complete kit of tools youll need.
• Listen carefully to all directions.
• Apportion your time intelligently with an exam
  budget.

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TESTING STRATEGIES For Certified Survey
Technician Program Examinations

• Read all directions carefully. Twice if
  necessary. Pay particular attention to the
  scoring plan.
• Look over the whole test before answering any
  questions.
• Start right in, if possible. Stay with it. Use
  every second effectively.
• Do the easy questions first postpone harder
  questions until later.
• All CST program questions are currently weighted
  the same.
• Determine the pattern of the test questions. If
  it is hard-easy, etc., answer accordingly.

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TESTING STRATEGIES For Certified Survey
Technician Program Examinations

• Read each question carefully. Make sure you
  understand each one before you answer. Re-read,
  if necessary.
• Think! Avoid hurried answers, guess
  intelligently.
• Watch your watch and exam budget, but do a
  little balancing of the time you devote to each
  question.
• Get all the help you can from cue words.
• Rephrase difficult questions for yourself.
• Choose the best of all the possible answers
  (Very Important)

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TESTING STRATEGIES For Certified Survey
Technician Program Examinations

• Refresh yourself with a few well-chosen rest
  pauses during the test.
• Use controlled association to see the relation of
  one question to another and with as many
  important ideas as you can develop.
• Answer all questions.
• Now that youre a cool test-taker, stay calm
  and confident throughout the test. Dont let
  anything throw you.
• Edit, check, proofread your answers. Be a bitter
  ender, stay working until they make you go.

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What to Bring to the Examination

• Remember that this is an OPEN BOOK exam
• Bring at least the following
• Books
• Dictionary (ACSM Terms)
• Basic Surveying text(s)
• Boundary Surveying text(s)
• Basic First Aid Book (Red Cross)
• Survey Standards
• ALTA/ACSM
• FGCS
• (see bibliography/References in back of CST
  Program Book)

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Other Things to Bring

• Formula (Equations) Lists (bound, not loose leaf)
• Your review notes (bound, not loose leaf)
• Calculator and an extra calculator as backup
• Extra Batteries
• Extra Pencils
• Straight Edge, Scales, Protractors

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Taking Practice Exams

• Use the sample CST exams from NSPS
• (25 of the real thing)
• Use chapter problems in text books
• (those with answers in the back)
• Use Survey Problems books
• Time yourself
• List the areas where you need more study

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Presentation Outline

• How to Prepare for the Examinations
• Which Level to start at
• Using the Work Elements list as a study guide
• Reviewing Computational Areas
• How to Successfully Take the Examinations
• Testing Strategies
• What to Bring
• Take Practice Exams
• Preparing Training Sessions

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Part Three

• PREPARING A TRAINING SESSION

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Preparing a Training Session

• The first thing is to determine which specific
  Level (I, II, III) will be the focus.
• Provide sufficient time.
• (One day sessions are not enough !)
• Approximately one semester long (15 weeks _at_ 3
  hours/week 45 hours) format is most appropriate
  due to the breadth of the material that must be
  covered.

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Preparing a Training Session

• Use the detailed Work Elements Topics list to
  plan/schedule the course.
• Use the list of Computational Areas to plan/
  schedule the course
• Include time for preparatory reading.
• Include time for homework assignments.
• Include time for reviewing homework assignments.

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Self Preparation

• Prepare a list of Work Element Topics.
• Identify the areas that need the most attention.
• Gather together the needed resource materials.
• Establish a Study Schedule well in advance of the
  test day.
• Stick to it!!

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Presentation Review

• How to Prepare for the Examinations
• Which Level to start at
• Using the Work Elements list as a study guide
• Reviewing Computational Areas
• How to Successfully Take the Examinations
• Testing Strategies
• What to Bring
• Take Practice Exams
• Preparing Training Sessions

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Survey TechnicianOrganization

• Survey technicians seeking technical development
  through publications and educational
  opportunities may want to consider joining NSPS,
  a member organization of ACSM. Educational
  programs, publications, and other member services
  are provided by ACSM. Membership in NSPS is not
  required for certification.

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For more information

• NSPS-ACSM SURVEY TECH
• 6 Montgomery Village Avenue
• Suite 403
• Gaithersburg, MD 20879
• Or see NSPS web site at
• http\\www.nspsmo.org
• Or call Lee Canfield at 240-632-9716 x112
• Fax [phone] lee.canfield_at_acsm.net

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