1. CST Program Description and Test Preparation
Opening remarks – say why I use and believe in the CST Program
Mention SCS’s accomplishments
Today’s talk will cover two subjects – the Program and preparation, taking and training.
Please feel free to ask questions as we go along and I will also allow some time at the end of my talk for more questions.
NSPS Survey Technician Certification Program

2. Certification is a short term attainable goal.
A career path:
Certification is a short term attainable goal.

3. Over 763 CST exams were administered in 2017
There are approximately 1800 active CSTs

5. On the Web

6. History of the CST Program
Approved by ACSM 1985 (Approximate)
First Board meeting April (5 members)
Program was organized
First Level I Test Fall 1988
Level I and II registered with Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, US
Department of Labor September 1988
First Level II Test Fall (38 examinees)
First "Pre-Test" (Level IV) April 1994
First internet based testing was April 2001
Currently we are testing about 500 technicians yearly nationwide.
This is a program that provides certification for survey technicians in both the field and office.

7. BACKGROUND OF CST PROGRAM History -
BACKGROUND OF CST PROGRAM History - Approved by ACSM Board, First meeting of CST Board, April Work Elements, Levels (I, II, III) and questions developed First pretest (Level I) April First pretest (Level IV) April 1994   By 1995: Level I through Level IV testing: 4 times a year at over 170 locations nationwide.   Some Recent Statistics   Applicants Tested Applicants Certified   Current Active CST’s Nationwide  

8. Goals of the Certification Program
Recognize the important contribution that technicians provide to the surveying and mapping profession.
Provide credentials to technicians.

9. Goals of the Certification Program
Identify those technicians who have achieved specific technical competencies.
Provide a career ladder for technicians.
Have a “career” and not just a “job”

11. Goals of the Certification Program
Provide employers with a way to evaluate applicants and an opportunity to promote the quality of their technical staff.

12. Seals and Stamps
Business cards are a great way to recognize employees who get certified.

13. 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.

14. Exam Formats/Rules
No computers, laptops or keyboard style hand-held computers are allowed at the exams site.

15. 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.

16. Be prepared Study, Study, Study Research the Work Elements
Practice taking the sample exams and solve as many survey questions as you can
Get into testing shape

17. Level I is an entry level
Certification is by Examination and Experience (job competency).
Four levels of Certification throughout the United States
Level I is an entry level
Levels II, III and IV have minimum field and office requirements.
Two main tracks.
Field
Office
The program uses “work elements” to define testing parameters.

18. 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
Exam budget 1.2 minutes per question or 50 questions per hour

19. Level I Exam
Work Elements Questions per Examination 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

20. 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 credit hours)
180 questions - multiple choice
Six hours allowed for the completion of the exam
Field Track Examination
Office Track Examination
Exam budget 2.0 minutes per question or 30 questions per hour

21. Level II Exam
Questions per Examination Work Elements Field Office 1) Types of Surveys ) Field Equipment & Instruments ) Survey Computations ) Control Points ) Field Operations ) Field Notes ) Plan Reading & Preparation ) First Aid and Safety ) Principles of the Profession Total Questions

22. 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)
The Level III exam has 150 questions
Six hours allowed for the completion of the exam
Exam budget 2.4 minutes per question or 25 questions per hour

23. Level III Exam
Questions per Examination Field Field Office Work Elements Boundary Construction Computer 1) Types of Surveys ) Field Equipment & Instruments ) Survey Computations ) Control Points ) Field Operations 22 Bdy 8 Bdy 8 8 Const. 22 Const. 6) Field Notes ) Plan Reading and Preparation ) First Aid and Safety ) Principles of the Profession ) Office Operations ) Supervisory Skills TOTAL QUESTIONS

24. CST LEVEL III
Tell about my CST Level III experience

25. 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)

26. Level IV Exam One question Two months to complete and return
Report form, typed, complete with supporting documentation
Affidavit that the exam was completed by examinee

27. Testing Locations/Dates
Currently tests are offered via special test sites across the United States.
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 CST web site at
for current for testing schedule.

28. Examination Results Graded in Four Cycles Cycle Test Results
Cycle 1 (J F M) mid-May
Cycle 2 (A M J) mid-August
Cycle 3 (J A S) mid-October
Cycle 4 (O N D) mid-February
Online results are given immediately at the completion of the exam

29. Examination Results Normal passing score 70%
After failure three times, proof of appropriate continuing education required prior to fourth attempt
Or you can step down one level and re-test

30. Annual Renewal Fees Annual Certification Renewal Fee $35.00
Required for advancement in the CST Program
After three years of non-renewal,
you have to re-test to become certified again

32. For more information NSPS - CST
5119 Pegasus Court, Suite Q Frederick, MD 21704
Or see NSPS CST web site at
Or call Sara Maggi or Trisha Milburn at x112 or x105
Contact Lee Canfield at x112 for additional information and to coordinate special test sites.
You can also download this presentation and more on the NSPS web.