Managing Agency Bureau of Land Management

Program Description

The Certified Federal Surveyor Program (CFedS) is co-administered by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). It provides a unique and extensive training course for state licensed surveyors and land surveyors in training. The program covers content on the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) and in the understanding of federal survey processes. The CFedS Program is approved by the Secretary of the Interior and the Office of the Special Trustee and is designed to: 1) increase the pool of qualified surveyors to perform work on or near federal interest lands, including Indian lands, 2) to ensure such surveys comply with federal regulations and policies, decreasing the chance and expense of rework, and 3) provide opportunities to increase self-determination for Indian tribes. Tribes, BIA, individuals, and other federal agencies are encouraged to select CFedS surveyors when contracting for boundary surveys or other cadastral services.

General Program Requirements

The Certified Federal Surveyor Program (CFedS) is co-administered by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). It provides a unique and extensive training course for state licensed surveyors and land surveyors in training. The program covers content on the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) and in the understanding of federal survey processes. The CFedS Program is approved by the Secretary of the Interior and the Office of the Special Trustee and is designed to: 1) increase the pool of qualified surveyors to perform work on or near federal interest lands, including Indian lands, 2) to ensure such surveys comply with federal regulations and policies, decreasing the chance and expense of rework, and 3) provide opportunities to increase self-determination for Indian tribes. Tribes, BIA, individuals, and other federal agencies are encouraged to select CFedS surveyors when contracting for boundary surveys or other cadastral services.

Your Next Steps

The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this program.

Application Process

Applicants can apply for the course at the CFedS website.

Program Contact Information

Janet Wilkins
Cadastral Services Fiduciary Trust Manager
j1wilkin@blm.gov
202-912-7349

Additional Information

Number of People Served by this Program (Approximate)Unlimited
Current Method of Tribal EligibilityProgram not specific to American Indians and Alaska Natives, but they are eligible
Do Tribes compete with other entities for funding from the program?No
Recurring Base Funding for TribesNo

Didn't find what you were looking for?


Try using our Benefit Finder questionnaire to view a list of benefit programs you may be eligible to receive.
Start