Section 3.06 - Examinations and Interviews(1) The FE, FS, PE, and PS Exams are prepared by NCEES, with the exception of the state specific portion of the PS Exam which is prepared by the Board.(2) The written portions of the engineering and surveying examinations are held at dates and times set by NCEES. Applicants will be notified of the examination date, time, and site.(3) The FE and the FS Exams are examinations prepared by NCEES. The exams are graded and scored by NCEES and the passing score is approved by the Board.(4) Admittance to the PE or PS Exams will not be allowed until the respective FE or FS Exam has been passed except under Application Classification 250 CMR 3.04(4): Tables I or II classification (e), and all other registration requirements have been met.(5) The PE Exam is the Branch specific examination(s) prepared by NCEES. When the examination is comprised of multiple components, all components must be passed to become registered. Applicants seeking to become registered in a fundamental Branch of engineering recognized by the Board for which an NCEES exam is not offered may be allowed to take an NCEES examination in a related Branch as approved by the Board. The exams are graded and scored by NCEES and the passing score approved by the Board.(6) The PS Exam consists of two components. The first component is the uniform PS Exam prepared and graded by NCEES. The second component of the PS Exam is the Massachusetts-specific jurisprudence prepared and graded by the Board. The passing grade for both components shall be approved by the Board. Applicants are required to take and pass both components to become registered as a Professional Land Surveyor.(7) If an applicant takes and passes only part of a multiple component examination, the applicant will have five years to pass the remaining components. Thereafter, the entire exam must be retaken.(8) An applicant who failed the PE or PS Exam or one of its components once may take it a second time upon paying the required fee. An applicant who desires to retake the failed exam must make such request in writing after meeting the requirements in 250 CMR 3.06(8)(a) through (d):
(a) wait one year before retaking the exam;(b) submit evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has completed an educational program or obtained additional experience sufficient to improve their chances of passing the exam following the date of the most recent failed exam;(c) sit for an oral exam if required by the Board; and(d) satisfactorily update their application materials to reflect any changes since the date the original application was submitted. Increasing amounts of education/experience may be required following each succeeding failed exam. An applicant with multiple failures may be notified by the Board that the application for registration will be denied if the applicant fails the exam one more time.
(9) The Board may waive the requirement of an NCEES written examination if the applicant had previously passed a written examination offered by one of NCEES's member Boards that is considered equivalent to the NCEES exam required for registration.(10) Prior to being admitted to the PE Exam, the Board may require an oral interview following its evaluation of the application materials.(11) Prior to being admitted to the PS Exam, all applicants must pass an oral examination administered by the Board. In determining whether an applicant shall be permitted to take the PS Exam, the Board shall consider the applicant's Work Experience, education and qualifications, including but not limited to the following:(a) The applicant's experience in performing Boundary surveys;(b) The applicant's understanding of the Laws of Evidence as they pertain to Boundary surveys; and(c) The applicant's ability to perform surveys that would conform to the requirements of 250 CMR 6.00: Land Surveying Procedures and Standards.An applicant who fails the oral examination must wait six months before sitting for another oral examination.
(12) When an applicant scheduled for an oral examination or interview fails to accept an appointment after two offered appointments, the application will lapse.(13) When an applicant fails to take a written examination within 36 months after being admitted to the examination, the application will lapse.(14) When an applicant fails to pass on the first examination attempt and does not take the examination a second time within 36 months of the failed examination date, the application will lapse.(15)250 CMR 3.06(12) through (14) do not apply to applicants actively serving in the United States armed forces.(16) When an applicant passes the Principles and Practices exam but does not pay the initial License fee within three months of the notification that the examination was passed, the application will lapse.(17) An applicant for registration as a Professional Engineer under of 250 CMR 3.04(4): Table I classification (e) may be registered provided: (a) The applicant demonstrates to the Board's satisfaction, through documentation and personal interview, that the applicant has 20 years or more of acceptable qualifying experience in engineering work, as outlined in 250 CMR 3.05; and(b) The applicant passes the PE Exam.(18) An applicant for registration as a Professional Land Surveyor under 250 CMR 3.04(4): Table II classification (e) of may be registered provided: (a) The applicant demonstrates through documentation and personal interview, to the Board's satisfaction, that the applicant has 20 years or more of acceptable qualifying experience in land surveying, as outlined in 250 CMR 3.05;(b) The applicant passes the oral examination required in 250 CMR 3.06(11); and(c) The applicant passes the two-part PS Exam.