National Society of Professional Surveyors

What National Society of Professional Surveyors does

The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), founded in 1980 and headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership association that serves as the unified national voice for professional surveyors across all 50 US states and territories. NSPS operates through affiliation agreements with state surveying societies and delivers value through four core certification programs (Certified Survey Technician, Certified Federal Surveyor, Hydrographer, and Certified Floodplain Surveyor), federal and state legislative advocacy, continuing education, and professional community building. The organization co-develops the ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards with the American Land Title Association and serves as the ABET Lead Society for surveying and geomatics program accreditation, giving it embedded influence over both industry practice and academic credentialing.

NSPS generates revenue through five primary streams: membership dues (Full Member $225/year, Associate $140/year, Student $10/year, Active Military complimentary), tiered corporate sponsorships ranging from $500 (Patron) to $25,000+ (Diamond), event registration for semi-annual Spring and Fall meetings plus certification academies, eStore sales of certification materials, branded merchandise, and commemorative items, and tax-deductible donations to the affiliated NSPS Foundation (501(c)(3)) supporting scholarships and disaster relief. The organization operates with a lean 4-person staff plus outsourced government affairs representation (Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies) and supplements internal capacity through volunteer boards, committees, and a network of 15+ student chapters. Strategic programs include the Young Surveyors Network (modeled after FIG's international network), the Trig-Star high school math competition, and the Surveyor Says! podcast (120,000+ downloads).

Name

National Society of Professional Surveyors

Legal name

National Society of Professional Surveyors, Inc.

Website

https://nsps.us.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1980 that serves as the national voice for professional surveyors across all 50 US states, offering certifications, federal advocacy, and ABET accreditation oversight.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Professional Organizations (813920), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Business Associations (813910), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

National/Institutional Accreditors (Career, Faith-Based, Distance, etc.) (EDADACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Professional surveying association
• Land title survey standards
• Surveyor certification programs
• Professional membership dues
• Surveying advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Primary revenue stream from membership dues. Full voting membership is $225/year, Associate $140/year, Student $10/year, with Active Military receiving complimentary membership. Revenue also flows through state association affiliations.
2. eStore Sales: Sale of promotional items, certification materials, books, exam fees (CST, CFS, Hydrographer, Trig-Star), and branded merchandise including Final Point markers and medallions.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Patron) ranging from approximately $1,000 to $25,000+, with meeting-specific sponsorships also available.
4. Event Fees: Registration and attendance fees for NSPS Spring and Fall meetings, educational courses, and certification programs including the National Academy for NSPS Certified Floodplain Surveyors.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to NSPS Foundation (501(c)(3)) supporting scholarships, disaster relief, and educational programs. Also includes PAC donations and Jefferson Club contributions for political advocacy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NSPS is a 501(c)(6) professional membership association that serves licensed surveyors across all 50 U.S. states through membership tiers, four professional certifications (CST, CFedS, Certified Floodplain Surveyor, Hydrographer), continuing education, scholarships, advocacy before Congress and federal agencies, co-developed land title survey standards, and member benefits including an eStore, career center, and podcast.

Product overview

NSPS operates as a professional membership organization offering a portfolio of certification programs, educational initiatives, advocacy services, and member benefits. Core offerings include four certification tracks: Certified Survey Technician (CST), Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS), Certified Floodplain Surveyor, and Hydrographer Certification. The organization supports the surveying profession through student chapters at 15+ universities, annual scholarships exceeding $97,000, student competitions (Trig-Star, Map Plat), and the Young Surveyors Network. NSPS publishes the Surveyor Says! podcast (120K+ downloads), maintains an eStore for merchandise and official materials, operates a Career Center job board, and manages the NSPS Foundation (501(c)(3)) for scholarships and disaster relief. The organization co-develops ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards with the American Land Title Association and maintains a Political Action Committee for federal advocacy. Membership benefits include professional development, industry publications, career tools, and discounts on conferences and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NSPS Foundation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting educational, scientific, and charitable activities in surveying and mapping; awards over $95,000 in scholarships annually to students pursuing careers in surveying, mapping, GIS, and geodetic science.
• Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast
• Trig-Star
• Young Surveyors Network (YSN)
• Final Point Project

Products and services

• Certified Survey Technician (CST) Entry-level certification program validating technical competency of surveying technicians through education, experience, and examination across multiple levels.
• Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS) Certification program for surveyors working in federal contexts, demonstrating specialized knowledge of federal surveying requirements and standards.
• Certified Floodplain Surveyor Three-day intensive certification program covering the National Flood Insurance Program, CFR Title 44, FIRM maps, Letters of Map Change, no-rise certifications, and Elevation Certificate, culminating in a four-hour examination.
• Hydrographer Certification Certification program offered in partnership with THSOA that validates expertise in hydrographic surveying for member hydrographers.
• NSPS eStore Online retail storefront offering NSPS-branded merchandise, certification fees and books, Final Point markers, Trig-Star fees, and Land's End apparel.
• Surveyor Says! Podcast Weekly podcast featuring conversations with surveying industry leaders and trendsetters, hosted by Executive Director Tim Burch, distributed through Podbean with over 120,000 downloads.
• NSPS Career Center Online job board and career resources platform at nsps.careerwebsite.com where members can post jobs for free and access resume support and hiring tools.
• 2026 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards Joint NSPS/ALTA standards establishing minimum requirements for land title surveys, effective February 23, 2026; includes Table A optional specifications and updated guidance for modern surveying technologies.
• Final Point Project Commemorative monument and medallion program, in partnership with Berntsen International since 2003, honoring deceased professional surveyors with engraved 4-inch bronze markers or brass medallions, with proceeds supporting the NSPS Foundation Scholarship Fund.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Multi-tier corporate sponsorship program for vendors seeking brand visibility and lead generation with U.S. surveyors, with tiers from Patron ($500) to Diamond ($25,000+) plus bespoke meeting sponsorships.
• NSPS Membership Annual membership program with tiered pricing for Full Voting Members ($225/year), Associates ($140/year), Students ($10/year), and complimentary Active Military, providing professional development, advocacy representation, networking, scholarships, member discounts, and career resources.
• NSPS Spring and Fall Business Meetings Semi-annual conferences featuring educational sessions, certification programs, networking opportunities, and NSPS business meetings for members and surveying professionals.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Berntsen InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Long-standing partnership for the Final Point Project since 2003. Berntsen manufactures custom 4-inch domed bronze markers and brass medallions honoring deceased professional surveyors. Each purchase contributes to the Berntsen/NSPS Foundation Scholarship. Direct ordering available through Berntsen's website.
• TrimbleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond-level sponsor of NSPS. Provides positioning and mapping technology that surveyors use in their professional practice.
• ESRIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor of NSPS. Provider of GIS and mapping software used extensively in the surveying and geospatial industry.
• GeoLearncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline training partnership providing free and discounted professional development courses for NSPS members. Supports continuing education and certification renewal requirements.
• ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSPS serves as the Lead Society for surveying and geomatics programs seeking ABET accreditation. NSPS reviews and supports academic programs to ensure quality education standards.
• FIG (International Federation of Surveyors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization representing the surveying profession globally. NSPS participates in FIG forums and the Young Surveyors Network is modeled after FIG's international network.
• American Land Title Association (ALTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards. ALTA and NSPS work together every approximately 5 years to update standards governing Land Title Surveys for title insurance purposes.
• American Association of Geodetic Scientists (AAGS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint scholarship program (NSPS/AAGS Scholarships) awarding over $97,000 annually to students in surveying, mapping, GIS, and geodetic science programs.
• Miller/Wenhold Capitol StrategiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment affairs consulting firm representing NSPS before Congress and the Executive Branch. Monitors federal government activities and supports NSPS advocacy efforts in Washington D.C.
• Geospatial AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner offering the FS Exam Prep Course (SUR 121) for surveyors preparing for the Fundamentals of Surveying Examination. Course runs May-August annually at $510 tuition.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS): Specialty organization within the surveying profession focused on geodetic science and co-administrator (with NSPS) of the joint NSPS/AAGS Scholarship program. Direct peer in standards, education, and member constituency.
• Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS): National association of private geospatial firms, focused on lidar, photogrammetry, and remote sensing surveying services. Comparable as a US-based membership association advocating for surveying/geospatial firms before federal agencies.
• National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES): Organization that develops licensing exams (including the Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles of Practice exams) and coordinates state licensing boards. Directly comparable as a credentialing/examination body serving the same professional community NSPS represents.
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE): National professional membership association for licensed professional engineers. Closely parallel model: state-affiliate structure, federal advocacy, continuing education, licensure protection — the most structurally comparable peer to NSPS.
• American Land Title Association (ALTA): National trade association for the title insurance industry and co-developer with NSPS of the ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards. Strong strategic peer given joint standards authority and overlapping federal advocacy.
• The Hydrographic Society of America (THSOA): US branch of the international hydrographic surveying community and NSPS's co-provider of the Hydrographer Certification. Peer in certification co-development and in serving the hydrographic surveying niche.

Emerging players

• URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association): Nonprofit association for GIS and geospatial information technology professionals. Comparable as a membership-based geospatial professional community with overlapping audience but narrower focus on information systems rather than surveying practice.
• GIS Certification Institute (GISCI): Nonprofit certifying body for GIS professionals, overlapping with NSPS's geospatial surveying constituency. Comparable as a credentialing organization serving a closely adjacent geospatial profession.

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): National professional membership association for civil engineers. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(6) professional society offering membership, certifications (e.g., PE-related credentials), advocacy, and standards — serving a closely adjacent infrastructure profession.
• International Federation of Surveyors (FIG): International umbrella organization for the global surveying profession with which NSPS directly partners and whose Young Surveyors Network model NSPS adopted. Comparable as a membership and advocacy body, but at a global rather than US scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-society-of-professional-surveyors
• Instagraminstagram.com/nsps_page
• Facebookfacebook.com/nspsinc
• Xx.com/nspsinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Society of Professional Surveyors