Certified Floodplain Surveyor Program

In the State of Tennessee, there are 55 certified Floodplain Surveyors. TEMA's NFIP office, in partnership with the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors (TAPS), offers the Certified Floodplain Surveyor (CFS) Program to educate surveyors on the forms and processes associated with floodplain properties and how to  submit Elevation Certificates. To become certified, licensed surveyors must successfully complete the three-day certification seminar and exam. Professional Development Hours are awarded for the seminar, but not for the exam.  

Topics covered in the course include:

• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
• FIRM Maps
• NFIP Regulations and Elevation Certificate
• Letters of Map Correction and Letters of Map Correction Processing 

We suggest all surveyors preparing for the CFS Certification Course and Exam to become familiar with the NFIP Regulations and visit the TAPS website.

The Certified Floodplain Surveyor Program helps Tennessee surveyors strengthen their understanding of floodplain management, elevation certificates, Letters of Map Change, and other flood-related documentation.

TEMA works with the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors to support this program and provide training for surveyors who assist property owners, local officials, and communities with floodplain-related information.

About the Program

Surveyors play an important role in floodplain management. Their work can help determine how flood risk applies to a property, support flood insurance rating, and provide documentation needed for map change requests or local development review.

The Certified Floodplain Surveyor Program provides training on floodplain mapping, elevation data, FEMA forms, elevation certificates, and related National Flood Insurance Program processes.

Who Should Participate

This program is designed for licensed Tennessee surveyors who work with floodplain data, elevation certificates, Letters of Map Change, development review, or other floodplain management documentation.

Surveyors who complete the program can better support property owners, local floodplain administrators, insurance agents, engineers, and community partners who rely on accurate floodplain information.

Why It Matters

Accurate survey information is an important part of floodplain management. It can help communities and property owners understand flood risk, meet local requirements, support flood insurance decisions, and complete FEMA documentation.

The program helps improve consistency and technical understanding for professionals who work with floodplain-related data and forms in Tennessee.

Training Information

Training opportunities for the Certified Floodplain Surveyor Program are coordinated through the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors.