ANNOUNCED: 2026 ALTA/NSPS Minimum Standard Detail Requirements Revision

As anticipated, a new version of the ALTA/NSPS Minimum Standard Detail Requirements will become effective on February 23, 2026. This is the eleventh edition of the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements that were recently adopted and accepted by ALTA (American Land Title Association) and NSPS (National Society of Professional Surveyors). Please note that prior to the February 23^rd date, when contracting with a surveyor to provide an ALTA Survey, the surveyor will perform the survey to the current 2021 Minimum Standards. Contracts negotiated and executed on or after the effective date will be performed to the NEW 2026 Standards. 

Although there are no major changes, there are some modifications that will affect both the surveyor’s responsibilities and the user’s comprehension. These modifications occur not only in the Minimum Standards, but also in the Optional Table A items listing. As in the last few revised versions, most modifications provide clarification language with minimal anticipated impact on survey cost or performance time.

Regarding the Minimum Standards, here are the relevant changes: 

• In Section 3.E.i; Clarified responsibilities in determining Relative Positional Precision

• In Section 4.A; New verbiage added regarding the purpose of the survey, reliance on a title commitment and research requirements based on state law

• In Section 5.A.i & ii, additional responsibility to report the relationship of a monument to the surface of the ground

• In Section 5.B.iii, in addition to report evidence of physical access to the property, vehicular access must also be noted

• In Sections 6.B.vii, and 6.D.ii.l., clarifications in reporting the relationship of surveyed property boundaries to adjoining properties and noting any parol statements relating to boundary issues

• In Section 7.B, new verbiage added regarding certifying to successors and assigns

Of note in the listing for Optional Table A Items:

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• Within the introductory paragraph, verbiage has been added referring to state requirements that may dictate the inclusion of an Optional Item regardless of being included in the scope.

• Slight modifications have been made in Table A Items 11(b), 13, 15 and 19

• New Table A Item 20 when included, requires the surveyor to provide a table on the survey that summarizes any conditions or potential encroachments

• Former Table A Item 20, blank Item, is now Item 21

We have linked the new requirements and a red-line version highlighting these changes to this newsletter. We are preparing new hard copy materials, including a new NV5 Handbook for ALTA Surveys, and will distribute them as soon as possible. We’ll have further updates on our website at www.NV5.com/real-estate-transaction-services and in future editions of our e-newsletter. 

If you would like to learn more, we encourage you to either contact your NV5 Client Service Representative or Jim Brown, National Director of Business Development for NV5 Real Estate Transaction Services via email at James.Brown@NV5.com. 

In our more than fifty-year history, NV5 has been a leader in educating the industry of revisions and changes made to the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements. We issue a revised version of our Due Diligence Handbook when the new standards are adopted. Most importantly, we offer classes and seminars that may be eligible for continuing education credit to the industry presenting the changes and their impact on both title, surveyors and user of the survey. We will be scheduling in person and virtual presentations and look forward to many opportunities. Please reach out to your client service representative, your Project Manager or email James.Brown@NV5.com for more information. Future newsletters will also address revisions so stay tuned.