I have worked primarily in Metes and Bounds States. I need to get a good practical knowledge of surveys in Public Lands States. What resources would be best to start this process? I am considering obtaining the CFed certification. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
CFedS is good. First, I'd recommend reading the current Manual and developing a good understanding of surveying on a "round" earth. Understand how to compute a mean bearing. Understand how to use "round" earth COGO functions in a program like CMM or Traverse PC.
Remember that the Manual is written by Federal Surveyors for Federal Surveyors for Federal Surveys. After land is patented into private hands, put on your reg'lar old boundary law hat. Don't go all proportionatey on us :).
Edit: This is also good, and available from BLM as a pdf: https://www.amazon.com/HISTORY-RECTANGULAR-SURVEY-SYSTEM/dp/B001GUP9RC
What are you trying to do, kill this guy?
For some other reference manuals like Restoration of Lost and Obliterated Corners Handbook, go to: https://glorecords.blm.gov/reference/default.aspx#id=05_Appendices|07_Surveying_Manuals
GLO Records website has other appendices, glossaries and GLO record information that would take hours to study and digest.