Check NGS datum modernization status and prepare for the new reference frames

Steps

1. Review the current rollout status and phase (beta release, public testing, or official transition) on the NGS New Datums page (geodesy.noaa.gov/datums/newdatums/) rather than relying on older articles — the schedule has shifted before and NGS communicates changes via Federal Register notices.
2. Understand the terminology: the modernized system replaces NAD 83/NAVD 88 with new geometric frames — North American Terrestrial Reference Frame of 2022 (NATRF2022), plus Pacific/Caribbean/Mariana equivalents — and a new geopotential datum, North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022 (NAPGD2022, which includes the GEOID2022 model).
3. As of mid-2026, treat official adoption as still pending completion of NGS's phased plan (beta testing followed by an official transition originally targeted around 2026–2027); confirm the current milestone on the NGS site before telling a client the new datum is 'live'.
4. Inventory which of your firm's control, GIS layers, and legal descriptions are tied to NAD 83/NAVD 88 realizations so you can plan a transformation/re-adjustment once the modernized frames are declared official.
5. Watch for the NGS Federal Register Notice announcing FGCS approval and official availability of the modernized NSRS, since that notice — not a blog post or trade article — is the authoritative trigger date.