How to Become a Certified Land Surveyor

Land Surveying Equipment

A certified land surveyor measures, analyzes and documents various geographical information to be used in creating maps and resolving boundary disputes. Certified land surveyors use radar, lasers, cameras and other equipment to compile vital data about land. A majority of land surveyors work for the government, but others find employment as a private consultant to construction or real estate companies. Land surveyors must meet strict educational, testing and work requirements before they can earn certification.

Things You'll Need

• College degree
• Land surveying software
• Fundamentals of Surveying exam scores
• Professional experience
• Principles and Practice of Surveying exam scores
• State licensure
• Continuing education

Instructions

1. Earn your college degree. Many states require aspiring land surveyors to hold at least a bachelor's degree in surveying, civil engineering, forestry or a related major in order to become certified. A land surveying educational program will train you to take and analyze measurements for creating maps, creating land boundaries and consulting on land development. Typical courses include cartography, photogrammetry, charting, blueprint reading, graphing and geospatial imaging. A quality program will include fieldwork opportunities so you can receive documented, supervised experience using land surveying techniques and technologies. Make sure the educational program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) (see Resources).

2. Become an expert in land surveying software. You will make yourself more marketable to potential employers if you are experienced with commonly used land surveying processing software. Make sure you know all about geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS) and computer-aided design (CAD) programs.

3. Pass the Fundamentals of Surveying examination. The Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam is just the first test you will have to take in the process of becoming certified. Sit for this examination as soon as possible after graduation so the material is still fresh in your mind. The FS exam is offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) every April and October (see Resources). Once you pass the Fundamentals of Surveying test, you will be considered a surveying intern (SI).

4. Obtain the necessary professional work experience. After becoming a land surveying intern, you must complete an internship with a certified land surveyor before you can take the second licensing exam. While the work experience requirement varies according to state, the average length of a paid internship is about four years.

5. Pass the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) examination. Once you have completed your internship, you are eligible to sit for the Principles and Practice of Surveying exam, the second test in the process of becoming a certified land surveyor. The PS exam is also offered by the NCEES every April and October (see Resources). Once you've successfully passed the PS exam, you are eligible to be certified by your state's licensing board.

6. Pass your state's required licensing exams. A majority of states require potential land surveyors to pass a written exam before they can be licensed. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) administers the exams in many states; their website includes a list of state requirements for certification (see Resources). After you pass your state exam, you are granted licensure. You are then allowed to use the designation Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) or Professional Surveyor (PS).

7. Continue your land surveying education. Many states have a continuing education (CE) requirement for license renewal. The Registered Continuing Education Providers Program (RCEPP) offers various CE courses for professional land surveyors (see Resources).

Tips & Warnings

• Aspiring land surveyors must possess good eyesight, interpersonal skills, math ability and communication skills.

• Land surveying can occasionally be strenuous work, requiring travel and working outdoors in extreme temperatures.

Resources

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
• Fundamentals of Surveying Exam Information
• Principles and Practice Exam Information
• NCEES State Licensing Information
• RCEPP Continuing Education Courses