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Licensure for Surveyors

Summary — Learn why and how surveyors get licensed:

• Surveying licensure - what is it?
• How do I get licensed?


Surveying licensure - what is it?

One of the most important decisions you can make early in your surveying career is to place yourself on a professional course and become licensed as a professional surveyor (P.S.).

The profession regulates itself by setting high standards for surveyors, and by law, all jurisdictions require surveyors to be licensed in order to practice. These requirements and high standards help protect the public's safety and welfare.

Licensure is the mark of a professional. It demonstrates accomplishment of the high standards of professionalism to which the surveying profession subscribes. Consider the following:

Licensure…
• Demonstrates that you've accomplished a recognized standard
• Provides career options and opportunities that might not have been available otherwise
• Serves as a protection of public health, safety, and welfare


How do I get licensed?

Each state and territory varies slightly, but in general, there is a four-step process required to obtain surveying licensure:
Step 1:   Education

The education required for surveyors to become licensed varies with each jurisdiction, from high school graduation up to a degree from an ABET-accredited surveying program at a college or university. ABET stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the nationally recognized accrediting organization for engineering, technology, and surveying curricula.
Step 2:   FS Exam

The first exam in the licensure process is the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS). This exam is offered in April and October every year. Most students take the exam right before college graduation or soon after while the technical information they've studied is still fresh in their minds. Once you pass the exam, you are classified as an intern, also known as Surveying Intern (SI).
Step 3:   Work Experience

After passing the FS exam, you will continue your journey toward professional licensure by gaining surveying experience. Many jurisdictions have specific requirements about the type of experience you need to gain. Most require that you gain experience under the supervision of someone who is already licensed, and that your experience involve increasing levels of responsibility. Once you begin work, contact your licensing board to find out what experience is needed and talk with professional surveyors in your company to find out how you can gain this experience.
Step 4:   PS Exam

Once you have gained the appropriate experience required, you can take the second exam in the licensure process, the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS). This exam is offered in April and October.

After completing all the steps in the surveying licensure process—education, experience, and examinations—you are eligible for licensure by your licensing board.

Once you are granted licensure, you may use the distinguished designation "professional surveyor," or P.S. Some jurisdictions use other titles signifying the same expertise, for example, Professional Surveyor and Mapper (P.S.M.), Land Surveyor (L.S.), or Professional Land Surveyor (P.L.S.).