| The requirements for licensing as a professional | | | | programs to ensure that graduates of such |
| land surveyor vary from state to state. To find | | | | programs will have the knowledge to pass the |
| out the requirements for the state in which you | | | | examination and obtain the correct licensure. |
| intend to practice, contact your state licensing | | | | However, it is usually possible to obtain a license |
| board through the National Council of Examiners | | | | without this degree, though it will likely require |
| for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Generally, | | | | more effort to pass the examination. In many |
| a professional land surveyor must complete the | | | | cases, regardless of your education you must be |
| licensure requirements in their state of residence, | | | | approved by your state in order to sit for the |
| after which time they are awarded a professional | | | | exam. |
| license. In many states, they must also re-register | | | | After obtaining their first Professional Land |
| every few years in order to practice land | | | | Surveyor license, land surveyors in most |
| surveying as a profession. | | | | jurisdictions must complete continuing education |
| Components of a state license for land surveying | | | | requirements. The number of hours of training to |
| usually include a land surveying examination, as | | | | be completed each year varies greatly by state. |
| well as a work record of several years of active | | | | This continuing education ensures that professional |
| work in surveying. Most states require at least | | | | land surveyors stay current on consumer |
| four years of experience before the examinations | | | | expectations and other current issues in their field, |
| may be attempted. Most professional land | | | | and allows for updated knowledge and skills. All |
| surveyors first obtain a degree in land surveying, | | | | land surveys must be completed by a licensed |
| and then work to gain experience for several | | | | surveyor who has kept up with the continuing |
| years before becoming qualified as a professional | | | | education requirements as laid out by the state in |
| land surveyor. There are tests offered by every | | | | which they are licensed. |
| state, and nationally, to qualify for a Professional | | | | If you move to a different state after becoming |
| Surveyors license. One of the most common | | | | a Professional Land Surveyor, in most cases you |
| tests is the ELSES, LLC, which is offered by | | | | will need to repeat the process for licensure, as |
| NCEES. Many states also offer their own licensing | | | | the requirements differ between states. For |
| examinations; contact the state in which you | | | | example, you may need to pass an additional |
| reside for specific information on the tests | | | | exam, or submit proof of your experience, |
| required for licensure in your state. | | | | education, or prior examinations or licenses. |
| To gain the knowledge required for these | | | | Although membership in a professional society for |
| examinations, most people studying for this | | | | land surveyors is not a requirement to practice |
| license obtain a B.S. degree in Land Surveying | | | | land surveying, most professional land surveyors |
| from a school accredited by ABET, or the | | | | belong to such societies. To remain a member of |
| Accreditation Board of Engineering and | | | | most professional organizations for the practice of |
| Technology. This nationally recognized organization | | | | land surveying, surveyors must maintain a code |
| sets the standard for engineering and similar | | | | of ethics. |