| The basic principles of surveying have | | | | eligible for the second phase, which |
| changed little over the ages, but the tools | | | | typically consists of the Principles and |
| used by surveyors have evolved tremendously. | | | | Practice of Land Surveying exam along with a |
| Engineering, especially civil engineering, | | | | state-specific examination. |
| depends heavily on surveyors. Whenever there | | | | |
| are roads, dams, retaining walls, bridges or | | | | Registered surveyors usually denote |
| residential areas to be built, surveyors are | | | | themselves with the letters P.S. |
| involved. They determine the boundaries of | | | | (professional surveyor), L.S. (land |
| private property and the boundaries of | | | | surveyor), or P.L.S. (professional land |
| various lines of political divisions. They | | | | surveyor), or P.S.M. (professional surveyor |
| also provide advice and data for geographical | | | | and mapper) following their names, depending |
| information systems (GIS), computer databases | | | | upon the dictates of their particular state |
| that contain data on land features and | | | | of registration. |
| boundaries. | | | | |
| | | | In Canada Land Surveyors are registered to |
| Surveyors must have a thorough knowledge of | | | | work in their respective province. The |
| algebra, basic calculus, geometry, and | | | | designation for a Land Surveyor breaks down |
| trigonometry. They must also know the laws | | | | by province but follows the rule whereby the |
| that deal with surveys, property, and | | | | first letter indicates the province followed |
| contracts. In addition, they must be able to | | | | by L.S. There is also a designation as a |
| use delicate instruments with accuracy and | | | | C.L.S. or Canada Lands Surveyor who has the |
| precision. On the subject of accuracy, a | | | | authority to work on Indian Reserves and |
| surveyor is typically held to an accuracy | | | | National Parks. |
| standard of twelve-onethousandths (.012) (12 | | | | |
| 1000) of an inch over a length of one hundred | | | | Typically a licensed land surveyor is |
| (100) feet. This means, for perspective | | | | required to seal all plans, the format of |
| purposes, that a professional land surveyor | | | | which is dictated by their state |
| can be expected to complete a survey of a one | | | | jurisdiction, which shows their name and |
| hundered (100) foot circle and upon returning | | | | registration number. In many states, land |
| to the point of beginning not deviate from | | | | surveyors are also required to place caps |
| his or her course no more than the width of a | | | | bearing their registration number on property |
| human finger-nail. | | | | corners that they have set. |
| | | | |
| In most states of the U.S., surveying is | | | | Quantity Surveying |
| recognized as a distinct profession apart | | | | |
| from engineering. Licensing requirements vary | | | | Quantity Surveyors play a key role in the |
| by state, however these requirements | | | | organisation and financial management of |
| generally all have a component of education, | | | | construction projects. In essence they manage |
| experience and examinations. In the past, | | | | projects to ensure that they are built on |
| experience gained through an apprenticeship, | | | | time and to budget. Their job is to manage |
| together with passing a series of | | | | costs effectively and to ensure that they get |
| state-administered examinations, was required | | | | the best value from contractors and |
| to attain licensure. Nowadays, many states | | | | suppliers. This involves obtaining tenders, |
| require a Bachelor of Science in Surveying, | | | | arranging contracts and managing costs for |
| or a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | | | | the client while the works are undertaken. It |
| with additional coursework in surveying, in | | | | is also their job to negotiate with the |
| addition to experience and examination | | | | client's representative on payments and the |
| requirements. Typically the process for | | | | final settlement. Quantity Surveyors deal |
| registration follows two phases. First, upon | | | | with other professionals within their company |
| graduation, the candidate may be eligible to | | | | as well as clients out-with the organisation. |
| sit for the Fundamentals of Land Surveying | | | | |
| exam, to be certified upon passing and | | | | It is an extremely diverse area and can |
| meeting all other requirements as a Surveyor | | | | include project management, facility |
| In Training (SIT). Upon being certified as an | | | | management, construction management and |
| SIT, the candidate then needs to gain | | | | management consultancy. |
| additional experience until he or she becomes | | | | |