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