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Although the requirements to become a surveyor vary by state, most surveyors have a four-year degree in surveying or a related field. Some states require licensure or certification. Get the education you need to start your career as a surveyor.
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The Basics
Surveying is the art and science of measuring the land to locate the limits of an owner’s interest thereon. A land surveyor is a person who is trained in the principles and practices of surveying. The education required to be a surveyor varies by country. In the United States, a surveyor must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must complete a two-year accredited surveying program.
What is a Surveyor?
A surveyor is a professional who practices surveying. A surveyor determines the Earth’s magnetic field, curvature, and dimensions. They use this information to produce maps, charts, and other drawings that depict the land, its features, and its boundaries.
In order to become a licensed surveyor, you must complete an accredited surveying program and pass a state-specific licensure exam. Some states also require continuing education in order to maintain your license.
What Does a Surveyor Do?
A surveyor is a professional who provides land measurements and creates maps to delineate boundaries, topography, and other features of the land. The role of a surveyor is vital to the construction industry, as his or her work is necessary for the construction of any building or infrastructure.
In order to become a surveyor, one must first obtain a degree from an accredited university in surveying engineering or geomatics engineering. After completing an undergraduate degree, many surveyors choose to obtain a professional license by passing the licensure exams administered by their state or provincial licensing board.
The Education
Surveyors need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The coursework for a surveying degree includes mathematics, physics, and other sciences. Many surveying programs are offered through civil engineering departments. Some universities offer cooperative education programs that allow students to gain paid work experience while completing their degree.
What Level of Education is Required?
A career in surveying requires at least a high school diploma, although many surveys recommend or require postsecondary education, and some programs even lead to an Associate’s degree. High school students interested in becoming a survey should take classes in mathematics, physics, computer science, and drafting.
A bachelor’s degree in surveying engineering is the most common educational route taken by aspiring professional surveyors. This type of program typically takes four years to complete and includes coursework in topics such as mathematics, physics, drafting, computer science, and land surveying principles. Students may also be required to complete an internship as part of their degree program.
What Type of Programs are Available?
There are currently over 70 ABET-accredited surveying programs offered in the United States. The majority of these programs lead to a bachelor’s degree, but there are also several associate’s and master’s degree programs available. If you’re looking for a surveying program, StartClass can help you find the right one for you.
In addition to traditional college programs, there are also several ways to get training and education through professional organizations and associations. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) offers a Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam, which is the first step towards becoming a licensed professional surveyor. In order to take the FS Exam, you must have completed at least four years of undergraduate education in surveying or a related field.
The NCEES also offers a Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam, which is the second and final exam required for licensure as a professional surveyor. In order to take the PS Exam, you must have completed at least four years of post-secondary education in surveying or a related field, or you must have completed an ABET-accredited surveying program.
What is the Cost of Education?
There are many options available for those interested in a surveying career, from two-year associate programs to four-year bachelor’s degrees. The cost of education can vary greatly depending on the program chosen and whether it is completed at a public or private institution. In general, two-year programs tend to be less expensive than four-year programs, but graduates of four-year programs may have better job prospects.
Some colleges and universities offer cooperative education programs that combine classroom instruction with paid work experience in the field. These programs can be an excellent way to gain practical experience while completing your education and may help offset the cost of tuition. Scholarships and financial aid may also be available to help cover the cost of education.
The Certification
A surveyor is someone who determines the land boundaries. They are also in charge of measuring buildings and land for construction projects. In order to become a surveyor, you need to have a certification from the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). The NSPS offers two levels of certification: the Certified
What is the Certification Process?
In order to become a certified surveyor, you must first complete an accredited surveying program. Once you have completed a surveying program, you must then pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). After passing the FS exam, you can then apply to become a licensed surveyor in your state.
What are the Certification Requirements?
To become a certified professional land surveyor (PLS), you will need to complete the following steps:
1. Complete an accredited Surveying degree program
2. Pass the FS and PS exams administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
3. Meet all requirements for licensure set forth by your state board
What are the Benefits of Certification?
Many surveying professional organizations offer certification programs that recognize surveying professionals who have demonstrated their competence in the field. The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) offers the Certified Survey Technician (CST) program, which is a voluntary certification program for survey technicians. The CST program consists of three levels of certification: Level I, Level II, and Level III. To become certified at Level I, survey technicians must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of surveying principles and practices. To become certified at Level II, survey technicians must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of both surveying principles and practices and also their ability to perform surveys. To become certified at Level III, survey technicians must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of both surveying principles and practices, their ability to perform surveys, and also their ability to supervise other survey technicians.
Surveyors who are certified by NSPS as Certified Survey Professionals (CSPs) have demonstrated their competence in the field of surveying. CSPs are required to maintain their competence by completing continuing education requirements on a yearly basis. NSPS also offers the Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS) program, which is a voluntary certification program for surveyors who perform work for the federal government. To become certified as a CFedS, surveyors must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of both surveying principles and practices and also federal regulations pertaining to surveys.
