Professional Land Surveyor
Definition of Practice of Land Surveying
The practice of the profession of land surveying is defined as practicing that branch of the engineering profession and applied mathematics which includes the measuring and plotting of the dimensions and areas of any portion of the earth, including all naturally placed and man- or machine-made structures and objects thereon, the lengths and directions of boundary lines, the contour of the surface and the application of rules and regulations in accordance with local requirements incidental to subdivisions for the correct determination, description, conveying and recording thereof or for the establishment or reestablishment thereof.
License Requirements
An applicant must file an application for licensure/registration with the New York State Education Department's Division of Professional Licensing Services in order to become licensed as a land surveyor. In addition, an applicant must be of good moral character, be a US citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and meet the following education, experience, and examination requirements:
Education/Experience Credit
Must have eight years of education/experience credit acceptable to the State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying. One year of education/experience credit may be earned for each year of professional land surveying education obtained in a program leading to a bachelor's degree in land surveying accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or in a program equivalent to such an accredited professional land surveying program. Education/experience credit may also be earned in other non-ABET accredited land surveying programs as well as undergraduate and graduate programs which, while not entirely the study of land surveying, contain important elements/contents of such study. These will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Department.
Examination Requirements
Must pass the Fundamentals of Land Surveying and Principles and Practices of Land Surveying examinations developed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), and the New York State Specific examination developed by the State Education Department.
Examination Description
The land surveying examination is a three-part written examination administered twice a year. Part 1, "Fundamentals of Land Surveying," is an eight-hour exam administered on the second day of the two-day exam. Part 2, "Principles and Practice of Land Surveying," is a six-hour exam administered on the first day and Part 3, "Principles and Practice of Land Surveying,"(New York State Specific) is a two-hour exam given in the afternoon of the first day.
The examinations are administered twice a year, in April and October, at various sites throughout New York State. The deadlines for application are:
- April: November 1 of previous year
- October: May 1 of same year
For more information regarding Parts 1 and 2 of the written examination, such as sample exam questions and their cost, you may contact NCEES at:
Age
Be at least 21 years of age
License/Registration Fee
$345.00
Limited Permit Requirements
Conditions and/or Restrictions: A limited permit may be issued by the State Education Department to a person not a resident of New York State or having any established place of practice in the State provided that such person is legally qualified to practice in his or her own state or country.
Permit Fee: $105.00
Duration and Renewal Provisions: The limited permit is valid for 30 consecutive calendar days per year. The permit is nonrenewable.
Land Surveying Practice Guidelines
The State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying issued the first draft of its proposed Land Surveying Practice Guidelines in July 1997. Thereafter, the Board received extensive comments and met with regional chapters of the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors. To the extent possible these Guidelines were revised to accomodate the concerns raised by various parties. The present version of the Guidelines was approved by the Board and reviewed by legal counsel. These will be posted upon final approval.
Questions regarding practice of this profession may be directed to the office of the State Board:
