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How to Be a Land Surveyor (Simplified Steps)

Ready for a successful career in the land surveying industry? This article provides a simplified 4-step guide to kickstart and pursue your dream career.

By Jane PiercePublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Because of the consistently high demand for land surveyors, it is not surprising that many are pursuing a surveying career. Surveyors can work in private firms, in government offices, and even as an independent contractor who can do business full-time, part-time, or freelance.

If you’re ready for a successful career in the land surveying industry, this article is a good starting point. With a simplified 4-step guide, this will provide you with the most important information to kickstart the pursuit of your dream career today.

Step 1. Obtain the right degree.

A successful land surveying career begins with a degree. An associate’s degree is the minimum qualification of some surveyor firms, but, to have a more competitive edge, it’s advisable that you take a bachelor’s degree.

Employers assume that as you study, you learn not only the principles and fundamentals of surveying but the skills necessary, including how to use basic surveying instruments.

If you don’t know what degree to take, browse some surveyor job posts on the internet and check out what the degrees employers indicate. Some degrees that successful surveyors possess are those that involve cartography, calculus, geomatics, and geographic information system of GIS.

Step 2. Take and ace the licensure exams.

There are two major exams that surveyors must ace: the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam and the Principles and Practice of Surveying Exam.

Passing the PPS exam will reward you with a temporary license that should qualify you for land surveying jobs. The FS, on the other hand, requires that you gain several years of professional experience before you can take it.

On top of these two exams, some states require state licensure examinations. Thus, it’s always advisable to check a state’s specific requirements or visit the website of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying or NCEES. For more details, you may check out this full guide on how to be a licensed surveyor.

Step 3. Get a land surveyor job.

Unlike some professions that allow people without job experience to take a licensure exam, the surveying industry does not. Work experience is a prerequisite for the FS exam, so be sure to seek a job as soon as or even before you finish your degree.

Step 4. Advance in your career through continuous learning.

Continuous learning is what will keep you in the game. Technologies keep on evolving, so you have to be aware of what surveying technologies are arising. There are also other certification programs that you can take, like the Certified Survey Technician program by the National Society of Professional Surveyors.

There are many rooms for improvement. If you continue to seek them, you will find it easy to keep advancing in your career.

Bonus: Commonly Used Land Surveying Instruments

Part of the surveying profession is learning how to proficiently use the necessary equipment and tools. With that, here is a list of some of the most commonly used surveying instruments:

  • Hand Levels - For preliminary surveying, hand levels offer a handy option for estimating distances and performing rough leveling. They aren’t great for jobs that require accurate measurements, but they do provide a good overview of how much work will be needed and what more accurate tools are necessary.
  • Theodolites - Consisting of three main parts, the telescope, horizontal circle, and vertical circle, theodolites are used to measure elevations as well as horizontal and vertical angles. Modern theodolite models have the ability to record measurements, making them more reliable than older, non-digital models.
  • Magnetic Locators - Built for locating underground utilities and other ferrous materials, magnetic locators help ensure that a piece of land is clear before any excavation or building project. Different locators have different work capacities, depending on the breadth of their magnetic field.

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