Question:
Does a surveyor have to be licensed?
Answer:
Surveyors in the State of California are licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
On their website you can a Guide for Consumers that contains answers to many questions that are frequently asked.
Question:
How do I find a surveyor?
Answer:
Visit our members page or
The State CLSA Find a Surveyor webpage allows you to search by Zip Code, Specialty or by Name.
If you have found a survey monument with a licence number and are looking for that surveyor, use the License Lookup feature at the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
Question:
How do I consult a surveyor?
Answer:
The State CLSA site contains a brochure How to Consult a Surveyor that answers many questions along this line.
Question:
What type of education will I need to become a land surveyor?
Answer:
The education required for surveyors to become licensed varies with each state, from high school graduation up to a degree from an ABET-accredited surveying program at a college or university. In California, with only a high school education you can begin a career as a land surveyor making great entry level pay. On the job training as well as apprenticeship programs are available. To jump start their career, many surveyors earn college degrees. There are several two year and four year programs available.
Question:
What type of academic background should I have?
Answer:
Land Surveyors are problem solvers. A strong candidate for the land surveying profession should enjoy and excel at problem solving. Develop your problem solving skills by taking as many math courses as possible, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry. In addition, high school students interested in surveying should take courses in drafting, computer-aided drafting (CAD), geography and computer science.
Question:
What colleges and universities offer land surveying courses?
Answer:
There are several two year and four year programs in California. Click here for a list of colleges and universities that offer land surveying.
Question:
How open is land surveying to women?
Answer:
Women are attracted to land surveying in growing numbers for the same reasons the field draws men: It promises challenging, interesting work and high pay. In recent years, we have seen an increased number of women joining the profession.
Chapter News
Our Newsletter: "The Prism"
California Surveyor: "Winter 2012"
NSPS News and Views: "News Feed"
Coalition to Save Our GPS: "Articles"
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Book of the Month:
New in the library:
Official Map of the City of Oakdale
City of Manteca Monuments - Draft of Monument Recovery Book
San Joaquin County, more Subdivisions Maps (now completed), Parcel Maps and Record of Surveys...
BPELSG - New Senior Registrar Land Surveyor
The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) is pleased to announce that Raymond Mathe, PLS, has accepted the position of Senior Registrar Land Surveyor, effective February 28, 2012. In 2004, Mr. Mathe was appointed by the County of Orange Board of Supervisors to serve as the County Surveyor. Prior to his position at the County, Mr. Mathe worked as a Project Manager at a private engineering and land surveying firm and served as the Deputy County Surveyor for the County of Riverside. Mr. Mathe obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1995. Mr. Mathe's experience and knowledge of BPELSG's mission and operations, particularly with respect to licensing examination development and the Professional Land Surveyors Act, will prove to be very beneficial to the Board's licensees, applicants, and the public.