PS — Experience-Based Pathway
Detailed licensing requirements and pathways
LICENSE GRADE
Professional Surveyor
STATUS
current
EFFECTIVE DATE
2024-01-01
SOURCE SUMMARY
Pathway for PS licensure based on extensive qualifying experience with approved four-year surveying curriculum. May qualify for FS waiver with 15+ years of experience.
Requirements at a Glance
Visual summary of what this pathway requires
Education
BOARD_APPROVED
Bachelor
Exams
FS PS LAW
Experience
15.0 years
Professional practice
References
4
References
Education Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
EDUCATION
degree_level: BS
discipline: land surveying
accreditation: BOARD_APPROVED
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8741.1(c)(2)
Graduation from approved four-year land surveying curriculum required to qualify for FS waiver pathway with 15+ years experience.
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Examination Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
EXAM
exam: FS
Optional
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8741.1(c)(2)
NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam may be waived if applicant is graduate of approved four-year land surveying curriculum and submits satisfactory evidence of 15 years or more of qualifying experience.
100% confidence
EXAM
exam: PS
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Article 4 Examination Requirements
NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam required.
100% confidence
EXAM
exam: LAW
jurisdiction_specific: True
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
California state-specific Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) exam requirement
California state-specific Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) exam administered twice yearly. 2-hour exam covering Professional Land Surveyors' Act, Board Rules, and related surveying law topics.
100% confidence
Experience Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
EXPERIENCE
years_required: 15.0
progressive: True
under_pe_ps_supervision: True
broad_based: True
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8741.1(c)(2); Section 8742; Title 16 CCR Section 425
15 years or more of qualifying experience required to qualify for FS waiver. Experience must be completed by date of application submittal, calculated on actual time basis not to exceed 40 hours per week. Must demonstrate broad-based progressive responsibility in land surveying work.
100% confidence
Reference Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
REFERENCES
count: 4
from_pe_ps_only: True
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8743
Minimum of four (4) completed Work Experience Engagement/Reference forms required from land surveyors or civil engineers duly qualified to practice, with sufficient knowledge to certify applicant's qualifications.
100% confidence