PS — Surveying Degree Pathway
Detailed licensing requirements and pathways
LICENSE GRADE
Professional Surveyor
STATUS
current
EFFECTIVE DATE
2024-01-01
BASELINE MAPPING
pr_ps_surveying_degree
SOURCE SUMMARY
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended by Act 185 of 1997, Act 74 of 1998, Acts 047 and 104 of 1999) and Bylaw Number 7749 approved September 23, 2009; Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended) with NCEES credential evaluation requirements per Bylaw Number 7749
Requirements at a Glance
Visual summary of what this pathway requires
Education
ABET
Bachelor
or
NCEES-EVALUATED
Bachelor
Exams
FS PS LAW FS PS LAW
Experience
4.0 years
Professional practice
Additional
• Ethics
Core Licensure Requirements
Requirements for professional surveyor licensure. Specific requirements require reference to detailed regulations not provided in this summary document.
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
EDUCATION
degree_level: BS
discipline: surveying
accreditation: EAC/ABET
notes: ABET-accredited surveying degree or NCEES-evaluated equivalent
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); Bylaw Number 7749 of September 23, 2009
Document references ABET accreditation and NCEES evaluation for surveyors. Specific degree requirements inferred from standard practice.
70% confidence
EXAM
exam: FS
notes: Fundamentals of Surveying examination administered through NCEES
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); Bylaw Number 7749 of September 23, 2009
Document references Surveyor in Training certification and NCEES guidance. FS exam is standard first step.
80% confidence
EXPERIENCE
years_required: 4.0
progressive: True
under_pe_ps_supervision: True
notes: Progressive surveying experience under PS supervision - exact years require verification from detailed regulations
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); Bylaw Number 7749 of September 23, 2009; NCEES guidance
Standard NCEES model requires 4 years experience. Document states Board uses NCEES Policies and Procedures as guidance.
60% confidence
EXAM
exam: PS
notes: Principles and Practice of Surveying examination
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); Bylaw Number 7749 of September 23, 2009
PS exam required for professional licensure. Document references professional licenses and NCEES examination administration.
80% confidence
EXAM
exam: LAW
jurisdiction_specific: True
notes: Revalidation examination for surveying administered by Didaxis
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); administered by Didaxis
Document specifically mentions revalidation examinations in surveying administered by contracted company Didaxis
70% confidence
Professional College Membership
Additional requirement beyond basic licensure
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
ETHICS
description: Active membership in College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico
notes: Required to practice surveying in Puerto Rico in public or private sector
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended) - Professional Practice Requirements
Explicitly stated in Professional Practice Requirements section as requirement to practice the profession
95% confidence
Foreign Credential Evaluation
Pathway for applicants with surveying degrees from non-ABET accredited institutions
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
EDUCATION
degree_level: BS
discipline: surveying
accreditation: NCEES-EVALUATED
notes: Degree from non-US institution evaluated by NCEES for substantial equivalency
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); Bylaw Number 7749 - Credential Evaluation section
Document explicitly states NCEES is charged with evaluation of credentials from non-ABET institutions. Other evaluations not accepted.
90% confidence
EXAM
exam: FS
notes: Fundamentals of Surveying examination
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); NCEES guidance
FS exam required following NCEES model pathway structure
80% confidence
EXPERIENCE
years_required: 4.0
progressive: True
under_pe_ps_supervision: True
notes: Progressive surveying experience under PS supervision
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended); NCEES guidance
Standard experience requirement following NCEES model
60% confidence
EXAM
exam: PS
notes: Principles and Practice of Surveying examination
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended)
PS exam required for professional licensure
80% confidence
EXAM
exam: LAW
jurisdiction_specific: True
notes: Revalidation examination for Puerto Rico surveying practice
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended)
Jurisdiction-specific examination administered by Didaxis
70% confidence
Professional College Membership
Required for practice in Puerto Rico
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
ETHICS
description: Active membership in College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico
Required
Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors - Licensure Framework
Act No. 173 of August 12, 1988 (as amended) - Professional Practice Requirements
Mandatory for all practicing surveyors in Puerto Rico
95% confidence