Surveying industry has missed many buses!
It's a crazy idea to consider and I did a little more digging.
This is a 1 time offer and the board appears to be strictly stating that no practice of traditional surveying will be allowed for these licensees. (I'm sure a GIS exception license could seal boundaries if nobody was looking, but this would/ should be a serious violation if they get reviewed).
I discovered that a similar, 1 time exception was offered to photogrammetrists back in the 90's.
For me the question is still, what will the future hold? GIS requires PLS? GIS data shifting towards survey grade?
Wasn't there a thread discussing the future and accurately positioned maps (surveyed boundaries) being available through web-interface at the click of a mouse... "gigabytes" get cheaper everyday. facial recognitition and digital security cams are creating video databases of entire lives... Whoah, the future needs to slow the 'f' down. where's my coffee? I'm losing orbit, here. :'(
On the whole, I use GIS interfaces. I talk to my local GIS guys and receive "planning-grade" locations on existing utilities, drainage patterns, etc.
I have inquired on building GIS clientelle, but it seems like the small towns aren't going to/ can't pay for it and the big towns already have cadillac firms. That's just like utility work, though.
Going to get offline now or the end of March is going to crush me. Have a good one, y'all.