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History of Surveying in Virginia and old regulations etc.
Does anyone have any old information historical documents about the beginning of required licensure and methods and such for the state of Virginia. I have through various means been able to find information pre USA so pre revolutionary war for colonial times to a short time after but loose the trail in the 1800’s. When I pick up the trail again it is in the mid to early 1900’s . I have been able to read through old or shall we say early 1900’s “Letters” that were written via what is now known as the NGS. Where corespondents to city engineers as they were called etc. But was trying to have a better understanding of the rules and standards practices and the changes historically up to present time.
It is very interesting to see around the 1930’s which from the NGS and at the time they worked with Stem and other states in the state plane coordinate systems and converting the geodetic latitude and longitude from the triangulation survey control back bone to the cities at the request of engineers and surveyors in cities for use in every day survey services. The argument is still going on today. As the. NGS argued for coordinates created very precisely in a known system to be utilized and base topographical and boundary surveys on. Now we do it for the GIS of counties and cities to place a few coordinates on the system at which the all maps and plats were being requested and discussed to place on those as well
Anyway as I prepare and just learn more personally about surveying practices that have been done here in Virginia it is been somewhat difficult to find written books and or old manuals for the education of my personal interest.
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11 Replies
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Since registration or licensure is usually required by state statutes, have you searched the legislative acts of Virginia? If you’re lucky there may be a searchable online resource. If not, you may wish to go to a state law library and hit the indexes.
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Yeah I have been going through some of that for sure. Just slow lol.
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Hey Jeff, this sounds like a really interesting project you’re taking on. Keep us updated on how it goes. If I come across anything I’ll definitely share.
I don’t know if this specifically applies to your interest in regulations per se, but the Library of Congress has some maybe tangential information available related to surveying practices during the Civil War. Here’s a link to get you started, if you’re interested in going down that rabbit hole:
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Thank you. Oh sometimes well many times I can’t sleep. So I just find some rabbit hole to keep my mind going. I like history and have almost read all NGS publications from the 1800’s up to around the 1950’s. I really enjoyed the old letters they wrote. Some is outdated information some has that historical spin to it that I enjoy. When you are reading things in early 1900’s and terms like least squares comes up and such along with things that are still being used today it is just fun. The same arguments today are still going on as they were in the beginning LOL.
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I hope you write a book on the history you find!
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Have you seen my grammar. LOL. My wife who has had to review some papers for me would kill me if I told her I was writing a book. I do love history and love learning for sure. But I can accept that my writing skills are not good enough to do something like that. But I am having fun learning for sure. It keeps my mind occupied on sleepless nights for sure.
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I would love to proofread that book! Let me know if you get serious!
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Well if you ever proofread my stuff that might send you over the top. LOL. You would have no hair and probably just throw in the towel and give up and say humankind is finished LOL.
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From the Virginia APELSIDLA website:
Start on Page 12 or so. Quite interesting reading.https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/Boards/APELS/APELSCIDLA_Centennial.pdf
Virginia Law for Registration of Professional Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors Effective June 19th, 1920 Registration optional; present practitioners are not limited as to time within which to register.
Administration – Board of three architects, three engineers, and three land surveyors, appointed by the Governor. In determining qualifications of applicants for certification as architects, majority vote of architect members of board, only, is required; similarly for engineers, and land surveyors.
Application for Examination – Made to State Board for Examination and Certification of Architects, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, Richmond, Va.
Professional Requirements – Law covers all those practicing professionally one or more branches of engineering, architecture, or land surveying, as certified practitioners. Experience without degree; To practice architecture or engineering – not less than four years of practical experience under the direction or supervision of a certified architect or certified engineer, or architect or engineer of equivalent standing; to practice land surveying – not less than two years of practical experience under the direction or supervision of a certified land surveyor, or land surveyor of equivalent professional standing. Educational allowances: Time spent as a student of architecture, engineering, or land surveying in a college or school of recognized standing is considered the equivalent of an equal amount of practical experience. Society membership: No provision.
General requirements – Citizenship of United States necessary – or a declaration to become a citizen. Age: At least 21 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good character. Registration not compulsory. Law merely protects the terms “certified architect”, “certified professional engineer”, and “certified land surveyor”.
Examinations. – Required of all applicants except those in practice at the time the law becomes effective and those from other States. Scope and nature: To be prescribed by the Board. Frequency: At least once each year at Richmond, Va., and at such other places and times as the Board may designate.
Fees. – For each examination: $20.00. For certificate without examination: $5.00 to residents of six years’ practice of architecture or engineering or two years’ of land surveying at the time the law goes into effect.
Expirations and Renewals. – No provisions.
Significance of Certificate. – Public work: No provision. Private work: Not necessary to have certificate to carry on work, unless designations “certified professional engineer”, “certified architect” or “certified land surveyor,” are used. Seals. – No provision. Exemptions (See also Reciprocity”). – Present practitioners may be granted certificates without examination, upon payment of fee and upon satisfactory evidence, for architects and engineers, of not less than six years, and for land surveyors, of not less than two years, of professional practice. Engineers are not excluded from the practice of architecture, nor architects from the practice of engineering.
Reciprocity. – Non-resident practitioners: Examination may be waived if the applicant is from another State where the qualifications prescribed are equal to those prescribed in Virginia, provided a like privilege is granted to applicants from Virginia in that State.
Revocation of Certificates. – Certificates may be revoked for cause only after a hearing at which the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, to introduce evidence, and to examine and cross-examine witnesses.
Penalties. – After six months from the date the Act becomes effective, the use by any person of the title of “certified professional engineer”, “certified architect,” or “certified land surveyor” without compliance wi6th the provisions of the Act shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and such person shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100.
Legislative Information. – Chapter 328 (S. B. 226), approved March 19th, 1920.
Carl
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Thank you.
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