question concerning LSIT

[Mark Mayer]

In order to be enrolled as a LSIT in Washington you have to a) complete the required 4 years experience and b) pass the test. See RCW 18.43.020 and 18.43.040.

Your friend can take and pass the test by qualifying under another state’s more lenient entrance requirements but she won’t be enrolled as an LSIT in Washington until she has the time in service. I’m not sure whether Washington will make her retake the test after getting here experience time in or not. Not that it really makes all that much difference. The LSIT is mainly symbolic – it doesn’t allow you any special privileges – except that it looks great on a resume or business card. Which I recommend your friend not take advantage of until she is properly enrolled in the state she is practising in.

The Fundamentals of Surveying is a national test – the same nationwide. Except Texas, I think.

[weighted mean]

Washington will generally accept the LSIT as a “black box” four years of experience, and an LSIT is an LSIT nationally.
No one will fuss that your LSIT is from another state.

The only potentially deceitful thing is that California asks you to sign “on your own recognizance” for the non-school experience. Read their requirements and make that decision for yourself. Two or three years of self-study and attending LSAW meetings sounds fine to me.

Washington knows full well that there is a local paradox wherein the people with experience-only have a hard time passing the LSIT
and the people with a 2 year degree have a hard time finding work in the industry to get the required experience because they know too much.

Washington knows full well that most people sitting for the LS exam got their LSIT in another state. They will not make you retake the test. They will cheer for you.

It used to be you had to take a little drive to Kali to take that LSIT. Now with the electronic test you can take the Kali LSIT at a testing center in Washington. You kids these days have it easy. Go take that LSIT. Don’t be afraid of offending anyone. It’s your career, not someone else’s opinion.

[john-putnam]

First, the LSIT is a national test. But, as I recall, since California does not have the same experience requirements that the rest of the west coast uses you will have to wait a little longer to sit for your LS in either Oregon or Washington. Technically you should not call yourself a LSIT in those states either although I don’t think the Board is out looking for offenders.

[Andy Nold]

Mark Mayer, post: 353338, member: 424 wrote: The Fundamentals of Surveying is a national test – the same nationwide. Except Texas, I think.

NCEES FS is the same in Texas.

[Ric-Moore]

otherleft89, post: 353333, member: 8505 wrote: Hello,
I’m relatively new to the surveying field. (2 years of schooling + 1.5 work experience)
I am going to test for my LSIT soon.
I was wondering is this a national test?
I ask because a former classmate of mine recently tested in Washington State. (where we both live work and went to school) She went directly through the NCEES website and just chose California as her “governing body”. Despite not living there.
She did this because Washington requires one year more experience than California does.

So I guess my question is, Is that a legitimate loop hole? do companies frown on that kind of thing?
It just seems deceitful to me.
Would you be rewarded a California number? Hows it work?

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks for reading!

Otherleft89 – You are referring to the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam that is developed and administered by NCEES and that is used by licensing boards to certify individuals (i.e., Land Surveyor in Training, Surveyor Intern, etc.) moving through the steps towards licensure. Some states do not have a certification process and only require passing the FS exam as one of the requirements towards licensure.

About half the states now allow the candidates to sit for the FS exam prior to actually applying to the board for certification as an LSIT, Surveyor Intern, etc. And NCEES accommodated those boards by designing the system that requires each candidate to affirm that they meet the requirements for certification for the state they chose in the NCEES system when registering.

Other than some states having a residency requirement, there is nothing that is stopping candidates from picking any state they wish to pick when registering for this exam. But this is not new. There was nothing that stopped candidates from applying with any state in the past and when approved, travelling to that state to sit for the paper exams.

In California, after passing the FS exam, the candidate can submit an application to the board for LSIT certification. This application will describe the necessary education/experience required to qualify in addition to passing the FS exam. Once approved, a certificate and number is provided.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me [email][email protected][/email]

[summerprophet]

LSIT, (or Fundamental of surveying as it is now called), is managed and proctored by NCEES on behalf of the State.

What does this mean?
It means that the LSIT is authorized by the State you tested in, but most states farm out the actual testing, grading and management to a National organization.

Regardless, it IS recognized nationally, with no regard as to where you sat for the exam. It is not an easy test, and it does set a good standard and benchmark of your skill level, particularly when it comes to employment.

As far as practicing as an LSIT in a state where you don’t yet meet the requirements, I see that as a non-issue. An LSIT cannot sign anything, and operates under a LS. Nobody is going to be seeking out violators on such meaningless terminology issues.

[Iceman]

NCEES website and just chose California as her “governing body”. Despite not living there.
She did this because Washington requires one year more experience than California does.
So I guess my question is, Is that a legitimate loop hole? do companies frown on that kind of thing?
It just seems deceitful to me.

I was taught never to take short cuts in anything,including surveying.
Live in Washington,apply in that state,and put in your experience.

It is deceitful to me,just put in your time.

[Ric-Moore]

Noticing that several have mentioned deceitful. What do you all think about an unlicensed person living/working in one state and applying/getting licensed in another state? How is that deceitful?

When the OP mentioned a person choosing a different board (state) when registering with NCEES, that person provides their address and contact information. How are they being deceitful?

[thebionicman]

I know of no State that would require you to retake the test. That said the Board in Washington will still want to see the experience (time). If the person is ready to test go for it, just don’t expect the time constraints to change.
15 years ago I was working at a firm with offices in multiple States. I took my exams in a neighboring State (where I did work). I have gotten 2 more licenses since, one of which is in my State of residence. I see nothing wrong with that process. There would be a problem the minute I had to stretch truth to make it work.

[paul-in-pa]

Passing the NCEES FS (Fundamentals of Surveying) exam does not imply anyone is an LSIT (Land Surveyor in Training).

LSIT requirements vary by states. Some states might assume you are an LSIT after passing the exam and other states are more specific. In fact in PA one can take the FS exam before graduating but you would not become an LSIT until receiving the degree if that is part of the requirement for you. Same is true for the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam. I took the FE in college but my EIT (Engineering in Training) certificate was dated for the date of my CE BS degree. I took the PE about 8 years later.

For surveying I was approved under a part of the law that allowed me to sit for the FS and PS on the same weekend, having previously accumulated the experience.

Some states require that you specifically apply for the LSIT at which time your experience for that state begins. Other states will count your experience no matter when it began (even before the FS exam) and there are flavors in between.

In PA had I applied under a different part of the law, when I took the FS, my previous experience would have been wiped out. Then I would have started from zero to accumulate experience before being allowed to take the PS.

Paul in PA

[branndon]

otherleft89 – Off topic slightly, I’d highly encourage you to spend 3 to 6 months studying. Utilize the NCEES study workbooks. I took my FS exam 2 1/2 years ago and had 8 years of field experience (Not required) and a BS upon taking the exam. I had completed my schooling while working full time, so ‘class room’ education was obtained while I was able to apply it… making it much more valuable. I utilized the NCEES workbook and others similar on a daily basis, and had a tremendous amount of confidence as I sat in that day long exam.