I will start by saying that I am licensed in both Georgia and Tennessee. I am looking into getting licensed in Arkansas at the request of my employer.
Looking at the experience section on the online application it is specific as to boundary experience in the PLSS. I have about 18 months of experience working in Alabama as a crew chief under an Alabama PLS working on boundary work.
Before I send in the $200 fee, I was looking for input on how likely I am to be approved since I am licensed in two colonial states.
Hopefully someone on this forum has experience with a similar situation.
Thanks and Happy New Year 2017.
I have been licensed in Arkansas since 2001. Both the requirements and the test have changed considerably since I took it. I cannot comment on the experience in the PLSS state requirement, as I had some experience in the PLSS working for a PLS/RLS that was licensed in both MS and AR at the time.
I will say that if you are approved, or even seriously considering the AR exam, get a copy of the Arkansas State Surveyor's Handbook by Dick Elgin. It is a MUST if you are going to take the test. The older AR boundary law book that is out of print is available (I believe), from the State Surveyor's office on DVD/CD. AR and MO are not quite the same as the rest of the PLSS states. There are some slight differences.
I believe that the ASPS does put on a review class at the Spring Workshop.
Good luck!
Jimmy Cleveland, post: 406487, member: 91 wrote: ..I will say that if you are approved, or even seriously considering the AR exam, get a copy of the Arkansas State Surveyor's Handbook by Dick Elgin. Good luck!
I understand one must study Tiffin's Instructions, too.
paden cash, post: 406499, member: 20 wrote: I understand one must study Tiffin's Instructions, too.
You are 100% correct Paden. Tiffin's Instructions are a part of that book. Both Arkansas and Missouri were surveyed under Tiffin's Instructions of 1815.
Here is a picture of the Arkansas Book I mentioned. 
The book comes with a hard spine, but it comes apart. The binding company did not do a good job on the binding. Several people have had to take it to a Staples or Office Depot to get it spiral bound. The cost was about $7 or so.
ND application asks for PLSS years and cadastral, as well as many thing like boundary, row, cad, research et al....they want to see a specific amount. for them it was 1 year of plss and 1 year of cadastral. so by time I split up a decade numbers got thin. I am thinking AR is asking for a similar thing? 18 months may only be 3 months plss, 3 boundary, 6 staking, 6 engineering topo.......
Jimmy Cleveland, post: 406487, member: 91 wrote:
I will say that if you are approved, or even seriously considering the AR exam, get a copy of the Arkansas State Surveyor's Handbook by Dick Elgin. It is a MUST if you are going to take the test. The older AR boundary law book that is out of print is available (I believe), from the State Surveyor's office on DVD/CD. AR and MO are not quite the same as the rest of the PLSS states. There are some slight differences.
I understand what you are trying to say, but there is a lot of variation across PLSS states, and no state is the same as any other. For example, the differences between AR and OK, pale in comparison to the differences between AK and AL, or even OK and NM.
aliquot, post: 406829, member: 2486 wrote: I understand what you are trying to say, but there is a lot of variation across PLSS states, and no state is the same as any other. For example, the differences between AR and OK, pale in comparison to the differences between AK and AL, or even OK and NM.
I agree 100%. The point I was trying to make was that the Arkansas book is crucial to surveying in Arkansas because of the instructions in place for the original surveys in both Arkansas and Missouri. Missouri has the a version of the book as well.
I have applied to AR as well. My application goes to in front of the board on the 10th. Hopefully I will be approved to sit for the exam. The book that Jimmy mentioned is very important. I was able to get my from Dr. Elgin and he signed for good luck. If the Arkansas test is anything like Missouri the example problems in the books are exactly like the one you will see on the test.
If you are not comfortable or experienced in PLSS states I assume the test will be difficult. You simply have to know the procedures very well and recall the correct procedures very quickly.
I think it's great that Arkansas requires PLSS experience. Do any other states require this?
Every state is unique and has its own set of required skills, but I don't think most testing and experience requirements reflect this. To many states just require a test on State statute and codes.
PLSS states require PLSS experience and metes and bounds experience. While a colonial state surveyor can be great without even knowing what a section is.
