FL/GA PLS., post: 416501, member: 379 wrote: I havenÛªt a clue, but suspect someone with financial sense finally reviewed the books. The Florida Society went through this in the `80Ûªs when the then ÛÏExecutive DirectorÛ was accused of embezzling $130k from the operating account.
Possibly similar circumstances combined with ego on some members part if you are one to believe local gossip. I want nothing to do with the state society given their questionable history. I have also heard whispers that our wonderful governor is considering taking another run at deregulating some professions again, possibly ours included. Let us hope the society, provided they are still a functioning body, are not caught flat footed like last time if this does happen again.
Florida seems to be making it extra hard for out of state residents to maintain their Florida license. There are good reasons for that. Licensing exists for the protection of the public of the state and not for the convenience of the registrant. How does having surveyors from out of state helicopter in and helicopter out serve the public better?
I agree Mark, some nexus needs to be shown... for either enabling or prohibiting.
Peter Ehlert, post: 416239, member: 60 wrote: I don't have a dog in this fight.
But.... I am still waiting for some showing of Benefit to The Public for mandatory continuing education for land surveyors.
Mark Mayer, post: 416505, member: 424 wrote: Florida seems to be making it extra hard for out of state residents to maintain their Florida license. There are good reasons for that. Licensing exists for the protection of the public of the state and not for the convenience of the registrant. How does having surveyors from out of state helicopter in and helicopter out serve the public better?
Please enlighten me on how Florida is making it "extra hard for out of state residents to maintain their Florida license."? Seems to me they are attempting to make it easier than it was in the past. You only need to earn 24 hours over a two year period. The Board provides a list of approved CEU providers as well as approved CEU courses. With the advancement in on-line and correspondence CEU education it has never been easier. You no longer have to give up a Saturday or a billable work day to take in a class room seminar that you might have to go out of town to attend. I completed my necessary hours at my own pace from the comfort of my recliner. Correspondence book in one have and a beer in the other. What is so extra hard about that?
Arthur Nudge, post: 416522, member: 12531 wrote: Please enlighten me on how Florida is making it "extra hard for out of state residents to maintain their Florida license."?
First - If I've personally offended you or someone you care about I apologize.
To address your question - By not recognizing CEU's acquired out of state, without their specific prior approval.
Mark Mayer, post: 416505, member: 424 wrote: Florida seems to be making it extra hard for out of state residents to maintain their Florida license. There are good reasons for that. Licensing exists for the protection of the public of the state and not for the convenience of the registrant. How does having surveyors from out of state helicopter in and helicopter out serve the public better?
I disagree. Being out of state, and coming in every so often to perform a survey, doesn't necessarily mean that you're doing a bad job or not surveying up to snuff. This has nothing to do with one state not accepting continuing ed. that all of your other states you're licensed in are content with accepting.
Arthur Nudge, post: 416502, member: 12531 wrote: Sorry to disappoint you Skippy. Happily licensed over 25 years. Have not worked in Singapore but have made a couple of trips to the Middle East to work there. I'm betting that you spend most of your time in the State of Confusion.
You're 14 posts in, in your first week, and you're throwing insults at guys who've been here for years? Smooth
JPH, post: 416526, member: 6636 wrote: You're 14 posts in, in your first week, and you're throwing insults at guys who've been here for years? Smooth
I noticed that too. verry trollish
I often wonder if these nameless ones are actually a second persona created just to stir the pot, or actual split personality
Robert Hill, post: 416498, member: 378 wrote: For discussion?
There are plenty of multi-state license holders or those who are thinking of becoming multi-state licensees that may benefit from a discussion of the hurdles of continuing education requirements.
It is most likely for economic reasons that if you are practicing in the NW Fl panhandle area that you become registered in the adjoining states and vice versa. I see that AL status as a FL CEU provider may facilitate the ease and expense of multi state license holders in that area.
In some areas, there are states who jointly host a conference to provide CEUs for attendees. Some are tri-state functions.
Why shouldn't it be discussed here, god knows everything else in the world of surveying has been posted here.Anyway Andy...nice use of CAPS in your post. Very bigly done. Do you tweet too.
Hurdles? It's so easy.. order the take home class, review the material and take the test at home.
I learned the random CAPS from Loyal Olson! He is a master, I am but a lowly Student.
Mark Mayer, post: 416523, member: 424 wrote: First - If I've personally offended you or someone you care about I apologize.
To address your question - By not recognizing CEU's acquired out of state, without their specific prior approval.
No need to apologize as no offense taken. I just don't understand how some see it being so hard to get CEU credits when outside of Florida. Maybe I would see it differently if I were in your shoes.
JPH, post: 416526, member: 6636 wrote: You're 14 posts in, in your first week, and you're throwing insults at guys who've been here for years? Smooth
Lighten up Francis and don't take things so seriously. But I'm trying my best. If I have not insulted you yet please give me time and i will get to you eventually. So many insults, so little time.
Peter Ehlert, post: 416531, member: 60 wrote: I noticed that too. verry trollish
I often wonder if these nameless ones are actually a second persona created just to stir the pot, or actual split personality
Yes, I am really a civil engineer trolling here to cause fear and spread panic within the surveying community here. And it looks like my plan is working already!
Arthur Nudge, post: 416564, member: 12531 wrote: Yes, I am really a civil engineer trolling here to cause fear and spread panic within the surveying community here. And it looks like my plan is working already!
#triggered
Obviously an easy task...
Arthur Nudge, post: 416500, member: 12531 wrote: You still do not get it Mr. Young. Florida is not allowing CEU hours to be awarded because the company, organization or individual offering the course did not follow the clearly outlined rules that must be adhered to where CEU providers and courses are involved. Don't blame the Florida board because you choose to patronize providers who do not follow Florida's rules.
I get it perfectly. Those rules were formulated in order to funnel more money to connected interests. If I am given credit for any of those three courses I listed, FSMS, and the other special interests don't get one red cent. Florida desires for surveyors to be educated. I got educated. Florida denies me credit because I didn't get my education from a member of the cartel.
JPH, post: 416525, member: 6636 wrote: ...Being out of state, and coming in every so often to perform a survey, doesn't necessarily mean that you're doing a bad job ...
Of course not. But it does mean that some piece of work that might have been done by a tax paying Floridian has left the state. I can see why the people of Florida might want to limit that as far as they can.
Personally I'm glad that Oklahomans and Washingtonians don't feel the same way. But I understand it.
Mark Mayer, post: 416615, member: 424 wrote: Of course not. But it does mean that some piece of work that might have been done by a tax paying Floridian has left the state. I can see why the people of Florida might want to limit that as far as they can.
That would be an unconstitutional restriction of interstate commerce. A state cannot throw up hurdles to out of state practitioners solely because they are out of state.
Tommy Young, post: 416616, member: 703 wrote: That would be an unconstitutional restriction of interstate commerce. A state cannot throw up hurdles to out of state practitioners solely because they are out of state.
If you can prove that is why they are doing it you can take your case to court and probably win. Good luck with that.
Arthur Nudge, post: 416502, member: 12531 wrote: Sorry to disappoint you Skippy. Happily licensed over 25 years. Have not worked in Singapore but have made a couple of trips to the Middle East to work there. I'm betting that you spend most of your time in the State of Confusion.
I see that comprehending sarcasm is not your strong suit.
For the record, there is a path for out of state licensed surveyors to come work in Florida without getting a PSM. So there is no reason for someone to get licensed here if they need to "helicopter" in for a project. I'm sure Tommy is frustrated that he put in all that time and effort and never did any billable work here. But that's not Florida's fault.
If I wanted to work in Georgia, I wouldn't expect them to change their rules for me.
Tommy Young, post: 388829, member: 703 wrote: ..is a joke.
I just got an email from someone giving a 12 hour course on OPUS projects. This course is approved for Florida continuing education.
I took that course as it was given by the NGS. I can't get credit. Why not? Because the NGS isn't going to go through the idiotic process it takes to award credit.
The Obama administration has shown an interest in curtailing these runaway regulatory boards because they are a restraint of trade. The Florida surveyor's board needs to be the next target.
The last time I ranted about the Florida board, they read the message and they called me. I hope they see this.
In spite of some of the comments I think your point should be well taken by all surveyors in all states.
I looked into this with the thought of offering courses, but have put a temporary hold on it hoping a reasonable system would be developed, such as exists with the other professions. Nothing so far.
The way it works with the other professions, and should work for surveying:
1) An interested party applies to be a provider with the national society (NSPS) in our case. Qualifications similar to FL seem fairly reasonable.
2) If approved, the provider pays a yearly stipend to the society of a few hundred dollars, for their work and record keeping.
3) The provider submits courses for approval, again a small (one time) fee of couple hundred for each course to cover review and record keeping.
4) The approved provider offers the approved course in the approved setting any time and anywhere in the country and all states accept it.
5) Done.
6) Don't need CEU's, you still benefit by having courses available that might interest you and have some vetting and peer review before being offered.
What about state specific, taught by experts in that particular states laws, rules, regulations? Simple, require a certain few credits of that each cycle. Normally an expert in one state will have expertise that can be shared in all states as well. You might even get more state specific material this way as the author will be more willing to put time in research and development of courses (state specific and otherwise) if they can more easily be offered to a wider audience.
All of the above should result in more offerings, higher quality, more competition; which means easier for surveyors to comply (especially if multiple licenses), more likely to not repeat un-needed courses, and maybe even lower cost to the surveyor.
Downside? I don't see any, but I'm sure you all will tell me in no uncertain terms:)
