Looking to apply for the LA exam. It's a pretty in depth application process so I have to make it count. It's been awhile since I looked into any of this stuff, well not too long but long enough for me to forget.
Seems like the requirement for taking the NCEES Exam is taking place in most surrounding states. How do I found out if I the RPLS exam I took in Texas in 2009 was a NCEES exam, without calling the board and looking like a idiot?
Any good resources for studying?
I think that's the reason for the NCEES exam - for reciprocity purposes. You should still have to take the State specific portion for LA.
It is my understanding that the FS and the PS exams are the NCEES exams. Each State has their own state specific test for laws and state specific issues they want to test applicants on.
TXSurveyor, post: 408851, member: 6719 wrote: Looking to apply for the LA exam. It's a pretty in depth application process so I have to make it count. It's been awhile since I looked into any of this stuff, well not too long but long enough for me to forget.
Seems like the requirement for taking the NCEES Exam is taking place in most surrounding states. How do I found out if I the RPLS exam I took in Texas in 2009 was a NCEES exam, without calling the board and looking like a idiot?
Any good resources for studying?
I believe the TX Suvey Board doesn't use the national PS exam yet. When you apply to LA, they will need a verification from the TX board so it's worth your while to check ahead of time. Call the TX board. Believe me you won't look like an idiot. Be prepared, LA board may require you to take the PS exam.
TXSurveyor, post: 408851, member: 6719 wrote: Looking to apply for the LA exam. It's a pretty in depth application process so I have to make it count. It's been awhile since I looked into any of this stuff, well not too long but long enough for me to forget.
Seems like the requirement for taking the NCEES Exam is taking place in most surrounding states. How do I found out if I the RPLS exam I took in Texas in 2009 was a NCEES exam, without calling the board and looking like a idiot?
Any good resources for studying?
Let's see, you took an exam in 2009 and have no idea what it was. Are you sure you are ready for LA?
I just assumed that every surveyor every where kept all that info so that it were available for subsequent applications.
Paul in PA
TXSurveyor, post: 408851, member: 6719 wrote: Looking to apply for the LA exam. It's a pretty in depth application process so I have to make it count. It's been awhile since I looked into any of this stuff, well not too long but long enough for me to forget.
Seems like the requirement for taking the NCEES Exam is taking place in most surrounding states. How do I found out if I the RPLS exam I took in Texas in 2009 was a NCEES exam, without calling the board and looking like a idiot?
Any good resources for studying?
the SIT exam you took was the NCEES FS exam. the RPLS exam you took had nothing to do with NCEES. the board won't help you with your question, so here's the short answer: you'll have to take the PS exam, then state specific. that's more than likely going to be the requirement everywhere (has been everywhere i've checked so far). the texas exam, until it is changed in any substantial way, should and could well be renamed the "ken gold exam for SITs who wish to become registered in texas only."
I would be more concerned with the education requirement that LA puts on out of state surveyors. I have looked into it and they are very critical of the courses they want to see. If they do not match exactly you will need to hunt down syllabus and such for them to approve it.
edit to above: you'll only have to pass the NCEES exam once, then it'll just be up to specific states as to their state specific requirements.
i understand why it is this way, but i wish it weren't the case that you must go through a specific state to sit for the PS exam.
The LSPS web site is pretty weak but here are the requirements for licensure:
LAPELS web site has all the info you need:
http://www.lapels.com/Appindiv.html
http://www.lapels.com/docs/Applications/ps/PS_Comity_App_with_checklist_AR.pdf
flyin solo, post: 408879, member: 8089 wrote: the SIT exam you took was the NCEES FS exam. the RPLS exam you took had nothing to do with NCEES. the board won't help you with your question, so here's the short answer: you'll have to take the PS exam, then state specific. that's more than likely going to be the requirement everywhere (has been everywhere i've checked so far). the texas exam, until it is changed in any substantial way, should and could well be renamed the "ken gold exam for SITs who wish to become registered in texas only."
flying solo has it right I believe- when you apply for LA, you will be required to take the PS exam- along with the State Specific. generally, you would take both on the same day- kinda of brutal. should you pass the PS and not the Specific first go around, you can reschedule the State Specific next time around.
Lee D, post: 408886, member: 7971 wrote: The LSPS web site is pretty weak but here are the requirements for licensure:
Here is the approved course list from LAPELS. It is very specific and they do not like it when courses have different names.
http://www.lapels.com/docs/applications/ps/Approved_Survey_Courses.pdf
Paul in PA, post: 408876, member: 236 wrote: Let's see, you took an exam in 2009 and have no idea what it was. Are you sure you are ready for LA?
I just assumed that every surveyor every where kept all that info so that it were available for subsequent applications.
Paul in PA
Well we all know what assuming gets you.
Thanks to everyone else for the help and info provided. I was fairly certain that Texas RPLS exam wasn't an NCEES approved test but things tend to slip my mind on occasion. I should have all the required courses as I took the only course they required that I didn't have in 2015, Ive just had finishing the application on the backburner but now ready to move forward with it after 2 years of studying, of course I could still use some more studying I'm sure.
thanks again!
TXSurveyor, post: 408851, member: 6719 wrote: Looking to apply for the LA exam. It's a pretty in depth application process so I have to make it count. It's been awhile since I looked into any of this stuff, well not too long but long enough for me to forget.
Seems like the requirement for taking the NCEES Exam is taking place in most surrounding states. How do I found out if I the RPLS exam I took in Texas in 2009 was a NCEES exam, without calling the board and looking like a idiot?
Any good resources for studying?
It won't work. You will need to take the PS and then their state specific. You only get a bye on the SIT portion.
The only reason I never sat for those exams in LA was that my two degrees in business and, at the time, being licensed in Texas for 10 years, wasn't enough. I'd have to go back and take 15 hours of rudimentary surveying courses to satisfy their requirements. I already know how to set up a gun.
flyin solo, post: 408884, member: 8089 wrote: edit to above: you'll only have to pass the NCEES exam once, then it'll just be up to specific states as to their state specific requirements.
i understand why it is this way, but i wish it weren't the case that you must go through a specific state to sit for the PS exam.
Not always the case anymore. There are approximately 10 states that allow anyone to register with NCEES and sit for the PS exam before submitting the application to whatever state you want to. And the exam is offered every week day now on a continuous basis. Texas of course hasn't done this, but others have. Must have previously passed the FS exam.
I just finished the process going in the other direction, comity in Texas from another state and I am pretty sure they don't use the NCEES exam for the RPLS Exam. I had to pass a 4 hour Texas specific exam. All the other states that I am licensed in use a 6 hour NCEES Principles & Practices Exam and a 2 hour State Specific exam.
I talked to a surveyor from Texas the other day who has applied for a license in Arkansas, and he indicated that he had to show 1 year of experience working in the USPLS along with proof that he had passed the NCEES Principles & Practice Exam. Because he had already done the NCEES Exam for New Mexico, he had that part covered.
Does LA go back to the rules they used for education, at the time of your original license or do they hold hard to their current education requirements? I am one of the old parts from a time when there were not many 4 year surveying degrees offered.
Do your research, follow their rules and you will not have a problem. When I applied for my license in Missouri, because I knew that Arkansas and Missouri used the same test back them with one question having a different answer, they granted me a license after the interview.
Kris Morgan, post: 408987, member: 29 wrote: It won't work. You will need to take the PS and then their state specific. You only get a bye on the SIT portion.
The only reason I never sat for those exams in LA was that my two degrees in business and, at the time, being licensed in Texas for 10 years, wasn't enough. I'd have to go back and take 15 hours of rudimentary surveying courses to satisfy their requirements. I already know how to set up a gun.
That's ridiculous! IF you're already licensed in the State of Texas, they shouldn't make you take an additional 15 hours of surveying!
Our Board makes it so difficult for anyone to become licensed in La. Hence our shortage of Registered Surveyors!
TXSurveyor, post: 408851, member: 6719 wrote: Looking to apply for the LA exam. It's a pretty in depth application process so I have to make it count. It's been awhile since I looked into any of this stuff, well not too long but long enough for me to forget.
Seems like the requirement for taking the NCEES Exam is taking place in most surrounding states. How do I found out if I the RPLS exam I took in Texas in 2009 was a NCEES exam, without calling the board and looking like a idiot?
Any good resources for studying?
Actually the LSPS & LAPELS website can give you all the info you will need.
I believe they only test twice a year, April & October??? Plus you will have to show proof of your licensure and work history to get around the SIT/2 year requirements, IF they even allow you to bypass the SIT at all!
I have know a few Surveyors who live in Texas, but wanted to get a license in Louisiana, they all said the same thing, the Louisiana boards sees you have a Texas address and turns you down the first time, the 2nd and 3rd time you apply you have to prove to the board you have everything to meet their requirements, even if you have to submit the same document 3 times.
They said the hardest part of the exam, was getting the board to let them sit for the exam.