So I'm new to this forum and new to surveying in general. I have a question regarding eligibility to take the FS exam that I was hoping some of you might be able to answer (specifically NY state, but any input is appreciated). For a little background, I have a bachelors degree in civil engineering, but I chose to take a surveying position and intend to stick with this profession. At this point I've been working in this field for about 6 months now. I'm sort of a combination rodman/instrument person/drafter/office tech. I realize I'm probably not ready for the exam at this point, but I recently started studying and reading various textbooks on my own.
What I'm wondering is, do any of you know if a person with my background would likely be granted permission to take the FS exam in NY state? I pasted below some excerpts from the NY state requirements.
Part 1 - Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
For candidates NOT from a baccalaureate ABET accredited Program
If you have not graduated from either an EAC or ETAC ABET accredited bachelors program in surveying, you must download and submit the New York State Land Surveying Application Forms and $70 fee so that your qualifications can be reviewed for approval by the Department. Once approved, you will be made eligible to sit for the FS exam via a letter sent to you from the NYS Board for Engineering and Land Surveying (Board) that will include instructions for how to schedule and pay the exam administrative fee with NCEES. Do not attempt to schedule the exam until you have received your letter of eligibility from the Board.
So it seems to me that they have some discretion and flexibility in who they allow to take the FS exam. I haven't tried contacting the board yet, but I heard they're no help if you try calling, and I don't feel like spending $70 to find out "no". Just wondering if any of you know how they generally judge these things.
I'd also like to throw a second question out there. As far as eventual licensure, does anyone happen to know what a BS in civil engineering counts for as far as years of experience? As you can see below, NY requires 8 years total, you get 2 years for an associates, 4 for a bachelors. Those are obviously for surveying degrees. I'm wondering what they would count for a BS in civil - the 2 years I would get for an associates? more? less? Thanks in advance for any input.
Education and Experience Requirements
Eligibility for licensure is based on a combination of education and/or experience totaling 8 years beyond high school graduation. The credit awarded for education determines the required number of years of experience needed.
Approved Accredited/Registered Programs
Approved accredited/registered programs are master's, baccalaureate and associate degree programs in surveying, surveying engineering, surveying engineering technology, or a similar surveying-related title accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). For such ABET accredited programs, you would receive:
four years of education and experience credit for a baccalaureate degree; and
two years for an associate's degree.
Proportional credit may be awarded for other education completed, depending on the course content.
It sounds like you're on the right track. I went through the whole NYS exam process a few years ago.
First off, the position you're in now is GREAT. You need ALL aspects of the profession to be granted permission to test. If you're drafting 100% of the time or stuck out in the field, you're not getting the required experience. Your job is good.
I got 2 years for my non-ABET surveying program, and quite possibly some additional time for my BS in Forestry...I can barely remember the specifics, sorry.
As for your CE background, I think you'd have a pretty good chance of being able to sit for the FS...dare I say maybe even the PS. You should call them, it's not that bad. Jane or someone in the office will be able to help you.
On the other hand, the plus side of paying the $70 fee and filling out the form is you will get a nice letter back even if you don't qualify. It will outline your deficient experience requirements and then you know where you stand.
So, in conclusion: call the Office of Professions. Everyones own experience is unique and different from others. You wont know any concrete answers till ya ask.
Good luck on your journey, and brace yourself for the actual NCEES testing fees on top of the NYS application fee...oy.. 🙂
Feel free to use the email next to my name if you have any questions.
Much appreciated. I may email you at some point. I did just want to clarify something. Maybe we were on the same page anyway or maybe not. I assumed I would be eligible for the FS and the PS at some point, given enough time. What I was wondering is the likeleyhood I could take the FS in the near future, not years from now. Like If a few more months go by and I feel confident that I might be ready to take a shot. I know it'll be a decision for the board, just wondering the general opinion. I realize it wouldn't make much of a difference in my life, doesn't grant me any authority or autonomy or change in job description. Just a small accomplishment and a step to licensing out of the way and something to put on a resume.
I hear what you're saying. Depending on the cross pollination of your undergraduate CE course work, I guess it could swing either way, but probably ending up with a credit of some sort in a worst case scenario.
You're not going to know where you stand until you have them review your history though. And that's what sticks, despite what I or anyone else on the internet says 🙂
I have not reviewed the requirements for this post, but in the past the only way to take the FS in NY before meeting the full 8 year requirement, was to graduate with a BS in surveying. And, because civil programs are not all the same, the only way to know how much credit is to submit. Seventy bucks is not much to get an idea of where you stand in relation to the licensing process. Many will take the FS in another State (such as PA) where they do qualify because it is easier the closer you take it to your education. Just remember that experience credit given for the LS can not also be used for the PE, and vice versa. I had one student who was fairly upset because he submitted much more experience than needed for the PE, then later the board rejected much of his surveying experience toward the LS.
Not to be a stick in the mud but I doubt they will let you in to take even the FS in the NEAR future. It's really a case by case basis. I know that there are only three colleges in the state that are accredited and accepted by the board to fulfill education requirements, Paul Smiths, Alfred and Wanakena. They may give you credit for individual survey classes that you had as part of your engineering degree but you'd have to talk to them about it. I took the exam just over 3 years ago and at that time the head guy of the licensing board was Joe Berger. Not sure if he is still the head or not but he is definitely still on the board. I ran into him at the NYSAPLS Conference a couple weeks ago. You may even want to give him a call to just get an idea. Or as others have said, apply and see what happens! $70 is a rather inexpensive assesment.
