Construction Surveying in Pennsylvania

Can't speak for PA, but here in AK, no you don't. Sometimes an over zealous engineer throws in the requirement for a LS, but it's not necessary.

-JD-

Unfortunately no they do not.

Section 5. Exemption from Licensure and Registration.
Except as specifi cally provided in this section, this act shall not be
construed to require licensure and registration in the following cases:

(h) The running of lines or grades and layout work on or within
established property limits, or from established points outside
the property limits to or within such property limits when
performed by a contractor or home builder in conjunction with
the construction, reconstruction, alteration, maintenance or
demolition of a structure or other facility.

> Hello everyone this is my first post.
> I have a question that all of you probably have heard a thousand times. My question is it required to have a PLS on staff in order to do construction stake out in Pennsylvania? The reason I ask is there are construction companies looking for surveyors right now in my area that do not say anything about a PLS or even having one on staff. I was just wondering if this is legal.

I worked for a construction company in central PA right out of high school and went to college part time. During that time I did construction stake out without even having a degree. We did have a PLS who was an estimator *BUT* it is not required to have one on staff. The only good thing about having one on staff is dependent of what you are doing. I know for some work for say football fields, they required us to have a PLS verify the placements of the field goals. I loved the construction world and miss being a PSPI (professional stake pounder inner).

There have been a few jobs for PennDOT that they wanted to know if we had a PLS available but we did all the layout and work. I just think they want to know we have one staffed for anything that would need verified or someone to fall on.

Where are you located? I know of some places in my area that are hiring construction surveyors as well.

I think the key element for many states is that a construction company can have their own non-registered surveyors (on their payroll) doing stakeout but if they hire an outside company to do stakeout, then the outside company has to have a registered surveyor. I could be wrong, my wife says I usually am.

James

I have no knowledge of PA laws, but back in MI, here in AZ a contractor can do his own layout. The caveat is that the control must be established by a RLS, and a certificate of survey must be in hand.

This is a slippery slope everywhere. When the PE starts calling out right of way lines, property lines, building setbacks, etc... without benefit of a survey. Opps. Bad PE.

The other caveat is when the governing body requires some certification that the site was constructed "per plan", or worse yet - in compliance. This always requires the surveyors signed & sealed notation. Some things a PE can sign off on (mostly utilities), but not locations of anything.

$0.02 from an out of stater who hates the Penquins....lol