Just out of curiosity, what Surveying License(s) is recognised for surveying in DC ?
Someone my be able to explain this clearer than I can, but here goes:
Originally all surveying was performed by the DC Surveyors Office.
In 1979 they began "Registering" private surveyors. These surveyors are acting under the authority of the Office of the DC Surveyor and can perform "Survey's to Mark" and "DC Wall Tests" (both official surveys that can be recorded in the DC Survey records.
In 2001 they began "Licensing" surveyors. This process is just like any state license process (NCEES exam & state specific exam). It allows surveyors to perform topographic surveys, mortgage surveys, ALTA surveys (but without Table A, Item 1 - if they need corners set, they must contract with a Registered Surveyor, have the corners set, then reference that survey), etc.
Currently you must be Licensed for four years before you can apply to be Registered.
Interesting part of that, to me, is that in DC a licensed surveyor can determine (or establish or whatever you want to call it) a boundary on an ALTA Survey and represent that boundary in relation to physical features but he/she can't monument it without being a registered surveyor?
In CA, if anybody cares, the Board's position, as I understand it, is that establishing and representing a boundary location carries the same obligations to file a record map whether the corners get monumented on the ground or not.
Interesting stuff !!!