I am currently working for a PLS and obtaining my AAS in Civil Engineering Technologies and I was wondering if anyone knows if this degree will allow me to obtain my PLS in North Carolina. I know that I will have to wait after I graduate to get my "survey intern" license first. I have done some research, but I am not finding any actual answers. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.
From the NC Board
"(1) To be certified as a land surveyor intern, an applicant shall (i) pass the fundamentals of land surveying examination and make application to the Board, (ii) be of good character and reputation, (iii) submit three character references to the Board, one of whom is a professional land surveyor, (iv) comply with the requirements of this Chapter, and (v) satisfy one of the following requirements related to education and experience:
a. Be a graduate of a surveying curriculum of four years or more or other equivalent curriculum in surveying approved by the Board.
b. Have rightful possession of an associate degree in surveying technology approved by the Board, a record satisfactory to the Board of four years of progressive practical experience, two years of which shall have been under a practicing professional land surveyor, and have satisfactorily passed a written and oral examination as required by the Board.
c. Have graduated from high school or completed a high school equivalency certificate with a record satisfactory to the Board of 10 years of progressive, practical experience, six years of which shall have been under a practicing licensed land surveyor, and have satisfactorily passed any oral and written examinations required by the Board."
Depending on the courses in your AAS you should be able to apply to NCEES for the fundamentals exam upon or just prior to graduation. Note this exam is applicable to almost any state and NC says you must have passed it before you apply to be an LSI. NC does not require your experience to come after the degree or fundamentals exam.
How much experience do you have already and how well written is your experience log. I know it took considerable length of time to get my experience record in order. Part of that was due to my experience being from part time surveying over many years and various employers.
First question, "Which AAS program are you in?"
Gaston College and Central Piedmont both have an ABET accredited CE Tech AAS program. Central Piedmont has a Geomatics Technology option.
For other NC program you would have to ask the State Board if they are acceptable.
Paul in PA
Last I knew, NC doesn't have degree requirement. Best to get you LSIT first. Then you have your foot in the door. So to speak. Contact LarryP. He can tell you more about this.
From the NC Board
I am in the civil engineering technologies program at Gaston College. I have a little over a years worth of experience. I was just wanting to make sure I would be able to obtain my licensing with an AAS in CE Tech.
Gaston AAS Probably Requires Board Approval
Gaston only offers 8 surveying credits. 6 credits GIS/GNSS but I did not see any surveying electives.
The Central Piedmont Geomatics AAS covers 34 Surveying Credits, plus CAD and GIS.
Typical AS programs have a minimum of 30 surveying credits.
Some states accept surveying certificates of fewer credits, but I do not see that defined in the NC law.
I would suggest having an ABET AAS in Civil Engineering makes it easier for the board to accept additional surveying credits from online programs.
I do not know if NCEES has a minimum surveying credit Associate requirement for the fundamentals exam. I would suggest you at least double that 8 to 16 or even 20 before applying to NCEES. Having passed the FS with only a few credits does not preclude the NC Board from looking for more. So if you get to take the FS exam soon, continue your education before your NC application.
NC says you can take the Fundamental exam prior to application, so passing the FS may or may not make you an LSIT but not a Surveying Intern (FS plus experience and application) as defined by NC. Some states do define an LSIT in their law.
Paul in PA
Gaston AAS Probably Requires Board Approval
Thank you. The guy I work for got his AAS at gaston about 15 years ago and was able to get his license, but I'm sure that laws have changed. The instructors at gaston haven't been very helpful in answering this question. I don't really plan on going to a 4 year school, because I want to work.
Gaston AAS Probably Requires Board Approval
The best way to get an answer that has some meaning is to call and ask the staff at the board office. Most of the time they are quite helpful. They want you to succeed. But they have laws that must be followed.
Larry P
Gaston AAS Probably Requires Board Approval
Thank you. I think I'm going to give them a call. I just font want the time and effort I've put in at gaston to be a waste. And I really don't want to start another degree.
How Soon Will You Graduae?
BTW, Central Piedmont includes 38 surveying credits.
Bolster your surveying education with a real estate law course, typically available at the AS level.
NCA&T and University of Florida have online Geomatics courses and Penn State has online GIS courses.
Paul in PA
How Soon Will You Graduae?
I will be graduating May 2015. I am planning on contacting someone from the board and seeing if I am able to obtain my license with the degree I am getting. I really appreciate all the help you've given me.
Not Someone, The Board Itself
Address you question to the Board and let them assign it to a Board member who is most familiar with the answer. That way if further correspondence is required, it is not you pestering a member but corresponding with the assigned person.
The Law says it is the Boards responsibility to have an approved list, but my gut says they probably have nothing formal. If they do, a Board staff person could answer your question.
Graduating next year, do you feel prepared to take the fundamentals exam next year?
Paul in PA
A word of caution...
In most States the Board has an Executive Director and a Secretary. Ask one of them who to direct your questions to. Direct communication with one of the members could put you in a pickle. At the least they will have to disclose the Ex Parte communication. At worst they are forced to recuse themselves from discussion and voting on your application. ..
NC does have a degree requirement. The requirements have been in place for awhile but were phased in slowly...You can still get a license without a degree but I believe it takes 16 yrs experience now. You can get a license with an AS or a BS with varying experience needed. Best thing to do as others have said is contact the board.
> NC does have a degree requirement. The requirements have been in place for awhile but were phased in slowly...You can still get a license without a degree but I believe it takes 16 yrs experience now. You can get a license with an AS or a BS with varying experience needed. Best thing to do as others have said is contact the board.
I thought it was 8 years of being in "responsible charge" and having experience with several firms and be vouched for by several other licensed fellers. OR you had a degree that the board approves of and 4 years experience with 2 in charge.
Last friend I knew that went through that was denied his application with over 10 years experience and 4-year (BS) degree in physics with a mathematics minor. 6 months later they let him sit for exam and he passed without question.
From the NC Board, For PLS Licensing
Above I posted the requirements for becoming a Surveyor Intern, below are the requirements to become a PLS. I did not include the separate requirements for engineers and mappers.
"NC General Statutes - Chapter 89C 10
(1a) To be licensed as a professional land surveyor, an applicant shall (i) be of good character and reputation, (ii) submit five character references to the Board, three of whom are professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board, with personal knowledge of the applicant's land surveying experience,
(iii) comply with the requirements of this Chapter, and (iv) meet one of the following requirements:
a. Rightful possession of a bachelor of science degree in surveying or other equivalent curricula, all approved by the Board and a record satisfactory to the Board of two years or more of progressive practical experience, one year of which shall have been under a practicing professional land surveyor if the applicant has successfully passed the first examination (Fundamentals of Surveying) on or before January 1, 2013, or if the applicant has not successfully passed the first examination on or before January 1, 2013, two years of which shall have been under a practicing professional land surveyor, and satisfactorily passing any oral and written examination required by the Board, all of which shall determine and indicate that the applicant is competent to practice land surveying. Upon passing the first examination and successful completion of the experience required by this subdivision, the applicant may apply to take the second examination (Principles and Practice of Land Surveying). An applicant who passes both examinations and completes the educational and experience requirements of this subdivision shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor.
b. Rightful possession of an associate degree in surveying technology approved by the Board and a record satisfactory to the Board of four years of progressive practical experience, three years of which shall have been under a practicing licensed land surveyor if the applicant has successfully passed the first examination (Fundamentals of Surveying) on or before January 1, 2013, or if the applicant has not successfully passed the first examination on or before January 1, 2013, eight years of progressive practical experience, four years of which shall have been under a practicing professional land surveyor, and satisfactorily passing any written and oral examination required by the Board, all of which shall determine and indicate that the applicant is competent to practice land surveying. If the applicant has not successfully completed the first examination on or before January 1, 2013, the applicant may apply to the Board to take the first examination after obtaining the associate degree and completing four years of practical experience, two years of which shall have been under a practicing professional land surveyor at the first regularly scheduled examination thereafter. Upon passing the first examination and successfully completing the practical experience required under this subdivision, the applicant may apply to the Board to take the second examination (Principles and Practice of Land Surveying). An applicant who passes both examinations and successfully completes the educational and experience requirements of this subdivision shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor.
c. Repealed by Session Laws 1998-118, s. 11.
d. Graduation from a high school or the completion of a high school equivalency certificate and a record satisfactory to the Board of seven years of progressive practical experience, six years of which shall have been under a practicing licensed land surveyor if the applicant has successfully passed the first examination (Fundamentals of Surveying) on or before January 1, 2013, or if the applicant has not successfully passed the first examination on or before January 1, 2013, 16 years of progressive practical experience, nine years of which shall have been under a practicing professional land surveyor, and satisfactorily passing any oral and written examinations required by the Board, all of which shall determine and indicate that the candidate is competent to practice land surveying. If the applicant has not successfully passed the first examination on or before January 1, 2013, the applicant may be qualified by the Board to take the first examination upon graduation from high school or the completion of a high school equivalency certificate and successfully completing 10 years of progressive practice experience, six of which shall have been under a practicing licensed land surveyor."
I think the 2 years experience with a BS is on the low end. The 8 years experience with an AS degree is extreme and would discourage me.
It is not as clear as could be written but I assume this experience is after becoming an intern. PA's Law clearly states such.
Paul in PA
NC just changed their degree requirements. Pretty much without a Bachelor degree your experience needed doubled. Now with No education you need 16 years experience for the PLS and 8 years for the LSIT.
I do not think Harvard by the highway (Gaston College, I my self reside in Gastonia) offers enough surveying credit hours for you to take the LSIT. Best thing to do is email the board and get a definite answer.
