Question for California Registrants

CA PE can perform topographic surveys, but cannot determine boundaries, unless the PE is licensed prior to 1982

In reading the CA Business & Professions Code, some might even say that a CA PE or contractor cannot use GPS for topographic surveys.?ÿ But it hasn't stopped them yet.

8726 Land Surveying Defined?ÿ

(f) Geodetic or cadastral surveying. As used in this chapter, geodetic surveying means
performing surveys, in which account is taken of the figure and size of the earth to determine or
predetermine the horizontal or vertical positions of fixed objects thereon or related thereto,
geodetic control points, monuments, or stations for use in the practice of land surveying or for
stating the position of fixed objects, geodetic control points, monuments, or stations by
California Coordinate System coordinates.

PE ACT

6731.1. Civil engineering - additional authority for engineering surveying
Civil engineering also includes the practice or offer to practice, either in a public or
private capacity, all of the following:
(a) Locates, relocates, establishes, reestablishes, or retraces the alignment or elevation
for any of the fixed works embraced within the practice of civil engineering, as described in
Section 6731.
(b) Determines the configuration or contour of the earthƒ??s surface or the position of fixed
objects above, on, or below the surface of earth by applying the principles of trigonometry or
photogrammetry.
(c) Creates, prepares, or modifies electronic or computerized data in the performance of
the activities described in subdivisions (a) and (b).
2018 Professional Engineers Act 9
(d) Renders a statement regarding the accuracy of maps or measured survey data
pursuant to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c).

A couple of other CA sections of the PE Act to be aware of are:

6731.?ÿ
(g) .....
Civil engineers registered prior to January 1, 1982, shall be authorized to practice all land surveying as defined in Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8700) of Division 3.

6731.2.?ÿ
Any registered civil engineer may offer to practice, procure, and offer to procure, land surveying work incidental to his or her civil engineering practice, even though he or she is not authorized to perform that work, provided all the land surveying work is performed by, or under the direction of, a licensed land surveyor or registered civil engineer authorized to practice land surveying. Further, any registered civil engineer may manage or conduct as manager, proprietor, or agent, a civil engineering practice which offers to practice, procure, and offers to procure, such incidental land surveying work.