Is there reciprocity between any states.?ÿ I would assume not due to differences from state to state, but have to ask.
Also I'm trying to figure out how to apply for Puerto Rico licensing.?ÿ It sounds like you just needed to pass the FS and PS, but I'm having trouble finding where to apply.
Yes, between some states, but not all.
Puerto Rico is not a state, so maybe yes or maybe no.
some states require education, training, and experience Before being allowed to sit for the exams
some states give partial reciprocity, and require supplemental exams, and/or interview.
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about twenty or thirty years ago CNMI only required an extensive profile of my?ÿ California license, education, and experience.
about 10 years ago Arizona honored my California license and experience, but I had to sit for a short supplemental exam. It was actually very brief, questions were generic about basics we would expect to be known by a first year engineering or surveying student. Nothing was state specific, I was quite surprised about that.
ages ago Oregon required more experience than California did. I had already been admitted to sit for the California exam.
PR is a member board of NCEES, use the FS and PS exams,?ÿand to my knowledge, they do have a comity process in place.?ÿ I do not believe they currently have a technical state specific exam.?ÿ They may have an exam devoted to their unique laws and regulations though.?ÿ They are good people, give them a call or email.?ÿ They've had a very difficult time recovering from the hurricane devastation.
I was licensed in Illinois and got it in Iowa several years later.?ÿ I had to take the state specific test but before I could take the test they interview you and decide if you are worthy.
NCrequires an example plat be provided for their review. This can be time consuming but the NC Board is generally easy to communicate with and can provide realistic time frames.?ÿ
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Maine honored my experience and B.S obtained in NC but I still had to pass their state specific test (a pertinent and encompassing exam, NC would be wise to adopt something similar).?ÿ However, getting timely and coherent responses from the Licensing Board was like pulling teeth. It was extremely time consuming.
Depending on the state or territory, the process could take a year even if there is no flaw in your application. Submit your application ASAP.
Use the ncees record if you are after more than 2 states total. It is time consuming though. I passed my PS one October, state specific in January, worked diligently on record and it wasnt completed until April.
If you want to get licensed in PR contact Ms. Ruth Trujilo (ruthlailany@gmail.com) Presidente Instituto de Agrimensores.?ÿ I am sure she will be very helpful in getting you started.
Thanks for all the insight and help.?ÿ I have passed the FS and PS through NCEES, and am licensed in NC.?ÿ Every state contacted so far will accept those and only require the State Specific test for the respective state.?ÿ I assume thats the case with every state, but didnt know if there was one that would honor NCEES with the need for State Specific.
Though I will say due to the difference in laws and requirements for each state it is helpful to have the state specific.?ÿ It does require you to understand what their state requirements are.
Don't be lulled into complacency just because most states accept FS and PS results. The devil is in the details of the requirements to apply to sit for the state specific. I'm not sure if it is true, but I heard once that you have to demonstrate a fluency in the native tongue of Hawaii to practice there. Some states will honor the tests but not the education.?ÿ
Generally if the state you are applying to had the same or lesser requirements at the time you acquired the license?ÿ then the reciprocity will apply only requiring you to sit for the state specific portion. Key word is "generally", only way to know for sure is to apply and see what the current board in the state you are going for says. My first license was in California in 1992, Oregon and Idaho came in 1993, Washington in 1996 and Nevada in 2009. In all cases after the California exam I only had to apply and take the two-four hour state specific exam because I had already fulfilled equivalent requirements for the California exam for time, education and fundamentals (LSIT for ya old timers).
AFAIK, there is no states that offer reciprocity without some state specific testing as a minimum, no license handed out in other words just because you are already licensed in a previous state just by applying to a new state.
SHG
I'm from PR and they only require to pass the FS and PS. Although we don't have a 'state' specific test, I'm not in any way familiar with the reciprocity process from the PR board. I'm curious to know, what kind of survey work brings you to the island? or are you just curious to know the application process?
EDIT: As the previous poster mentioned, contact Ruth Trujillo (ruthlailany@gmail.com) to get you started with the process. Additionally by law, you have to be an active member of College of Engineers and Land Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR) (besides passing the FS and PS) to legally practice surveying in PR.
