Texas RPLS Exam - Mentor Needed

Since we don't know what part of the Republic you are residing, my advise is to get involved with the local chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors. Get to know the members close to your location & discuss your issues with needing a mentor in general conversation.

Good luck.

Good Luck! I spent 5 years surveying in texas. There were not very many positive experiences.

I will second the suggestion to get active in the Professional Society. That's the best starting point in most any new State...

I am an industrial crew chief and I'm very interested in starting the process to get my RPLS, I understand you need five years under an RPLS but I believe the first step is just a test here in Texas? Sorry for thread hi-jacking.

Just curious on how to begin the process.

I am not an expert, however my thought is that if you are not Licensed in another state you will first have to pass the SIT (Surveyor In Training) Exam. That gives you the right to start marking your time. I believe in Texas it's only two years under and RPLS after acquiring your SIT certification.

Check on the Texas Board of Professional Surveying website. They have all the criteria outlined and you will be better able to determine your situation as you know what criteria you have met or have yet to acquire.

See if Dr. Stacy Lyle (TAMUCC) is doing a seminar and attend that. A lot of good information there that will also help you when studying for the jurisdictional exam.

The time element for requirements in Texas is based upon working days accumulated, 365 working days equals one year.

The experience is in time under a Licensed Surveyor while land surveying.

Having a license in another state may qualify a surveyor to get a license thru reciprocity and that still encounters 8hrs of testing.

Do contact the BOR for your personal requirements because there are many paths taken to sit for the exam.

I am sitting for me exam by reciprocity in October. I had to submit two plats that I drafted here in Texas as well as proof of licensure in Illinois and a plethora of other documents.

The exam is state specific only and it is a four hour exam.

Don't know any mentors, but the material below helped me with the state specific:

Study Guide for Texas Surveyors (B.W. Evans)

TSPS Manual of Practice

http://www.geoscholar.com/texas-land-survey-info/

John,

Those books are on order and should be here any day now.

I found a great collaboration of papers/speeches/etc. by a fellow named Darrell D. Shine. It is a PDF that was compiled together in his honor. Over 300 pages of very good information. I can't recall where I found it, but it has a wealth of solid information.

When downloading it came up with this title as I have it saved to my computer:

DDS_Guide_to_Mostly_Texas_Surveying

Check it out, very good stuff 🙂

Thanks for the advice. I do appreciate your help !!!

Scott