Land surveys are an essential part of the real estate industry. They are useful when looking to purchase a home, complete a renovation, build a new structure, or improve local infrastructure. A land surveyor is responsible for surveying the land and providing necessary reports in compliance with local regulations. Each state has different requirements and expectations for surveyors or a land surveying company. In Texas, there are various different factors that are required of land surveyors.
Get the Right Education
To be a successful land surveyor, you will need to be properly educated. Due to this, having the right education is a requirement for anyone that wants to be a surveyor. Ideally, you will have a bachelor’s degree in surveying. However, you can graduate with another degree and still qualify as long as you have taken a certain number of credit hours in the subject. This can include graduating with an associate’s degree but focusing on surveying.
Take and Pass a Certification Test
Once you have graduated from college, you will then need to take a certification test. In all states, this is called the Fundamentals of Surveying exam. This can be a very difficult exam to pass as less than half of applicants and test takers pass it on the first try. Due to this, taking a certificate and education course for the test could be a good idea.
Be an Apprentice
After you have graduated and passed the initial certification test, you need to get some work experience. Before being a fully licensed surveyor to work on your own, you need to work for about two years as an apprentice, in which you will work with an existing land surveying company. In these roles, you will learn about the field, including how to research, get field experience, and learn proper documentation processes.
Apply to the Board
To be approved as a surveyor, you also need to submit some work to the Board. This can be a difficult part of the process due to the attention to detail that will be provided by the Board reviewers. It is important to take your time and have your work checked before sending it in. Along with this, you will also need to pass the RPLS exam. This is an additional land surveying exam that shows you have the experience and knowledge to be successful in the role. Once this is passed, the Board can approve your certification.
Once you are certified to be a land surveyor, you will find many opportunities to find work and employment. It is important that you continue to keep your license and certification in good standing. There are continuing education requirements in Texas that are subject to change.