Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification for employment in the field of surveying. Currently in Pennsylvania, students from both of our programs can become licensed Professional Land Surveyors (PLS). However, only our baccalaureate students can be licensed in all 50 states, as at least 20 states require baccalaureate degrees. In the future, it is expected that the trend of requiring a baccalaureate degree for licensure will continue throughout the United States. This requirement already exists in Europe, Canada, and Mexico.
(Note: If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map for licensing information by location.)
Licensing is obtained by passing the Fundamentals in Land Surveying Exam also known as the Surveyor-In-Training (SIT) examination. This exam can be taken after graduation or in your senior year. After passing the exam, the student must obtain practical experience by working with a licensed land surveyor for four years before they can sit for their Professional Land Surveyors examination. Both exams are regulated by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The State Registration Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists regulates licensure in Pennsylvania. This process is similar to that used for licensing engineers. Other states may have different requirements for licensure; however, a student with a baccalaureate degree in surveying is qualified for licensure in any state.
