Land surveyors provide the precise measurements and mapping for property ownership, construction, and infrastructure development in North Carolina. Their work establishes legal boundaries and supports projects ranging from residential homes to major public works. Becoming a licensed professional in this field is a structured process governed by state regulations to ensure all practitioners meet a high standard of competency. The path to licensure involves a combination of formal education, supervised experience, and examinations.
Meet the Educational Requirements
The primary route to becoming a land surveyor in North Carolina begins with a strong academic foundation. The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS) oversees these requirements, with the most direct path being a four-year bachelor of science degree in surveying or a similarly titled program. A degree from a university program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is beneficial, as it signals the curriculum meets high national standards.
For individuals whose four-year degree is not in surveying, the state provides alternative pathways to qualify for licensure. An applicant with a degree in a related field, such as civil engineering, can become eligible by completing a minimum number of semester hours in specific surveying coursework. This coursework must cover topics designated by the board to ensure the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge.
Prospective surveyors must consult the board’s rules, outlined in General Statute 89C, to understand their specific obligations. This statute details the educational prerequisites for licensure and ensures all candidates possess a core competency in surveying principles.
Gain Professional Experience as a Surveyor Intern
After satisfying the educational prerequisites, the next phase involves acquiring hands-on professional experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). This period of practical training begins with becoming certified as a Surveyor Intern (SI). Obtaining SI certification from the NCBELS formally documents the beginning of a candidate’s professional apprenticeship and is a necessary step before experience can be counted toward licensure.
The duration of required professional experience varies depending on the candidate’s educational background. An individual with a four-year ABET-accredited degree in surveying may need as few as two years of progressive experience. In contrast, those with an associate’s degree in surveying technology or a high school diploma must accumulate a more extended period of work, potentially five to nine years.
This experience must be progressive, meaning the intern’s responsibilities should increase in complexity over time. The work should involve a range of surveying tasks, from fieldwork and data collection to office-based activities like calculations and map preparation. The supervising PLS is responsible for guiding the SI, verifying their work, and ultimately attesting to their competence when the intern applies for full licensure.
Pass the Required Examinations
The journey to licensure in North Carolina involves successfully passing a sequence of three distinct examinations. The first is the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, a national test administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Candidates often take the FS exam near graduation, and passing is a prerequisite for obtaining Surveyor Intern (SI) certification.
After gaining the required professional experience, candidates must take the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, also administered by NCEES. This six-hour exam assesses a broader understanding of surveying practices. The final hurdle is the North Carolina State-Specific Surveying Examination, an open-book test focusing on the state’s unique laws, standards of practice, and regulations.
Apply for Your Professional Land Surveyor License
Upon successfully completing all educational, experience, and examination requirements, the final step is to submit a formal application for licensure to the NCBELS. This application serves as the comprehensive portfolio of a candidate’s qualifications, demonstrating that they have met every benchmark set by the board.
The application packet must be meticulously assembled and includes official academic transcripts, verification of progressive surveying experience signed by a supervising PLS, and official confirmation of passing scores on all exams. Additionally, candidates are required to submit multiple references from other licensed professionals who can attest to their character and professional competence.
A non-refundable application fee must accompany the submission. The board reviews each application in detail to verify that every requirement has been satisfied. Once the board approves the application, the individual is granted a license and can officially use the title of Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in North Carolina.
Licensure for Out-of-State Surveyors
North Carolina offers a path to licensure for professional surveyors who are already licensed in another state, a process known as licensure by comity or reciprocity. This pathway acknowledges the qualifications and experience of established professionals, streamlining their ability to practice in North Carolina.
An applicant seeking licensure by comity must provide NCBELS with proof of an active license in good standing from another jurisdiction. The board evaluates the applicant’s original qualifications—education, experience, and examination history—to determine if they are substantially equivalent to North Carolina’s requirements.
While extensive experience and prior licensure can waive the need to retake the national FS and PS exams, most applicants for comity are required to pass the North Carolina State-Specific Surveying Examination. This requirement ensures that even experienced surveyors from other states demonstrate a thorough understanding of North Carolina’s unique property laws, mapping requirements, and standards of practice before they are granted a license.