Issuance Of License - Land Surveyors - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 8740

If you want to become a land surveyor or a land surveyor-in-training in California, you must apply to the board using their specific form, and you have to swear that all the information you provide is true. Plus, you'll need to pay the application fee as set by the rules. The board might allow a specific organization to directly collect exam fees for providing exam materials and services from you.

(a) An application for a certificate as a land surveyor-in-training or for a license as a land surveyor shall be made to the board on the form prescribed by it, with all statements therein made under oath, and shall be accompanied by the fee fixed by this chapter.

(b) The board may authorize an organization specified by the board pursuant to Section 8745 to receive directly from applicants payment of the examination fees charged by that organization as payment for examination materials and services.

land surveyor application certificate land surveyor-in-training

Section § 8741

If you want to become a certified land surveyor-in-training in California, you must pass the first part of the examination, have no disqualifying criminal record, and complete two years of education or work experience in land surveying. The board will only check your eligibility by having you sign a statement. For becoming a licensed professional land surveyor, you must not have any disqualifying criminal history, provide evidence meeting specific criteria, pass the second exam part, be certified in California or another state, and understand key surveying rules and property principles. Civil engineers already licensed by the board are exempt from the certification requirement.

(a) An applicant for certification as a land surveyor-in-training shall comply with all of the following:

(1) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.

(2) Successfully pass the first division of the examination.

(3) Satisfactorily complete two years or more of postsecondary education in land surveying, two years or more of experience in land surveying, or a combination of postsecondary education and experience in land surveying.

(b) The board need not verify the applicant’s eligibility for certification as a land surveyor-in-training other than to require the applicant to sign a statement of eligibility on the application form.

(c) The board may prescribe by regulation reasonable educational or experience requirements for an applicant to meet the requirements in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(d) An applicant for licensure as a professional land surveyor shall comply with all of the following:

(1) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.

(2) Furnish evidence that he or she meets the requirements of Section 8742.

(3) Successfully passed the second division of the examination.

(4) Be certified as a land surveyor-in-training in this state, be certified as a land surveyor-in-training or surveyor intern in another state or territory of the United States, or be exempt therefrom. An applicant licensed by the board as a civil engineer is exempt from the requirement of this paragraph.

(5) Be thoroughly familiar with (A) the procedure and rules governing the survey of public lands as set forth in Manual of Surveying Instructions (2009), published by the federal Bureau of Land Management, and (B) the principles of real property relating to boundaries and conveyancing.

land surveyor-in-training professional land surveyor examination requirements

Section § 8741.1

This law explains how exam requirements for becoming a professional land surveyor in California are structured. There are two main parts to the exam: the first part tests foundational knowledge in surveying, while the second part assesses practical application and readiness to take charge of surveying projects. The second part includes both a national exam and a California-specific exam. The board can waive the first exam for those with significantly higher qualifications and may also waive or modify the second exam for highly qualified applicants, who may instead take a special test that could be written, oral, or both.

(a) The first division of the examination shall test the applicant’s fundamental knowledge of surveying, mathematics, and basic science.

(b) The second division of the examination shall test the applicant’s ability to apply his or her knowledge and experience and to assume responsible charge in the professional practice of land surveying.

The second division of the examination shall include an examination that incorporates a national examination for land surveying by a nationally recognized entity approved by the board and a supplemental California specific examination. The California specific examination shall include, as a separate part, an examination to test the applicant’s knowledge of the provisions of this chapter and the board’s rules and regulations regulating the practice of professional land surveying in this state.

(c) The board may by rule provide a waiver of the first division of the examination for applicants whose education and experience qualifications substantially exceed the requirements of Section 8742.

(d) The board may by rule provide for a waiver of the second division of the examination and the assignment to a special examination for those applicants whose educational qualifications are equal to, and whose experience qualifications substantially exceed, those qualifications established under subdivision (c). The special examination may be either written or oral, or a combination of both.

land surveying exam fundamental knowledge practical application

Section § 8742

This law outlines the qualifications needed to apply for a land surveyor license in California. Applicants can qualify by having completed a four-year degree with an emphasis in land surveying and two years of specific experience, six years of direct experience with specific training, or being a licensed civil engineer with land surveying experience. The board will also accept postsecondary education in land surveying as counting towards some of this experience requirement, depending on the level of study completed. Additionally, passing a specific exam section might be considered equivalent to up to two years of experience for a limited time before 2000.

(a) The educational qualifications and experience in land surveying, which an applicant for a license as a land surveyor shall possess, shall not be less than one of the following prescribed criteria:

(1) Graduation from a four-year curriculum with an emphasis in land surveying approved by the board or accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Office of Education at a postsecondary educational institution and two years of actual broad based progressive experience in land surveying, including one year of responsible field training and one year of responsible office training, satisfactory to the board.

(2) Actual broad based progressive experience in land surveying for at least six years, including one year of responsible field training and one year of responsible office training, satisfactory to the board.

(3) Licensure as a civil engineer with two years of actual broad based progressive experience in land surveying satisfactory to the board.

(b) With respect to an applicant for a license as a land surveyor, the board shall count one year of postsecondary education in land surveying as one year of experience in land surveying up to a maximum of four years, provided the applicant has graduated from the course in land surveying and the curriculum in land surveying is approved by the board or is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized for the purpose by the United States Office of Education. Each year of study in an approved or an accredited course in land surveying without graduation shall be counted the same as one-half year of experience.

Each applicant claiming equivalent credit for education may be required to produce a complete transcript of all college level courses completed.

Until January 1, 2000, the board may, at its discretion, confer credit as experience in land surveying, not in excess of two years, for successfully passing the first division of the examination prescribed in Section 8741.1.

land surveying qualifications land surveyor license four-year curriculum

Section § 8743

If you want to get a land surveyor license, you need to include references from at least four land surveyors or civil engineers who know you well enough to vouch for your skills and integrity.

The names and addresses of at least four land surveyors or civil engineers, duly qualified to practice in the place in which such practice has been conducted, each of whom has sufficient knowledge of the applicant to enable him or her to certify to the applicant’s professional integrity, ability and fitness to receive a license, shall be submitted with the application for a license as a land surveyor.

land surveyor license civil engineers professional references

Section § 8744

Anyone applying to become a licensed land surveyor in California must promise to uphold both the California and U.S. Constitutions and agree to perform their job duties responsibly if they get the license.

The applicant for a license as a land surveyor shall state in his or her application that, should he or she be licensed, he or she will support the Constitution of this State and of the United States, and that he or she will faithfully discharge the duties of a licensed land surveyor.

land surveyor license support Constitution faithfully discharge duties

Section § 8745

Examinations for getting a license are held at times and places set by the board's rules. The board also decides what topics the exam will cover and how it will be carried out. The board can team up with outside organizations to run the exam or provide related materials or services.

Examinations for license shall be held at such times and at such places within the state as determined by board rule.

The scope of examinations and the method of procedure shall be prescribed by board rule.

The board may make arrangements with a public or private organization to conduct the examination. The board may contract with a public or private organization for materials or services related to the examination.

license examinations board rule exam schedule

Section § 8746

If you don't pass your exam, you can take it again by submitting a new application and paying the required fee set by the board.

An applicant failing an examination may be examined again upon filing a new application and the payment of the examination fee fixed by the board.

exam retake re-examination new application

Section § 8747

If someone applies for a land surveying certification or license and meets the necessary conditions set by the board, they will receive the appropriate certification. Those meeting certain requirements will get a certificate as a land surveyor-in-training, but this doesn't allow them to practice surveying yet. Once they meet further criteria, they can be licensed as a full land surveyor, which allows them to officially practice.

Any applicant who has met the requirements for certification or licensure prescribed by the board under this chapter shall have a suitable license issued to him or her.

(a) An applicant who has met the requirements of subdivision (a) and (b) of Section 8741 shall be issued a certificate as a land surveyor-in-training. A renewal or other fee, other than the application fee, shall not be charged for this certification. This certificate shall become invalid upon the person being issued a license as a land surveyor, as provided in subdivision (b). A land surveyor-in-training certificate shall not authorize the holder thereof to practice or offer to practice land surveying. A person shall not use the title of land surveyor-in-training, or any abbreviation of this title, unless he or she is the holder of a valid land surveyor-in-training certificate.

(b) An applicant who has met the requirements of subdivision (d) of Section 8741 shall be issued a license as a land surveyor. The license shall authorize him or her to practice as a land surveyor.

land surveyor surveying certification land surveyor-in-training

Section § 8747.5

This law explains how a land surveyor in California can obtain a retired license. To qualify, they need to have been actively licensed for at least five years in California and 20 years in the U.S. or its territories, with a clean disciplinary record. Retired license holders cannot practice land surveying, but they can use titles like 'retired professional land surveyor.' They don't need to renew this retired license but must pass an exam to reactivate it.

(a) The board shall issue, upon application and payment of the fee established by Section 8805, a retired license to a land surveyor who has been licensed by the board for a minimum of five years within California, and a minimum of 20 years within the United States or territories of the United States, and who holds a license that is not suspended, revoked, or otherwise disciplined, or subject to pending discipline under this chapter.

(b) The holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section shall not engage in any activity for which an active land surveyor’s license is required. A land surveyor holding a retired license shall be permitted to use the titles “retired professional land surveyor” or “professional land surveyor, retired.”

(d) In order for the holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section to restore his or her license to active status, he or she shall pass the examination that is required for initial licensure with the board.

retired license land surveyor professional land surveyor

Section § 8748

This law says that California can give a land surveyor's license to someone who already has a valid land surveyor's license from another state or country without needing them to take a written exam. However, their qualifications must meet California's requirements and any rules set by the relevant board.

The board, upon application therefor, and the payment of the fee fixed by this chapter, may issue a land surveyor’s license, without written examination, to any person who holds a valid land surveyor’s license issued to him or her by any state or country when the applicant’s qualifications meet the requirements of this chapter and rules established by the board.

land surveyor’s license application process fee requirement

Section § 8748.5

If someone applies to be a licensed land surveyor or a surveyor-in-training and they don’t meet the necessary qualifications, the board can give back their exam fee.

If an applicant for license as a land surveyor or certification as a land surveyor-in-training is found by the board to lack the qualifications required for such license or certification, the board may, in accordance with the provisions of Section 158 of this code, refund to them their examination fee.

land surveyor exam fee refund qualifications assessment

Section § 8749

If you lose or damage your professional license certificate, you can get a replacement by following certain rules, but you’ll need to pay a fee for the duplicate.

A duplicate certificate of license to replace one lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules and regulations of the board. The duplicate certificate fee fixed by this chapter shall be charged.

duplicate certificate license replacement lost license

Section § 8750

Once someone becomes licensed as a land surveyor in California, they must get an official stamp or seal. This stamp should have their name, their certificate number, and either "Licensed Land Surveyor" or "Professional Land Surveyor" on it, as specified by the board.

Upon being licensed, each licensee shall obtain a stamp or seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the licensee’s name, number of certificate, and the legend “Licensed Land Surveyor,” or “Professional Land Surveyor.”

licensed land surveyor professional land surveyor surveying license

Section § 8751

You can't call yourself a professional land surveyor or use titles like land surveyor, survey engineer, or similar unless you have a valid license that hasn't been suspended or revoked.

No person shall represent himself or herself as, or use the title of, or any abbreviation or combination of the words in the title of, professional land surveyor, licensed land surveyor, land surveyor, land survey engineer, survey engineer, geodetic engineer, geomatics engineer, or geometronic engineer unless he or she is the holder of a valid, unsuspended, and unrevoked license.

professional land surveyor licensed land surveyor land survey engineer

Section § 8752

If you have a current, valid license or renewal certificate from the board, it proves in court that you are legally licensed as per this chapter.

An unrevoked, unsuspended and unexpired license, or renewal certificate, issued by the board is presumptive evidence in all courts and places that the person named is legally licensed under this chapter.

valid license renewal certificate licensed proof

Section § 8753

If you're applying for a professional license or certification, or already have one, and you have an email address, you must tell the licensing board your email when you apply or renew. If your email changes, you need to update the board within 30 days. Don't worry about privacy—your email address won't be made public unless a court orders it.

(a) Each applicant for licensure or certification who has a valid email address shall report to the board that email address at the time of application.

(b) Each certificate or license holder who has a valid email address shall report that email address to the board at the time of renewal.

(c) Each applicant or certificate or license holder shall notify the board within 30 days of any change to their email address on file with the board.

(d) In the interest of protecting the privacy of applicants and certificate or license holders, the email address provided to the board pursuant to this chapter shall not be considered a public record and shall not be disclosed pursuant to Section 27 or pursuant to a request under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), unless required pursuant to a court order by a court of competent jurisdiction.

email reporting requirements license application certification renewal

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