Step 1. Get serious

So you want to be a Professional Land Surveyor.

Step 1. Get serious.

It isn't easy becoming a Professional Land Surveyor. In fact, it's tough. As I've said before the requirements are complex. As with any complex endeavor, you don't ask your friends what they think about something and then act on that advice alone.

No, when you embark on a journey like this, you go first straight to the source. So who is "the source"? First, go to the website of the Board of Licensure for your state.

Each state has it's own rules and requirements. In some states you will be required to have a 4 year degree in an accredited school before you are eligible to take the first test. You should learn the requirements before you start filling out applications paying fees.

Don't ask (or even let) someone else do this basic research for you. If you want to be a professional, it's time to get serious and act like it. Do your own research with the Board for your state.

If you aren't quite sure what the rules mean or how to interpret particularly difficult passages, do not hesitate to ask someone. But, not just anyone. Call the Board office. They will (almost certainly) be glad to help. If the Board tells you something different from what someone else said, who should you believe? That's right, at the end of the day it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks. The Board decisions count.

Once you determine you are qualified to take the Fundamentals Exam (FS), allow plenty of time to submit all the necessary paperwork. This is not a weekend project. The forms are almost always confusing and the requirements complex. (I told you the process wouldn't be easy.)

Once your paperwork is submitted, you sit back and wait to hear from the Board whether or not they will let you take the exam, right? NO. Not just No, but Hell No.

Often (far too often in my humble opinion) the Board does not notify the exam taker they have a seat until very late. I've heard of people being told they could take the exam with less than one week notice. That is rare, but it happens. Much more commonly the board will notify you one month or so ahead.

One month is not sufficient time to prepare. I advise people they need to begin their studies at least 6 months ahead. There is a ton of material to cover and you can not do anything more than "cram" if you wait too late to begin studying.

If you are "cramming" for the exam rather than learning the material, you aren't serious. This isn't like some political science course in High School. The information on the test is information you need to know and understand for the rest of your professional career.

Get serious and learn the material.

I'll get into more detail on the exam(s) with future posts. For now, just always remember Step 1, Get Serious.

Larry P