Becoming a licensed land surveyor in Virginia
A Virginia surveyor first earns the surveyor-in-training (SIT) designation, which requires passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam (18VAC10-20-300).
Getting licensed in Virginia
The eight paths to SIT range from an ABET-accredited surveying degree to a high school diploma with algebra, geometry and trigonometry plus six years of approved experience.
An SIT with at least four years of approved land surveying experience may sit for the licensing exams (18VAC10-20-310).
The license is granted after passing three exams: the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying exam, the Virginia-specific land surveying exam and the board's exam on regulations.
Land surveyors must complete 16 hours of continuing education to renew or reinstate a license.
Licenses renew for two-year periods, and a surveyor may not practice on an expired license.
Sources: Surveyor-in-training and the FS exam first; Four more years of experience after SIT; 16 hours of continuing education; Licenses renew every two years
Common questions
Who licenses land surveyors in Virginia?
The APELSCIDLA Board, part of Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), licenses land surveyors in Virginia.