Becoming a licensed land surveyor in Maryland isn't for just anyone. It's a long process that tests your patience, brainpower, endurance and overall commitment to surveying. You'll spend countless hours in the field, mastering everything from precise field procedures to legal specifications, and then proving yourself by passing multiple, rigorous tests.

The journey starts with education, but even that part isn't cut and dry. Maryland offers several routes, depending on your background, but each one demands a serious investment of time.

Route 1: Bachelor’s Plus Four Years

If you're starting with a bachelor's degree in land surveying or a closely related program like civil engineering that includes specific surveying coursework, you're looking at about four years of college. That degree will typically reduce the amount of professional experience you need to qualify for licensure to around four years. This is considered the most streamlined and direct path.

Route 2: Associate’s Plus Six Years

For those who pursue an associate's degree, typically a two-year program in surveying (roughly 30 credits), you'll need more field experience to balance it out; typically, around six years of working under a licensed surveyor. This path still gets you there, but with a greater emphasis on learning through fieldwork and mentorship.

Route 3: Eight Years Field Experience

Now, if you don't have a college degree, that doesn't mean you're out of luck. Maryland allows surveyors with a high school diploma to pursue licensure, but you'll need around eight years of experience in the field. That experience must be diverse and supervised, proving that you've gained mastery in every aspect of the job, from boundary surveys and drafting to legal research and field computations.

Testing: 1, 2, 3

After taking any of these routes, the next major step is to take and pass the Fundamentals of Surveying exam (the FS). It's a national, computer-based exam that’s designed to test your foundational knowledge. Once you pass the FS and gain the required field experience, you're eligible to sit for the Principles and Practice of Surveying exam, also administered by NCEES. In Maryland, you also have to take a separate, state-specific exam that focuses on Maryland's laws, surveying regulations and professional standards. This local exam ensures that you're not only a capable surveyor but that you understand the legal guidelines that govern work within the state.

Proof & References

Once you've completed and passed the exams, you'll submit your full application to the Maryland Board for Professional Land Surveyors. That application includes your documented education and work history, professional references (typically from licensed surveyors), and, of course, the application fee. If everything looks good and the board approves your submission, you'll receive your Professional Land Surveyor license.

Success

It takes years. But every hour, every exam, every step brings you closer to a profession that offers not only a meaningful career but a legacy.