Information About Surveying

For an informative look at the surveying profession, please refer to this well-written link: www.flatsurv.com/basic.htm 

Professional Requirements 

In order to legally do land surveying work in Ohio, surveyors must be licensed. Since 1993, Registered Professional Surveyors in Ohio must obtain a four year degree in Geodetic Sciences. This prepares you to take the Fundamentals of Surveying exam given by the State of Ohio Engineers and Surveyors Board. Upon passing this exam, another four years are required working under a Registered Professional Surveyor to further your surveying knowledge with actual field experience. After this time and upon acceptance by the Board, you must take and pass the Principles and Practice of Surveying. Your license is then registered with the State of Ohio. Prior to 1993, the requirements allowed four years working under a licensed surveyor, taking and passing the Fundamentals of Surveying exam, then continuing four more years of tutelage under a licensed surveyor, and taking and passing the Principles and Practice exam. Because of the advance of technology and to enhance the profession, our state board recently established continuing education requirements to maintain licensure.

Types of Land Surveys

Boundary Surveys: Surveys made to establish or reestablish land boundary lines upon the ground or to obtain data for making a map showing boundary lines. These surveys include residential lots, commercial property, and large tracts.

Mortgage or Title Surveys (ALTA/ACSM): Surveys made for lending or insuring agencies to evaluate title problems, if any, relating to actual occupation and possession.

Subdivision Surveys: Surveys dividing undeveloped areas of land into blocks, lots, streets, parks, etc., in conformance with governing ordinances.

Topographic Surveys: Surveys for the purpose of determining the configuration of the earth's surface and the location of physical objects thereon. This data is used in the design of roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.

Construction Surveys: Survey measurements on a construction project to control position, dimensions, and configuration of roads, sub-surface structures, buildings, etc.

More Information

Listed below are several sites with detailed information about land surveyors.

Measuring the World Around Us: A High-Tech Career in Professional Surveying

Promoting Land Surveying in Our Schools

Learn About Land Surveyors

Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio