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How to become a Surveyor?

Lend your expertise: what does it take to become a Surveyor?

Note: We've seen a lot of interest in this career, so we're looking for guidance from our community of professionals.

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Joe’s Answer

Good career choice...always a need for this service and growing.
Here's a practical roadmap you can follow and see if this fits your needs along the way

Roadmap to a Career in Surveying
High School (Now – Graduation)
Academics
Prioritize math (geometry, algebra, trigonometry) and science (physics, earth science).
If available: take computer science, CAD/drafting, or GIS-related courses.

Activities & Exposure
Join STEM or engineering clubs; participate in math competitions or science fairs.
Volunteer for projects involving mapping or land/environment (e.g., trail mapping, environmental conservation).
Shadow a local surveyor or civil engineer — even for a day.

Extra Learning
Learn basics of AutoCAD and ArcGIS/QGIS (student versions available free or low-cost).
Explore online courses in geospatial science or GPS.

College Years (Associate or Bachelor’s Degree)

Degree Options
Bachelor’s in Surveying, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, or Geospatial Science (preferred in most states).
Some states accept an Associate’s in Surveying/Geomatics + work experience, but a bachelor’s gives more career flexibility.

During College
Join professional student chapters (e.g., National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), ASCE if in Civil Engineering).
Apply for summer internships with surveying firms, construction companies, or government agencies.
Learn advanced software: AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS platforms, GPS data collection tools.

After Graduation – Early Career
Step 1: Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam
Administered by NCEES.
You can take it in your final year of college or after graduation.
Passing this exam makes you an Engineer/Surveyor Intern (EI or SI).

Work Experience
Work under a licensed Professional Surveyor (PS).
Most states require 4 years of supervised experience (with a bachelor’s) or more if you only have an associate’s degree.

Licensure Stage
Step 3: Professional Surveyor (PS) Exam
After your required work experience, you take the PS exam through NCEES.
Passing makes you a Licensed Professional Surveyor (LPS or PLS).
Some states have additional state-specific exams (laws, rules, boundary law).

Career Advancement & Specialization
Licensed surveyors can work in:
Land development & construction
Government / municipal planning
GIS & mapping companies
Environmental & marine surveying
Transportation / infrastructure projects
Later, you can specialize in hydrographic surveying, geodesy, or remote sensing.

Quick Timeline Snapshot
High school (Now – 12th) → Math, science, exposure, shadowing.
College (4 years) → Bachelor’s in Surveying/Geomatics + internships.
Final year / After college → Take FS Exam.
4 years work experience → Under a licensed surveyor.
Then → Take PS Exam → Become Licensed Surveyor.

Hope this helps you along your journey. Best of luck!
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John’s Answer

To become a Surveyor or Assistant Land Surveyor you will need to complete High School and then College to get a Bachelor's Degree in Surveying or Geomatics Engineering. Look up in Indeed for more information on both these jobs. Also you might call ahead and visit a local surveyor company in your area and ask them if you could get some "hands on" experience helping to perform a survey.

Another place to look for more information is on career explorer as well as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and wikipedia for general information.

Good Luck for it looks like a hard road ahead there is a light as this job is expected to grow for the next 10 or so years.
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