To become a topographic surveyor, a degree and on-the-job training are required, as well as a regional license and professional certification. The career path is similar to that of a general surveyor, and practical skills are acquired through years of training. Exact licensing requirements vary by region and country.
A topographic surveyor maps the land’s natural and man-made features using highly accurate instruments and technology. Typically, a two- or four-year university degree is required to become a topographical surveyor in most countries. It will also take several years of on-the-job training to acquire certain practical skills. A regional license is usually required after completing your education and gaining sufficient work experience. Professional certification in this field will help keep your skills up to date once you become a surveyor.
Topographic surveyors are licensed surveyors who specialize in mapping the topographic features of land for building and other purposes. The career path for this occupation is very similar to that of a general surveyor. Completion of a research bachelor’s degree in the US or a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Higher National Certificate (HNC) in the UK is normally required before you can become a topographical surveyor, although there may be different requirements in others. countries. Some employers will allow you to begin on-the-job training after completing an associate’s degree or during your last two years of baccalaureate studies. During college, you’ll take courses in data collection and terrain mapping, as well as geography and advanced math.
You must also learn the practical application of classroom training before becoming a surveyor. These skills are usually acquired after several years of on-the-job and office training. Most researchers start their careers in a basic position to learn all aspects of the profession. You’ll likely work as an assistant to a licensed inspector and be given additional responsibilities as your skills grow. The amount of time spent during this training period varies and is usually determined by regional licensing requirements.
Once you have gained enough professional experience, you must take and pass different exams depending on what your country requires. In the United States, for example, two comprehensive licensing exams are administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), including Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practices of Surveying. The first consists of multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of subject areas and can be answered immediately upon graduation from college or upon completion of the on-the-job training period, and the second is the final requirement for licensure. Exact licensing requirements vary from region to region and complete information can be found on the NCEES website. Other countries will have different test requirements to become a surveyor.
In addition to regional licensing, some employers may also require you to be professionally certified. In the United States, certification is provided by the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and is awarded upon passing a comprehensive skills assessment test. Test preparation materials, along with exam dates and locations, are available on the NSPS website. In most countries, certification must be refreshed periodically by completing certain continuing education courses. Receiving and maintaining professional certification will help keep your skills current once you become a surveyor.
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