What are the qualifications to become a Surveyor-In-Training?Applicants for licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor-in-Training must have the following: A) Education 1) A baccalaureate degree in land surveying from an accredited college or university; or 2) A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college of university in a related science, as defined in Section 1270.15, including 24 semester hours of land surveying courses B) The required fee specified in Section 1270.52 C) Proof of passage of the (TOEFL iBT) or (TOEFL) if educated outside the United States. Please refer to 1270.5 to see passing scores. D) Applicants who received their education in a foreign country shall have their education evaluated at their expense. Administrative Rule 1270.5
What are the qualifications to become a Professional Land Surveyor?Applicants for licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor must have the following: A) Verification of education B) Proof of holding a license as a Professional Land Surveyor-in-Training C) Certification, on forms provided by the Division, from the state or territory or the US in which the applicant was originals licensed a Surveyor-in-Training and/or Land Surveyor and the state in which the applicant predominantly practices and is currently licensed, if applicable, stated: 1) The time during which the applicant was licensed in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license; 2) A description of the examination in that jurisdiction; and 3) Whether the file on the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending. D) Verification of experience form E) The required fee specified in Section 1270.52 F) Proof of passage of the (TOEFL-iBT) or (TOEFL) if educated outside the United States. Please refer to 1270.1 to see passing scores. G) Applicants who received their education in a foreign country shall have their education evaluated at their expense. 225 ILCS 330/12
What are the experience requirements?Applicants for licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor must have at least 4 years of responsible charge experience verified by a professional land surveyor in direct supervision and control of his or her activities. More detail on the experience requirements can be found in 1270.13. Administrative Rule 1270.13
What is the definition of a related science degree?A Related Science is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university that includes core courses in at least the following subjects, or their equivalents, for the minimum semester hours shown. The following subjects all may be completed prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to receiving the baccalaureate degree. A) Mathematics (College Algebra and beyond) – 15 semester hours B) Basic Sciences (Physics and/or Chemistry) – 8 semester hours C) Additional Basic Sciences (including, but not limited to: Geology, Geography, Dendrology, Astronomy, Biology, Soil Mechanics, and engineering sciences) – 20 semester hours D) Land Surveying courses (including, but not limited to: fundamentals of land surveying, boundary surveying, route surveying, topographic surveying, descriptions, legal aspects, subdivision design, data computations and adjustments, map projections and geometric geodemy and photogrammetry) – 24 semester hours. Administrative Rule 1270.15
Where is my SIT or PLS license to be displayed?Every holder of a license as a Professional Land Surveyor or Land Surveyor-in-Training shall display it in a conspicuous location in his or her office, place of business, or place of employment. 225 ILCS 330/14
What are the seal requirements?Every Professional Land Surveyor shall have a reproducible seal or facsimile, which may be computer generated. The impression shall contain the name of the land surveyor, his or her place of business, the license number, and the words “Professional Land Surveyor, State of Illinois.” Signatures generated by a computer or rubber stamp are not permitted. A Professional Land Surveyor shall seal all documents prepared by or under his or her direction. The licensee’s written signature and date of signing along with the date of license expiration shall be placed adjacent to the seal. 225 ILCS 330/15
What are the requirements for Professional Development (Continuing Education)?In order to renew a license as a land surveyor, a licensee is require to complete 20 professional development hours (PDH) relevant to the practice of land surveying. The professional development hours shall be in the following categories: A) A minimum of 4 hours of programs, courses or activities in the area of State of Illinois statutes and rules that regulate professional land surveyors and surveys. B) A minimum of 2 hours of programs, courses or activities in the area of professional conduct.C) A minimum of 14 hours of programs, courses or activities in the area of land surveying or related sciences. 225 ILCS 330/18.5 Administrative Rule 1270.56 e)
Is it unlawful to practice surveying without a license?Yes, it is unlawful for any person, sole proprietorship, professional service corporation, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity to practice land surveying, or advertise or display any sign, card or other device which might indicate to the public that the person or entity is entitled to practice as a land surveyor, or use the initials “P.L.S,” “L.S.,” or “S.I.T.,” use the title “Professional Land Surveyor” or “Land Surveyor-in-Training” or any of their derivations, unless such person holds a valid active license as a Professional Land Surveyor or Land Surveyor-in-Training in the State of Illinois. 225 ILCS 330/16
Can I put my license on inactive status?Yes, any person who notifies the Department, in writing on forms prescribed by the Department, may place his or her license on an inactive status and shall be excused from the payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of the intention to resume active status. 225 ILCS 330/19 Administrative Rule 1270.35
What are grounds for disciplinary action?There are a number of acts that could lead to the Department pursuing disciplinary action. 225 ILCS 330/27 Administrative Rule 1270.55
What is the Land Surveyor Complaint Committee?The Land Surveyor Complaint Committee is composed of 2 members of the Land Surveyors Licensing Board, a Supervisor over Design Investigations and Chief of Prosecutions over Design Prosecutions. The Committee shall review investigative case files. 225 ILCS 330/29 Administrative Rule 1270.55
