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Advanced Education... continued from page 13
If the CST were adopted more universally across the United States, we could see an enhancement in survey knowledge and
professionalism. The test bank would also need to be treated as a living document that gets continually revised to reflect current
industry trends and technologies.
The argument for creating a new professional track
An interesting argument that builds from the above perspectives is that there could be great value in creating a new professional track
within the land surveying profession.
Some surveyors have argued that there should be a new certification path to become a professional-category land surveyor, below the
level of a licensed surveyor.
This idea acknowledges and embraces the fact that there are two main paths to land surveying: those who want to become fully
licensed land surveyors, and those who do not.
Many of our talented technicians have no desire to go to school whatsoever, and no desire to become licensed surveyors. And we need
to focus on investing in and training those individuals. Meanwhile, we can still consider requiring a bachelor’s degree for those who do
want to become fully licensed.

A non-accredited professional online program could help draw in technicians. Such a program could be combined with a summer camp
or placement program where techs could meet surveyors to work for. Whether or not such a program is accredited doesn’t matter as
long as it’s sponsored by a groups like WestFed or NSPS.

The key ingredient here is the support of WestFed or NSPS to set up such a pathway or apprentice program. Once supported,
the program could be rolled out to state boards. We can take charge of our profession and create something new that meets our
profession’s unique needs.
It seems clear that to help our profession, we must get people interested and involved. Sometimes, interest takes time to build. Your
employees may not want to become licensed and take over your business today. But in another decade, their outlook could change.
If we can increase the overall pool of talent coming into the profession today, then we can increase the chances that a percentage of
those employees will get licensed in the future. In the meantime, we can build up professional-track curriculum that is timely, relevant,
and caters to working surveyors.
A certification that is in-between entry-level and licensed could help to provide a clearer path to advancement and earning potential,
while also attracting and keeping employees in the profession. The average 18-year-old may not be passionate enough about surveying
to pursue a license right out of high school, but a seasoned technician could be.
Our task will be to take the ideas outlined here, vote on the best path of action, and urge WestFed or NSPS and NCEES our national
organization to help us provide one clear and unified front to push the profession in a new and productive direction.

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36 The Nevada Traverse Vol.49, No.4, 2022

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