The apprenticeship program leads to journey level Rod and Chain Person and then to Chief of Party. Chief of Party surveyors can advance to Licensed Land Surveyors by meeting the work experience and written exam requirements of the State Board of Registration of Professional Engineers. Land Surveyors need six years of land surveying experience to qualify for a license. They can substitute up to four years of training for part of the experience. Community college or technical school coursework in surveying and mapping technology is the best way to prepare for work for government, engineering and utility companies.
Some states now require a BA degree as a prerequisite to licensure.
State universities offering BA degrees in surveying and mapping technology in their engineering departments are Fresno State and Pomona Polytechnic. With experience, the career path leads to Rod and Chain Person or Land Survey Technician, then Chief of Party and, finally, to Licensed Land Surveyor. THE JOB Job seekers should contact surveying, engineering architectural and utility companies and local offices of the Operating Engineers union. They should also register with the nearest Employment Development Department Job Service office and personnel offices of federal, state, and local government. Drafting Occupations No.