Understanding the Land Surveyor Qualification Process in Canada

Understanding the Land Surveyor Qualification Process in Canada

Interested in becoming a land surveyor, or just curious to learn more about how these professionals are educated, trained, and certified? You’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll help you understand the process of becoming a certified land surveyor in Canada. Let’s begin!

It Starts With a College Education

To become a land surveyor, you generally need some kind of college degree. The precise requirements for this degree will vary, based on the licensing body, employer, and the province in which the surveyor wants to work.

However, most individuals who want to become surveyors take a four-year bachelor’s degree in the field of Geomatics Engineering during college, as this provides them with the base of knowledge required to become a surveyor.

Land surveyors need a well-rounded education that helps them understand physics, the earth sciences, mathematics, and even computer programming.

In some cases, those interested in becoming Manitoba land surveyors can also pursue an associates degree in a geomatics program, and get a two-year diploma. Then, they will be qualified to work unlicensed, entry-level surveying jobs alongside professional surveyors, and can gain on-the-job experience.

Hands-On Experience With Internships and Apprenticeships

Most individuals who get a two or four-year diploma will not be qualified surveyors, but can still work as assistants with other licensed surveyors in Canada.

Most programs focused on surveying will also integrate practical experience like laboratory courses, summer cooperative internships, and apprenticeships into the curriculum, allowing students to further boost their knowledge and qualifications.

To become licensed, an applicant must have graduated from a two or four-year program that is accredited by ABET – a global surveying regulatory body. However, those without an ABET-accredited degree can still become licensed if they have enough work experience.

Sit for Provincial Licensing Exams

To become a licensed surveyor, any student must be certified by the relevant provincial surveying authority.

All Canadian Provinces (Excluding Ontario & Quebec)

In all provinces except Ontario and Quebec, CBEPS (The Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors) is the governing body for surveyors. Students will have to take a course on the fundamentals of surveying, and study for a comprehensive exam that covers all of the information required to become a licensed surveyor.

Ontario

In Ontario, the AOLS (Association of Ontario Land Surveyors) is the governing body for surveyor licensing. This requires a term of articles (practical experience) of at least 1.5 years working with a surveyor. Then, the applicant takes a licensing exam, and if successful, receives an OLS license and certificate of registration.

Quebec

In Quebec, prospective surveyors must be licensed by the OAGQ (Ordre des Arpenteurs-Géomètres du Québec, or Order of Land Surveyors of Quebec). To qualify, the applicant must have a university-level education in geography, or equivalent work experience. They must also demonstrate a professional level of French fluency.

Then, an oral and written evaluation is administered to test the competency of the surveyor. If they pass, they are licensed and qualified to work as a surveyor in Quebec.

A qualification by any of these governing bodies will allow a Canadian surveyor to work anywhere in the country. However, they may have to take additional exams, administered by the AOLS, CBEPS, or OAGQ, in order to be professionally licensed in all provinces.

Become a Professional Surveyor

After passing their boards and required exams, a licensed surveyor may then start their own business as an independent surveyor, or join a larger company or a governmental organization to serve as a surveyor.

The OAGQ, AOLS, and CBEPS offer continued education programs and further licensing, which can be used to choose a surveying specialization, and advance the career of a surveyor.

Surveyors – Professional, Skilled and Well-Educated

As you can see, it’s not easy to become a surveyor. It requires a lot of hands-on experience and dedication, and years of study to ensure that all relevant tests and exams are passed in each Canadian province. But the work that surveyors do is invaluable – so hopefully, this article has given you a greater appreciation for the amount of work it takes to get certified!