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Some have commented, why would an Association that is Timeline illustrating the progress of the
charged to represent and protect its members want to create MTS initiative to date:
a situation that could cause more work and liability to its
members? November 17, 2017 – Committee formed by NYSAPLS
Board of Directors as a direct result of the NYSAPLS Strategic
It is stated that as part of NYSAPLS mission that we Planning Retreat.
promote the profession by “Fostering the establishment
and maintenance of high professional standards of work February 8, 2018 – The committee held their first meeting,
and ethics in the practice of the Profession.” A professional followed by 26 additional meetings over the course of the
association represents its members by helping them be the following 18 months.
best they can be and helps to uplift the profession as a whole September 20, 2019 – Committee presented their first MTS
for its members and in the eyes of those that they serve. draft to the Board of Directors.
If there is additional work in performing a survey to the
level of state standards, then the surveyor should be fairly September 23, 2019 – MTS draft shared with membership.
compensated for the work they perform. As in any business, November 15, 2019 – Member comment period introduced,
if required to do more work to correctly complete a job, then closed January 10, 2020.
the fee should reflect that amount of work. With enforceable
regulated Minimal Standards all surveyors will be required January 24, 2020 – MTS Discussion Forum held, open to both
by law to perform the same minimum amount of work and members and non-members to participate and voice concerns
should all be fairly compensated for that amount of work. directly with committee.
As far as liability, if the standards are adhered to and the February 12, 2020 – Committee met to debrief the forum and
surveyor serves their clients and the general public as they additional comments received via email.
deserve, there is no additional liability. Standards remove
ambiguity in scope and practice, and should in fact reduce March 3, 2020 – A master log of comments was created to
overall liability. document the committee’s response to each concern. Some
comments were flagged as considerations to revise the draft.
NYSAPLS has been working on an initiative to draft a set of
Minimum Technical Standards (MTS) since 2017. The goal March-May 2020 – The committee used the flagged comments
is to create a set of Minimum Standards that are ultimately to further update the MTS draft.
approved by the NYSAPLS membership and the SBELSG May 15, 2020 – Revised MTS draft shared with board/membership.
and to move these Standards into the NYS Regulations of
the Commissioner of Education. June 30, 2020 – Additional MTS draft wording adjustments
made to address concerns brought forth at May board meeting.

September 15, 2020 – The committee published a webinar to
What is the current status of the MTS document the membership to provide an overview of the draft standards
NYSAPLS has drafted? document and review frequently asked questions. A webpage was
created to post additional updates for members.
The MTS document remains in draft form as of June
2020. The document was shared with NYSBELSG in September 23, 2020 – NYSAPLS membership poll: support or
November 2020. We are awaiting their feedback. In the oppose working to legislate standards for LS in NYS.
meantime, the NYSAPLS MTS Committee welcomes October 7, 2020 – Poll tallied. 188 in favor, 167 in opposition.
the opportunity to meet with Regionals to discuss the
standards. Contact our headquarters office if you’d like February 26, 2021 – MTS reached out to Regional Presidents
the committee to visit your Regional! to encourage meetings with the committee to address member
questions, concerns and keep the membership informed on the
ongoing process.
The general public deserves ethical, professional and uniform
Where can I find more information about Standards in all work performed by land surveyors in the State of
the standards? New York. By having a set of State regulated Minimum Standards

Visit our website, https://www.nysapls.org/page/MTS-Info that shall be adhered to by all Professional land surveyors in the state
to download a copy of the draft, view a recording of the of New York the general public can be assured that they will get the
committee’s webinar and additional resources. same high level of service, professionalism and professional practice
that they deserve all across the state.

EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 58• NO 3/ 2022 • MAY/JUNE 23