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Land Surveyor Education Bill in Effect

as of April 3 rd

The Land Surveyor Education bill (A.3937-A/S.6316) was signed into law as Chapter 322 of the
Laws of 2019 on October 3, 2019. This law eliminates the all-experience pathway to licensure as
a professional land surveyor in New York State. Instead, it creates an education pathway requiring
a bachelor’s degree or higher in land surveying, with the opportunity for the State Education
Department to accept an associate’s degree in land surveying or an associate’s degree or higher in
engineering, math, or related science with acceptable credits in land surveying. Details of what
constitutes acceptable credits will be provided as the State Education Department develops the
regulations attendant to the new law.
Although the law was signed in October of 2019, it becomes effective 18 months after it was
signed: April 3, 2021. In addition, the all-experience pathway to licensure will not be completely
repealed until 8 years after the effective date: April 3, 2029. This means that an individual
wishing to pursue the all-experience route can start their 8-year path on or before April 3, 2021
and will still complete the pathway before the all-experience provision is repealed. Anyone
currently working toward licensure via the all-experience route will also have until April 3, 2029
to complete that pathway.

The Board of Regents of the State Education Department has adopted the regulations that will be
in place with regard to education requirements on an emergency basis; this means the regulations
are considered in full force as of the law’s effective date, but will simultaneously undergo a public
comment period (60 days). Once the public comment period has elapsed, the goal is to adopt the
regulations for final implementation as of the July Board of Regents meeting.
To view more information, including the regulations and a chart showing the various education
pathways now available, visit http://www.op.nysed.gov/news/home.html#lsreg.

EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 57 • NO 3/ 2021 • MAY/JUNE 27