Land Surveyors
Purpose
The Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors was created in 1969 to regulate land surveyors in the State of Tennessee. The current requirements for the licensure or registration of land surveyors can be found in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 18, Part 1.
Mission
The mission of the Tennessee Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors is to protect the public health, safety and welfare through the regulation of land surveyors.
The Board has issued a new policy statement regarding the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or "drones," in the performance of surveying. You can review the new policy (Policy #10) under the "Rules and Laws" heading by clicking on "Policies."
On April 4, 2024, Public Chapter 0650 was signed into law which made the following changes to the five (5) licensing pathways currently available:
Those with applications submitted prior to 4/4/2024 will follow the former requirements.
ALL progressive experience is now under direct supervision of a Professional Land Surveyor.4
Experience can be accrued prior to taking the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam.
A Land Surveyor in Training (PLSIT) certificate is a prerequisite to Land Surveyor licensure. The experience obtained as a Land Surveyor in Training (PLSIT) can be applied toward the total experience required for the Land Surveyor license. Applicants with an active license in at least one other state or jurisdiction may apply by Comity without first acquiring the Land Surveyor in Training (PLSIT) certificate.
The Board approved coursework required for Pathway 5 (HS Diploma or GED + Experience) has increased to 18 hours.
Board approval is no longer required to take the Tennessee State Specific (TS) exam. All exams (Tennessee State Specific (TS), Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS), Fundamentals of Surveying(FS)) are now decoupled from required experience; proof of passage is required to be submitted alongside your application. You may register for the Tennessee State Specific Examination with PSI.