*MUST HAVE OBTAINED YOUR PLSIT IN ORDER TO UPGRADE*
Once you have obtained the Professional Land Surveyor in Training (PLSIT) certificate, you must submit an upgrade application to obtain licensure. You must first have satisfied all education, experience, and examination requirements prior to submitting your upgrade application.
I. Education and Experience
- You will be required to indicate the pathway in which they are seeking licensure in accordance with current requirements. These pathways are listed below:
- Obtain a baccalaureate degree from a surveying or surveying technology curriculum of four or more years, approved by the board. Accrue 2 years progressive practical experience while under direct supervision of a RLS.
- Obtain a baccalaureate degree from a surveying-related field (science, engineering, or technology) of four or more years approved by the board, with a minimum of 24 semester hours of survey-specific coursework approved by the board. Accrue 2 years progressive practical experience while under direct supervision of a RLS.
- Obtain a baccalaureate degree from a curriculum unrelated to surveying of four or more years, approved by the board, plus an addition 36 semester hours of survey-specific coursework approved by the board. Accrue 2 years progressive practical experience while under direct supervision of a RLS.
- Obtain an associate degree in surveying technology or a related science, engineering, or a similar technical field, approved by the board, with a minimum of 30 semester hours of survey-specific coursework approved by the board. Accrue 6 years total progressive practical experience while under direct supervision of a RLS. Experience obtained for your PLSIT can be applied towards your total experience required for your PLS.
- Obtain a high school education diploma or a general equivalency diploma (GED) with a record satisfactory to the board of 10 years total progressive practical experience while under direct supervision of a RLS. Experience obtained for your PLSIT can be applied towards your total experience required for your PLS. Plus 18 semester hours of survey- specific coursework approved by the Board.
- Verification of experience for the pathway in which you are seeking licensure. The experience verification form can be found here. This form may also serve as one of your required references. This form must be completed and sent to the Board directly by the verifier via email at Land.Surveyors@TN.Gov. The available pathways can be reviewed on our website under Registration by Exam.
II. Examinations
- Provide proof of passage of both the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam and the Tennessee Specific Surveying exam (TS). Applicants who wish to sit for Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam may register and pay directly with NCEES. Applicants who wish to sit for the Tennessee Specific Surveying exam (TS) may register and pay directly with PSI.
III. Application
- "Upgrade to Land Surveyor" Application (CORE) (under My Licenses/Permits section)
- Applicants applying via education method (v) must upload the course reporting form.
- Two (2) plats with descriptions, along with a separate detailed narrative of the applicant’s role in the performance and production of the two sample plats. Plats should be stamped/sealed by the PLS who is in responsible charge. Because the plat shall be modified to meet all current applicable requirements for a plat in Tennessee (Tenn. Comp. R. Regs &0820-030.07(1)(a), it should be marked “FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES” or a similar notation to ensure the security of the plat. You can review plat requirements, a plat example, and other frequently asked questions regarding plats supplied with an application here.
- Firm Disclosure Form, when applicable
- Fee, $300
IV. References
- Provide three (5) references, three (3) being from Professional Land Surveyors (PLS). This form must be completed and sent to the Board directly by the reference via email at Land.Surveyors@TN.Gov.
Once all documents are received, applications are transmitted to the board for their review. Once transmitted, the review process takes approximately 4 weeks to complete. Once a certificate is issued, a decorative wall certificate will be mailed to the address we have on file for you. Please allow adequate time for this certificate to arrive (approximately 16 weeks).