All posts by J. Allison Butler

certifications Surveying has been practiced for millennia, but licensing in U.S. states has been around for a little over a century; a substantial amount of foundational surveying was in the pre-licensing era. Many developed countries do not have licensing but have variations on education and certification. The best model best works, and what model would best serve the profession and the public, moving forward? (Image: 1846-1854 Colton Solar Compass, National Museum of American History)

Certifications or Licensing? Part 6

Part 6 of 6: Building a Surveyor Professional Certification Program Editor’s Note: What will regulation, certification, and licensing of the surveying profession look like in the near and distant future? Surveying is and always has been molded by external influences: markets, technologies, economic conditions, demographics, and competition from outside of the profession. Other professionals, consumers,...

5 gis commons certifications

Certifications or Licensing? Part 5

Part 5 of 6: Proposing a National Program for Surveyor Education and Certification Editor’s note: What will regulation, certification, and licensing of the surveying profession look like in the near and distant future? Surveying is and always has been molded by external influences: markets, technologies, economic conditions, demographics, and competition from outside of the profession....

4 tx supreme court commons

Certifications or Licensing? Part 4

Part 4 of 6:  More Court Rulings Editor’s Note: What will regulation, certification, and licensing of the surveying profession look like in the near and distant future? Surveying is and always has been molded by external influences: markets, technologies, economic conditions, demographics, and competition from outside of the profession. Other professionals, consumers, and pro-sumers have...

3 supreme court commons

Certifications or Licensing? Part 3

Part 3 of 6: Legal Issues Affecting State Licensing Editor’s note: What will regulation, certification, and licensing of the surveying profession look like in the near and distant future? Surveying is and always has been molded by external influences: markets, technologies, economic conditions, demographics, and competition from outside of the profession. Other professionals, consumers, and...

Certifications or Licensing? Part 2

Part 2 of 6: Legal issues affecting state licensing Editor’s Note: What will regulation, certification, and licensing of the surveying profession look like in the near and distant future? Surveying is and always has been molded by external influences: markets, technologies, economic conditions, demographics, and competition from outside of the profession. Other professionals, consumers, and...

Certifications or Licensing? The Future of Surveying

Part 1 Editor’s note: What will regulation, certification, and licensing of the surveying profession look like in the near and distant future? Surveying is and always has been molded by external influences: markets, technologies, economic conditions, demographics, and competition from outside of the profession. Other professionals, consumers, and prosumers have found that the legacy mysteries...