The Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors (ABCLS) is a self-governing, non-profit, non-governmental organization which sets educational requirements, examines for admission, and regulates professional land surveyors within British Columbia, Canada. The ABCLS is responsible for developing bylaws and guidelines for the conduct of its members, establishing and administering entry requirements for the profession, and liaising with governmental bodies and other associations to improve the quality of the profession's service to the public.Civic Info BC. "Association of BC Land Surveyors." Accessed June 21, 2016
Its mission statement is: The Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors protects the public interest and the integrity of the survey systems in British Columbia by regulating and governing the practice of land surveying in the province.ABCLS Website. "ABCLS Mission." Accessed May 25, 2016
The ABCLS is governed by the Land Surveyors Act, a Provincial statute which sets out the framework within which the Association and its members operate.Canada. British Columbia. Land Surveyors Act. [Victoria BC], 1996 The ABCLS is headquartered in Sidney, British Columbia.ABCLS Webpage. "Contact Us." Accessed May 25, 2016
History
The profession of land surveying was not regulated in British Columbia until the late 1800s.Whittaker, John A. Early Land Surveyors of British Columbia. Victoria: The Corporation of Land Surveyors of British Columbia. 1990. Before 1891, the provincial government recognized a cadre of professional Surveyors - many of whom had been Royal Engineers In 1890, the Association of Provincial Land Surveyors was launched during a two-day long meeting held in Victoria and attended by 22 surveyors.Gordon, K. Made to Measure. BC: Sono Nis Press. 2006. In April 1891, the Provincial Land Surveyors' Act was proclaimed by the British Columbia Government in response to a petition made to the government by the Association, in which they requested, "(...) the introduction of an act to protect authorized surveyors in the performance of their duties, to prevent unqualified persons acting as surveyors and to provide for duly qualified persons from time to time being admitted to practice."Thomson, D.W. Men and Meridians Vol. 2. Ottawa: Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. 1967. Framed by W.S. Gore, then the Provincial Surveyor General, the Act established a Board of Examiners (made up of the Surveyor General and five other surveyors) and set down policies for articling pupils. Thereafter, only surveyors who passed the examinations and subsequently were approved by the Board were allowed to practice in the province of British Columbia. Authorized surveyors were then called "Provincial Land Surveyors of the Province of British Columbia"; they received a numbered commission and seal, and were entitled to append the initials "PLS" after their names. The PLS group of surveyors eventually numbered eighty-five members. The Act also incorporated a governing body - the Association of Provincial Land Surveyors - for their profession. However, the Association was relatively weak, and in 1905 it was replaced by the Corporation of Land Surveyors of the Province of British Columbia. The Corporation was established under new legislation, the Provincial Land Surveyors' Act (1905), which strengthened the management of the profession. A new Board of Examiners was formed and, as before, only surveyors who were recognized by that Board were entitled to practice in the province. Those so recognized were designated by the initials "BCLS" being appended to their name. Existing PLSs and LSs were also permitted to continue practicing under a grandfather clause. Although the Provincial Surveyors' Act has since been amended, the Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors now numbers over nine hundred and forty BCLS Commissions and continues to be the governing body of the profession. In order to practice legal land surveying in British Columbia, one must be a commissioned BCLS in good standing.
Becoming a BC Land Surveyor
There are three streams by which individuals can be registered as a Land Surveyor in Training and work towards obtaining a commission as a BC land surveyor:
Obtaining a Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors (CBEPS). Obtaining a BSc in geomatics engineering from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) with an overall GPA of over 70% and no CBEPS courses under 60%. Being a foreign trained professional with a minimum of two years experience as a cadastral land surveyor in their home country.ABCLS Webpage. "Becoming a Land Surveyor." Accessed June 21, 2016
Certificate of Completion The Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors (CBEPS) has accredited the following geomatics programs which can lead to one registering as a Land Surveyor in Training:
University of Calgary University of New Brunswick
Individuals who have not graduated from the above programs but have other relevant academic and professional experience or may have been educated in foreign countries may apply to the CBEPS for a Certificate of Completion (C of C) and/or exemptions from required examinations. Additionally, graduates from programs other than geomatics engineering may apply to the CBEPS to have their credentials reviewed for exemptions from required examinations. Once the CBEPS is satisfied that candidates have satisfied the mandatory academic requirements and have passed (or have been exempted from) necessary examinations, they issue the candidate a C of C. Candidates working through their CBEPS requirements or attending an educational institution in geomatics engineering may register as a survey student with the ABCLS.CBEPS. "Candidate Application." Accessed June 21, 2016
Degree in Geomatics Engineering from BCIT A graduate from the geomatics degree program at BCIT with the required grade in the required courses may apply for entry as a Land Surveyor in Training.BCIT. "Geomatics Engineering. " Accessed May 30, 2016
Foreign Trained Professionals Foreign trained professionals may apply for direct entry as a Land Surveyor in Training when they have two years of experience working in their home country. Applications must include academic qualifications, an internationally accredited standards agency credential evaluation and transcript analysis certificate and proof of two years experience in cadastral land surveying in their home country.
Land Surveyors in Training Once a candidate completes one of the three streams above, they are able to register with the ABCLS as a land surveyor in training (LST) and begin an articling period which typically lasts 18–32 months. This takes place under the supervision of a master who is a registered BC land surveyor. During the articling period, the candidate will write a series of professional examinations and complete two field projects. The examinations are intended to demonstrate that the candidate has a strong knowledge of every aspect of professional land surveying. These include statutes, regulations, practice of land surveying, the General Survey Instruction Rules, and the Surveyor General Circular Letters as they relate to each component of their education. The two field projects are intended to demonstrate the candidates’ practical skills including field measurements, evidence evaluation, boundary resolution, interaction with clients, and project management. Professional examinations and field projects are intended to test the candidates’ required theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to succeed as a land surveyor.ABCLS Webpage. "Exam Information." Accessed May 30, 2016
Upon completion of the articling period and professional examinations, the candidate must sit a Professional Assessment Interview (PAI), which is adjudicated by members of the Board of Management. This interview covers a broad range of topics related to land surveying and is designed to evaluate the candidates’ qualifications, knowledge, manner, and professionalism. Candidates who successfully complete the PAI are able to obtain a commission as a BC land surveyor.ABCLS Webpage. "Professional Assessment Interview." Accessed May 30, 2016
Surveyors from other Canadian jurisdictions who are in good standing with their home association do not need to register as survey students, but do have to fulfill requirements which depend on each candidate's individual license history with their home association.ABCLS Webpage. "Career Entry." Accessed May 30, 2016
Membership Membership in the Association is restricted to those who hold a BCLS commission and registered students in the pursuit of such accreditation. ABCLS Membership levels are:ABCLS Webpage. "General Info." Accessed May 30, 2016
Practising – members authorized to conduct surveys within the Province of British Columbia Nonpractising – members currently not authorized to conduct surveys Retired – members who have retired from active practice Life Members– members who have been recognized by their peers for their contribution and service to the profession. These members have all the privileges of a practising land surveyor but are no longer required to pay dues Land Surveyor Associates – members who are land surveyors in another jurisdiction in Canada and who have applied to become a practising BCLS Land Surveyors in Training – members who have completed their formal university education or equivalent and who are completing the professional requirements to be a practising land surveyor Survey Student – a person who is working towards completing their formal university education or equivalent and who wishes to be enrolled for educational purposes
Board of Management
The Board of Management (the Board) is authorized under the Land Surveyors Act, which identifies the Board's responsibilities and functions.
The Board and Executive Officers are elected according to the ABCLS by-laws. A Vice President is elected annually for a two-year term. During the second year of their term they serve as President. In keeping with unofficial tradition since 1929, the outgoing President presents the incoming President with a pair of Spats. In addition to the President and Vice President, the Board consists of four elected members and four appointees; the Past President, a Lieutenant Governor in Council (an appointed member of the public), the Surveyor General of BC, and a member appointed to serve as Secretary. Elected members serve two-year terms and may run for additional terms or run for the position of Vice President.ABCLS Webpage. "Board of Management." Accessed May 30, 2016
Types of Surveying
Types of surveying include: Land surveying: measurement and positioning on land Kahmen, Heribert; Faig, Wolfgang. Surveying. Berlin: de Gruyter. 1998. . Retrieved 2016-05-31 Hydrography: measurement and positioning on waterNational Ocean Service. "Hydrography." Accessed June 1, 2016 Photogrammetry: measurement and positioning with the use of aerial photographs Mapping: drafting of maps or charts Remote Sensing: collection of data on an object or an area on the Earth from a distance (satellites, aircraft, etc.)National Ocean Service. "Remote Sensing." Accessed June 1, 2016 Land registration: management of property rights information (titles, deeds)International Federation of Surveyors. "Functions of a Surveyor." Accessed June 1, 2016 Geographic Information Systems (GIS): computerized geographic information managementNational Geographic Society. "GIS." Accessed June 1, 2016
Services Provided by BC Land Surveyors BC Land Surveyors provide expertise in all areas of land, water and space measurement. Services can be grouped as follows:ABCLS webpage. "BCLS Services." Accessed June 1, 2016
Cadastral