How to Become a Land Surveyor in Alberta
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association to work as a land surveyor in Alberta or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Alberta Land Surveyor
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Land Surveyors Act [pdf], you must be registered with the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association (ALSA) to practice as or use the title Alberta Land Surveyor.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/land-surveyor, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with ALSA
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.3 to 2 months (only 1 of 5 steps state a time)
-
You submit an application form, a copy of government-issued identification, a copy of your CBEPS Certificate of Completion, and the application fee.
Source
“To apply, you must provide: Application Form Copy of Government Issued Identification Copy of the Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors (CBEPS) Application Fee”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis... -
The Registrar either approves the pathway or refers it to the Registration Committee, with a decision within 10 business days or within 60 calendar days if referred.
Time: 10 to 60 daysTime source
“A decision will be provided by the Registrar within 10 business days or within 60 calendar days if the application is referred to the Registration Committee.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis...Source
“The Registrar will either approve the pathway or refer it to the Registration Committee. A decision will be provided by the Registrar within 10 business days or within 60 calendar days if the application is referred to the Registration Committee.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis... -
After the pathway is approved, you submit experience form(s) signed by a Land Surveyor demonstrating a minimum of 2 years of experience.
Source
“Once the pathway is approved, you will be required to complete and submit the following to the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association. Experience form(s) signed by a Land Surveyor demonstrating a minimum of 2 years of experience.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis... -
Once the ALSA has received all required documents, you are notified that you are eligible to sit the qualifying examination along with upcoming examination dates.
Source
“Once the ALSA has received all required documents, the applicant will be notified that they are eligible to sit the qualifying examination along with upcoming examination dates.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis... -
When you have completed all the requirements, you are eligible to be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor by completing the final steps before registration.
Source
“When you have completed all the requirements, you are eligible to be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor. Click here for final steps”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ALSA
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.7 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
You submit an application form, a fee, and Certificates of Conduct from every Canadian jurisdiction where you are currently licensed.
Source
“To apply, you must provide: Certificate(s) of Conduct from the Canadian jurisdiction(s) in which you are currently licensed. Application Form Fee”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... -
The Registrar either approves the application or refers it to the Registration Committee, and a decision is provided within 20 business days.
Time: 20 daysTime source
“A decision will be provided within 20 business days.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...Source
“The Registrar will either approve the application or refer it to the Registration Committee. A decision will be provided within 20 business days.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... -
You must pass the jurisdictional exam, which tests your knowledge of Alberta's land surveying laws and regulations and your ability to apply them.
Source
“To become an Alberta Land Surveyor you must pass the jurisdictional exam. The exam tests your knowledge of Alberta’s land surveying laws and regulations, and your ability to apply them.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... -
Once all requirements are complete, you are eligible to be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor by completing the final steps before registration.
Source
“When you have completed all the requirements, you are eligible to be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor. Click here for final steps”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ALSA
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1.8 months (only 1 of 3 steps state a time)
-
The Registrar refers the application to the Registration Committee for review, and you receive a decision within 8 weeks.
Time: 8 weeksTime source
“You will receive a decision within 8 weeks.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...Source
“The Registrar will refer the application to the Registration Committee for review. You will receive a decision within 8 weeks.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... -
If your home organization regulates land surveying, requires mandatory registration, and has a discipline process and Code of Ethics, you must pass the jurisdictional exam.
Source
“If the home organization regulates land surveying, requires mandatory registration, has a discipline process and Code of Ethics, the applicant must pass the jurisdictional exam.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... -
When you have completed all the requirements, you are eligible to be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor by completing the final steps before registration.
Source
“When you have completed all the requirements, you are eligible to be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor. Click here for final steps”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ALSA
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Application for Registration: $550
Source
“Application for Registration..............................................................................................$550.00”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg... - Registration Fee: $250
Source
“Registration Fee................................................................................................................$250.00”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg... - Convention Levy: $170
Source
“Convention Levy................................................................................................................$170.00”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg...
Requirements
Education
Applicants who are not currently registered must provide a copy of the Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors (CBEPS).
Source
“Copy of the Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors (CBEPS)”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis...
Experience
Applicants must submit experience form(s) signed by a Land Surveyor demonstrating a minimum of 2 years of experience.
Source
“Experience form(s) signed by a Land Surveyor demonstrating a minimum of 2 years of experience.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis...
Insurance
Applicants must provide proof of professional liability insurance coverage, or submit an application for exemption to the Registrar if they are not currently employed or could be exempted.
Source
“However, if you are not currently employed or could be exempted from providing proof of professional liability insurance coverage, you need to submit an application for exemption to the Registrar of the ALSA at the same time as all of the other materials listed above.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg...
Good character
Before registration, applicants must demonstrate to the Registration Committee that they are of good character by completing the good character questionnaire, unless they are under articles.
Source
“Before you can be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor, you must demonstrate to the Registration Committee that you are of good character. The Registration Committee requires applicants to complete the “good character” questionnaire prior to registration. If you are under articles, then you do not need to complete the good character questionnaire.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg...
Other
Applicants must provide proof of passing the ALSA competency development courses within the last 4 years.
Source
“Proof of passing the ALSA competency development courses (within the last 4 years).”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis...Applicants already licensed in Canada must be land surveyors in good standing of a Canadian organization that regulates land surveying.
Source
“Available to applicants who are land surveyors in good standing of a Canadian organization that regulates land surveying.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...Applicants already licensed in Canada must provide Certificates of Conduct from the Canadian jurisdictions in which they are currently licensed.
Source
“Certificate(s) of Conduct from the Canadian jurisdiction(s) in which you are currently licensed.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...Internationally educated applicants must be land surveyors in good standing of an international organization that regulates land surveying.
Source
“This process is available to applicants who are land surveyors in good standing of an international organization that regulates land surveying.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...Internationally educated applicants must prove their home organization regulates land surveying with mandatory registration and has a discipline process and Code of Ethics, or they must apply for articles or complete the ALSA ethics course and jurisdictional exam.
Source
“If the home organization DOES NOT regulate land surveying and require mandatory registration, the applicant must apply for articles. If the home organization DOES NOT have a discipline process and Code of Ethics, the applicant must complete the ALSA Communication, Ethics, and Professional Governance course and the jurisdictional exam.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic...Applicants must take and subscribe the Oath of Office before a judge, an ALSA Council member who is a Commissioner for Oaths, or the Chair of the Registration Committee who is a Commissioner for Oaths.
Source
“to be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor, you must take and subscribe the Oath of Office, set out in the Schedule, before one of the following individuals.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg...Applicants who have been under articles must provide a discharge of articles before they can be registered.
Source
“If you have been under articles, you must provide the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association with a discharge of article before you can be registered as an Alberta Land Surveyor.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated by the regulator Check with ALSA
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with ALSA
Exams
-
Jurisdictional exam
Source
“To become an Alberta Land Surveyor you must pass the jurisdictional exam.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... -
Qualifying examination
Source
“the applicant will be notified that they are eligible to sit the qualifying examination along with upcoming examination dates.”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis... -
PPLS Part 1 and Part 2 exams
Source
“Pass PPLS Part 1 and Part 2 exams (available until October 2028).”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/Articling-Pupils -
Project report exams
Source
“Pass two project report exams (reports must be passed by December 31, 2028).”
alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/Articling-Pupils -
Oral examination
Source
“Successful completion of an oral examination”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/land-surveyor -
CBEPS examinations
Source
“A series of qualifying CBEPS examinations”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/land-surveyor
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with ALSA
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with ALSA
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with ALSA
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $26.00 | $48.53 | $61.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $29.00 | $42.20 | $60.51 | — |
Land surveyors in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
- Federal (all of Canada) Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Land Surveyor: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/land-surveyor · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply for Individual Registration - Do Not Currently Hold a License as a Land Surveyor: Alberta Land Surveyors' Associationicon-searchFacebookFacebookBox CleverBox Clever alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/apply-for-individual-regis... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply for Individual Registration - Already Hold a License Elsewhere in Canada: Alberta Land Surveyors' Associationicon-searchFacebookFacebookBox CleverBox Clever alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply for Individual Registration - Already Hold a License Elsewhere in the World: Alberta Land Surveyors' Associationicon-searchFacebookFacebookBox CleverBox Clever alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/land-surveyors-already-lic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- The Final Steps Before Registration: Alberta Land Surveyors' Associationicon-searchFacebookFacebookBox CleverBox Clever alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/The-Final-Steps-Before-Reg... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Articling Pupils: Alberta Land Surveyors' Associationicon-searchFacebookFacebookBox CleverBox Clever alsa.ab.ca/how-to-become-a-land-surveyor/Articling-Pupils · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a land surveyor in Alberta?
Yes. Registration with the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association is required to practise in Alberta, and to use the title Alberta Land Surveyor.
Which exams are required?
Jurisdictional exam, Qualifying examination, PPLS Part 1 and Part 2 exams, Project report exams, Oral examination, CBEPS examinations.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.