How to Become a Land Surveyor in British Columbia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Association of BC Land Surveyors to work as a land surveyor in British Columbia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- land surveyor
Show the source
“A person admitted as a land surveyor who has complied with every prerequisite of the right to practise as a land surveyor, and has paid the sums specified by the bylaws for a commission and for the entry of the person's name in the register of members, must be issued a commission in writing in the form provided by bylaw and signed by the secretary and at least one other member of the board.”
From free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
The applicant is admitted as a land surveyor in training if they comply with the requirements of the bylaws.
Source
“A person must be admitted as a land surveyor in training if the person complies with the requirements of the bylaws.”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01 -
Before becoming a land surveyor, the candidate must take and sign an oath or affirmation before a member of the board.
Source
“Before becoming a land surveyor, a candidate for admission as a land surveyor must take and sign before a member of the board an oath or affirmation in the form established by bylaw.”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01 -
Admission is effected by resolution of the board and entry of the name in the register, and after paying the sums for a commission and register entry the new land surveyor is issued a commission in writing.
Source
“Admission as a land surveyor is effected by resolution of the board and entry of the land surveyor's name in a register of members kept by the secretary.”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
A person from another Canadian jurisdiction with equivalent status registers as a land surveyor associate in compliance with the bylaws.
Source
“"land surveyor associate" means a person who, for a Canadian jurisdiction other than British Columbia, has a status recognized under the bylaws as equivalent to that of a land surveyor, is registered as a land surveyor associate in compliance with the bylaws and is not in default for fees, dues or costs payable to the association;”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01 -
A registered land surveyor associate may be permitted to sit the examinations to become a land surveyor if they comply with the bylaws.
Source
“A person registered as a land surveyor associate may be permitted to sit the examinations to become a land surveyor if the person complies with the bylaws.”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“(c) the basis for admission as a land surveyor in training of an individual who has started similar training outside of British Columbia;”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01
Requirements
Other
A person must be at least 19 years of age to be admitted as a land surveyor.
Source
“(i) the person is at least 19 years of age;”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01The applicant must satisfy the board that they have passed all required examinations and have complied with the Act and the bylaws.
Source
“(iii) the person has satisfied the board that the person has passed all required examinations and has complied with this Act and the bylaws, or”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01Before becoming a land surveyor, the candidate must take and sign an oath or affirmation before a member of the board.
Source
“Before becoming a land surveyor, a candidate for admission as a land surveyor must take and sign before a member of the board an oath or affirmation in the form established by bylaw.”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
The Act states the board is obliged under the Labour Mobility Act to admit a person as a land surveyor. Source
“(b) the person is a person whom the board is obliged under the Labour Mobility Act to admit as a land surveyor.”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
Exams
-
examinations to become a land surveyor
Source
“A person registered as a land surveyor associate may be permitted to sit the examinations to become a land surveyor if the person complies with the bylaws.”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01 -
required examinations
Source
“(iii) the person has satisfied the board that the person has passed all required examinations and has complied with this Act and the bylaws, or”
free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Association of BC Land Surveyors
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $35.00 | $40.87 | $60.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $29.00 | $42.20 | $60.51 | — |
Land surveyors in other provinces and territories
- Alberta 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 Surveyors Act free.bcpublications.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96248_01 · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a land surveyor in British Columbia?
Yes. Registration with the Association of BC Land Surveyors is required to practise in British Columbia, and to use the title land surveyor.
Which exams are required?
examinations to become a land surveyor, required examinations.
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