Continue Your Mission in Land Surveying

Land surveying is a career where military experience, technical skill, leadership, and time outdoors all come together. For veterans transitioning into civilian careers, surveying offers a meaningful path with strong career growth, hands-on work, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

Surveyors work on projects that shape roads, bridges, property boundaries, utilities, public lands, infrastructure, and development across Oregon. The work requires problem-solving, teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt in the field. These are skills many veterans already bring with them.

Why Surveying Is a Good Fit for Veterans

A career in land surveying may be a strong fit if you enjoy:

• Working outdoors and in different environments
• Using technology, mapping equipment, GPS, drones, and data collection tools
• Solving problems and doing detailed investigative work
• Being part of a team
• Building a career with clear steps for advancement
• Doing work that leaves a lasting impact

Surveying is where career meets lifestyle. It offers variety, purpose, and the chance to be part of projects that matter.

Transfer Your Military Skills

Many skills gained through military service translate directly into surveying, including:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Discipline
• Navigation and mapping
• Team coordination
• Field operations
• Attention to detail
• Project planning
• Technology use
• Safety awareness

Whether you served in engineering, construction, logistics, aviation, infantry, intelligence, or another field, your experience may provide a strong foundation for a surveying career.

Pathways Into the Profession

There is more than one way to enter the surveying profession. Veterans may begin as survey technicians, field crew members, CAD technicians, interns, or students in a surveying or geomatics program.

As experience and education grow, many surveyors choose to work toward professional licensure. In Oregon, licensure is managed through the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying, also known as OSBEELS.

Working Toward Licensure

Becoming a Professional Land Surveyor takes education, experience, and examination. The process may include:

• Gaining qualifying surveying experience
• Completing surveying or related coursework
• Passing the Fundamentals of Surveying exam through NCEES
• Passing the Principles and Practice of Surveying exam through NCEES
• Passing the Oregon Specific Exam through OSBEELS
• Meeting Oregon’s licensure requirements

Veterans may also be able to use eligible education benefits or reimbursement programs for certain licensing and certification exams.

Professional Support and Resources

PLSO helps connect veterans and career changers with information, resources, and people in the profession.

Helpful resources include:

• Job & Internship Board
• College Programs
• Scholarships
• Mentorship
• Certified Survey Technician information
• Licensure resources
• Professional networking
• Outreach and career exploration opportunities

A Career That Leaves a Mark

“Surveying combines technology, history, detective work, and the outdoors in a way that few careers can. I like knowing the work I do today will still matter years from now and help shape the communities we serve.”

Start Your Next Chapter

If you are a veteran exploring your next career, land surveying may offer the challenge, purpose, and lifestyle you are looking for.

Explore the resources below to learn more about surveying careers, education pathways, licensure, and opportunities in Oregon.