Kansas Board Application and Licensure Process (KSBTP)
Kansas land surveyor licensure runs through the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP), not a separate surveying board. This domain tests the application sequence, education and experience pathways, the NCEES exam gateways, and the compliance obligations that follow licensure.
Application fundamentals
- KSBTP licenses architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and geologists. For surveying, the entry credential is Land Surveyor Intern (LSI); the professional credential is Land Surveyor.
- Apply to KSBTP first, not NCEES. The Board determines eligibility from official transcripts, a detailed experience record verified by a licensed land surveyor, references, fees, and disclosures.
- Kansas uses NCEES examinations: FS for LSI and PS for professional licensure. Board approval triggers NCEES authorization to test; then you schedule at Pearson VUE.
- Education and experience must be progressive and gained under a licensed land surveyor. The Board evaluates combinations; more education can reduce required experience, while a non-surveying degree or no degree usually requires more.
Worked example
An applicant earns an ABET-accredited bachelor's in surveying technology and works two years on boundary and topographic surveys under a Kansas licensed land surveyor. She submits a KSBTP LSI application with official transcripts and an experience affidavit. The Board approves her for the FS exam; she registers with NCEES, schedules at Pearson VUE, and passes. She receives the LSI credential, accumulates the remaining qualifying experience, then applies for the Land Surveyor license, passes the PS exam, and pays the license fee.
Traps
- Registering with NCEES before KSBTP approval, then discovering there is no authorization to test.
- Treating an NCEES Record or another state's license as automatic Kansas licensure; Kansas still requires Board review.
- Submitting copies of transcripts to NCEES instead of official transcripts to KSBTP.
- Vague experience letters that do not show dates, duties, and supervision.
- Missing the biennial renewal and continuing-education requirements; keep PDH records.