House Bill 551

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-13-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO IS A RESIDENT OF THE STATE, A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER AND HAS A SPECIFIC RECORD OF TWO YEARS OF QUALIFYING SURVEYING EXPERIENCE SHALL BE QUALIFIED FOR LICENSURE AS A PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-13-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-13-77. (1) The following shall be considered as minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is qualified for licensure as a professional surveyor:

(a) (i) A bachelor's degree in geomatics, surveying or surveying technology approved by the board consisting of a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) semester hours, or the equivalent, in surveying curriculum subjects and a specific record of four (4) years of qualifying surveying experience; or

(ii) A bachelor's degree in a related science curriculum defined by board rule, consisting of sixty-two (62) semester hours in surveying curriculum subjects as defined by board rule, and a specific record of five (5) years of qualifying surveying experience; or

(iii) A bachelor's degree in a related science curriculum defined by board rule, and a specific record of six (6) years of qualifying surveying experience; or

(iv) An associate degree, or its equivalent, in a curriculum approved by the board consisting of sixty-two (62) semester hours in surveying curriculum subjects as defined by board rule, and a specific record of seven (7) years or more of qualifying surveying experience; or

(v) A high school diploma, or its equivalent, and a specific record of twelve (12) years or more of qualifying surveying experience; * * *~~and~~ or

(vi) A resident of the state, a licensed professional engineer and a specific record of two (2) years of qualifying surveying experience; and

(b) Successfully passing examinations in surveying prescribed by the board.

(2) The following shall be considered as minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is qualified for enrollment as a surveyor intern:

(ii) A bachelor's degree in a related science curriculum defined by board rule consisting of sixty-two (62) semester hours in surveying curriculum subjects as defined by board rule; or

(iii) A bachelor's degree in a related science curriculum defined by board rule; or

(iv) An associate degree, or its equivalent, in a curriculum approved by the board consisting of sixty-two (62) semester hours in surveying curriculum subjects as defined by board rule; or

(v) A high school diploma, or its equivalent, and a specific record of eight (8) years or more of qualifying surveying experience; and

(b) Successfully passing examinations in surveying fundamentals prescribed by the board.

(3) No person shall be eligible for licensure as a professional surveyor who is not of good character and reputation, as defined in the board's Code of Professional Conduct.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.