In its most basic form, Land Surveying is the art and science of locating points on, above and below the surface of the earth and relating those points to a common reference system.

In Pennsylvania, Land Surveying is a licensed profession regulated through the State Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists and subject to the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law. The “Practice of Land Surveying” involves the location or retracement of any property line or boundary of any parcel of land, determining the position of monuments marking a property line, corner setting, or writing deed descriptions.

The Pennsylvania Registration Law contains the following Code of Ethics:
It shall be considered unprofessional and inconsistent with honorable and dignified bearing for any … professional land surveyor … :

a) To act for his client or employer in professional matters other than as a faithful agent or trustee, or to accept any remuneration other than his stated recompense for services rendered.

 

b) To attempt to injure falsely or maliciously, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects or business of anyone.

c) To attempt to supplant another … land surveyor … after definite steps have been taken toward his employment.

d) To compete with another … land surveyor … for employment by the use of unethical practices.

e) To review the work of another … land surveyor … for the same client, except with the knowledge of such … land surveyor … , or unless the connection of such … land surveyor … with the work has been terminated.

f) To attempt to obtain or render technical services or assistance without fair or just compensation commensurate with the services rendered: Provided, however, the donation of such services to a civic, charitable, religious or eleemosynary organization shall not be deemed a violation.

g) To advertise in self-laudatory language , or in any other manner, derogatory to the dignity of the profession.

h) To attempt to practice in any field of engineering, land surveying, or geology in which the registrant is not proficient.

i) To use or permit the use of his professional seal on work over which he was not in responsible charge.

 

j) To aid and abet any person in the practice of … land surveying … not in accordance with the provisions of this act or prior laws.

 
ACRE ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS subscribes fully to the tenets of the Code of Ethics contained in the PA Engineer, Land Survey and Geologist Registration Law as well as the Principles of Professional Practice and Manual of Practice for Professional Land Surveyors published by the PA Society of Land Surveyors.