President's Remarks - Summer 2025

Wow!  How fast did this year's first five (5) months go by?  Since I penned the last article, things have continued to be busy. During the last weekend in March, I was asked to volunteer as a judge for the 2025 ASCE Mid-Atlantic East & West Student Symposium surveying competition.  Eight (8) schools competed against one another in plat and field competitions.  The field competition had four (4) parts: pacing, leveling, stakeout, and pipeline.  The experience was fantastic.  These were civil engineering students who showed an interest in the surveying profession.  Bravo to those kids!   

In April, I represented PSLS at the Virginia Association of Surveyors Convention in Williamsburg, VA. The convention was held at the Kingsmill Resort from April 9th through the 12th. There were lots of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a trivia night during the event. This was my first time at the Virginia Association of Surveyors Convention, but I dare say it was not my last. 

In May, having concluded the conference circuit, I visited the South Central and Delaware Valley Chapters of PSLS.  The South Central Chapter enlisted Dave Doyle to present his “Are You Ready for 2025? New Datums, New Coordinates, New Heights” presentation.  The Delaware Valley Chapter asked Jim Shomper to speak about Thomas Holme, the First Pennsylvania Surveyor General.  Both presentations were excellent.  I would encourage everyone to attend a local chapter meeting.  The chapter map and meeting dates can be found on the PSLS website. 

The Legislative Committee continues to ask for your help to oppose Senate Bill 215, which was introduced on February 3, 2025.  SB 215 would exempt specific individuals from the requirements for professional licensure as an engineer, land surveyor, or geologist if working in connection with an electric corporation, cable service, voice-over-internet-protocol service, broadband internet access, or any other service delivered over a cable system.  We have prepared an opposition letter for you to sign and forward to your State Senator in your District.  The letter was distributed in an email blast to the PSLS members on March 21, 2025. 

PSLS was made aware of some confusion regarding Act 32 of 2024 and received the following guidance from the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. PSLS posted the following information on June 5, 2025 to the PSLS website:

Guidance Regarding Experience Requirements Following Act 32 of 2024 

"We understand that there has been some confusion regarding experience requirements following the enactment of Act 32 of 2024. Please be advised that Act 32 did not change the total experience requirement for licensure as a professional engineer or land surveyor in Pennsylvania. The change in law removed the requirement that experience be gained after issuance of the Engineer Intern certificate or Land Surveyor-in-Training certificate; however, it did not expand the law to permit reusing the same experience to satisfy multiple licensure requirements. 

While we cannot provide legal advice or interpret the law for individual cases, we encourage all applicants to review the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, as amended by Act 32 of 2024, for specific statutory requirements.” 

Hopefully, this clears things up for anyone pursuing licensure.  Remain steadfast in that pursuit.  It may not be easy at times, but it will be worth it! 

Please consider joining one (1) of our thirteen (13) committees and/or the Executive Board.  The list of standing committees can be found on the PSLS website.  The nominations for Executive Board members are due November 1, 2025.  Finally, please remember the 2026 Surveyors’ Conference will be held at the Hershey Lodge on January 11-14, 2026.  Please save the dates. 

Have a safe and wonderful summer! 

Dylan B. Sites, PLS, SEO 

PSLS President 

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