FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Are correspondence courses different from home study courses?

Yes.  Although a correspondence course may be studied in the home, a home study course differs. The registrant does home study by reading, researching, writing, and noting articles pertaining to his profession.  Some boards of registrations allow home study up to a maximum of 5 hours. Correspondence courses are different because they are prepared by an association or organization.  Most state boards of registration require an exam, which we provide.  There is no limitation for professional development hours taken by correspondence except for Illinois land surveyors. In Illinois, ten of the twenty required hours may be taken by correspondence. 

Are these courses approved by the boards of registrations?

Our course instructors are registered in 5 states.  Nevada requires IACET guidelines; which we follow. We are  authorized Continuing Education Providers in Louisiana and North Carolina.  Land surveying courses must be individually approved in Texas, Tennessee, and New Jersey.  Other states may or may not approve or disapprove courses.  We are not providers for land surveying courses in New York, Rhode Island, Indiana, Missouri, or Florida.

How does one know proper documentation is kept?

1) You will receive your cancelled check from your bank -- make a copy of both sides for your records.
 

2) You receive our invoice marked paid or prepaid showing your name, professional development hours, date. check number, and the course name.
 

3) We provide a certificate of completion and examination showing the location, number of professional development hours awarded, the  course   name, and the name of the instructor or course administrator.
 

4) All records are electronically maintained for any questions by you, future employers, or a state board of registration that may randomly  audit you.
 

Our company has many land surveyors and engineers.   Can more than one person take the course?

Yes. You can study together if you wish. However, our blank answer sheets can be copied, but must be completed by each person.
 

Is there an obligation to pay for ordering or downloading the courses?

No. You only pay when you study the course and return the answer sheet. Just call us toll-free

1-800-522-0139 and we will send you all the courses that apply to your licenses.
 

Land surveying courses approved by the Texas Board of PLS include:

All of the above courses are worth eight professional development hours in Texas.

Note:  Texas accepts courses approved by other land surveying boards of registrations.
 

Eight-hour courses approved by the NJ Board of PE/LS for May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2012 include:

Courses approved by the TN Board of Examiners for LS for August 13, 2010 to August 13, 2012 include:

What is IACET and their guidelines?

IACET is the International Association for Continuing Education and Training.  Their criterion and guidelines are as follows:

1) The provider must have an identifiable continuing education or training unit or group with assigned responsibility for administering  continuing    education or training activities, courses, or programs.

2) The provider, through its continuing education or training unit, ensure certification criteria are followed.

3) The provider has a system in place to identify learners who meet requirements for satisfactory completion.

4) The provider maintains a complete, permanent (at least 7 years) record of each learner's participation and can provide a copy  of  that record upon request.

5) A learning environment and support services appropriate to the continuing education or training goals and learning outcomes are provided.

6) Each activity, course, or program is planned in response to identified needs of a target audience.

7) The provider has clear and concise written statements of intended learning outcomes (e.g. participant behavioral or performance objectives) based on identified needs for each continuing education and training activity, course, or program.

8) Qualified personnel are involved in planning and conducting each activity, course, or program.

9) Content and instructional methods are appropriate for the learning outcomes of each activity, course, or program and provide opportunities for learners to participate and receive feedback.

10) Formal processes or procedures established during activity, course, or program planning are used to assess achievement of the learning outcomes.
 

For More Information Contact:

Geographic Information Systems

PO Box 5839

McAllen, Texas  78502-5839

Telephone:  1-800-522-0139