OC: Standards of Practice, Ethics, and Codes of Conduct for the Kentucky Land Surveyor Professional

Professional land surveyors in the State of Kentucky are required to complete a minimum of sixteen hours of professional development hours (PDH) per two year period. The reporting period for Kentucky is two calendar years – January 1 – December 31 prior to the June 30 license renewal. As specified in 201 KAR 18:192, Section 2(2), it is also necessary for the professional land surveyor to complete a pre-approved 4 PDH course in the Standards of Practice, Ethics, and Codes of Conduct at least once every four years. These rules have been adopted by the legislative bodies of Kentucky and govern the practices, conduct, and the moral principles that shape the way that professional land surveyors carry out their duties. This Section within the Kentucky Administrative Regulations states The requirement for continuing professional development shall include a four (4) PDH course, pre-approved by the Surveying Committee based on the criteria established in Section 9 of this administrative regulation, in standards of practice for professional land surveyors, professional ethics, and the code of professional practice and conduct, taken once every four (4) years. This course shall count as four (4) of the required sixteen (16) PDH for the reporting period in which it is taken.

The information provided has been separated out into sections: Section I will provide an overview of ethical practice in the land surveying profession. The definition of ethics and the importance of the study of ethics will be discussed. Section I will include content from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and the principles and canons of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Code of Ethics, both national organizations that are instrumental in shaping the land surveying profession. Section II will present Title 201 of the Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Chapter 18: Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Within the Title, the regulations that discuss the code of professional practice and conduct (142) and the Standards of Practice (150) will be included. Section III will discuss the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Within Section III, we will discuss applicable definitions, a synopsis of the exceptions to KRS 322.020, details about the board (its qualifications, appointments, functions), and KRS 322.400-.470, which are sections that pertain directly to Land Surveyors, including a brief discussion on the right of entry on land of others by the land surveyor, 322.470.