The Certification Process

For Provincial Land Surveyors:
If you already hold a Commission or Licence as a land surveyor in a Canadian province, you will be required to complete one open-book, online exam (4 hours), divided into four modules. You can complete this exam at your own pace.

For CBEPS Certificate Holders:
If you do not hold a provincial Commission or Licence, you will need to complete three open-book, online exams (each 3 hours). These can also be completed on your own time.

After successfully completing the required exam(s), you will be awarded your Canada Lands Surveyor Commission.
Please note: To actively practice as a CLS, you must also obtain an ACLS Licence.

Additional Requirements

• If you hold a provincial licence:
  You must submit an affidavit form and proof of professional liability insurance.

• If you do not hold a provincial licence:
  You must provide:

  • Evidence of at least 2 years of surveying experience within the last 5 years,

  • A project report,

  • An affidavit form, and

  • Proof of professional liability insurance.

More Information

For complete details on the process, requirements, and supporting documents, download the Candidate Handbook

Benefits of ACLS Membership

• Business Opportunities: only CLSs are authorized to practice cadastral surveying on Canada Lands and the territories.
• Opportunity to work in the North and in the offshore which is seeing more and more economic activity.
• Interest in First Nations: membership helps you to participate in stakeholder engagements concerning land titles and survey frameworks on First Nation reserves.
• Interest in Federal Government/Canada Lands: membership enables employment opportunities with the federal government, in areas of surveys on Canada Lands.
• If you are already a Provincial Surveyor, only one professional exam to write.
• Professional Network/Diversity: ACLS members are all over the country and many are leaders for large surveying firms. The National Surveyors Conference is an ideal venue to network and open your horizons.
• Challenging Work: Canada Lands Surveying is a bit different from surveying on provincial lands and often presents logistical and technical challenges.
• Job Needs/Career Advancement: having a surveyor commission or more are assets in an individual’s career.
• Prestige/Recognition/Competence: The CLS commission is very well respect internationally.
• Work Outdoors/Adventure: you can combine your professional work with your interest in working outdoors and engaging diverse communities.
• Membership dues: are the lowest in Canada.
• Free student membership, the communication from the association is a good reminder to keep studying.