Proposed Updates to Kentucky’s Surveying Standards of Practice
Surveying standards play a critical role in ensuring consistency, accuracy, and reliability across projects. For the first time in more than a decade, Kentucky’s Standards of Practice for surveying are being updated—reflecting changes in technology, workflows, and the evolving needs of the industry.
Originally last updated in 2010, the standards provide a framework that guides how surveyors collect, document, and deliver data. These guidelines help ensure that survey work is performed consistently across projects and that engineers, agencies, and communities can rely on the information provided.
Why the Update Was Needed
Since the last update, the surveying profession has undergone significant transformation. Advances in technology—such as satellite-based GPS, electronic distance measurement (EDM), LiDAR scanning, and mobile mapping—have changed how data is collected and processed.
At the same time, project expectations have grown. Transportation, infrastructure, and land development projects increasingly rely on large datasets, digital models, and integrated workflows. Updating the standards helps ensure they reflect how surveying is performed today, not how it was done more than a decade ago.
A Collaborative Effort
In March 2025, the Kentucky Association of Professional Surveyors (KAPS) presented proposed revisions to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Recognizing the importance of the update, the Board formed a task force that included representatives from KAPS, the National Society of Professional Engineers – Kentucky (NSPE-KY), and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kentucky (ACEC-KY).
The task force, appointed by 2025 Board of Licensure Chair Josh Calico, PLS, of Palmer Engineering, worked throughout 2025 and into early 2026 to review the proposed revisions and incorporate additional feedback from across the industry. In January 2026, the Board of Licensure voted to adopt the proposed amendments, which are now moving forward through the legislative process.
A Continued Commitment to Excellence
At Palmer Engineering, surveying has been a core part of our work since the firm’s founding in 1969. As the profession continues to evolve, our team remains committed to staying aligned with updated standards, advancing technologies, and best practices.
These updates help ensure that surveying continues to provide the reliable foundation engineers and communities depend on—supporting safer, more efficient infrastructure projects across Kentucky and beyond.
This article includes information adapted from an article published in the Winter issue of KSPE Magazine.