Florida to require "documentable expertise"…
“…has documentable expertise in the discipline used in producing the work product or service.”
What exactly can the ramifications be of such a mandate?
The State of Florida seems to be in the process of revising their Standards of Practice. A copy of the new (proposed) Standards of Practice, available on the internet, makes the following demand:
5J-17.053
(2) Licensees shall only seal a surveying report or map if they were in responsible charge of the preparation and production of the document and has documentable expertise in the discipline used in producing the work product or service.Maybe the above language has always been there, and I just never saw it. But, I would still like to understand precisely what it means, regardless. And, to that end I have questions. I suppose I could just ask my attorney grandson for clarification, but since these are “our” rules I shouldn’t have to pay for a legal opinion merely to know how to behave ethically and/or professionally.
Definition of discipline, found online: “a branch of knowledge (synonyms: field (of study), branch of knowledge, subject, area)”.
To my understanding, “discipline” (ie branch of knowledge, subject, area) should or perhaps could include some or all of the following: CAD, GIS, GNSS, Ordinary High Water Line, Tidal Boundary, traverse, traverse adjustment, contouring, legal description writing, legal description interpretation, boundary law, leveling loops and adjustment, geodetic transformations, least squares adjustments, expert testimony, GNSS post processing…and still others.
For the dictionary meaning of documentable I found: “having the quality or capability to be documented”.
For document I found: “a writing that contains something”.
After digesting the above found dictionary meanings I have broken down the practical meaning of the law as follows: (paraphrased)
“Having at the ready the appropriate words that have the quality or capability of being written down in the event someday you may need to be able to document by writing them down that details your expertise in: CAD, GIS, GNSS, Ordinary High Water Line, Tidal Boundary, traverse, traverse adjustment, contouring, legal description writing, legal description interpretation, boundary law, leveling loops and adjustment, geodetic transformations, least squares adjustments, expert testimony, GNSS post processing, or in any other subject or area that you have ever used in producing the surveying report or map showing your work product or service containing your seal.”
Imagine having to document your expertise in CAD for starters?
Obviously, something I’m not getting. What exactly was the purpose of having to submit required information (education/experience) with the application and then being required to pass the written test in order to be licensed?
I seem to recall some states had the requirement “shall possess the required knowledge by education or experience” in order to lawfully do whatever you did. But, being required to have “documentable expertise” is a new one. Oh gosh, I fret every time I see our lords assembling.
I am highly suspicious they (Board) are merely attempting to make it more difficult than it needs to be for surveyors moving into photogrammetry to protect the big boys, but of course I have no way of knowing their motives. That being said, with autonomous drones, improved camera systems and easily operated software like Pix4D Mapper and Agisoft PhotoScan Pro, surveyors would be crazy to not eventually want to move into this area. Anyway, just how would you interpret the above stated rule?
Thanks for any help offered.
ibenhavin
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