South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 49 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION- SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
Article 2 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 49-202 - Classifications and Scopes of Authority: Engineers and Surveyors

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 49-202

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024

A. Professional Engineer.

(1) A professional engineer who by reason of his special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design, acquired by professional education and practice experience, is qualified to practice engineering as defined in Section 40-22-20 of the Practice Act, all as attested by his legal license and registration as a professional engineer in this State.

(2) The professional engineer license holder is entitled to the unrestricted practice of engineering as described in Section 40-22-20 of the Practice Act.

B. TIER A Land Surveyor.

(1) The practice of TIER A land surveying consists of three separate disciplines:
(a) land boundary surveying,

(b) photogrammetry, and

(c) geographic information systems (GIS). A land surveyor may be licensed in one or more of the disciplines and practice is restricted to only the discipline or disciplines for which the land surveyor is licensed.

(2) The scopes of authority for the individual disciplines of TIER A land surveying are identified as follows:
(a) Professional Land Boundary Surveyor (PLS).
1. Locates, relocates, establishes, re-establishes, lays out or retraces any property line or boundary of any tract of land or any road, right-of-way, easement, alignment, or elevation of any fixed works embraced within the practice of land surveying, or makes any survey for the subdivisions of land;

2. Determines, by use of principles of land surveying, the position for any survey monument or reference point; or sets, resets, or replaces such monument or reference; determines the topographic configuration or contour of the earth's surface with terrestrial or extraterrestrial measurements; conducts hydrographic surveys;

3. Conducts geodetic surveying which includes surveying for determination of geographic position in an international three-dimensional coordinate system, where the curvature of the earth must be taken into account when determining directions and distances; geodetic surveying includes the use of terrestrial measurements of angles and distances, as well as measured ranges to artificial satellites;

4. Creates graphical representations of the data related to items C(2)(a)1.2.3 above.

5. Performs work of a professional photogrammetric surveyor as described in the item C(2)(b).

(b) Professional Photogrammetric Surveyor (PPS).
1. Determines the configuration or contour of the earth's surface or the position of fixed objects thereon by applying the principles of mathematics on remotely sensed data, such as photogrammetry.

2. Creates graphical representations of data relating to the item (b)1 above.

3. Performs work of a land boundary surveyor as described in the item C(2)(a) above or as a geographic information systems (GIS) surveyor as described in the item C(2)(c) below only after obtaining a license in those categories.

(c) Professional Geographic Information System Surveyor (GIS).
1. Creates, prepares, or modifies electronic or computerized data including land information systems and geographic information systems relative to the performance of the activities described in subsections (a) and (b) above.

2. Creates digital spatial data based on integration, interpretations, transformations, and/or the manipulation of primary data sources that affects the health, welfare, or safety of the public.

3. Performs work of a land boundary surveyor as described in subsection C(2)(a) above or as a photogrammetric surveyor as described in the item C(2)(b) above only after obtaining a license in those categories.

(3) The practice of TIER A land surveying does not include the use of GIS or LIS to create maps pursuant to Section 40-22-290 of the Practice Act, analyze data, or create reports.

C. TIER B Professional Land Surveyor.

(1) Persons registered as both Professional Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer are classified as TIER B Professional Land Surveyors.

(2) The practice of TIER B land surveying as described by Section 40-22-20(27) of the Practice Act, and regulated by the Board shall include the authority, within the limits set by these regulations, to practice the design of storm drainage systems and the preparation of sedimentation and erosion control plans associated with the development of residential subdivisions. Included within this practice of TIER B land surveying is the design of stormwater detention or retention facilities incidental to the surveyor's design of storm drainage systems; provided, however, that these facilities are not lakes, ponds or similar impoundments intended to contain water at all times.
(a) As used in this section, the term "residential subdivision" means property developed for single family residences and other type projects where individual lots are established for each residential unit. The density of these projects shall be limited to two lots or units per acre. Apartment projects and projects for developments of commercial or industrial properties are not included within the scope of authority.

(b) Where reference has been made to "lakes, ponds or similar impoundments intended to contain water at all times," such reference is not intended to limit a TIER B Land Surveyor's authority to prepare calculations pertaining to the hydrology or hydraulics of these impoundments. It is expected, however, that such impoundments will require a more detailed analysis and design with respect to soil mechanics. Consequently, design of impoundments intended to contain water at all times should be based upon appropriate geotechnical evaluations conducted under the direction of a licensed engineer experienced in such matters. The geotechnical investigations and report should, as a minimum, evaluate site conditions and provide recommendations for materials and methods of construction of the impoundment.

(3) The practice of TIER B land surveying shall not include the design of drainage structures, drainage systems, or other drainage features which are not incidental to the development of a residential subdivision. Projects which are purely drainage in nature or where a subdivision of a parcel of land into small parcels is not involved shall not fall within the scope of practice authorized for TIER B land surveyors. The design of such features as water systems, sanitary sewer systems, surcharged storm drainage systems or pumping stations which may also be incidental to the project are not included in this practice. The exclusion from the scope of authority of the design of "surcharged storm drainage systems" is not intended to apply to submerged outlet pipes routinely used in detention and retention basins.

(4) The practice of TIER B land surveying is further limited to the use of predesigned structures, which are approved by the county or municipal governmental agency having jurisdiction. Where standard design structures cannot be used because of extra loading, extreme depth or unusually large size, the structure shall be designed by a licensed engineer. "Predesigned Structure" is intended to cover two situations:
(a) As used in this section, the standard design for catch basins, junction boxes, and headwalls that are specified by local governments will be considered "predesigned".

(b) As used in this section, precast basins, junction boxes, and headwalls produced by concrete companies are considered as "predesigned" and may be used where allowed by the local authority.

(5) In exercising powers of a TIER B Land Surveyor, the surveyor shall undertake to perform only those assignments for which he is authorized by the statute and these regulations and for which he is qualified by education or experience in the specific technical area of TIER B land surveying involved.

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