What Are the Benefits of Joining LSAW as a Member?

Updated

Joining the Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW) gives you access to a professional community of more than 1,000 members, a member directory listing, industry news through the Evergreen State Surveyor publication, chapter meetings and events, education and career resources, and a job board. Membership is aimed at land surveyors and related professionals in Washington who want to protect and advance the profession. The site presents membership as an investment in your profession and your future, but it does not publish dues or a fee schedule, so check the Membership Info & Benefits page or contact LSAW directly for current pricing and eligibility.

What membership includes

Based on the LSAW site, members can expect the following:

  • A professional community: LSAW describes itself as "1,000+ members working to protect and advance the profession."
  • Chapter participation: Local chapters such as Snohomish and Cascade Columbia hold regular meetings, giving members regional networking opportunities.
  • Events and workshops: The events calendar covers the annual conference, workshops, and recorded events.
  • Industry news: The Evergreen State Surveyor publication keeps members current on LSAW and industry developments, and E-News delivers updates.
  • Education and career support: College and career programs, scholarships, mentorships and job shadowing, the WA Young Surveyors Network, and a job board.
  • Professional development: Resources include a PLS Refresher Course video library and information on the Certified Survey Technician (CST) credential and the Northwest Surveyor program.
  • Member tools: A member login, the LSAW Store, and a "Find a Surveyor" directory where licensed members are listed as ready to help.

How to join

  1. Go to the LSAW website (lsaw.org) and open the Membership section.
  2. Review Membership Info & Benefits to confirm which membership category fits you and what it covers.
  3. Select Join LSAW and complete the application.
  4. Once approved, use Member Login to access member-only areas, and subscribe to E-News so you don't miss announcements.

The site does not spell out the application steps, required documents, or approval timeline, so treat the sequence above as a general path and confirm details with LSAW if anything is unclear.

How to tell whether it's worth it for you

Membership makes the most sense if you are a Washington surveyor who values local chapter networking, continuing education, and staying visible in the Find a Surveyor directory. If your main need is simply locating a licensed surveyor for a one-time project, you don't need to join—use the public Find a Surveyor directory instead. If you are early in your career, the scholarship, mentorship, and Young Surveyors Network offerings may be the strongest draw.

Common questions

Is there a member directory? Yes. Licensed members appear in the Find a Surveyor directory, which the public can search by need, such as boundary surveys, construction staking, or topographic surveys.

What does it cost? The site does not publish dues. Check the Membership Info & Benefits page or contact LSAW for current rates.

Can non-members attend events? The calendar lists chapter meetings and workshops, but the site doesn't state whether each event is open to non-members, so confirm with the chapter or LSAW before attending.