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Going out on your own

How to start a survey practice in Ontario

Only a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor (O.L.S.) can legally perform cadastral (boundary) surveys, prepare legal survey plans, and give professional opinions on property boundaries. It is a tightly held, reserved-scope profession regulated by AOLS under the Surveyors Act.

Ontario Land Surveyor at a glance

Credential
Reserved cadastral practice — an O.L.S. licence is required
Path in
Geomatics/survey degree → up-to-1.5-yr articling → entrance exams
Regulated by
Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (AOLS)
Insurance baseline
Professional liability (E&O); part of firm authorization
Professional body
Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (AOLS)

You must be licensed first. A practice can only offer ontario land surveyor services to the public once it holds the regulator’s firm authorization, which requires a licensed principal and professional liability insurance. Sort the firm authorization before you take work.

The steps to start your practice

  1. 1

    Get an AOLS Certificate of Authorization

    Your personal O.L.S. licence lets you practise; a Certificate of Authorization lets your firm offer survey services to the public, with professional liability insurance in place. This is the step that turns a licensed surveyor into a survey business.

    AOLS ↗
  2. 2

    Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)

    Most professionals incorporate to limit liability and for tax efficiency. Several regulated professions (architects, engineers) can form a professional corporation with a Certificate of Authorization — confirm the right entity type with your regulator before filing.

    Full guide: Incorporation
  3. 3

    Set up your CRA accounts

    Register for a Business Number, HST/GST (mandatory above $30,000 in revenue), payroll if you will hire, and corporate income tax. Professional service fees are HST-taxable.

    Full guide: CRA Registration
  4. 4

    Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance

    Errors & omissions insurance is the core coverage for a professional practice — and a firm-authorization condition for regulated professions. It protects against claims arising from your professional advice, designs, or certifications.

    Full guide: Insurance
  5. 5

    Stand up your practice operations

    Business banking, professional accounting, engagement letters and contracts, and the project and document workflows a practice runs on. This is the back office that keeps you paid and protected.

    Full guide: Operational Setup

Your launch checklist

The whole page in one list.

  • Get an AOLS Certificate of Authorization
  • Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
  • Set up your CRA accounts
  • Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
  • Stand up your practice operations

Let AEC Stack handle the business side

Incorporation, CRA, insurance, and the operations to run a practice, set up so you can focus on the professional work.

Start your practice