Fourth "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam" Features Special Seminar on UAV-Mounted Scanners

The Point Cloud Surveying Committee of the General Incorporated Association of Real Estate Inspection and Guarantee will hold the fourth "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam" simultaneously in Osaka and Tokyo on Saturday, August 29, 2026. This certification exam aims to support human resource development for 3D point cloud surveying professionals, in-house training, and quality control and standardization of point cloud surveying operations.

On the day of the exam, a special seminar will spotlight the rapidly spreading UAV-mounted scanners. Applications will be accepted from Monday, June 22, 2026, to Monday, August 10, 2026.

Going Beyond Simply "Introducing" 3D Scanners

In the surveying industry, the use of 3D scanners and point cloud data is expanding in both public and private surveying projects. However, many surveying companies that have introduced 3D scanners or UAV laser scanners face challenges in training personnel capable of practical implementation and in establishing internal quality control and standardized workflows. To effectively utilize point cloud surveying in practice, it is essential to systematically understand not only equipment operation but also surveying fundamentals, characteristics of point cloud data, accuracy management, and appropriate applications of acquired data. The "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam" aims to transform the capability of "acquiring point cloud data" into the ability to "utilize point cloud data" by promoting the acquisition of foundational knowledge and enhancing practical understanding.

Theme of the Fourth Special Seminar: "Accuracy Management of Point Cloud Data Acquired by UAV"

A special seminar directly relevant to field practice will be held on the day of the fourth exam.

This time, Mr. Noriyuki Kawamura, part-time lecturer at the Kinki Surveying Vocational School, will deliver a lecture on the theme "Accuracy Management of Point Cloud Data Acquired by UAV."

While UAV-acquired point cloud data enables efficient measurement of large areas, numerous factors must be considered to ensure data suitability for surveying deliverables, including GNSS and IMU accuracy, flight planning, point cloud density, flight path configuration, and verification against ground control points. Even if the data appears visually clear, it may not meet the required accuracy standards for surveying results. This seminar will provide an in-depth opportunity to learn about accuracy management critical to the practical use of UAV-acquired point cloud data.

※ Seminar content is subject to change due to circumstances.

Certification Exam Covering Surveying Fundamentals to Practical Use of 3D Point Clouds

This certification exam enables participants to learn from basics such as "Fundamentals of Surveying" to "What Is 3D Point Cloud Surveying?" and "What Can Be Done with Point Clouds?" through synchronized video and text materials. Additionally, the special seminar on exam day further deepens understanding of point cloud surveying. The exam curriculum goes beyond mere equipment operation, offering systematic learning of essential practical knowledge, including characteristics of point cloud data, accuracy management, and application methods.

Supporting Human Resource Development and In-House Training for Surveying Companies

The Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam is designed to address the following challenges:

- Wanting to understand 3D scanners before acquisition

- Seeking to use for training junior engineers and new employees

- Aiming to eliminate dependency on individual specialists for 3D scanner operations

- Wanting to acquire practical knowledge

- Aiming to establish an internal company system that actively utilizes point cloud data

Learning the fundamentals of point cloud surveying is beneficial not only for field personnel but also for sales staff when explaining services to clients.

≪Sample Exam Questions≫

・Point Cloud Surveyor ST

[Sample 1] Choose the most inappropriate statement regarding elevation in Japan.

(1) Elevations calculated by GNSS are heights above the ellipsoid surface.

(2) The ellipsoid surface is a virtual curved surface determined by calculation.

(3) The geoid in Japan refers to the surface where the average sea level of Tokyo Bay is set to zero.

(4) As a result of high-precision gravity measurements, a high-precision geoid height was determined and implemented as "Geodetic Results 2024."

[Sample 2] Choose the most inappropriate statement regarding the use of point cloud data.

(1) Used for observation inside a natural cave with no light source to understand its internal structure.

(2) Set up a 3D scanner on the riverbank to measure the riverbed topography.

(3) Used for surveying historical structures that are difficult to touch directly.

(4) Conducted fixed-point observations on slopes to detect signs of landslides.

[Descriptive Question] Describe, in 300 characters or fewer including reasons, the fields in which HLS (handheld laser scanner) excels.

・Point Cloud Surveyor SP

[Sample 1] Choose the most inappropriate statement regarding LiDAR technology.

(1) Since the measurement principles of laser scanners and total stations differ, discrepancies may occur between maps created previously with total stations and those created with laser scanners.

(2) The phase-shift method (phase-shift method) has a shorter measurement range and is prone to noise, but reduces measurement time.

(3) In laser-based measurement, accurate measurement becomes impossible if the distance to the target is either too far or too close, so maintaining an appropriate distance is necessary.

(4) Because HLS can measure wide areas more quickly than TLS, it is used for forest resource and slope surveys in areas that are difficult to access.

[Sample 2] Choose the combination of options a–d that clearly contain inappropriate content regarding the advantages and disadvantages of using laser scanners for site surveying on residential land.

a. Field measurement can be conducted by a single person.

b. Only personnel who conducted the on-site measurement can create drawings.

c. Measurement can be performed without specialized knowledge of surveying.

d. Since the entire site space is digitized, risks such as missed measurements are reduced.

(1) a and b

(2) b only

(3) c and d

(4) c only

[Descriptive Question] Describe, in 300 characters or fewer including reasons, effective operational methods for ensuring accuracy when using HLS (handheld laser scanner).

Aiming Toward Future MLIT Registration

The Point Cloud Surveying Committee is working to standardize knowledge and techniques so that point cloud surveying becomes a widely usable field technology rather than a specialized skill limited to a few experts.

The "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam" aims to become a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)-registered qualification in the future, supporting the broader adoption of point cloud surveying and the development of skilled professionals in the surveying industry.

Overview of the Fourth "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam"

Date Saturday, August 29, 2026 Registration begins at 13:00

Application Period Monday, June 22, 2026 – Monday, August 10, 2026 ※ Applications will close once seating capacity is reached.

Special Seminar on Exam Day Theme: Accuracy Management of Point Cloud Data Acquired by UAV Lecturer: Mr. Noriyuki Kawamura, Part-time Lecturer, Kinki Surveying Vocational School ※ Seminar content is subject to change due to circumstances.

Exam Venues

【Osaka Venue】 TKP Osaka Midosuji Conference Center Room 8C, Conference Room, Sekken Midosuji Building 3-5-13 Awajicho, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Access ・3-minute walk from Exit 11 of Yodoyabashi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line

・4-minute walk from Exit 2 of Hommachi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line

【Tokyo Venue】 TKP Hamamatsucho South Entrance Business Center Conference Room 3A, TS Building 2-8-14 Hamamatsucho, Minato Ward, Tokyo

Access ・4-minute walk from the South Exit of Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Lines

・4-minute walk from the South Exit of Monorail Hamamatsucho Station on the Tokyo Monorail

・4-minute walk from Exit B5 of Daimon Station on the Toei Oedo Line

Certification Categories

・Point Cloud Surveyor ST® No eligibility restrictions

・Point Cloud Surveyor SP® For certified or experienced professionals (required qualifications and experience detailed in materials on the information website)

Application and Materials Download

Detailed information regarding application methods, exam fees, and exam content is available in downloadable materials on the certification exam information website.

Direct applications are also accepted via the exam registration form.

Certification Exam Information Website https://www.reiws.or.jp/surveyor-qualification-lp/

Exam Registration Form https://x.gd/LIEXw

About the Point Cloud Surveying Committee

The Point Cloud Surveying Committee of the General Incorporated Association of Real Estate Inspection and Guarantee promotes the adoption of 3D scanner and point cloud data-based surveying technologies through private-sector leadership.

Inquiries

Point Cloud Surveying Committee Secretariat General Incorporated Association of Real Estate Inspection and Guarantee

Head Office: Astlo Shin-Osaka Building 802 5-7-18 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture TEL: 06-6690-8342 URL: https://www.reiws.or.jp/