Transforming 3D Point Cloud Surveying from a Skill for the Few to a Technology Cultivated Internally

The Real Estate Inspection and Warranty Organization (REIWS, Location: Astro Shin-Osaka Building 802, 5-7-18 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Representative Director: Junichi Hieda) will hold the fourth "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam," which objectively evaluates and certifies knowledge and skills in 3D point cloud surveying, on August 29, 2026 (Sat) at two venues in Tokyo and Osaka.

This exam is designed not only for technicians involved in point cloud surveying using 3D laser scanners and UAVs, but also for new and junior employees who will learn 3D point cloud surveying, sales representatives who propose point cloud data, managers responsible for site operations, and management personnel promoting internal DX.

It can be utilized as part of employee training for businesses facing challenges such as "not knowing what to teach employees," "having introduced equipment but only having a limited number of personnel who can use it," or "wanting to systematically teach junior employees 3D point cloud surveying." We support the cultivation of 3D point cloud surveying as a technology that can be handled by the entire company, rather than relying on a few skilled individuals.

Growing Need for Training 3D Point Cloud Surveying Personnel in the Surveying Industry

DX is advancing in the surveying industry, and the demand for surveying using point clouds is increasing, regardless of whether the 3D laser scanners are stationary, UAV-mounted, or portable. In the construction, surveying, and real estate fields, the need for grasping current conditions, managing work progress, design and construction planning, and maintenance using 3D point cloud data is expanding, making the training of personnel capable of 3D point cloud surveying increasingly important.

On the other hand, many companies, despite introducing laser scanners, face challenges in improving company-wide technical skills and training new employees, as the operation and data utilization are often dependent on a few individuals.

3D point cloud surveying is not a technology that all employees can handle immediately upon purchasing the equipment. It requires a systematic understanding of surveying fundamentals, measurement procedures, accuracy considerations, point cloud data processing, and practical application methods.

Therefore, common learning standards that can be used for employee training and a mechanism to objectively confirm learning progress become crucial.

About the Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam

REIWS has established the "Point Cloud Surveying Division" within the organization to promote personnel training, skill improvement, and the adoption of laser scanner surveying. The "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam" is conducted as part of these efforts.

This certification exam is a private qualification that aims to objectively evaluate knowledge and skills in 3D point cloud surveying and establish common evaluation criteria independent of manufacturers and models. A key feature is its ability to clarify individual learning goals for employees and be used to track the progress of internal training and visualize technical skill levels.

As of May 2026, 114 people are registered as certified holders, and the system is operated to support the visualization of skills and personnel development for technicians, sales representatives, and managers involved in 3D point cloud surveying.

Qualification Categories

- Point Cloud Surveyor ST® This category is for those starting point cloud surveying, new and junior employees, sales representatives, and others. There are no prerequisites for taking the exam.

- Point Cloud Surveyor SP® This category is for experienced individuals and qualified professionals. Knowledge at a level that allows for the planning and execution of 3D point cloud surveying is required.

*To take the exam, you must hold one of the following qualifications: Surveyor, Assistant Surveyor, Land and House Investigator, or First or Second Class Unmanned Aircraft Pilot, or have at least 3 years of experience in surveying or 3D surveying.

Benefits for Management: Utilization for Employee Training, Technical Standardization, and Improved Proposal Capabilities

The Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam can be utilized not just as an individual qualification but as a system for employee training within a company.

- Can be used as a common curriculum for employee training It provides an opportunity to systematically learn fundamental knowledge of 3D point cloud surveying, measurement procedures, data utilization, and related laws and regulations.

- Prevents knowledge monopolization and leads to internal standardization It helps prevent situations where only a few individuals understand the technology, contributing to the establishment of a system where the entire company can handle 3D point cloud surveying.

- Objectively visualizes employee skills Through obtaining the certification, it becomes easier to objectively grasp employees' understanding and technical skill levels.

- Can be used for training new and junior employees As it covers everything from surveying fundamentals to practical knowledge of 3D point cloud surveying, it is suitable for educating new and junior employees.

- Leads to improved sales and proposal capabilities When sales representatives and managers understand the characteristics and application methods of point cloud data, it is expected to enhance their ability to explain to and propose to clients.

By visualizing employees' knowledge and skills in the form of certification, it aids in internal training plans, personnel allocation, technician development, and strengthening proposal capabilities to clients. It can be used as an educational system to cultivate 3D point cloud surveying as a technology handled by the entire company, rather than entrusting it solely to a few skilled individuals.

Special Seminar to be Held Concurrently on the Day of the Fourth Certification Exam

A special seminar will be held concurrently on the day of the fourth certification exam. This time, Mr. Noriyuki Kawamura, a part-time lecturer at Kinki Surveying Technical School, will be invited as a lecturer to give a talk on the theme of "Accuracy Management of Point Cloud Data Acquired by UAVs."

Special Seminar on Accuracy Management Required for UAV Point Cloud Surveying

As the use of UAVs and 3D laser scanners expands, how to verify the accuracy of point cloud data and manage it to a quality suitable for practical use is a critical theme for companies aiming to commercialize or internalize 3D point cloud surveying. This seminar will provide an opportunity to learn quality management concepts that can also be applied to employee training, with understanding to be confirmed through the certification exam.

For the exam, participants will learn the basics of surveying, measurement procedures using 3D laser scanners, examples of point cloud data utilization, and laws related to 3D point cloud surveying through pre-distributed texts and instructional videos. On the day of the exam, participants will take the certification exam after attending the special seminar.

This certification qualification is being developed with the standardization of knowledge and skills in 3D point cloud surveying, with the participation of former officials from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, former officials from the Ministry of Justice, and advisors from surveying equipment manufacturers as consultants to our division. The aim is for this qualification to be utilized in highly public surveying fields in the future.

Materials can be downloaded from the Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam LP.

https://www.reiws.or.jp/surveyor-qualification-lp/

Outline of the Fourth "Point Cloud Surveyor Certification Exam"

Date August 29, 2026 (Sat) Reception begins at 13:00

Application Period June 22, 2026 (Mon) - August 10, 2026 (Mon) *Applications will close once venue seats are filled.

Special Seminar on Exam Day Theme: Accuracy Management of Point Cloud Data Acquired by UAVs Lecturer: Noriyuki Kawamura Part-time Lecturer, Kinki Surveying Technical School *Seminar content is subject to change without notice.

Exam Venues

【Osaka Venue】 TKP Osaka Midosuji Conference Center Conference Room 8C, Soken Midosuji Building, 3-5-13 Awajicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka

Access:

3-minute walk from Exit 11, Yodoyabashi Station, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line

4-minute walk from Exit 2, Honmachi Station, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line

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

Access:

4-minute walk from the South Exit, JR Hamamatsucho Station

4-minute walk from the South Exit, Tokyo Monorail Hamamatsucho Station, Tokyo Monorail

4-minute walk from Exit B5, Daimon Station, Toei Oedo Line

Inquiries

Real Estate Inspection and Warranty Organization Point Cloud Surveying Division Secretariat

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